an ongoing journal of Canadian artist Helen Utsal

Spring has sprung!

The salmon berries are flowering, and the tall straight stems of vanilla leaf are popping up in the woods. The studios at Art Alchemy have been buzzing, after we all shifted spaces. Change is good and my new studio is uncluttered and very sunny. I am feeling energized and excited about my painting, and loving the fresh new colour palette that is emerging.

My latest tree painting is 'My Church' 36x36, and really celebrates all that I love about the forest.

I wanted to express the exuberance, colour and beauty of the coastal forests I roam. It was enjoyable to be quite loose in my interpretation, going for the feel, rather than a literal record.

This was the case also when creating 'SunBlind' 36x36.

This is the second painting I have made where I have tried to capture that moment when you step into the welcome blinding warmth of the sun.

The first one was 'Ukee Bay' 48x36

This picture was made in memory of walking for ages along a dark muddy trail outside of Ucluelet, B.C. The trail was overgrown and the foliage dense, as we followed beside the creekbed. Suddenly, I stepped out into a blinding sun. The path opened up to a glorious hidden bay. I tried to give the impression to the viewer by bleeding out the white light in the centre of the picture, and using a pale blue for the tree that blocks your view, hoping this allows you to see past it, to the water and sand ahead.

The outside is beckoning, and another big blank canvas to fill.