Island as a moment in time. Island as place of contentment, as getaway, as place of reflection. Island as time with loved ones. Island as finding that which was forgotten. Island as wonder, as escape. Island as self. Island as refuge. Island as family unit. Island as a gathering place of special people. Island as dearest of friends. Island as a return. Island as youth. Island as life. Some of the metaphors inspiring this series I’ve been immersed in over the past month.

Working on bears and bicycles in the studio again now that spring has returned to our valley. Work in progress.

It's amazing to have room to move!

Since summer's end  I have been painting on small canvases in preparation for our annual December art sale. It is now well over a month into beginning the small canvases I'm getting to know them and  enjoy their company in the studio. I have added a few of them  to my 'small works' page on this site. Here is a selection of the 6x6 inch paintings:  

Still working on this one.

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Enjoyed being in attendance at the reception for "Air" at the Seymour Art Gallery last weekend. 

I seem to be moving away from human figures again.   
These animals are fun to paint for a change!

After a brief stint of painting small houses and cabins over the winter, I find myself painting figures of children in summery scenes again.  It is a subject that flows out of my brush most naturally, for now.  That’s not to say I don’t struggle with the images, but it’s a puzzle I like trying to figure out.  

I am captivated by my daughters' growing bodies – children's growing bodies. The soft, slight curve of arm between elbow and shoulder, and the curves of their limbs in general.  In simple terms: baby fat!  As their bodies grow the muscle and bone structure is continually changing.  I want to take these changes and commit them to memory.  In warmer weather their lovely little limbs are exposed in t-shirts, shorts and swimsuits which makes painting them possible.

The other reason I paint summer scenes is for the treasure box of memories. We all have them; summer smells, sounds and sights - too many to name.  With two children of my own I now have the memory of their experiences to add to mine, filling my treasure-box all the more.