"Ladder Pool"
Ξ April 23rd, 2010 | → 14 Comments | ∇ Recent Paintings, Uncategorized |
Ladder Pool 24″ x 72″ Acrylic on canvas
So I’ve got this painting that I have been wanting to share with everyone and have been sitting on it for a while. It all started when I was asked to come up with an image that would be suitable as a commission for someone special for doing something really special for a really special cause. My good friend Marcel Caissie who is an avid fisherman and photographer had been to the Dartmouth River in Quebec ( Gaspe) and taken a number of photos that I was then given full access to work up a composition from. Check out his photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/spey/ A number of different angles were presented and all were very unique and interesting. After the very special charity decided that a painting was a little too special to give as a gift to this very special person for his hard work at raising large sums of money, the idea was laid aside. It made sense that they would get him a nice gift but the painting was a little extravagant a gift for this purpose. I tend to agree with that logic. I decided since I had put a fair amount of time into the preparation of the images that I would ask Marcel if I might continue the process and bring the painting to fruition. His answer to that question was “fill your boots” which to a fisherman may not be the best thing to hear. I decided to get to work on the painting.
Backing up a about a year earlier I had been having some major trouble with my large format printer and had lost almost an entire roll of canvas, 40′, as a result of a memory problem with my server. The canvas is artist grade and coated on one side for inkjet printing. I was trying to reproduce copies of my Fly Fishing II Giclee reproductions and when it got to about 7/8 finished the system would shut down. It would print smaller images but would not do the file size we are talking about here. At any rate I had all of this partially printed canvas hanging about and was not about to throw it in the trash. Since the format I had chosen for this painting was a long horizontal piece, 24″ x 72″ the ruined reproduction was the perfect choice for material. I decided I would flip the canvas, gesso and paint on the reverse side. Pretty thrifty wouldn’t you think? I mean Emily Carr used to paint on shopping bags right? It’s funny because when people see the backside of the painting they can’t help but think that I have another painting on the other side. HMMMM? Reversible paintings may just be the new thing.
The painting had been done for quite a while and I thought that it was sold but something went wrong with that deal and so I decided to put it back on the easel and examine it some more. I started to paint on it again and am glad that I did. It’s finish is something that really has a three dimensional feel.
The clarity and colour of the water and the rocks on the bottom of the river all mesh into creating the sensation that you are actually standing right there in the water. The forest on the opposite river bank harbours a mysterious quality with the deep shadows and the cooling effect of the blues on the distant rock faces. The fisherman’s anticipation can be felt through his pose and how intently he watches the drift of his fly. The water rushing and churning out of the pool creating a white froth as it races away downstream creates a nice flow away from the stillness where we are standing. The angles of the rock formations on the opposite bank with their various shades and warms and cools create a strong contrast to the slick water surface. The contrasts of dark and light, warm and cool have helped to create a very dramatic yet serene and peaceful painting. I think I like it
There is a limited edition 50 Giclee reproductions available of which 4 are already sold. If you are interested in obtaining one please contact me through my email. andrew@giffinartworks.ca They are available in two sizes: 13″ x 39″ or full size 24″ x 72″. Contact me for pricing.
One of the the most dramatic effects that this piece has had on me is that I have been inspired to make a journey this spring to the Gaspe where I will spend a week to ten days exploring the river systems and fishing and photographing for future projects. I am very excited and will have some news when I come home from there regarding an interesting project that I learned about just recently.
I am currently working on another painting of this same scene from another angle. It is 12″ x 36″ and is a vertical format. It is nearly finished and will be uploaded very soon.
Below are some links. Check out this amazing part of Canada.
http://www.zecgaspe.com/english/index.html Three great rivers.
http://vimeo.com/8224890 Let this video load and then watch it full screen. AWESOME!
http://www.quebecsporting.com/york.htm This one may just be a sensory overload.
http://www.campbonaventure.com/salmon.nsf/e/B21D67790F711D5585257301006257C1?OpenDocument One heck of a fishing camp.
