Open Studios

Annually, the MFA and Specialized Studio students at the University of Guelph hold an Open Studios event to showcase their work in conjunction with the Shenkman Lecture.  The following photos present the layout of my studio and set-up of the exhibition. The event took place March 21, 2012,  1pm - 9pm. 

Palette Knife Portraits

I am moving into new territory with my work, photographing models in candid, inquisitive poses that are far removed from traditional portraiture and then translating them into paintings.  The colours in skin tones are dramatized. The figure is in an abstract setting, removing them from a set narrative and allowing the audience to more freely determine what their expressions/reactions mean.  A palette knife allows me to paint more freely, yet it also reflects my use of photography in that it references pixelation to a certain extent.  

Self Portrait
oil on wood panel
30 x 30 inches

Suspended
oil on wood panel
30 x 36 inches

Portrait series

A recent exploration in the large photographic quality of my paintings has led me to consider the language of photography, the language of painting and how the two could be combined in interesting and inquisitive ways.  This is a photographic series in which I first painted my model's face and then photographed them in front of an abstractly painted backdrop using strobe lights to remove any shadows and make the image appear more two-dimensional. In this way, the viewer must work harder to discover not only my concept but also my process, and leads to a greater appreciation of both photography and painting. 

Fibre print photographs on foam core

8.5 x 11 inches

January Fourth Friday at The Casual Gourmet

The "Fourth Friday"event in January led me to experience an entirely new field of exhibiting work.  I had the pleasure of installing my work in the Casual Gourmet, a kitchenware store on Carden Street, downtown Guelph.  The owners implemented my work very well, colour-coordinating their items with my paintings. An awesome experience which allowed me to extend my work to an entirely new audience.