Studies

Christmas portrait

In December I was commissioned to create a portrait of Betty Beresford, the lovely little lady below. Her dad commissioned it as a surprise Christmas present for his wife (and Betty's mom). What a nice guy that Tim Beresford is!

portrait of Betty Beresford

carbon and gouache on watercolour

2011

A year earlier I was commissioned to create a portrait of Otto Beresford, Betty's big brother. This commission was a belated wedding present for Tim and Barb Beresford- the lucky parents of these 2 awesome kids!

portrait of Otto Beresford 

carbon and gouache on watercolour

2010

Deer Queen

carbon, gouache and collage on watercolour paper with a beeswax finish

10x8"

2011

Portrait of a Young Artist ll

Portrait of a Young Artist ll

oil on panel

16" x 12"

I just finished this painting of  a remarkable young woman named Camille. She participated in a youth art project I led in Toronto and I was struck by her maturity, kindness and strong sense of self. I plan to enter this into the Portrait Society of America's annual members only competition.

My school is moving!!

I am so excited to announce that my school, The Leslieville School of Art, is moving into the Centre of Gravity, East location Kids already come to this vibrant arts community for circus training, dance and music classes, birthday parties and yoga. Its is a great pairing for us and we are so thrilled. Check out our newly updated website for new class descriptions, new address and more fun stuff!

Waiting for the number 16

Waiting for the number 16, oil on panel. 43 x 33" 2011

detail of Waiting for the number 16

Here is my new painting, currently on display in the Ingram Gallery booth (#302), at the Toronto International Art Fair. The piece has been sold, but do go check it out if you are at the art fair!
I am moving into a more narrative direction with my work and I had a lot of fun with this one. The model is a brilliant, politically aware and grounded teen named Anya. I saw the house in the background in Huntsville last winter- while tripping around our favourite part of Ontario. I don't know yet exactly what this piece means- but it has something to do with stepping out of chaos, being unsure, but still strong and moving forward.

Figure painting workshop with Jeremy Lipking

I had the extreme good fortune of participating in a Jeremy Lipking figure painting workshop in LA this past weekend. I spent a day and a half watching him paint and another day and a half painting a few oil studies from life myself. Jeremy spoke quite a bit about his process while he painted and it was incredibly awe inspiring and humbling to watch him work. We painted a stunning Iranian/Swedish model named Malo, on the beach in Malibu on the last day- lucky me! Lipking was a generous host and a blast to be around. He completely blew my mind on the last evening by referencing Pantera's album Cowboys from Hell- warming the corners of my true skid soul!

My study of Ariella 16 x 20"

My study of Malo 4x6"

Jeremy's study of Ariella

Jeremy's study of Malo

Jeremy Lipking painting on the beach

Jeremy and I outside of his studio in Agoura Hills