RESTAURATION | RESTORATION

RESTORING THE HUMAN SPIRIT

“From The Dark To The Light” Oil on canvas, 12” x 10”. Mont Saint-Pierre, Quebec

When the Covid pandemic first took hold across the world, little did we know it would still be with us over a year later. It has changed us all in an irrevocable way, a moment in history that will define the generations who experienced it.

As an artist, I felt fortunate as many other creative spirits did, to have an outlet of the mind during the numerous lock downs. The quiet, smaller world we inhabited reminded me of my childhood in the 70’s when people didn’t take exotic vacations and entertainment revolved solely around the home environment. I know the diminished social interaction was difficult for many, but in many ways, I felt it a welcome reminder to all of us about how simple life can be and still be happy.

Undoubtedly, the greatest gift to all of us during the pandemic was nature and how it became the bedrock of comfort and the balm to the soul as the months passed.

Part of my fascination with nature is its daily performance, a sort of performing art with different colours, different movements, different textures every time I step out of the house.

During the pandemic, when we were cooped up inside, our daily lives seemed endlessly the same, on a repetitive loop. And there was a sense of despair over whether things would change and get better. But by simply walking out into nature, even if just to circle a city block, we were reminded that everything always changes. That is the world. That is our lives. Nothing stays the same. The sky doesn’t. The sea doesn’t. The light doesn’t. We are in constant flux. I think this is why I feel inspired to capture the dramatic movement of landscape in my paintings. I am trying to fix onto a canvas a sense of the mystery of change.

When the pandemic began to strengthen, I couldn’t visit my glass studio, and was feeling quite disconnected creatively. I found my photography of the empty streets of Toronto a way to chronicle this strange time. The series of photographic images were entitled “Desolation In Isolation” but when a friend commented that I needed to put a more positive spin on this moment in history, and responded that my next series would be called “Creation In Isolation.”

I had no idea what this was going to become, but between mid-April and early June, I invited international artists I knew or admired in a variety of media to allow me to curate an on-line exhibition “paying it forward” in celebrating their work and spreading the beauty of their art across social media. Amazingly, during that period I highlighted the work of 200 International artists from 37 countries. An amazing response from the global creative community and a pleasure to rekindle old friendships during this unusual time and make new friends.

My vision for RESTAURATION | RESTORATION came last summer while staying at my in-laws’ cottage in Metis-sur-Mer on the Bas St. Laurent, the place where my wife, Sarah, and I feel most at peace. Intoxicated by the unique patterns, textures and atmosphere of the river, rocks and ethereal sunsets, I felt I needed to celebrate this beauty in a post-Covid exhibition celebrating life, nature and the human spirit.

During my 40 year career (as of 2022) as a professional crystal artist, I have drawn and designed for many prestigious commissioned works. So when I found myself away at the cottage, it seemed the perfect time to return to my first love of painting. What I hadn’t realized was just how much I enjoyed the freedom of expressing myself again in colour and in a style quite different from my highly detailed crystal artworks.

What I hadn’t expected in the August was a series of health issues. However, it was during this time and while I was back in Toronto, that I realized painting had become my great subconscious outlet and friend.

This summer. I am back on the Bas St. Laurent and feeling very thankful to be alive and inspired to be painting for next year’s RESTAURATION | RESTORATION exhibition. I’m creating over 30 oil paintings some of which will be the largest I’ve created.

I hope you will follow my creative journey over the next 12 months @restauration_restoration

“St. Laurent Passing Storm” Oil on canvas, 36” x 18”. Cap au Renaud, Quebec