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.

Gary Kennedy - Painting from the Rock

Light and shadow are very important elements of my paintings. I love the unique challenge that light and shadow offers me as a painter. I like to paint different sizes of paintings but my favorite are large ones. I like to paint large paintings so I can give the viewer appreciation of depth and composition. When I complete a large painting I feel it is a great achievement when I exhibit. I love how people are literally drawn to the canvas.

Gary Kennedy: A Cod is a Cod is a Cod

Gary Kennedy has a good story to tell. He entered art as a child, under the infuence of a George Noseworthy, a visiting artist from New York. Gary was born and raised in Port de Grave, Newfoundland. George moved to Port Au Graves and during his life there, influenced and encouraged many local youth in their development of art. Gary was his most promising student protege.

I have extracted this information from Gary's website. Rather then repeat it for you, I encourage you to check it out and to read his story.

Gary's art career has been illuminated by his first formal art exhibition being held along with a group of fellow Newfoundland artists in the Parliament Buildings.

I picked this work by Gary to present him to the F-A, blog readers for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is an archetypal Newfoundland scene. Not just that but the title Gary chose is a definite winner. "A Cod is a Cod is a Cod," suggests that if you see one codfish you see them all.......and for a fisherman, it means that there is a lifetime of cod to be seen.

Although Gary is a Newfoundlander, his repertoire isn't restricted to boats, icebergs, fishermen and fish. Far from it. When you check out his site you will find a richly, diverse portfolio.

Look for more of his works in the future.

Please check his personal bio over by clicking here.. and his works on his website by clicking here.