West Coast Trees (Painting Series)
In my previous blog post I shared a series of my landscape paintings of scenes from Canada’s west coast. Again, these were painted around 1992, in fact these paintings were intermingled with the more open coastal scenes done during the same period.
“Candles in the Rain”, acrylic on hardboard, 51 by 61 cm, 1992
“Red Trees”, acrylic on hardboard, 36 by 38 cm, 1992
“Red Path and Trees (study)”, acrylic on hardboard, 51 by 61 cm, 1992
“In the Darkness Grows”, acrylic on hardboard, 36 by 38 cm, 1992
“Together”, acrylic on canvas, 51 by 61 cm, 1992
Revisiting (repainting) Candles in the Rain
I don’t often (probably never have) replicate one of my own paintings, but this week I did (kind of). I have in the past, painted a series of studies where one paintings will be the basis for another (usually larger) one. In this case though, I have taken an old painting and made a much smaller version. Curious?
In a recent blog post I wrote about one of my personal favorites of my paintings: Candles in the Rain from 1992. I mentioned how I didn’t think I’d ever sell that one. The original painting was 20 by 24 inches (51 x 61 cm) but this new one is just 4 by 6 inches (10 by 15 cm) which is a standard postcard size. This one will be for sale!
So what is the special occasion to inspire me to paint this small version of an old favorite and offer it for sale? It is the Twitter Art Exhibit in Norway, that I spoke about in my Oct 23rd blog post . Basically, artists from around the world (who are part of the Twitter community) are sending postcard-size works that will be sold to raise funds to buy children’s books for a local library. David Sandum, a local artist there, is the creative and energetic genius behind this big project. Note that there are expected to be over 140 works in this show!
It was a challenge to me to work on such a small scale when in recent times I’ve been pushing myself to work on larger paintings. Also challenging was going back to acrylic paints after having worked mainly in oils recently. Even the subject matter and style is a bit different from my recent work. Nonetheless, it came together and I am happy with the result. In case you are wondering , no it is not a stroke for stroke replica of the original. I retained the major elements and tried to replicate the feel but if you were to compare the two side by side you would spot the differences (size difference notwithstanding).
So here it is:
Candles in the Rain (2010)
… and if you happen to be in Moss, Norway in December perhaps you will have an opportunity to purchase it and add it to your collection.
Candles in the Rain
This may be my personal favorite of my own paintings . Candles in the Rain is the painting which I have considered to be my signature piece (it serves as the homepage icon on my website) and I can not imagine ever selling it. This may not be my “best” painting but it does serve as an important milestone in my painting journey.
"Candles in the Rain", a painting by Randall Talbot
This 20 by 24 inch (51x61cm) acrylic on hardboard painting was completed in 1992. It was one of a number of paintings during this period inspired by Canada’s west coast and particularly the Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island. In the late 80’s and early 90’s I had a number of vacations in this region, traveling by bicycle and car. I was also quite inspired at the time by the works and style of Emily Carr. To see more of my coastal paintings from this time please visit this page of my website: www.randalltalbot.com
Randall Talbot - Artist 