Undercover on the Lakeshore

On display at Affordable Optical in Tottenham.13 Queen St S.

Larger than expected as it flies through the sky and most graceful in its long-legged stand on the ground, the heron often gifts us with its presence. Appearing along the shorelines of Lake Simcoe, it allows me glimpses into its almost prehistoric beauty. In these oil paintings, I capture two magical scenes. In one, the heron shares quiet moments with me while undercover in the pond, allowing me to observe its stillness, in the other I witness the exciting moment after the hunt, as it gets ready to fly away with its spoils.
In my studio, canvases were layered with fabric and material gathered along daily walks. A coloured wash was poured over, creating a stained background with printed floral designs. These were embellished and stylized with ink and oil paint varying between textures and washes. Every mark played a part in molding the environment and exposing the animal within.