PODCAST with ZAK @canadianpodcast
Occasionally I am asked to talk about my life as an artist and what art means to me. It's an indescribably difficult thing for me to do. I have always been reluctant to resort to the language of "artspeak" -- lofty and esoteric descriptions of art and artists that have little to do with everyday life and the challenges of creating artwork. In this interview I have tried to honestly discuss those challenges, how they affect my paintings, my life and what Garth Brooks has to do with it. Hope you enjoy.
Very grateful to ZAC @yycinfluencer for inviting me to be a guest on his podcast @canadianpodcast and for providing a comfortable and welcoming platform for me to discuss life, art, inspiration and the ups and downs of being an artist.
This podcast is also available on Spotify and ApplePodcasts
Occasionally I am asked to talk about my life as an artist and what art means to me. It's an indescribably difficult thing for me to do. I have always been reluctant to resort to the language of "artspeak" -- lofty and esoteric descriptions of art and artists that have little to do with everyday life and the challenges of creating artwork. In this interview I have tried to honestly discuss those challenges, how they affect my paintings, my life and what Garth Brooks has to do with it. Hope you enjoy.
Very grateful to ZAC @yycinfluencer for inviting me to be a guest on his podcast @canadianpodcast and for providing a comfortable and welcoming platform for me to discuss life, art, inspiration and the ups and downs of being an artist.
This podcast is also available on Spotify and ApplePodcasts
GIFT Portrait of Karen
March 2, 2021 I'm very pleased to present my latest painting. Portrait of Karen -- a portrait of my wife, partner and best friend of almost 50 years.
This was a challenging painting. In creating a portrait I have always relied on a very focused but limited impression of the person I'm painting -- based on live sketches, photographs and a few hours of conversation. I now understand why so many artists shy away from painting loved ones. How does an artist approach a painting based on a lifetime of shared emotions and experiences. There is so much information to draw on and in some ways not enough information at all. It's quite overwhelming.
Still, when the portrait is complete, through all the emotions and memories and with so much more to come, this is the face that has always shone brightly whenever I look across a crowded room.
Portrait of Karen 36" X 24" acrylic on canvas.
March 2, 2021 I'm very pleased to present my latest painting. Portrait of Karen -- a portrait of my wife, partner and best friend of almost 50 years.
This was a challenging painting. In creating a portrait I have always relied on a very focused but limited impression of the person I'm painting -- based on live sketches, photographs and a few hours of conversation. I now understand why so many artists shy away from painting loved ones. How does an artist approach a painting based on a lifetime of shared emotions and experiences. There is so much information to draw on and in some ways not enough information at all. It's quite overwhelming.
Still, when the portrait is complete, through all the emotions and memories and with so much more to come, this is the face that has always shone brightly whenever I look across a crowded room.
Portrait of Karen 36" X 24" acrylic on canvas.
SOLD! Junction Mountain
January 20, 2021. For almost 40 years we've looked at this view of Junction Mountain from our front window every day...and despite some houses added over the years it's still one of the most beautiful Rocky Mountain vistas I know. Decided to paint my impressions of this landscape with summertime colours.
Junction Mountain 18" X 24" acrylic on canvas.
January 20, 2021. For almost 40 years we've looked at this view of Junction Mountain from our front window every day...and despite some houses added over the years it's still one of the most beautiful Rocky Mountain vistas I know. Decided to paint my impressions of this landscape with summertime colours.
Junction Mountain 18" X 24" acrylic on canvas.
Canadian Sport Heroes Collection
January 12, 2021 Hello everyone. What better way to start the New Year than by announcing the Calgary exhibition of the Canadian Sport Heroes Collection.
The Canadian Sport Heroes Collection has made an enormous impact on my career as an artist. Not only was it an incredible experience for me to meet and paint these outstanding Olympians, I was also given the opportunity to pursue my passion for sport and athletics through art. Learning first hand about the dedication, endurance and commitment that it takes to become a high performance athlete changed my outlook on life as a person and certainly influenced my approach to painting. This collection of paintings represents a large part of my life's work. The exhibit is open to the public -- so put on your mask and come have a look.
Huge thanks to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF), Aspen Properties and the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary (CSI) who partnered together in order to bring the Canadian Sport Heroes Collection into the community.
Sun Life Plaza in Downtown Calgary
112 - 4 Ave SW, Calgary
January 12, 2021 until December 31, 2021
January 12, 2021 Hello everyone. What better way to start the New Year than by announcing the Calgary exhibition of the Canadian Sport Heroes Collection.
The Canadian Sport Heroes Collection has made an enormous impact on my career as an artist. Not only was it an incredible experience for me to meet and paint these outstanding Olympians, I was also given the opportunity to pursue my passion for sport and athletics through art. Learning first hand about the dedication, endurance and commitment that it takes to become a high performance athlete changed my outlook on life as a person and certainly influenced my approach to painting. This collection of paintings represents a large part of my life's work. The exhibit is open to the public -- so put on your mask and come have a look.
Huge thanks to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF), Aspen Properties and the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary (CSI) who partnered together in order to bring the Canadian Sport Heroes Collection into the community.
Sun Life Plaza in Downtown Calgary
112 - 4 Ave SW, Calgary
January 12, 2021 until December 31, 2021
SOLD! The Livingstone Range
December 7, 2020 Hello everyone. I hope this finds you well and staying safe. I'm very pleased to present my most recent painting entitled The Livingstone Range. Since moving to southern Alberta in 1977 I have been greeted every morning with a spectacular view of the mountains to our west -- and I've always been intrigued by the changes to the landscape that occur as you move further south.
The Livingstone Range is based on the countryside ranging south of the Porcupine Hills to the Old Man River. It's a starker landscape from where I live -- windswept, fewer trees and quite bare in comparison. The foothills feel more gentle than those further north and the roll of the prairies butt right up to a sheer wall of mountain. Yellows, golds and soft ochres dominate the landscape. It's so beautiful.
During the evenings In the late summer and fall there is a quality of light that occurs where everything seems covered in honey -- soft, warm, rich colours that make the landscape glow. The Livingstone Range is about those honey-soaked colours. It's about the relentless wind that sweeps across the prairies and it's about the sense of wildness and openess of the landscape. It's Southern Alberta at it's finest -- a landscape that I've wanted to paint for many years
December 7, 2020 Hello everyone. I hope this finds you well and staying safe. I'm very pleased to present my most recent painting entitled The Livingstone Range. Since moving to southern Alberta in 1977 I have been greeted every morning with a spectacular view of the mountains to our west -- and I've always been intrigued by the changes to the landscape that occur as you move further south.
The Livingstone Range is based on the countryside ranging south of the Porcupine Hills to the Old Man River. It's a starker landscape from where I live -- windswept, fewer trees and quite bare in comparison. The foothills feel more gentle than those further north and the roll of the prairies butt right up to a sheer wall of mountain. Yellows, golds and soft ochres dominate the landscape. It's so beautiful.
During the evenings In the late summer and fall there is a quality of light that occurs where everything seems covered in honey -- soft, warm, rich colours that make the landscape glow. The Livingstone Range is about those honey-soaked colours. It's about the relentless wind that sweeps across the prairies and it's about the sense of wildness and openess of the landscape. It's Southern Alberta at it's finest -- a landscape that I've wanted to paint for many years
Ancient Wisdom
August 5, 2020. During the past four months I have been working diligently on a new painting. Ancient Wisdom was painted amid worldwide feelings of anxiety, fear and displacement in a society suddenly turned upside down - an atmosphere which had an enormous impact on the process and the evolution of this painting. It took some time to decide what Ancient Wisdom meant to me personally.
Our ancient ancestors have all followed a similar cultural path. The names, stories, gods and legends may be different but the quest for who we are and where we fit in the universe is the same. From the beginning of time, in all parts of the world, art, music, dance and the spoken word have provided us with links to our past and to the mysteries of life. Art, even in the most difficult and unsettling times, continues to touch us all.
I would like to dedicate this painting to all the visual artists, musicians, dancers, performers, writers and poets who, despite a recent covid-related survey naming “artists” as the least essential service on the face of the earth, continue to work quietly at their craft. We have always been here – and always will be
Ancient Wisdom acrylic on canvas 72" X 48"
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
August 5, 2020. During the past four months I have been working diligently on a new painting. Ancient Wisdom was painted amid worldwide feelings of anxiety, fear and displacement in a society suddenly turned upside down - an atmosphere which had an enormous impact on the process and the evolution of this painting. It took some time to decide what Ancient Wisdom meant to me personally.
Our ancient ancestors have all followed a similar cultural path. The names, stories, gods and legends may be different but the quest for who we are and where we fit in the universe is the same. From the beginning of time, in all parts of the world, art, music, dance and the spoken word have provided us with links to our past and to the mysteries of life. Art, even in the most difficult and unsettling times, continues to touch us all.
I would like to dedicate this painting to all the visual artists, musicians, dancers, performers, writers and poets who, despite a recent covid-related survey naming “artists” as the least essential service on the face of the earth, continue to work quietly at their craft. We have always been here – and always will be
Ancient Wisdom acrylic on canvas 72" X 48"
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
Lake Coochaching
Lake Coochaching. A new painting based on a sketch made during a road trip to Muskoka several years ago. A very windy day -- almost blew the sketchbook out of my hands while I was drawing.
Lake Coochaching acrylic on canvas 16" X 20"
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
Lake Coochaching. A new painting based on a sketch made during a road trip to Muskoka several years ago. A very windy day -- almost blew the sketchbook out of my hands while I was drawing.
Lake Coochaching acrylic on canvas 16" X 20"
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
SOLD! Lake Simcoe
Just finished this little painting that was based on a drawing during a road trip to Muskoka several years ago. Colours in an early autumn.
Lake Simcoe acrylic on canvas board 12" X 9"
Just finished this little painting that was based on a drawing during a road trip to Muskoka several years ago. Colours in an early autumn.
Lake Simcoe acrylic on canvas board 12" X 9"
Birthday Gift Alberta Winter
Alittle bit of Alberta is now residing in the UK. Alberta Winter is 9"x12" acrylic on canvas and represents the view across the fields from our house. It was painted for my aunt who will be turning 90 in the next few months. Happy Birthday Ann.
Alittle bit of Alberta is now residing in the UK. Alberta Winter is 9"x12" acrylic on canvas and represents the view across the fields from our house. It was painted for my aunt who will be turning 90 in the next few months. Happy Birthday Ann.
SOLD! Celebration!
Very pleased to present a good photograph of my recent painting Celebration!. I'm quite overwhelmed by the positve response that it has received. Thanks everyone! 
Thanks to Catriona LeMay Doan and Sport Calgary for inviting me to create this painting in honour of retiring Sport Calgary CEO Murray Sigler. This painting represents the joy of participation and the joy of achievement through sport.....from elite athletes to invovement at the community level. Celebration! was recently unveiled at the prestigious Glencoe Club in Calgary and now hangs proudly in the Sigler household. What an honour. 
First steps. Very excited to be working together with Hayna Gutierrez Vergara in creating a large-scale portrait. Hayna has recently retired after a long and illustrious career with the Cuban National Ballet and Alberta Ballet. We have decided to document the progress of the portrait so more to come. 
DONATED! Kyle Shewfelt
On June 5 I attended an amazing evening at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame called Who's in the Hall .During the course of the evening I produced a live painting based on gymnast and gold medalist Kyle Shewfelt which was subsequently donated to the Hall. What a pleasure to be in attendance, to see some people I havent seen in some time and to spend a copuple of hours painting. Many thanks to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame for allowing me to take part. 
SOLD! The Road Home
During the many years I've lived in Southern Alberta I've had the pleasure of viewing this incredible landscape on my way home. Finally decided to do a painting of it and will likely be doing several more. 
SOLD! Portrait of Kristen
Creating a portrait is a leap of faith for both the artist and the subject. This is a painting of Kristen Jacklin and I would like to share her words with you. "I came to the idea of a portrait very reluctantly after some very persuasive conversations with my husband. Gordon was professional to work with on the portrait. He took time to get to know me as a person through conversations with me and my family. The process was like nothing I have done before. I soon realized this would not simply be a picture of me but that he hoped to capture certain aspects of my life and my personality in the representation he would create. It took courage to make myself vulnerable and trust in the artist to capture who I am.The unveiling was wonderful. I immediately loved the portrait, the colours, the light, the size, and most important the accuracy of the representation of who I am. Gordon captured so many aspects of my personality that only those close to me understand. Even though filtered through his abstract art, my facial features are my own, they are real and accurate. We all think he ‘nailed it!’ We have the painting hanging in our living room where it adds a modern element and loads of colour to our home. We spend many evenings talking about it with guests and with each other. Thank you Gordon for taking this project on and for the care that you took to make sure we would love it." Kristen Jacklin 
SOLD! This piece is called Cold Day/Lower Kananaskis Lake.. Looking forward to seeing this piece hanging in it's new home in Calgary. Acrylic on canvas board. 12" X 16"
Portrait of Taryn Nowels
SOLD! My recent portrait of Alberta Ballet artist Taryn Nowels. Huge thanks to Lisa and Todd for choosing me tp paint a portrait of their daughter. This piece is now proudly hanging in it's new home in Huntington Beach, California.. Portraits are memories. |
SOLD! This piece is called Reverence in honour of Yukichi Hattori's incredible new dance work. Artwork and performance art combined -- this was a half hour live-painting that was created during Yukichi's performance of Reverence along with Galien Johnson Hattori and members of the H/W School of Ballet.. Thanks to the great people at Fernie for hosting this amazing evening. En Pointe: A Night at the Ballet was a resounding success. Thanks also to the wonderful couple who purchased this painting to celebrate their anniversary.
En Pointe! A Night at the Ballet
Join us on Saturday November 3 for an intimate evening of live art, live dance and live music. Begin your evening with an exclusive dinner hosted by Gordon Sombrowski, Chair of the Fernie Museum Patrons' Council and past Chair of the Alberta Ballet, artist Gordon Milne and Yukichi Hattori, Artistic Director of Hattori | Williamson School of Ballet, at Park Place Lodge. The highlight of the evening will be a performance of a new work, Reverence, choreographed by Yukichi Hattori while artist Gordon Milne creates a large-scale painting of the dancers.
Join us on Saturday November 3 for an intimate evening of live art, live dance and live music. Begin your evening with an exclusive dinner hosted by Gordon Sombrowski, Chair of the Fernie Museum Patrons' Council and past Chair of the Alberta Ballet, artist Gordon Milne and Yukichi Hattori, Artistic Director of Hattori | Williamson School of Ballet, at Park Place Lodge. The highlight of the evening will be a performance of a new work, Reverence, choreographed by Yukichi Hattori while artist Gordon Milne creates a large-scale painting of the dancers.
PERFECT LINE
November 1, 2018 to April 15, 2019
Opening Reception November 1
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Fernie Museum, Fernie BC
November 1, 2018 to April 15, 2019
Opening Reception November 1
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Fernie Museum, Fernie BC
The Rising
acrylic on canvas 72” X 48”
I’m pleased to present my most recent painting. The Rising is based on my firm belief that our earliest instincts (aside from food, shelter and survival) include scratching images into the dirt and onto cave walls, pounding out rhythms on hollow logs and dancing around fires. Art, spiritualism and magic defined our earliest ancestors search for who we are and why we are here. Sadly, throughout our history, we have slowly assigned less and less importance to these primal instincts and, as a result, the world around us has become more grey and uncertain. The Rising is a painting about us and who we’ve always been -- emerging from ignorance to light. It's a painting about hope.
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
acrylic on canvas 72” X 48”
I’m pleased to present my most recent painting. The Rising is based on my firm belief that our earliest instincts (aside from food, shelter and survival) include scratching images into the dirt and onto cave walls, pounding out rhythms on hollow logs and dancing around fires. Art, spiritualism and magic defined our earliest ancestors search for who we are and why we are here. Sadly, throughout our history, we have slowly assigned less and less importance to these primal instincts and, as a result, the world around us has become more grey and uncertain. The Rising is a painting about us and who we’ve always been -- emerging from ignorance to light. It's a painting about hope.
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
Kelley's Move
acrylic on canvas 72" X 48"
Kelley McKinlay is in his 15th season with Alberta Ballet. Not only is Kelley a remarkable and seasoned dancer he is also a true lover of the arts. For the many years that I have known Kelley he has always taken an interest in my artistic efforts, graciously answered my many questions, posed for sketches and patiently explained the subtleties of movement in dance. This is my third painting of Kelley.and hopefully there will be more to come. This painting represents Kelley completing a Corsair Jump -- from the highest point of the jump to the strength and solidity of the. landing. Strength, fluid motion, discipline and artistry all define Kelley. What an honour to paint him.
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
acrylic on canvas 72" X 48"
Kelley McKinlay is in his 15th season with Alberta Ballet. Not only is Kelley a remarkable and seasoned dancer he is also a true lover of the arts. For the many years that I have known Kelley he has always taken an interest in my artistic efforts, graciously answered my many questions, posed for sketches and patiently explained the subtleties of movement in dance. This is my third painting of Kelley.and hopefully there will be more to come. This painting represents Kelley completing a Corsair Jump -- from the highest point of the jump to the strength and solidity of the. landing. Strength, fluid motion, discipline and artistry all define Kelley. What an honour to paint him.
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
Chassé Coupé Jeté acrylic on canvas 48" X 72"
Happy New Year everyone! I'm very excited to present my first painting of 2017 -- a portrait of Alberta Ballet artist Nicole Caron. This is my third painting of Nicole and it's so easy to be inspired by her energy and enthusiasm. Nicole is a beautiful dancer who brings an electricity and vibrancy to her performances that never fails to capture the attention of the audience. Although this is primarily a portrait of Nicole, the subject of the painting centres on Nicole's favourite dance move. Chassé Coupé Jeté represents the sequence of positions that translate as movement throughout the piece -- but it's Nicole's joyful presence that brings it to life.
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.
Happy New Year everyone! I'm very excited to present my first painting of 2017 -- a portrait of Alberta Ballet artist Nicole Caron. This is my third painting of Nicole and it's so easy to be inspired by her energy and enthusiasm. Nicole is a beautiful dancer who brings an electricity and vibrancy to her performances that never fails to capture the attention of the audience. Although this is primarily a portrait of Nicole, the subject of the painting centres on Nicole's favourite dance move. Chassé Coupé Jeté represents the sequence of positions that translate as movement throughout the piece -- but it's Nicole's joyful presence that brings it to life.
This painting is available for purchase. Please contact the artist for additional information.