Pacifica Chamber of Commerce
Art @ A Grape in the Fog
Art at A Grape in the Fog featuring
Fiona McDonnell-Summer of Whales & Wonderment
Showing through June 19
Artist Statement:
Last summer and fall was an amazing time to see humpback whales feeding near the Pacifica coastline. They often swam in close to the surf line and sightings were so frequent that it was common to see their spouts during hikes, or spontaneously pull my car over on the way to work, to enjoy an eager glimpse of them. The sightings were such a gift, so frequent and impressive, that when the whales migrated away for the winter season, I felt a visceral sadness and loss of their company.
It was then that I decided to begin a new series of paintings about whales which I had never attempted before. I began the process by observing photographs and videos of humpback whales under water and was very moved by their impressive size and the shapes and form of their bodies as light wove intricate patterns and reflections on their skin. I then sketched out my own compositions that became an amalgam style representation of the positions and body shapes that I wanted to paint. I am hoping that my canvases, brushes, paints and hands will attempt to convey, in a non photo-centric way, the attention, respect and justice that I feel these intelligent and exquisite ocean brothers and sisters deserve and perhaps motivate observers to feel a kindred desire to protect them.
Swimming with the whales are a few other paintings of a different theme and a selection of photographs that speak to the beauty of the natural world that I cherish and wish to preserve.
See www.Fionaartist.com
Fiona McDonnell-Summer of Whales & Wonderment
Showing through June 19
Artist Statement:
Last summer and fall was an amazing time to see humpback whales feeding near the Pacifica coastline. They often swam in close to the surf line and sightings were so frequent that it was common to see their spouts during hikes, or spontaneously pull my car over on the way to work, to enjoy an eager glimpse of them. The sightings were such a gift, so frequent and impressive, that when the whales migrated away for the winter season, I felt a visceral sadness and loss of their company.
It was then that I decided to begin a new series of paintings about whales which I had never attempted before. I began the process by observing photographs and videos of humpback whales under water and was very moved by their impressive size and the shapes and form of their bodies as light wove intricate patterns and reflections on their skin. I then sketched out my own compositions that became an amalgam style representation of the positions and body shapes that I wanted to paint. I am hoping that my canvases, brushes, paints and hands will attempt to convey, in a non photo-centric way, the attention, respect and justice that I feel these intelligent and exquisite ocean brothers and sisters deserve and perhaps motivate observers to feel a kindred desire to protect them.
Swimming with the whales are a few other paintings of a different theme and a selection of photographs that speak to the beauty of the natural world that I cherish and wish to preserve.
See www.Fionaartist.com
Art @ A Grape in the Fog
Date and Time
Friday May 20, 2016
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PDT
May 20 Through June 19
Location
A Grape in the Fog Wine Bar;
400 Old County Rd
Pacifica CA 94044
Fees/Admission
free
Website
Contact Information
650-735-5854
Send Email
225 Rockaway Beach Ave., #1