Oil on canvas.

30x24"

End of fishing season gear management: The catch was plentiful and spirits are high. These fishermen are rinsing off their valuable nets and getting them ready for storage. This scene is in Brigus Newfoundland where traditional fishing methods live on.

Oil on canvas.

30x40"

Kasbah of Marrakech, ancient medieval capital of Morocco, is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery, exotic spices, handcrafted leather goods, etc. Never ending stimulation of the senses (sounds, sights, smells).
The young backpacking traveller is reminiscent of the hippie era of the 60s. Marrakech was a central hub, popular destination for young adventurers who travelled with only what they could carry.
The artist’s narrative: Finding her riad. The young, sole traveller has made some purchases along the way and is looking for the riad where she has booked a room. A quiet, comfortable place to stay, a riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace that has been converted into a guest house.
There are few street signs and many alleys look the same. Even with an address in hand the search for the resting place can be confusing and could possibly include doubling back on paths already walked.

Oil on canvas.

24x30"

Oil on canvas.

30x30"

Oil on canvas.

36x36"

Oil on canvas.

36x24"

Oil on canvas.

48x36"

The Irish culture is full of folklore and myths. The sidhe (wee folk, fairies) have many entrances to the otherworld such as in burial mounds, under water and even at the base of Fairy Trees. These gateways are extremely important for the movement of the wee folk so they are heavily protected by magic. Some believe if you damage or cut down a Fairy Tree you’ll be faced with a life of bad luck. People leave prayers, gifts or personal tokens attached to the tree branches in the hope of receiving healing, good fortune or having a wish come true.

Oil on canvas.

25x36"

Nothing like trekking through a beautiful hiking trail on a bright, warm, autumn day. Feeds the soul.

Oil on canvas.

30x48"

Naples is an enigma, a place that stirs quick emotions. Its Old Town is a tangled web of tiny, narrow streets and alley ways. Look up: you see laundry hanging from most balconies. Look down: watch your step, there is uneven or broken pavement instead of sidewalks. Look around: the vertical landscape is covered with graffiti. Every available space is a canvas for expression in words and illustrations. Stop, listen: loud voices and Vespa motors echo up to the highest floors of the congested living quarters. It is the good, the bad and the ugly of all cities.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

Hearst Castle Grounds
San Simeon, California
La Cuesta Encantada, “The Enchanted Hill” high above the ocean at San Simeon, was the creation of two extraordinary individuals, William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan.
The natural beauty, golden glow, of the property leading up to the grounds of the fairy tale castle was visually inspiring.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

A hike through this canyon is truly Magical:
The steep walled canyon took several millennia to form. It is located near the entrance to Thorsmork valley, named after Thor, Viking God of Thunder. The walls of this rugged twisting gorge are covered with ancient moss of a saturated green colour.
Iceland is a landscape that has inspired thousands of legends and brings to mind a multitude of childhood fairytales. According to one study, up to 72 percent of people in Iceland believe in elves, trolls, and the huldufolk, or “hidden people”. Huldufolk apparently look just like us but live in a different dimension inside rocks.

Oil on canvas (framed).

40x30"

Old quarter or “36 Old Streets”
Everything all around is always moving, on wheels, scooters, motor bikes, cars, bicycles, coming at you from every direction.
There are very few traffic signs and no visible speed limits.
Beep, “behind you.” Beep, “passing you.” Beep,”go ahead.”
Beep, “thank you.” BEEP “out of my way.”
A city of constant activity, day and night.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

The Andean people of Peru celebrate Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the three pachas (worlds).
The three levels of existence are Hana Pacha (the upper world inhabited by the superior gods), Kay Pacha, (the world of our everyday existence) and Ukhu or Urin Pacha (the underworld inhabited by spirits of the dead, the ancestors, their overlords and various deities having close contact to the Earth plane).

The upper world represents the future, the middle world is the present, and the lower world is the past. One goes through each stage of life from birth to death.

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS IN THIS PAINTING:
CHAKANA: Illustrated within the rock is a “Chakana” cross, representing the three stages of Inca life. It is also said to represent Cusco, the center of the Incan empire, and the Southern Cross constellation.
HERDING LLAMAS: The llama was tamed by the Ancient Andean peoples some 5,000 years ago. It has continued to be used for food and as a pack animal.
OFFERING TO MOTHER EARTH: Ancient Andean ceremony for Pachamama is represented in the lower right-hand corner. The Shaman sets up a sacred mandala starting with a llama-wool blanket knitted especially for these rituals, then small offerings representing what Mother Earth has provided are arranged. The ritual is more than a thank you to Pachamama for all that she provides. The Shaman asks that we walk as one with her and care for her because we are all a part of her, she is the Cosmos.

Oil on canvas (framed).

24x24"

Hot dry day in Provence. This door is well weathered by the elements of time. Yet the red retains an intensity. The foliage manages to thrive in the rock and dust.

Oil on canvas (framed).

20x24"

Nearly every window (and shutters) in the south of France are painted this particular blue: unmistakable, milky, thick and luminous.

Oil on canvas (framed).

30x30"

• Concrete faced with Trajan brick
• Adorned with white Pentelic marble (Greek marble)
• Originally a temple to all the Gods
• Converted to a church
The Pantheon was for centuries a source of materials, the marble for new buildings. The contrast of the white marble and the ancient underlying brick inspired this detail of a very important historical Roman structure.

Oil on canvas.

48x36"

Bright selection of textiles and wares on display for the tourists in Cusco Peru
The contrast of the structure of the market with some disrepair and the eye catching display of goods inspired this composition.

Oil on canvas.

36x48"

Coimbra, a riverfront city in central Portugal and the country’s former capital, is home to a preserved medieval old town and the historic University of Coimbra. Rich in history, progressive student ideals, colourful nightlife, blossoming art scene, 2019 Coimbra is frayed around the edges but recovering from economic challenges.
Economic crisis (2007-2008), followed by the financial bailout from the EU (2011) and extreme austerity measures seemed to be in the past. The year 2014 marked the start of the recovery of the Portuguese economy with increases in investments, exports, tourism. 2020 and COVID-19 took progress and the wellbeing of the population backwards.
As is the case worldwide in university towns students take on jobs as servers to help pay for tuition. The elder woman in the upstairs window has seen the good times and the bad.

Oil on canvas.

36x36"

Detail of a city home in Lisbon was inspired by the sunny day during a wander in a quiet neighbourhood. The sunny yellow, the well worn entrance to a residence with two well cared for potted trees welcoming any guests.

Oil on canvas (framed).

72x30"

What hardships and losses has this woman has suffered? And the young girl, are her hopes and dreams as delicate and fleeting as the butterflies? Weaving skills and knowledge have been passed on from generation to generation. Government village weaver projects are a series of initiatives to create economic opportunities for artisans. The patterns and colours of the textiles on display for any tourist traffic are in stark contrast against the dusty dry countryside.

Oil on canvas.

36x60"

Location: Japan’s Sagano Bamboo Forest on the outskirts of Kyoto
The painting is a montage of elements of Japanese culture:
- Central female figure is an Oiran. These well-dressed women were high-ranking glamorous courtesans in Japanese society. The tradition started in Edo period (1600-1868). At the time Oiran was seen as an entertainer and a superstar. The fashionable Oiran was usurped in the 18th and 19th centuries by Geisha.
- The Japanese zen garden or “dry landscape” garden, creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully composed arrangements of rocks, water features, pruned trees and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water.
- Koi fish symbolize good luck, abundance and perseverance.
- The shimenawa is a special rope tied around or across an object or space to denote its sanctity or purity. This bamboo forest surrounds one soft sounds, light, peace: a spiritual experience.
- Thunder Gate Lamp, Kaminarimon Gate, entrance to Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo. An intricate dragon-shaped wooden carving adorns the base of the gateway’s red lantern. This dragon lived in water and was revered as a god that could save Asakusa from fire with its power over water.

Oil on canvas.

48x48"

After a breathless climb up an endless staircase in Cusco this weather worn door stands against the elements. The woman carrying her goods shows the strength of the Inca lineage. From this top level of the city we are looking at the rooftops, mountains and stair access.