Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
(English) A New Painting, « Dusk, » Fresh Off the Easel
décembre 4th, 2011 - 9:49
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
La galerie Exhib’Art présente une expo-vente collective d’artistes québécois
novembre 22nd, 2011 - 5:50
Une invitation à explorer l’univers de la pluralité québécoise, et à rencontrer les artistes au vernisage le dimanche, 27 novembre à 14 h.
La galerie Exhib’Art présente une expo-vente collective d’artistes québécois.
Une vaste collection d’œuvres de grands maîtres, d’artistes reconnus ou émergents.
24, 25,26,27 novembre
1,2,3,4,5 décembre
jeudi et vendredi
11 h – 21 h
samedi, dimanche, lundi
11 h – 17 h
Un aperçu des œuvres de la collection
Exhib’art
2385 rue Guénette, Saint-Laurent, H4R 2E9
(English) A Change of Scenery
septembre 15th, 2011 - 1:17
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
Concours « Brush Off! » chez Avenue Art
juin 10th, 2011 - 9:00
J’ai des nouvelles excitantes et une grande faveur à vous demander.
Deux de mes tableaux ont été retenus par les membres du jury du concours « Brush Off » à la galerie d’art Avenue Art de Marina Cutler ici même à Montréal. Cette galerie est située dans un secteur en plein effervescence de Montréal, soit au 10 rue King (directions) dans le vieux Montréal, à quelques pas du canal Lachine.
Le jeudi 16 juin 2011 aura lieu le vernissage d’une exposition d’une durée de trois (3) semaines, mettant en vedette de nouveaux artistes émergents de Montréal et ses environs, et je suis heureux et très fier de vous annoncer que j’exposerai deux de mes meilleurs tableaux (voir ci-dessous).
Certains prix seront alloués par les juges et je suis certain que mes tableaux ont une bonne chance d’être sélectionnés, mais …
J’ai besoin de votre aide pour remporter ce que je considère le plus important et prestigieux prix de cet événement, le «People’s Choice Award» qui est présenté à l’artiste dont le tableau est choisi par vous, le public. Chaque participant pourra voter sur leur tableau favori et …
VOTRE VOTE pourrait être « LE VOTE » qui me permettra de gagner ce prestigieux prix.
Les billets pour la soirée d’ouverture du « Brush Off » coûtent 25 $ et les frais d’entrée supporteront une bonne cause, le Champagne Memories Gala, qui est une œuvre de charité supportant les personnes atteintes d’Alzheimer, et donc comme boni, vous contribuerez à une bonne cause. Réservez vos billets en ligne à www.AvenueArt.ca ou en appelant 514-867-3745 (laisser un message – quelqu’un vous rappellera).
Que tirerez-vous de cette soirée ? Vous admirerez des œuvres d’art sélectionnées par un jury professionnel, vous contribuerez à une bonne cause, vous aurez du plaisir avec des individus intelligents et attirants et … je vous en devrai une !
Je serai à la galerie dès 17h00 pour vous accueillir lors de cet événement des plus excitants.
À la hauteur de tes ambitions,
Duane
P.S. Les œuvres en exposition sont:
« Three »
Oil on canvas 40 X 48 inches ©2009 by Duane Gordon
et « The Beauty of a Cloudy Day »
Oil on canvas, 60 X 30 inches ©2010 by Duane Gordon
P.P.S. L’exposition continue au 8 juillet 2011.
Real art vs. reproductions? (en anglais seulement)
décembre 9th, 2010 - 2:05
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
The Group of Seven… Who’s That?
novembre 4th, 2010 - 1:21
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
Vernissage Video
octobre 22nd, 2010 - 10:25
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
(English) Permanent Exhibit Now at Bonaventure Hilton Hotel
octobre 18th, 2010 - 4:07
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
Website Launch and Vernissage Photos
mars 8th, 2010 - 11:41
Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en English.
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
mars 26th, 2009 - 8:25
We’ve all heard the fable of the country mouse and the city mouse. Some people enjoy rural living. Hey, I’ve heard some even enjoy camping and communing with nature! Others prefer the fast-paced life of the big city. Apparently, this segregation is common among rodents as well. 
I’m a city mouse. I enjoy nature (mostly looking at it from a safe distance), but I love city life, although I must admit that at my age, it’s not the fast pace that attracts me anymore. In fact, though I love to visit New York, I don’t think my heart could stand the pace. Just standing on a street corner in Manhattan makes my heart pound!
No, what attracts me to the city is the view. Montreal is a beautiful city, as are the people. Terrasse season is fast approaching, and fellow Montrealers (and former Montrealers) will remember the pleasure of sitting on a terrace having a coffee or a beer and watching the beautiful people (I’m partial to the women myself, but to each his own) strut their stuff as they shake off the winter blahs.
I’ve mentioned I’m working on a series of paintings showing the buildings of downtown Montreal. I work in downtown Montreal, and my strolls through the « urban canyons » inspire me to create big, colorful canvases. The light shining on, relfecting from and even penetrating the beautiful geometry of the towering buildings is breathtaking. (Working in a drab cubicle tucked away inside one of those beautiful buildings, it makes you wonder why someone can’t figure out how to create buildings inside out!)
But some buildings inspire me in different ways. I paint to express my gratitude for and to share with you the light and color I see all around me. But when I want to share perspective, rythym line and form more than light and color, the subject seems to cry out for a pencil drawing.
Eglise St-Irénée, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
© Duane Gordon 2009
Eglise St-Irénée
Height: 10 inches / 25 cm
Width: 8 inches / 20 cm
Media: Pencil on acid-free, medium weight, durable paper matted to fit 14″ X 10″ frame.
Price: $190
This old church is at the corner of Atwater Ave. and Rue Delisle in Montreal, just to the south as you exit the Lionel Groulx Metro Station (that’s where they filmed « The Jackal ».) I loved the perspective of looking up at the looming tower. I bet there are city mice living there too!
I Surrendered to Facebook!
mars 9th, 2009 - 8:00
Hi all,
I’ve been remiss in posting to my blog because I’ve been busy working on my art.
I’m an artist, what do you expect? 
But…
I’ll be sharing new work here in the very near future… I’ve been hard at work on a new series about Montreal. I’m a landscape artist, and the Montreal landscape provides an endless source of inpiration. What a beautiful city I live in.
But that doesn’t explain the title of this post, does it?
I never joined MySpace, and I resisted joining Facebook. I know they can be addictive, and I didn’t want them to take time away from my art. The problem is, if you spend all your energy creating art and you never share it, what’s the point of the art? So I knew I had to find an effective way to share and promote my art.
Still, I procrastinated. At least, I did until my daughter (who’s on Facebook, of course) informed me that my mother (her grandmother!) was on Facebook, and was wondering why I wasn’t. It’s a little (ok, a lot!) embarassing to have your Mom (your retired, non-technical Mom who lives in a little farming community in Western Manitoba) wonder why you’re not technically skilled enough to use Facebook!
So now I’m on Facebook. If you’re on Facebook, consider yourself invited to become my friend. And if you’re here because you saw my art on Facebook and want to learn more, welcome!
If you’re not a Facebook member, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog (RSS feed or email – see the Contact link in the menu.) I’ll be posting my latest paintings here as they’re ready.
I’m excited about this new series, and I know you will be too. Stay tuned.
To your success,
Duane Gordon
Contemporary Artist’s Virtual Gallery – www.duanegordon.com
My art is my attempt to express appreciation and gratitude for the beauty I see around me.
Email: duane@duanegordon.com
Painting in the Park
août 10th, 2008 - 7:04
Hi everyone,
What a wonderful day! It turned out sunny after all… in fact, it was probably the nicest day we’ve had this summer. The cultural event was a blast. There were 20 artists who participated, and there were probably several hundred people who passed during the day.
Just for fun, I thought I’d share with you how my painting evolved during the day. The rules were that we had to start with a blank canvas at noon. I took pictures of my canvas as it evolved through the afternoon, and this first one was taken at noon, just to show what we had to start with.
I had worked on a drawing for the picture the day before, so I was ready to go at noon. However, we had 3 and half hours to produce a masterpiece… I was amazed at the number of people who succeeded! There is a lot of talent in St-Laurent, and Sylvie Moncion (my painting coach whom I highly recommend!) mentioned the artists obviously loved what they do… she said it takes a lot of guts to get out of the studio and throw yourself on the mercy of the audience.
I was quite impressed with my progress, as were many of the people who knew me. Several artist friends painted in the group, or dropped by. People who know me know this is probably the fastest I’ve ever painted anything!
We can see the church is really taking shape, and I’m feeling confident. My friend Bridget, is not helping, however, as she keeps dropping by to inform me that time is rushing by and offering to let me borrow a larger brush! No, thanks, Bridget, but I will get a move on… it’s time to work on the sky.
Maurice D’Amour, my Saturday morning painting workshop leader, also dropped by, a very nice gesture, since he’s on holidays. He actually arrived yesterday from Anticosti. With the weather we’ve been having, he was very lucky to get out at all (no radar on those little plane, and the rubber band doesn’t work as well when it’s humid! lol) Maurice left shortly before the end of the painting, so I didn’t have much chance to chat with him. Of course, I’ll see him again in September. Sorry, Maurice, but I still have to add in the trees!
Finally, at 3:30 PM (there was NO WAY I was going to finish early, but I did finish on time!) I signed my painting, and here’s the finished result. It turned out quite nicely, especially since I’m pretty sure it’s the fastest I’ve ever finished a piece! I’ve included a picture of it cropped below. Click on the image for a larger-sized pop-up of Church in Blue.
This is the first of an annual cultural even here in St-Laurent. Painting in the park followed by an art autction. I hope to see you all there next year!
To your success,
Duane Gordon
Contemporary Artist Gallery – www.duanegordon.com
Images from an artist strolling along the border between realism and surrealism.
A Cultural "Event"
août 4th, 2008 - 6:32
This coming weekend (if it doesn’t rain), there’ll be painting in the park! The borough of St-Laurent (the area of Montreal I live in) will be having what they describe as a cultural event, which sounds a lot more snobbish than what it really is… a group of artists painting in the great outdoors.
Sunday, August 10, 2008, 40 artists (max.) will be painting at Parc Beaudet starting at noon. Artists were invited to participate in painting « en plein air » followed by an auction of the works painted that day. Each of us chooses our own format and medium and provide all the materials… but there is one rule that makes this different and fun:
When painting starts at noon, the canvas must be blank. The art work, whatever size the artist chooses, must be finished before the start of the auction at 4 pm (16h). Hmmm… a masterpiece in less than 4 hours. Should be fun!
I’ve been working on a few ideas, although I haven’t made my final decision yet. And no, I’m not breaking the rules by having an idea before I start… the rules say my canvas has to be blank, not my mind! (I can hear several people thinking that that’s not an uncommon state in any case!)
The artists are supposed to all be set up and ready to paint by noon, so you won’t be wating around for things to start. Also, since we have to paint so fast, there’ll be plenty to see throughout the afternoon. As I mentioned earlier, the paintings go on auction at 4 pm, and the auction ends at 6 pm (18h).
The park is at the corner of Du College and Décarie, right across from the Du College metro. It’s a great location… nice park with a fountain, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. nearby, and there’s an ice cream shop right across the street (if it’s not raining in the summer in Montreal, it’s always hot!)
Cross your fingers and hope for sunny weather. As long as it’s not raining, I’ll be there painting and I hope to see you!
To your success,
Duane Gordon
Contemporary Artist Gallery – www.duanegordon.com
Images from an artist strolling along the border between realism and surrealism.
What I've been doing with my summer…
juillet 27th, 2008 - 8:13
Hi everyone,
I wanted to tell everyone about someone I’ve been working with lately. Sylvie Moncion is a successful artist, and I was drawn to some of her paintings I saw on her portfolio at Absolute Arts.
I usually take painting workshops during the year, but they shut down for the summer, so I was looking for someone to work with as an instructor/coach. In a totally uncharacteristic move for me (I’m usually very shy), I wrote to Sylvie using her contact form asking if she ever offered workshops or lessons.
I’m sure glad I did, because Sylvie replied that while she never had done anything like that in the past, she had been thinking about it, and if I was willing, we could see if we could figure out a way to work together. We met and decided that because of my goals, my level of experience and my schedule, she would coach me, working with me for a two hours every couple of weeks to provide guidance, and assigning me homework between sessions.
We’ve been working diligently on composition/design and colour, two areas where I’ve always struggled, and the improvement I’ve seen and the increased confidence I feel is amazing. I’ve been extremely happy with the results. I’m preparing studies for series that I hope to take to galleries, and I don’t see any reason why that won’t happen.
Sylvie has already helped take my painting to new level, and I can see this is just the beginning. Sylve has also enjoyed coaching me, and recently suggested that she would be open to coaching a few other people who were serious about their art career. I offered to spread the word about the benefits I’ve already seen, and encourage anyone who’s serious about their art and art career to consider moving up to the next level.
You can contact Sylvie through her contact form link above.
To your success,
Duane Gordon
Contemporary Artist Gallery – www.duanegordon.com
Images from an artist strolling along the border between realism and surrealism.
Sun Through the Trees / Soleil à travers les arbres
mai 8th, 2008 - 8:23
© Duane Gordon 2008
The sun shining through the trees and casting long shadows on the snow create the effect of bars on a window blocking your view of the scenery in the distance. Perhaps this is what is meant by the “gilded cage”?
Height: 20 inches / 51 cm
Width: 16 inches / 40.5 cm
Thickness: ¾ inches / 2 cm
Media: Oil on canvas
Price: $250
Dramatic Skies / Ciel dramatique
avril 24th, 2008 - 11:07
© Duane Gordon 2008
In Manhattan, just north of Battery Park and a few hundred yards south of Ground Zero there is a small side street that reminds me of a box canyon, the sort that are often found in the Rocky Mountains. The roadway is so narrow and the buildings so high it’s perpetual twilight in that street, even on bright sunny days.
Height: 30 inches / 76 cm
Width: 24 inches / 51 cm
Thickness: ¾ inches / 2 cm
Media: Oil on canvas
Price: $650
Departing Storm / L'orage s'atténue
avril 20th, 2008 - 8:09
© Duane Gordon 2008
My grandmother died in the winter of 2008. I left Montreal to drive to Upper Gagetown for her funeral early one morning under cover of darkness in a raging blizzard. Fitting the mood of the day, the storm followed me all along the St-Lawrence. It wasn’t until I was heading south near Grand Falls in northern New Brunswick that the gray cloud cover finally broke, just in time to enjoy a remarkable sunset over the St-John River valley. Perhaps it was my grandmother telling us that we had grieved enough and now it was time to remember and celebrate her life.
Height: 24 inches / 51 cm
Width: 30 inches / 76 cm
Thickness: ¾ inches / 2 cm
Media: Oil on canvas
Price: $650
Cactus Gallery Spring Exposition
avril 3rd, 2008 - 6:07
-
When
- Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 2:00 PM
-
Where
- Cactus Gallery
5276 Notre-Dame-de-Grace ave.
Montreal , QC H4A 1K9
-
Who should come
- Art lovers who enjoy every type of painting. You’ll find new works in oil, acrylic, water colour and mixed media by artists whose styles range from figurative to abstract.
-
Why
- You may have visited the gallery before, but these shows are special because all the artists are there to talk about their art and answer questions. You’ll also see my new work… I have 7 new works I’ll be exhibiting, and the other artists wait for the shows to unveil all their newest work too.
- They’re tired of being cooped up this past winter, and they’re putting on their best show for spring. I know you’re tired of being cooped up too, so come on out and see some great art!
-
How to find me
- All the artists will be in attendance, but I’m the tallest!
Details
SPRING SHOW AND SALE
April 10th to April 30th
Everyone who attended the last show had a wonderful time! We had approximately 250 people attend the vernissage (not bad for a weekday!) This time, the show will be held on a Sunday afternoon, so we’re looking forward to an excellent turnout.
Vernissage:
Sunday, April 13th : 2:00 to 5:00pm
Keep watching for updates.
I hope to see you all there.
To your success,
Duane Gordon
Contemporary Artist Gallery – www.duanegordon.com
Images from an artist strolling along the border between realism and surrealism.
My Good Friend, Briget Long
mars 30th, 2008 - 7:13
I met Briget Long in my very first painting class 8 years ago. Briget and her husband, Réal take the class together. They are both excellent artists, but they have very different styles. I don’t have a picture of Réal, unfortunately, but I wanted to introduce you to Briget.
Briget was the first member (besides myself) of my Montreal Painter Meetup group. In fact, our first meeting was just Briget and me at Tim Horton’s, and she’s been a staunch supporter of our group since the beginning.
In this picture, you see Briget with one of her « experimental » paintings. She wanted to add texture in this piece, reminiscent of primitive work that might have been done by early cavemen. Among my friends, if you want someone who can help you draw or paint a horse, you see Briget. She’s a big fan of horses and has done many beautiful pictures of them over the years. Briget doesn’t always paint horses, of course, and lately she’s been doing an amazing series on trees.
An now introducing… Nicole Vachon
mars 9th, 2008 - 6:48
I met Nicole Vachon in my painting classes at the Centre de Loisirs in St-Laurent. I really enjoy listening to Nicole telling stories of her life. It often seems as if she’s been everywhere and done everything (and for those of you who know a little about my background, it takes some doing to beat my life!) She’s left Quebec to move to Vancouver to make her way as an artist when she was young, and I know she tells wonderful stories about her life in France. Over the years husbands have come and gone, but Nicole has always remained true to her art.
Now, of course, she lives in Montreal, and she still leads what many people I know would consider a « bohemian » lifestyle, taking jobs where she can to support her and her son while she continues to pursue her art. She’s always fun to spend time with and Linda and I have both enjoyed her company on several outings. I consider her a good friend and an excellent artist.
I would invite you to see her art any chance you get. She has a « naif » style somewhat similar to my own, using bright colours and interpreted realism to create unique works you can get lost in.
Here we see Nicole posed beside one of her beautiful paintings of a small village of colourful houses all jumbled to add excitement and interest. The dramatic sky in the background is also very typical of Nicole’s work.
I'd like you to meet… Carmen Vallée
mars 2nd, 2008 - 8:05
One of the advantages of being active in the Montreal artists’ community is that I have met and become friends with some wonderful artists over the past few years. I was going to introduce you to them all at once, but I thought you wouldn’t have a chance to appreciate them as much as I do if I did that, I’m going to share them with you a little bit at a time, the same way I came to know them.
The first one I’d like to introduce you to is Carmen Vallée. I met Carmen several years ago at the Centre de Loisirs (Community Centre) in St-Laurent. She also takes art classes from Maurice D’amour, my mentor, but not at the time as I do. However, because each class has the opportunity to admire the work done by Maurice’s other classes, I came to know this exceptional artist, first through her work, and later when she joined my Painter Meetup.
Carmen is a phenominal portrait artist. She struggled with this, as she worried that she couldn’t earn a living as a portrait artist. However, I admie her greatly, and see her as an inspiration, because she adopted the attitude that if she believed in what she was doing and she simply worked to master her art, things would happen. Well, things are happening. She’s in increasing demand as a portrait artist, and if you’re interested in having a portrait done, I’d talk to her before you end up on an ever growing waiting list!
We had a show last weekend (February 24, 2008) and Carmen exhibited one of her other paintings. This was an exercise our classes did on primitive paintings, and I snapped this picture of her beside her painting. Though this is not a portrait, it does capture her painting style and her bubbly personality!
Over the next few days and weeks I’ll introduce you to some of my other artist friends. I’ll invite you to visit the Web sites of those who have them, but if you’d like to get in touch with anyone who doesn’t have a Web site, like Carmen, please contact me and I’ll relay your contact information to her. I know she’s always looking for new faces to paint! If you have a favourite photo (large sizes are better) you’d like to see as an original oil portrait, you won’t find a better artist than Carmen Vallée.
The Artist's Survival Kit
janvier 27th, 2008 - 7:50
As many of you know, I’m active in the art community in Montreal. I’m a member of the Cactus Co-op Art Gallery and the group of artists who run it (9 Artistes 9). I am also the Montreal Painter Meetup organizer. I’ve decided to begin writing articles for fellow artists as well as fans of my art.
This past week, I found an Artist’s Survival Kit on Kerri Smith’s Web site. It’s a free download and will do wonders to lift your spirits. I won’t try to explain what it is… that would spoil it. I laughed out loud when I downloaded it, so enjoy.
And don’t forget to visit Kerri’s site (a Canadian artist from Toronto, she now lives in Troy, NY) and enjoy her whimsical illustrations.
I also wanted to share a new Web site that launched this week. I’ve been studying art with Maurice D’Amour for 8 years now, (in fact, he introduced me to oil painting) and this week he launched his Web site. His recent work is phenomenal… it’s a series on what he sees in his back yard!
To your success,
Duane Gordon
Contemporary Artist Gallery – www.duanegordon.com
Images from an artist strolling along the border between realism and surrealism.
2008 New Year Party
janvier 21st, 2008 - 12:37
I exhibit with a group of 9 artists called (surprise, surprise) 9Artistes9. Our Christmas party was to be in December, but it was cancelled due to snow. Artists, of course, are used to coping with adversity (if not, you won’t be an artist for long!) so we just turned it into a New Year’s party. Although some members were unable to attend due to illness, we had a potluck supper and party in the Cactus Gallery, the gallery we share as a co-operative, and had a wonderful time in a lovely ambiance.
We also batted around some ideas of potential events we’ll be holding in the coming year. We’re going to try to get out of the gallery more often as well. After all, if « Mohamed won’t come to the mountain, » sometimes you have to take the mountain to Mohamed. We already participate in the various Monkland Avenue street festivals and sidewalk sales (three times in the summer) and we’re conducting an experiment with the Loblaw’s on St-Jacques, where each artist takes a turn holding a mini-exhibition for the participants before a cooking class.
Keep watching for more events throughout the year. If you’d like to be notified when anything is happening, please join my mailing list.
Newspaper Interview!
novembre 18th, 2007 - 10:03
This past summer was an exciting time for me. My first sale, my first commission, being accepted in a gallery… looking back, I can hardly believe all that happened in 2007! I’ve enjoyed each step, and I’ve loved sharing them with my friends and family. In fact, one of the main reasons for launching this blog was so I’d have more of an opportunity to share the excitement with you too.Earlier this summer, Nancy Snipper interviewed me for the West End Chronicle. Now, the West End Chronicle is not the New York Times, but I was pretty excited about it all the same. An artist loves to talk about his or her work. Those who attended the last vernissage know I’m no different! I almost lost my voice telling so many people all about what inspires me, and how I turn that inspiration into paintings.So here was another opportunity to talk about my art. Can’t get better than that. It was interesting watching
Kim Haines, a good friend and fellow artist, upon reading the article said that
Or you can visit the online version of the newspaper.