I’m busy at work today exploring the local colours of Eldorado, Ontario. This is a place that I’ve visited many times over the years and I love the colour that comes from this location. Over the past few days I’ve managed to take the natural ochre from this community and subject it to temperatures ranging from 100°F to 2100°F … the range of hues is amazing!
I can’t wait to share the results once the map is that far along!
I’m very excited to share that my local-colour spidergram installation has been recently finished! All of my local-colour spidergrams—whether on paper or on walls—are about exploring a place through its colours. As a visual artist, this has proven to be a great adventure for me and for the communities with which I’ve worked. Continue reading…
“Saskatchewan Sampler Spidergram”
25½” x 38½”
an assortment of local-colour pigments from Saskatchewan;
egg tempera; paper.
In preparation for the upcoming University of Saskatchewan course, “Creating Paint From Soil: Applications And Observations In Boreal Ecosystems” (ART 398/898.3) I’ve created a preliminary sampler of local-colours from some of the soils forwarded to me by Ken Van Rees (Professor) Department of Soil Science.
Unlike my previous spidergram maps, which had a single sample at their centre, this map has a ring of five soils from around the province. There are some interesting things happening here and I’m looking forward to exploring the possibilities further with the students.
The Unterwegs show (July 24th through August 12th) in Berlin, Germany is a chance to share where I’ve taken my idea of local-colour spidergrams during the time of my studies. Here you’ll find an exploration of local pigments on paper and across a wall. In every case I think you’ll be amazed at what’s just beneath your feet!
I’m also planning to offer a couple of workshops while I’m here in Berlin. You can read more about them here.
