Square Foot 2009 - Fairy Willow

Fairy Willow

12" x 12" Acrylic on Canvas

Entry #2 for Square Foot 2009 at the AWOL Gallery. Since I was informed that a lot of artists take the annual Square Foot Show as an opportunity to try something different from their usual style, I decided to enter some pieces that are a little more "relaxed" and abstract.I almost always find myself instinctively painting the image of a graceful willow whenever I feel like painting trees. Often found growing near water and long associated with magic and the underworld in many legends such as that of the Greek goddess Hecate of witchcraft, the tree is veiled with the mysteries of stories long told. Once they were believed to be able to uproot themselves and follow travellers. Some cultures believed they housed kind forest spirits who offered guidance. On a scientific note, the willow also has medicinal properties and were used by the ancient Greeks and Native Americans for common ailments and fevers.

Square Foot 2009 - Fiery Flamenco

Fiery Flamenco 12" x 12" Acrylic on canvas

One of my entries for this year's Square Foot art show at the AWOL Gallery downtown. It's currently hanging in the smaller main AWOL location for this month. I decided to try out an experimental style for this show. This piece was in part a way of drawing inspiration from my Spanish roots. I've also always been fascinated by the beautiful strength and grace of great flamenco choreography and was awestruck by an amazing performance by a flamenco dancer who was part of the Riverdance troupe that performed here in Toronto recently. I've always felt that the flamenco demonstrates the most intoxicating combination of feminine beauty, strength and grace of all the cultural dances I've seen so far. Unlike the paso doble, the woman can take centre stage solo and dance without relying on a strong partner. Like fire she lights up the stage, beautiful, graceful, independent, strong and unstoppable.