Recollection is a series of monotypes depicting human figures in water. as well as other environments. The imagery is loosely based on a series of black and white photographs dating from the 1950s. These were found photographs, given to me in a  cardboard box, containing images of “anonymous” individuals– people I’ve never met, or know anything about–thus allowing me to fabricate stories about them, creating multiple narratives and imagining connections between the individuals. 

A monotype is a unique “painterly” print – a “one-off” that cannot be repeated. The image needs to be created within a few hours (or the ink will dry) giving the process  an immediacy, urgency and freshness. 

The monochromatic figurative monotypes in the show are intended to be viewed with curiosity, with the viewer being encouraged to interpret the images in the prints and create their own stories (much as I did). The colour monotype faces are images of people in the present and allude to the process of remembering. They are composite images of people known to me, although not meant to be accurate portraits; rather, they are conveying an emotional or psychological state.

I’m interested in exploring the process of recollection and how we process memories, with the focus not on the recreation of a specific image or moment, but the creation of something informed by the act of remembering — an act which renders past experiences as ephemeral, and constantly in flux.

I hope you can come to the show, and I’d be interested to hear your interpretations of the monotype images and the stories about the people within them. 

CATACLYSM

Paintings to spur climate action at ArtCAN Gallery in Canning, NS.

Here in southwestern Nova Scotia, as we all painfully aware, we are in a period of dire drought and wildfires are spreading rapidly, locally and all over Canada. Not only is the world being engulfed by fire, but massive flooding is taking place globally. The escalating global climate crisis continues to preoccupy me. My current painting series “Cataclysm”, is about the climate crisis and our relationship with the environment.

I’ve created a series of paintings that depict images of our ravaged oceans, shorelines and skies, juxtaposed with images of larger-than-life faces printed on transparent silk organza scrims. These will be suspended from the gallery ceiling so that the ravaged landscapes can be viewed through the emotionally-charged faces as well as independently. I am painting the faces of people who I speak with about the climate crisis, their reactions to it, and its impact on their lives and who have agreed to be photographed during our conversations. The paintings and the suspended printed scrims together will create an installation I hope will create a springboard for reflection, dialogue and action. 

The first iteration of Cataclysm will be exhibited at the ArtCan Gallery in September, in Canning, N.S. 

The show runs from September 6 to 27th. The opening of my show “Cataclysm” is happening this Saturday, from 7 to 9 p.m., and not only will there be a feast of visual art, wine and good food, there will be live music too! Joining us will be the talented multi-instrumentalist & singer Andy Webster (originally from Lanarkshire, Scotland, and now a resident of Canning!)

CATACLYSM in Ireland:

And finally, I’m excited to be taking part in a musical performance/art installation in Ireland, on Friday, October 10th at the Kilkishen Cultural Centre from 8 to 10 p.m.

Upcoming exhibitions 2025- 2027

September 2025 “Cataclysm”  ArtCan Gallery, Canning, Nova Scotia Sept. 6th – Sept. 27th Opening on September 6th, 7 to 9 p.m.

September/October 2025 Recollection Sissiboo Coffee Bar & Gallery, Bear River, N.S. Sept. 1st-Oct. 15th

October/November 2025  Recollection  Sissiboo Coffee Bar & Gallery, Annapolis Royal, N.S. Oct. 16th – Nov. 30th

October 10th, 2025  Cataclysm Kilkishen Cultural Centre, Quin, County Clare, Ireland. Multi-media music performance and installation with traditional Irish musicians Maeve Donnelly, Maire Ni Ghrada and Sean Lyons. 

May/June 2026  Cataclysm Saint John Art Centre, Saint John, New Brunswick

August 2026  TBA Big Blue Gallery, Belliveau’s Cove, N.S.

September 2026  TBA  Solo exhibition at Agora Gallery, Stratford, Ontario

February 2027 Cataclysm Craig Gallery, Dartmouth, N.S. 

 I hope to see you at one of these events, if you’re in the area.
Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer!