SALLY'S POND, WEST BOLTON: AUGUST, 2009: STEPHEN CARON

This painting is my latest (as yet unsigned and unframed).

Oil on Stretched Canvas

20 X 16

LANDSCAPES capture my imagination. I have always loved the pastoral works of REMBRANDT, CONSTABLE and others.

I am a city boy, but the countryside excites me. Skies are ethereal. Trees live and breathe and have personalities. Trees speak to us from the past. Some are confident, self-assured. They dance. Others turn away in protest.

I am a COLORIST.

I am a COLORIST in the sense that I would never attempt to astound you with shocking tones or 'showmanship'. I am a COLORIST in the sense that I portray nature, people and things using sometimes 'unlikely' COLORS... to invoke a spiritual response to our world, our sense of 'being there'. This is a personal endeavour in which photography can never compete.

This is my painting of the BRIDGE AT SALLY'S POND in West Bolton, Quebec.

It's the result of a short canoe trip which I enjoyed in early August 2009 with one of my finest friends, BRIAN, a resident at 'the Pond'.

I pretend to be neither a master nor a prince, but I cannot (as yet) do better...

Please see my next (latest) post for details.

This painting will be for sale, signed and well framed at $1,490.

LES FLEURS DU VILLAGE: STEPHEN CARON

LES FLEURS DU VILLAGE (THE VILLAGE FLOWERS)

ST-LAMBERT: August, 2009

14 x 11

Oil on Stretched Canvas

"Le Marche aux Fleurs du Village" takes its place among a row of merchants in downtown St-Lambert on the South Shore of Montreal. St-Lambert retains much of the character and charm of bygone days.

Early afternoon sunlight bathing the storefront in light drew me to capture the 'moment'. I was particularly attracted by the exciting reds, blues and violets... as well as the sharp contrasts between highlights and shadows.

The lady entering the picture from the left helps to invite us into the scene. It seems to me that she is anxious to begin her investigation of the merchandise...

This work is for sale: $490

THE TOOLS OF MY TRADE...

Whether or not my work pleases you, I wish to assure potential patrons that I use only the FINEST quality materials in all of my paintings...

Starting with the ground, all of my works are presented in oils upon stretched canvas unless otherwise specified. I either stretch the canvas myself or purchase highest quality (acid free) pre-stretched material.

As for my brushes, I spend a small fortune... although these are of less importance to you the viewer. (Paint could be applied with a wooden spatula and, in the hands of a master, the result would be spectacular.)

I use FAT OVER LEAN techinique. The underpainting is completed using a thinner mixture than the finishing (external) layers. Oil paint is flexible. Imagine applying a thin layer of paint over an elastic band and then stretching the elastic band! The paint would CRACK, I believe! Any artist who does not understand this principle cannot create works that will ENDURE...

My paints are of the HIGHEST QUALITY. I favor the REMBRANDT series, manufactured by TALENS; although I also use oils created by HOLBEIN and a few other manufacturers. All are EXTRA FINE in quality.

Finally, a painting must be protected in order to endure. Although oil paintings may be "dry to the touch" after several days, a work must be allowed to dry thoroughly for at least six months before a protective veneer can be applied. All of my works are varnished according to this principle, which assures stability and LONGEVITY. My paintings will greatly outlast the life expectancy of your humble painter!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE AND FOR YOUR INTEREST IN MY ART!

Stephen Caron, August, 2009