Sunday, August 30, 2009

Morning Mist


I love painting and I also love looking at other artist work. There is a photographer from Canada named Peter Bowers, who's work I find incredibly powerful, simple and poetic. His work, for me, represents our quiet and respectful reflections on nature. His imagery possesses a lot of the things I'm personally after in picture making. The oil painting above, "Morning Mist", was completed using some of Peters inspiring photos. It's (16x20") and I painted it in oils on a wood panel. ( A thousand thank you's Peter for your permission ).
Peter could very well have a completely different take on what his work means to him but one of the great things about art is the notion of walking into a museum or gallery and simply falling in love with a piece because it moves you for whatever reason. In my opinion it's not terribly important to even intellectualize it..it simply moves me. It's a curious thing.
Last week an amazing and courageous women named Robin recently sent me this touching letter about what my paintings mean to her, I'm completely moved by her thoughts:
Hi Todd,
Joan called me and I purchased Shallow Water. She is sending it off this week. Cant wait. Thanks for your thoughts on paintings. I have my own thoughts on my attachments to them and what they represent to me. When I bought that first painting I had just finished my 8th round of chemo at Dana. I have Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I have a daughter who had just turned three when I started my treatments so I worked hard to get into remission. I had tremendous support all around me family, friends ,church family etc. But cancer is a lonely battle, God guides you through it but he is all that can help during that dark time. So the first painting represented kind of a tight relationship and also rich colors and darker water. The second painting was lighter water and a solo boat, maybe as I got better and felt better and less depressed I was able to manage a bit better on my own. And I had to start to be independent again. And that painting mirrored my feelings. Now Im two years out, im feeling so much more positive and happier and very thankful. The water is soft and light filled and the sun is shining! God got me through the deep water and to safe place. I love that sunlight in the newer paintings. Canoe has an exuberance and playfulness which is just beautiful and it has the rich colors but with lots of light.
So I didn't mean to wax on for so long, but you were so open with me about how you feel about your work- I thought maybe you would like to hear about the effect your work has on others. I am excited to see what the future holds for your work and evolution as an artist.
A true fan always
Robin


You make it all worth it Robin, thank you...and thank you for your permission to post your letter...I'm a true fan of yours always.
Sincerely.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Winnipesaukee Canoe


This is "Winnipesaukee Canoe". It's 11x14" and painted in oils on a gessoed wood panel. My wife recently told me that "Winnipesaukee" is a native American term that means, "Beautiful water in a high place". We just got back from vacationing on lake Winnipesaukee and the translation is right on the money..We had a really nice vacation and I came home relaxed, inspired and ready to hammer out some new work. The opening was very special for me, my family and friends traveled from far-away places to come and see the show. I was sincerely touched by the support.

This canoe was painted with reference from Thompson Lake in Maine but it could be just about any New England lake in the summer. The mood of this piece for me is set by the transparency of that water in the foreground. It's that moment standing on the dock and simply taking it in..a day-dreamy moment, gazing into the shallows and drinking in the quiet and stillness of the surroundings. With this piece, as well as "Survivor", I have included more of the landscape in the composition.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Survivor


"Survivor" (11x14") oil on wood.

This may be my last post before my gallery show opening reception this coming Friday, so I'll repeat the where and when here:

The Gallery at Mills Falls
312 Daniel Webster Highway
Meredith, NH 03253
(on Lake Winnipesaukee)
Contact Christine Hoedecker-George for inquires (hodecker@metrocast.net) or call the gallery at (603)279-3123
Opening reception for Todd Bonita new oil paintings "Boats" August 7, from 5-9p.

I've had a few emails asking if my work will be up after the show..just to be clear, the gallery represents my work so God willing, I should have some paintings on the wall throughout the year. Please feel free to stop in any time to have a look. It's a beautiful part of the lake, lots of shops, cafes and things to do and see. Alison, Max and I are making a vacation out of it and will be spending the week. Hope to see you there.