Friday, March 18, 2011

March Commute, Toronto


12x12 oil on gallery wrap canvas
Toronto cyclists are a determined group. They ride all winter long, no matter the weather. This cyclist rides down King Street on a late afternoon in March.
Recently I discovered the artist Colley Whisson (before I saw his work on Lines and Colors) and I bought his book "Impressionist Painting Made Easy". I was intrigued by his energetic brush work, and the looseness of his scenes, so I had to see how he did it. The book is quite reasonably priced and can be bought off of his web site, and shows several paintings from start to finish. Its worth it if you are trying to "loosen" up in your work. How did we all get so "tight" anyway? Maybe starting out in commercial art?


15 comments:

Montag said...

Very much "Toronto Blade Runner" feeling here. I like it.
Thanks for Mr. Whisson's link. I saw what you meant by his energetic brush work.

Catherine Jeffrey said...

I love the way you describe the images in my paintings. Always gives me a new perspective! I may have to come up with a new title...mine are so boring...kind of like a weather report. Montag, thanks for stopping by.

Linda Popple said...

You are so good at capturing a mood and atmosphere. Love this.

Thanks for the link to Colley Whisson. His work is really painterly and energetic.

Karen Bruson said...

Great color palette.Love the light silhouetting the bike.

Unknown said...

I love the rhythm of light and shadow in this one. I enjoyed watching your technique on your slideshow video too! I'm going to check out Colley's book now. A quick peek at his work has me intrigued with his energetic style! Thanks!

Edward Burton said...

The light and reflections are perfect, Catherine. I really enjoyed watching the slideshow you made of your last painting and thank you for the introduction to Colley Whisson's work.

Karen Werner said...

The design is amazing. I especially love the slick looking places in the road. Tons of vertical lines, and then those two circles...genius!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Gorgeous, Catherine. The backlighting on the bike makes for an exciting image. I too, will be checking out Colley. It's always fun to find a new artist.

Yes, I did use the knife on the whole painting, thanks for your comment.

Dewberry Fine Art said...

Wonderful composition and design. You really captured the time of day with your fabulous knowledge of value. Very strong painting.

Carol Nelson said...

This painting is so right on in every way. Will check out Colley's book. Thanks for the tip.

magicmyst said...

Hi Catherine, sorry I have not been by in a while. Love your work as always.

Montag said...

I have looked and looked at the painting. If it is "Toronto Blade Runner", I notice how "anti-Tokyo" it is: the buildings are drab versus the brilliantly lit neons of Tokyo.

Yet, the picture is filled with light coming up the corridor of the street, and maybe that is the reason I love Canada: the light comes naturally from the surroundings and does not overpower the human beings in the foreground.

If there were androids in Canada, they would be wearing Ryerson jackets.

(Nothing against Tokyo... I am thinking about art & attitude.)

mary maxam said...

so wonderful in mood and i love the clear shapes that tell the story

Claudia Hammer a Painting a day said...

I especially love the light coming through the front wheel of the bicycle. Very nice!

Kim Rempel said...

Beautiful light and shapes! A gorgeous painting Catherine.