There’s a rural route just outside of Edmonton that I often drive to when I need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It doesn’t get a lot of traffic and there’s a perfect little spot to pull your vehicle over so you’re facing a farmer’s field. I park there and sit in silence for a few moments when things feel overwhelming. I watch the way the light bends around blades of grass or stalks of wheat. I notice its warmth, its glow, its ability to drive shadows from even the darkest places. It never ceases to cheer me up and make the world feel a bit more manageable. Soon enough, I have music blasting and I'm dragging a small easel out into the field to start painting
If you’re familiar with my prairie paintings, you might think the skies are what I focus on most. Really, what I aim to capture is the effect of light on everything around us. Most often, that does result in some incredible skies, but sometimes it’s about the way light can warm the surface of a highway, creating a shimmer that forces everything around us to slow to a crawl. Sometimes, it’s about the way it heals us, makes us feel stronger, and more capable. Other times, it’s simply there to remind us that nature is a bit of a show-off.
With this collection, titled Gilded, I’ve focused on capturing 15 prairie scenes that literally brings the golden hues of the prairies into your home. Using 24 karat gold leaf, I’ve highlighted the way light gets strongest right before it dips beneath the horizon or how it peeks around the edges of clouds so brightly it’s difficult to stare at. I strive to always evolve my art practice and adding this luscious material to my canvas wasn’t easy, but I’m thrilled with the results.
Walking past them each day for the last couple months has been a treat as the light shifts and swirls on the ribbons of gold placed tastefully throughout each piece. I’m excited for you to experience the same in your own homes when you rush through your living room or office or kitchen and stop, for just a moment, to feel a rush of healing warmth before continuing your day.
The Gilded collection will be available at 10AM MDT, April 24. As always, you can be the first to receive a notification when the collection goes live and by signing up to my newsletter. I'm so excited to share this collection with you.
