The background of Sirens ... |
I live on an island and have spent most of my life on and around this ocean. But I felt I needed to really immerse myself, so to speak, and gain a closer understanding of the medium that covers seven tenths of our planet. In May of 2014, a friend and I embarked on an grand, 80 day, sailing voyage from Victoria to Hawaii and back. A distance of 6450 miles in total, akin to driving from LA to New York and back, plus another 800 miles.
The preparation of our relatively small 32 foot, 43 year old sailboat and the knowledge required to survive the voyage, was a three year endeavour. I spent many long watch-hours writing, when conditions would allow. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on the return leg, some 1200 miles from shore, I completed the outline for Sirens. There are many observations and event in the course of the voyage, that have found their way into the story. Upon my return I spent many months writing multiple drafts of the manuscript, which is now in the hands of my editor. The finished book is soon to be released. |
From an artistic perspective, I've come to realize through my art that there are certain key aspects in painting that fascinate me. The subject and location of this series, is the perfect vehicle for what I choose to explore ... light, flow and the human form, with additional elements of surreal mystery. Instead of searching for those aspects in the real world, I've taken an active role and designed this fictional vision to suit my purpose. The sub-surface environment brings many new facets to my art and changes the rules for others.
I am now and always have been, strongly attracted to capturing a sense of flow in my painting. When contemplating the visual feel of this series, this was a major focus. While designing the Siren robes, great care was taken to select fabrics for their light, sheer and flowing characteristics in the wind and water. Long trains of fabric were trailed behind the subjects to accentuate this effect. The fashion is styled to appear self-made, in keeping with the theme. The fabrics were torn into shape, leaving a ragged, desperate edge. There is no visible stitching, seams or signs of refined construction. Each garment was draped and held in place with woven ropes of sheer fabric, that were also allowed to trail and flow. The fashion design, was a collaboration between myself and my wife Lisa, a gifted and creative costume designer. I am also attracted to inherent surreal feel of the sub-surface environment. An environment so foreign to most and one which evokes powerful emotions in viewers, based on their unique personal experience and comfort level with water. These are mythological muse presented in visions under water, set to a underlying story. That surreal platform also allows for great flexibility with composition and colour. The third important aspect is light. This unique situation, changes the way that light plays on an form. The ever-shifting surface of the water allows for light to dance over the subject, making even the simplest form interesting and a challenge to capture. Sub-surface light, is also suspended and reflected in it's own specific way. Filtered sunlight, striking tiny particles of suspended matter, amplifies the amount of light reflecting from the subject. That glow and it's inherent colour, also finds it's way into shadows, in the form of core reflections. There are many more interesting aspects that come to mind, such as contrast, colour, gravity, depth of field, reflection, anonymity, danger, mystery and joy. They all serve an interesting role and can be explored individually or in combinations, depending on the intended feel of the painting. It all ads up to an exciting and diverse creative challenge. The beautiful stars in this series are my daughter Sarah Heine and a family friend Erica Enright. Thanks to them and to Lisa for their cooperation and great contribution to Sirens. I intend to show this series as a whole in a single space, with the final works painted at life size or larger. I think it would be quite breathtaking (literally) to stand in the middle of a gallery and immerse yourself in this new world. My plan is to sell these studies to support myself for the time it takes to complete the series and the book. If something catches your eye, please feel free to ... Click to inquire |
Click for more Sirens info ...
|
