Why I Travel

Once upon a time, before the average person could hop on a plane and see a desert/palm tree/iceberg/tiger for oneself, folks relied on artists' renderings (and later photography a la National Geographic) for visual knowledge of everything on the planet that did not exist in their immediate environment. Storytelling and imagination fleshed out the essence of such lands, such beasts, such humans.


15th Century painting of a Giraffe by Ming dynasty painter She Du (public domain)


I think this may happen again, in my lifetime. We will use up all the Earth's finite energy resources and won't have the capacity left to find and employ new ones. Then only soldiers, pirates, and the very wealthy will get the opportunity to travel great distances, especially via air. Only they will have first hand, primary visual experience of a foreign land and its inhabitants in person rather than in books (or on screen if there is any energy to power the equipment.)

So, I travel and document what I see as the essence of a place from life, while I still can. Acknowledging the inevitable outcome of our carefree ways with the planet's resources makes me so serious while on location. My focus intensifies. I treasure the moment. Seize the day. Can't relax much! Gotta paint.

I suppose enjoying drams of single malt is part of this as well. These won't always be so readily available. I know I am guilty. Cheers.

Show Announcement

Confirmed: The brand new Loft Gallery in Bath, Ontario Canada will present an exhibition of 30 of my Caribbean pieces in June. The body of work focuses on Bajan dialect and proverbs, and their relationship to the landscape, sea and flora. There will be a meet the artist event. Dates and more information forthcoming.

Caribbean Winter, West Coast Spring

Have almost completed documenting the many works from Barbados. I found the distant reefs and their pools of hummingbird-wing green water irresistible.



The above is one of six in a series. This one was done later in the day:

Of course, it was sultry and sunny most of the time - resulting in efforts like this, created at Martin's Bay (also known as The Soup Bowl.) Martin's Bay is adjacent to Bathsheba, my favourite part of this beautiful country - a remote, rugged paradise, where huge hunks of coral lie in the crashing surf like beached dinosaur skulls.

Lots more to come.


Some news that makes me very happy - Just confirmed Quadra Island, British Columbia for a couple days in early May, where fellow plein artist Nanci Cook has a charming B&B. Really looking forward to meeting her and working in such a gorgeous area!