Four more Abstracts

 As I go through the boxes of paintings I am scanning them and making blogs. The first box is full of Canadian landscapes from Ontario and Quebec, the second box is full of small abstracts and travel paintings. I also have 4 portfolios stuffed with larger paintings. These paintings were done in 2018, probably after the trip to Europe judging by the energized colours. I make them small like this so that I can finish in one sitting, and to increase the quantity of ideas. From time to time I'll select a good one and make a larger version. This one is called 'Two Story Hut on Island' 5 x7" hot press, watercolour, 2018

 

Here is a little abstract painting containing a Dali-esque, Hodge-podge of items, like a doodlers garage sale. How is that for mixed metaphors?  'Autumn tree, ball, brick buildings' 4 x 6" hot press, watercolour, 2018

 

During the 2018-2019 winter I was studying and emulating the Japanese print makers such as Hiroshige, for example his famous 'Sudden Shower' print. I noticed that in his snow scenes in particular, he made the trees look as if they were catching the falling snow, kind of protecting the land. There may have also been limitations of the technique too, it is hard to get overlapping details in  block printing. In this scene an abstract hand prevents bad weather from descending on a grove of olive trees. Blue colour-contrast emphasizes the conflict. 'Stopping Weather' 5 x7" hot press, watercolour, 2019

 

And on the back I painted a rough sketch of a surrealist landscape. I was thinking of 'The 2010 Solution'. This one is called 'Sky Straw' text B side of Stopping weather