Ice Stations

Flying over Alaskan glaciers two decades ago, I witnessed melting ice fields running into glacial lakes.  This visual experience moved me profoundly and nourished a recurring painting subject.  In 2023, at close range, I saw massive, looming icebergs floating in and out of Twillingate in Newfoundland, and the visceral experience merged with my image memories of melting Alaskan ice fields.  

 

I began the “Ice Stations” paintings in the summer of 2024 at the Cox warehouse in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and continued working over the winter in my studio in Arundel, Québec.   My marks attest to the traces and remains of human and scientific excursions to the Arctic.  The detritus embedded in the frozen surroundings represents a testament to departed human exploration and the nebulous effect of measuring impending life-changing events. 

 

I am only a painter - I have no political power to influence the world, so, to overcome my sense of helplessness and concern about the devastating impact our lifestyles are having on the climate, the only authentic statement I can make is to imbue raw materials with my emotions and ideas.  

 

By exposing my art to the public, a shared moment of visual connection might occur between us and result in a mutual feeling of unity about the future of our climate.  We require a unified sensibility if we hope to take positive action now.

 

These paintings are a mix of water-based media, on machine-made cotton paper, protected by varnish.  I like my works unframed and exposed to the viewer with the

authentic pinholes, tears and smudges revealed.  14 paintings were exhibited from 5 July to 27 September 2025, in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, at the  Shelburne County Museum.

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