PAINT THE LIGHT: ART SHOW WITH CONTRASTING VISIONS
Mark Clairmont — MuskokokaTODAY.com
HUNTSVILLE — Gord Duncan is deep into light.
He visions it in everything.
Like counter melodies, it defines the Dwight artist, who is presenting his first solo show in Partner’s Hall at the Algonquin Theatre during the month of July.
It’s titled Paint the Light.
“Light defines the scene and composition,” says the Huntsville Art Society member, who is no lightweight when it comes to boards and brushes.
“It’s what creates a 3D effect on a two-dimensional board.
“To create art you have to depict light reflection.”
He says it’s how you show the roundness of a tree.
But to simulate that effect takes years of study and practise, says the former sales executive who always wanted to paint.
Fifteen years ago he decided — rather than wait until he retired — to try his hand at what has become a passion — along with music.
His lifelong journey began.
“I went to the store and bought some paint and brushes and boards.”
His first few attempts “sucked,” he admitted.
So he switched to photography, which taught him composition and provided him a library of images to compose.
Transferring what he saw through a lens onto the canvas proved challenging but eventually fruitful.
Returning to the easel with zeal in 2008, he got serious, realizing that like his golf game instruction was the best way to learn.
Inspired again, he began a long process of study by taping and watching 130 TV shows by instructor Gerry Arnell; he read books, watched videos and DVDs and looked on YouTube.
He even took a three-day course with Canadian naturalist and painter Robert Bateman, who he felt akin to through similarities of stepped approach
The evolution paid off.
“Each painting is its own journey,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s (June 29) 1 p.m. artist reception and open house at the downtown Huntsville theatre next to the town hall on Main Street.
“Putting a brush on canvas is only 10 to 15 per cent of the time.”
Planning is so much more important.
He discovered computer programs that let the artist “move around colours … draw” and set things up.
And because “art is so subjective,” he said he has even used social media to assist, inviting friends on Facebook to adjudicate works in progress.
He has even taken their advice on occasion and made changes, once turning dark into light.
Duncan says “I don’t understand abstract,” but he says he’s not a “realistic” painter.
“I’m between hyper-realism and impressionism.”
He does that by focussing detail on the focal point and allowing himself room for a bit of depth-of-field impression off-centre or in the background.
This has all led to a collection of 30 landscapes, wildlifes and portraits for the summer show, which he was invited a year ago to put on by H.A.S.
There’s a sailing ship, loons on a misty morning and a couple on an oceanfront beach, in Canadian locales from Nova Scotia to Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
A serious artist now — this no cathartic expressionism or weekend whim — Duncan is gaining traction and attraction, with sales in private galleries and a commissioned piece of Toronto’s waterfront he sold for $3,000, which hangs in an office in Japan.
Yet, he still finds time as a highly competent and much-studied cornetist/trumpet player in the Muskoka Concert Band, and is appearing with them throughout July across Muskoka.
Paint the Light is on until the end of July. Admission is free.
