"Ladder Pool"
Ξ April 23rd, 2010 | → | ∇ 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.
on April 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
“Ladder Pool” is so beautiful. Congratulations. I love how the figure is shown from behind and is painted using a neutral palette so that the landscape demands the much deserved focus of attention. The surface of the water and reflections are gorgeous. I can’t wait to see the painting “in the flesh”.
on April 24th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Hi Andrew,
Impressive, a very nice piece. Sorry I do not have the wall space, otherwise I would make you an offer!
Makes me long for a fly fishing trip/escape from the world.
Dave Jr.
Toronto,Canada
on April 25th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
You caught the moment of expectation both above and in the water , the impending action is about to cause the surface implosion of a salmon hook-up.
The drill and landing of the prize is than followed by a gratifying release when setting the fish free again.
My thrill is in familliarising the fish with my presence and savouring the acceptance when shaking hands under water with an aquatic neighbor.
My art is found in rendering the aquatic world of the Atlantic salmon in a symbolic rendition of life supporting quality freshwater resources.
The combination of inspiration is well rendered in your excellent work.
Regards, Gilbert van Ryckevorsel
on April 26th, 2010 at 10:12 am
What an amazing painting! It totally reminds me of watching Ward fish in southernwestern Alberta and BC. I love how you can see to the bottom of the river. Great job Andrew!
Love Kim
on April 26th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Andrew,
The painting is indeed very peaceful and serene. I too love the way you can see the bottom of the river. I’m from the Restigouche area and your painting brings back many wonderful memories of my time on the Restigouche River. It’s truly a wonderful piece.
Françoise
on April 27th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I especially love your treatment of the water and the river bottom. It is amazingly realistic. Great work Andrew.
on April 29th, 2010 at 11:37 am
The sense of peace I get from this painting makes me wish I was there and I’m not a ” fisherwoman “. A truly great piece of work.Arlene.
on April 30th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Marvelous! Absolutely Marvelous Andrew. I appreciated reading your notes on this piece. It pays to recycle and to return to a painting more than once to obtain perfection. A real sense of tranquility is felt when looking at this piece. Thank you for sending it my way!
on May 2nd, 2010 at 9:22 am
Nice work my friend, I see everyone is in agreement with the river bottom effect. I love the depth of the river bank into the trees and the leaves hanging over the water. Excellent!
on May 10th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Honestly, your painting is really impressive to everyone and not only to me. I have been looking at your painting again and again many times, and each time the heavenly sense of serenity is growing stronger and stronger in my mind - the clarity and ripples after ripples of the water; the robust but quietly setting rocks; the singing of the hidden birds among the green of the forest; and the virtuous patience of the fisherman. I also find the missing peace in this painting where my busy and puzzle-like life occupies most of my precious moments. Andrew, you are not only painting, you also create a ’soul’ in your artwork.
Of course, I can tell there are lots of theories already fulfilled in your painting, may it be colours, composition, shades, textures as well as forms. But I still strongly feel the ’soul’ of your paintings is the ‘key’ that successfully makes your artworks come alive and are appreciated by many people.
on May 11th, 2010 at 10:21 am
As one of the four owners of this impressive image I can only say that, for me, this piece eptiomizes everything that fly fishing represents. From the moment I laid eyes on this painting I was captivated.
I felt myself drawn to the colors and the serenity that they created. I was aware of a sense of isolation as well as the timelessness represented in the rock walls of the shoreline and in the flow of the river.
The placement of the flyfisher does not dominate the picture but rather, clearly represents his engagement in, and observance of his environment. He is in complete harmony with his surroundings.
Best of all, I am transported into the painting each time my gaze lights upon its surface.
I am drawn into the painting by the three dimensional quality created by Andrew’s magical ability to paint water. I can hear and sense the multitude of life and its cycles that abounds both above and below the water. I am able to smell the fragrant and earthy forest and feel the current of the river pushing against me, whispering to me, reminding me that everything moves on. I feel the grounding effect deep in my soul.
Thank you, Andrew for capturing that essence for which I am always seeking and that I can only seem to find when I interact with nature.
on May 11th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Linda you have said it in a way that I could not have myself. Thank you.
on May 13th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Thank you,Andrew, for sharing this wonderful painting with me! I could scarcely believe that it was not a photograph. The clarity of the water,the bottom rocks so clearly revealing the depth of the stream, made me want to wade right in. The feeling of silence, the sound of running water, the whisper of the line, the drop of the fly are sounds created by the painting. All stir my emotions and my memories of watching my Dad fly fishing.It’s amazing how you make the water feel cool and clean and touchable! I expect you realize this is a GREAT work of art!
on May 13th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Thank you for sharing those wonderful words Sue. Much appreciated.