Some New Faces

Over the weekend I had exhibited a few new paintings at a group show in the Old Strathcona Arts Centre.

I thought I'd share a few of the portraits with those who couldn't attend the actual show.

Some of these faces might be familiar to a few of you!

Nathan, 6x8" oil on board

Kirby, 6x8", oil on canvas

Stella II, 4x4", oil on board sold

"The Cult of Ugliness"

I just came across a 'video rant' by artist Scott Burdick, that I wanted to share.

The basic premise of his rant rests on the notion that a work of art must have 'inherent value', that it must be 'beautiful'.

He doesn't outline any concrete definitions of beauty, but he certainly does have a bone to pick with the art establishment. Mr. Burdick wags his frustrated finger at those critics and curators who are responsible for the 'cult of ugliness' that according to him, dominates our contemporary art world.

This is a rather loaded topic, but I thought I'd put it out there...

So: does art have to be beautiful?

Please discuss.

Oh, and here's a little preview of what I've been working on.

Virginia, oil on board 8x8" 2010 sold

Art and the City

Here are few works I recently completed for an illustration project, themed 'City vs. The City'.

All are mixed media on paper, and are 11 x 14"