Top 10 of 2024

 

When the dust settles on 2024, I will have completed almost 200 paintings. That might sound like a lot, but there have been years when I flirted with 300, though I've never hit that mark.

As I looked back through my archival website, a photo gallery that includes most of my paintings in chronological order, I jotted down the names of works that I felt most positive about. Among the circled titles are paintings that elicited a lot of responses, both positive and negative, and others that might have slipped by without any notice at all.

Here are the 10 paintings that I circled and some reasons why.

Sleeping Sisters - January 30

When I look at this painting of the legendary Three Sisters I see my unique artistic voice and a technique that I had been developing for several years. It feels magical and mysterious to me.

Cow in the Trees - March 15

The photo that inspired this painting always spoke to me. I had taken it on one of our many walks in Kananaskis Country the year previous. It was one of my first paintings that used an underpainting technique that I admire. You can see the bright magenta cutting through the finished painting in several places.  "Cow in the Trees" also translates incredibly well into a gallery canvas embellished print. Several of those are out in the world, which makes me happy.

New Greatness - April 10

I did this new painting of Connor McDavid for a major fundraiser up north in the community of Calmar. I painted quite a few hockey players in 2024 - Ken Dryden, Kelly Hrudey, Sidney Crosby, Grant Fuhr and Mike Vernon among them - but this is my favourite. It grabbed the attention of a lot of young hockey fans during the Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market. 

Sam Langford - May 28

Sam Langford is a famous dog who resides in Fort McMurray with his owner Sandy. Together they have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for the SPCA. I have been honoured to work with Sandy for over eight years now, doing paintings of Winky, Greb and now Sam which get made into special prints to raise funds for a great cause. It has been a joy.

Candidate Trump - July 7

This was a painting that irked many of my followers, and delighted many others. There is no question that Donald Trump is a divisive figure in popular culture. I was drawn in by this pose and instantly saw a half-face portrait in my mind. Less than a week after this was painted, the candidate survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. It sparked the suggestion of an alternative title: "The Good Ear". 

Gordon (or what you will) - August 15

I have a folder of images that may provide inspiration for future paintings. The image of a solitary rubber ball didn't make its way into that folder. I couldn't ignore it and spent a delightful day bringing it to life on canvas. The reactions from fans of my vintage were wonderful. The painting became a conduit to multi-sensory memories.

Jannie Joubert - August 27

I have often been called upon to do memorial portraits. When I began working on this painting of Jannie Joubert for a dear client and supporter up north, I fleetingly saw movement in the sky in the reference photo. I say "fleetingly" because when I went for a second look that movement was gone. But I couldn't shake it and decided to go all in with a very different approach to the background. It felt like the surroundings were softening and embracing Jannie for his forever ride. 

Oscar Peterson - September 10

Oscar Peterson was an incredibly influential Jazz pianist from Montreal. Like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and Duke Ellington, he is one of the giants of the genre. This project was for a great client living in Toronto. It was fun to go back and forth with this project to get to the finish and a portrait that captures his bliss. 

Nanuq - December 22

My last two selections are very recent works, both of which are available for sale in our web shop. I have done many paintings of bears over the years, but very few polar bears. I love everything about this one. I can feel the cold, isolation and majesty of the far north and the strength of this incredible animal. If Nanuq makes your heart sore, too. Why not consider giving it a home. Purchase it here. 

Wheat Castle - December 28

It strikes me that some of the selections in my Top 10 were paintings that were born out of a flash of inspiration. I got up on the morning of December 28th knowing I wanted to paint something just for me, though I had no idea what that would be. The image of the old grain elevator jumped off the screen and immediately was sent to my printer. While the buildings remained true to the reference photo, I took full creative liberties with the sky and foreground. I LOVE this painting. If you do, too, consider purchasing it here.