West Wind Ranch Creations

Art Gallery              Original Paintings For Sale "

I also offer an artist's selectionLimited Edition Prints For Sale " in small numbered batches for the discerning collector.   Commissioned Original Painting "

I am a member of the local St. Thomas-Elgin Artist's Guild.

Contact us if you have any questions.

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 The Painting Process

 I have stories to tell and express in my paintings. I create my works in many different materials, depending on my goals for the painting. I paint in mainly oil and acrylic based mediums, along with watercolour and pastels.

I usually start with a vision or a photograph of something that caught my eye. I have used 2-3 photographs as subject matter for one painting.

I desire that relationships be formed both within the painting and between the painting and the viewer. Sometimes the ideas are transparent and not easily viewed or noticed and other times the ideas are obvious. Sometimes there is a strong message in my artwork and other times the message may simply be sublime

Although I have been drawing and painting all my life, it is only recently that I have had the opportunity to be an Artist full time. To say I am enjoying this experience would be an understatement!

I continue to experiment and push the limits of the imagination to bring you visions of the unseen world that is around us all at any given moment. I believe this is the key to being an artist. To explore and experiment with creation is a true gift.

In the beginning...

A desire to translate my world onto paper started at the young age of 7 years old. Early on I strived to be better and improve my drawing abilities until it became second nature. I still practice the important discipline of drawing on a regular basis.

My first love as a child was the wilderness and nature itself and that has never faded. I had a unique childhood growing up practically in a forest of Ponderosa Pines on the shores of a spring fed lake and along river banks that sprung from deep canyons of the Okanagan Valley in Canada. Wildlife was a favorite subject, but it has expanded to horses, people, and the relationships between these subjects.

Now, as I have matured in years, in life experiences and in my artwork, I am boldly pursuing a full time career as an artist. I now have the courage to show the world what I have experienced and share those experiences with you.

My work covers a variety of techniques, materials and subject matter. I seem to lean towards the surreal and abstract at times, but also enjoy the detail in illustration and realism.

 The Materials

I paint with acrylics or oil on canvas or wood and I paint with watercolour paint on quality watercolour paper or terraskin. Canvas is either stretched onto a panel board or a wooden frame. The wood is either a thin hardwood veneer plywood panel cradled on a frame or a piece of masonite, MDF, or solid wood up to 1" thick.  All are prepared with 3 layers of gesso (ground) to seal the base. I do like to experiment with materials and lately I have been working on some mixed media pieces.

Working with oil based paints:

I recently switched to a water based oil paint and continue to explore its unique qualities. 

Oil paintings must dry for at least 6 months before being coated with varnish. Some of my oil paintings still need this protective coat. I will advise you if this is the case with your choosen painting.  If you have any questions about this, just contact us for easy instructions on the care of your investment.

My acrylic paintings are created on the same materials as listed above. Acrylic paintings are sealed with a professional quality varnish, which protects the painting from dirt, moisture and scuffing.

The sides of the stretched canvases or the thicker wood products are painted in order that one can hang them immediatly without requiring a frame. On occasion I will continue the painting over and around onto the sides.

The stretched canvases come ready to hang with wire.

Most large paintings are signed on the front and back. Small, miniature (ACEO) artworks are usually initialed on the front and signed on the back.

From time to time,

I also have some of my original works listed for sale on Etsy.com and Ebay.ca 

Computer Monitor Colours

Your computer does not always do the paintings justice. It is difficult to get the true colours and feeling of the painting by viewing them on a computer monitor! (Especially with mine that are usually full of texture)!

I try to take the photos of the artworks, outside in the sunlight to get the best colour. Or I take them under my full spectrum lights in my studio. No matter, the computer tends to separate the colors. You don't see the full effect of the blending of colour, shading and highlights. Reflective materials often don't show up in a photograph.

 I do place my work in local Art Shows when I have time. The club I belong to, Brush and Palette Club of London, produces an annual show and sale in London, ON. I've had great success there.

I have a wall space at The Art Emporium in Port Stanley, ON. I try to change up the pieces on the wall every 3-4 months. I also have a limited number of small photography prints for sale through the Art Emporium. If you are from this region, Port Stanley is a fun place to visit for a day! Many Boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries throughout this quiant lakeside town. It also boasts one of the top sandy beaches in Ontario!

Port Stanley Train Station with bridge in background.

Copyright 2016

We retain final copyrights of all images. Purchase gives you the "rights" to use these photos/paintings/prints for "personal use only". The photos cannot be copied, sold, or published in any other way without our permission.

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Feedback from clients    

"LOVE the colors and movement in the painting".

"Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the careful packaging. It will be cherished".

"Very Nice!! Well Wrapped!! My Daughters Going to love it"!!