Gary Kennedy's Latest Work: Trapp Skiff

Gary Kennedy of Port de Grave Newfoundland, has recently completed the above painting which he has called Trap Skiff. Gary's realistic style of painting provides almost an archival record of life in his province. Gary works in oils, and this painting measures in at 21.5"x 57.5".

I would guess that this is an early morning scene. The colours are muted and grey and it gives his work an archival quality - a sense of timelessness. It could be today, or on the other hand, it may be a reminscence of outport life from long ago. Nostalgia finds a warm home in the hearts of most viewers. Gary's restricted palette take attention from the setting and the lack of distractive colours leads us to focus on movement and the activity of his subjects as they engage in their tasks. But even moreso, Gary reserves his darkest values for the apron and the body of the man on the right. This moves him onto the centre stage (take a look at his workmate and how he is lost in the surrounding lines and shapes and like tonalities of the surrounding boats) By doing this Gary gives his fisherman visual pre eminence. He is not just an integral part of the scene, but he becomes pivotally important. By making the man the centre of focus, we see man in control. But then again,his small place in the overall scheme of things, leaves me with the conclusion that his control is locked into the present moment. He's a pretty small force in the greater scheme of things.

When you see it in this light, you can see how Gary has touched base with the very heart of Newfoundland life. The present day viewer sees the loss of their outport society and its economy and it brings with it a whole dimension of thought, peculiar to the lives of Newfoundlanders.

You are invited to check out Gary's gallery by clicking here.