Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at Okotoks Art Gallery

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 6 | B R A N D Y S A T U R L E Y

C A N A D I A N I S M S : A Half Decade Inspired by Canada Copyright 2017 The Art of Brandy Saturley The paintings presented in this catalogue were created over a ďŹ ve year period (2011-2016) using primarily acrylic paint on canvas, with occasional collage elements to assist in deepening the narrative of the piece.

No part of this catalogue may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Published by The Art of Brandy Saturley www.brandysaturley.com

"Saturley’s paintings not only have a sense of humour, but also reference famous works of art.

The artworks found in Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada create an open dialogue of what it means to be a Canadian. They are informed by our iconography, our passion, our humour, our tolerance and kindness."

Brenda Barry Byrne, MFA, BFA Strathcona County Gallery @501 Curator

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CANADIANISMS A Half Decade Inspired

by Canada Presented by Okotoks Art Gallery June 10 to September 2, 2017

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Table of Contents 5

Foreward by the artist, Brandy Saturley

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Artist Biography

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The Great Outdoors

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Behind the Painting: Is Canada the Goalie of The World?

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#ICONICCANUCK

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For The People

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There's No Place Like Home

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Paddle Me Into New Territory

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Connecting Canada

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Go Canada Go!

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With Our Hearts On Our Sleeves

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Thank You and Acknowledgments

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Foreward

"From the most rural to the grandest; I am cultivating a visual language that is distinctly Canadian."

In 2010, the Vancouver Olympic Games brought an energy and enthusiasm, in a way the west coast of Canada has never seen. As a visual artist living and working on Vancouver Island, I exist in a unique biosphere influenced by the ocean, native culture, the great outdoors, and enjoyed year-round thanks to the mild climate. There is a disconnect from the rest of the country and I am certainly a long way from the capital city of Ottawa, or the mecca of Toronto.

The Games stirred up something inside of me, something that I had forgotten, something about being proud of my Canadian roots, and a need to understand my country on a deeper level.

This was the birth of a series of paintings I later titled, #ICONICCANUCK, now numbering over seventy-five paintings inspired by Canada.

With this body of work, my initial interest in exploring the landscapes and popular culture of Canada slowly became an education and experiment of sorts. I found myself not only painting Canadian iconography and sport, but rather trying to bring two worlds together using art.

I began with painting a goalie mask on the Canadian flag, the composition influenced by a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. With this painting alone I began reaching two audiences; fans of hockey and those with an interest and education in historical art. The conversations that grew from this singular painting set me on a journey of marrying influences of Canadian popular culture with compositions of well known, historical paintings. Over the past five years this body of work has taken on it's own life and continues to move into new territory, expanding my reach across Canada.

In 2014, I began creating a parallel body of work, an off-shoot of my core comment on Canada.

This new project is focused on The People of Canada, and is a collaboration with Canadians, where they provide reference material through their own photographs and stories, and I create their portrait. The People of Canada Portrait Project is now nine paintings strong, with more than twenty planned. This project got me moving, physically, and got me thinking about Canada's Sesquicentennial.

When I began painting 'Canadianisms' on canvas our 150th anniversary of confederation was far from mind. Over the past few years it became apparent that 2017 would be the ideal time to present and share my work of the past five years.

With these things in mind I took my camera and my notebook on the road. Reaching out to contemporaries and connections across the country, I began to build a physical connection to the land, people and places of our great country. My 2016 began with the opening of the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, and the galleries and artist run centres of Vancouver and North Vancouver. I celebrated Canada Day in the capital city of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife.

Moving across Canada over the duration of the year including; Edmonton, Winnipeg, Brandon, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Developing real life connections to the people, artists, galleries, museums, and land across the country.

We have talked about Canada, about what we love and what we want to change. We have talked about what we create and why we create. We have talked about ideas for future collaborations. On each journey I write daily, record video, and photos. Coming home each time to Vancouver Island filled with new ideas about Canada. From the most rural to the grandest; I am cultivating a visual language that is distinctly Canadian.

Brandy Saturley, 2016 5

Biography

Brandy Saturley born in Victoria, BC Canada, an established Canadian Visual Artist; painter and photographer. Her work features in public and private collections across Canada and down into the USA. Known for her quirky and vivid paintings inspired by Canada, her ‘Canadianisms’ have captured national attention. In 2011, Saturley coined the hashtag #ICONICCANUCK and in 2014 launched the People of Canada Portrait Project – a collaborative project between the artist and everyday Canadians.

Saturley has written for ArtInCanada.com, ArtistsInCanada.com, Reader's Digest Our Canada, and copy for many Canadian artist’s professional websites. Saturley holds degrees in both the visual arts and motion picture arts sectors. Her work has been exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions at art fairs, in public and private art galleries, and in unique corporate venues across Canada.

“In painting my goal is to create an initial visceral reaction and connection using something symbolically familiar that draws the viewer into the painting. As the viewer spends time with the painting the story unfolds as the details are discovered. Telling the story through the use of vivid colour and realistic details set on backgrounds of soft organic shapes and pattern.

These paintings have been referred to as, 'Canadianism's on canvas or Canadian POP art' I refer to my painting style as ‘Canadian Contemporary Realism’, formed using a narrative process. With my compositions I focus on symbolism, dynamic structure, and a bold use of colour to communicate the story. My compositions are influenced by historical art, flags, sportswear, design, native culture, and the details of nature.” ~ Brandy Saturley, 2016

DIALOGUE & DISCUSSION: Saturley’s paintings of Canada, or ‘Canadianisms’, began to gain exposure through group exhibitions in Victoria and Vancouver, then through live painting demonstrations at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary, and in solo gallery shows in Alberta and British Columbia. The artwork has been written about and shared widely through print, blogs, and websites including; CBC Arts, Reader’s Digest Our Canada Magazine, Forbes.com, AllHabs.net, Dennis-Kane.com, Puckstruck.com, GalleriesWest.ca, Canadianartjunkie.com, A Portrait of The Visual Arts in Canada, SALT Magazine, and Emboss Magazine. Paintings from this body of work have been purchased by the Colart Collection (Larry Rossy Trust) in Quebec. Saturley is also a contributing blog writer for ArtInCanada.com, and has written for ArtistsInCanada.com. Saturley's self-published works and portfolio are on file with ARTEXTE in Montreal, Canada.

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada is a successional exhibition showing in CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada two Alberta Art Galleries in 2017. Strathcona County Gallery @501 in Sherwood Park, outside Edmonton and Okotoks Art Gallery near Calgary, Alberta.

For more information about the artist or the artworks contained within this catalogue, please visit: www.brandysaturley.com

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The Great Outdoors My paintings often begin with a narrative in mind, but rely on intuition. I use a vivid palette and symbolism to communicate the story. I begin with a central image or focal point in mind, and sketch this idea onto the canvas. About two-thirds of the way into a painting, I abandon the original sketch and let the visual story unfold as intuition takes over. I don't set out to capture a landscape as it exists, nothing compares to the real thing, rather I endeavor to tell the story of the landscape. This piece is one of many inspired by the composition of the Canadian ag and beautiful Lake Louise.

While the artist has an intention in creating a work of art, I believe ultimately all art is a collaboration, between artist and viewer. We see what we are and each viewer adds their own story, this is the beauty of original art.

Poppies For Louise acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2012

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Behind the Painting: Is Canada the Goalie of The World?

During the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games the city was punctuated by Canadian stereotype and the air thick with smells of maple syrup pride. I came home from the experience with visions of red, maple leaves and hockey. All these experiences zipping across my temporal lobe.

I have always loved the works of American painter, Georgia O' Keee. She was known for painting animal skulls on the landscape and in 1931 created a painting featuring a cows skull on a blanket of red, white and blue. The piece represented the enduring American spirit. I began to think about this painting and it began to inspire my own comment on my country, referencing the enduring Canadian spirit. I came to rest on the image of a hockey goalie mask on the iconic Canadian ag. To me, the goalie mask speaks of us standing guard, it is a symbol of resilience and protection. In most cases a masked human, taking the shots and not shooting back, the goalie plays the role of protector and watcher, much like a mother grizzly over her cubs. This painting was the beginning of this body of work, my 'Canadianisms', and set me on a journey of realizing the Canadian spirit on canvas.

Goalie's Mask: red, white & Dryden acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2011

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It all began with a hockey mask and then an #ICONICCANUCK...

ICONIC: of, relating to, or of the nature of an icon CANUCK: is a slang term for a Canadian, when used by Canadians # : (hashtag #) hashtag #) is a type of label or metadata tag used on social media making it easier to find messages with a specific theme or content Behind the Painting: #ICONICCANUCK was the title of my first exhibition of these paintings, as my 'Canadianisms' referenced so many icons of Canada, including the landscape and wildlife of the country. The first human icon I painted was, Shania Twain, a celebrated Canadian singer and songwriter and best-selling female country music artist of all time. 'Saint Kanata' references the strong and resilient Canadian spirit and the composition for the piece was inspired by the work of famous polish Art Deco painter, Tamara De Lempicka. Lempicka was the first woman artist to be a 'glamour' star.

Saint Kanata acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2011

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Behind the Painting With this piece I wanted to continue with the theme of icons, this time Canadian wildlife and the black bear. A black bear skull, lying on a Hudsons Bay Blanket, with the red maple placed over the frontal lobe area of the skull. This piece, also inspired by the works of O'Keee, speaks to the indomitable Canadian spirit and mindfulness of nature.

HBC Skull acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2011

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For The People: The People of Canada Portrait Project This painting began a new body of work inspired by Canada, an o-shoot of my Canadianisms on canvas. Originally exhibited during Canada 55+ Games at Strathcona County Gallery @501 in 2014. This painting, 'Canadiens Gothic' is my Canadian homage to Grant Wood's famous painting, American Gothic, painted in 1930.

This is a collaborative art project with the People of Canada, learn more at; www.peopleofcanada.ca

Canadiens Gothic acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2014

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Behind the Painting Did you know that the number nine is the most star-worn number in the NHL? Even if you don't watch hockey, you have probably heard these names; Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Gretzky, Lanny McDonald; they all wore number nine. It's a lucky number in hockey, and has special meaning in many cultures and religions. Whether we are on 'cloud 9' in Canada or 'going the whole nine yards', the number nine is a magical number. This painting was inspired by the composition of an artwork by American Precisionist artist Charles Demuth, 'I Saw The Figure 5 In Gold'.

The Number Nine acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2012

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Remember Us acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 122cm) 2014 20

Golden Ram acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 122cm) 2013 21

Keep on Dreaming in The Free World acrylic on canvas painted around edges 40" x 30" (102 x 76cm) 2011

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On Guard acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 24" (102 x 76cm) 2011

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There's No Place Like Home As 2013 ended with a solo exhibition of my Canadianisms, I came home from Alberta with thoughts about where I had been with this body of work and where I was heading. I began the year with incorporating collage, deepening the connections. There's no place like Canada, a place where I feel I can follow my dreams down a yellow brick road, under a rainbow, and through poppy covered ďŹ elds.

There's No Place Like Home acrylic on canvas and vintage Canadian Citizenship Brochure painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 122cm) 2014

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Behind the Painting I have been on a journey, inside the studio and out. My journey began with Vancouver Island, where I live, and has taken me across Canada and up into the North. Along the way I have collected stories, images, sounds, smells, items and tastes. This painting was inspired by my time in Drumheller, Alberta where I came across 'The Little Church'. A church so small my boots ďŹ t much better than I, and the view through the doorway arch framed my time so perfectly. A time to contemplate my journey and meditate on things to come. The red boots, like ruby red slippers, became a part of my journey, reminding me there is no place like home, lucky to live in Canada.

Leave Your Boots at The Door acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2016

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Paddle Me Into New Territory From the rocky mountains of Alberta, to the lakes of Manitoba. From great bodies of water, to backyard stages. Canada is a patchwork nation, not only from aerial views, but also in it's multiculturalism. Deepening the connection to the land and the people.

Behind the Painting I have painted Lake Louise many times over the years, and I have painted many landscapes inspired by the composition of the Canadian ag. This is one of those landscapes, and views.

Ride My Wake acrylic on canvas painted around edges 48" x 36" (122 x 92cm) 2014

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Sitting On The Dock at Back Bay acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm) 2016 30

The Getaway acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2014 31

Complimentary Canoes acrylic on canvas painted around edges 48" x 24" (122cm x 61cm) 2016 32

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Cottage Royalty acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm) 2016

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Horn Glow | Toque Rise | Canoe View | Feathers Over Blanket acrylic on canvas painted around edges 12" x 12" (30 x 30cm) 2015

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Connecting Canada My two favourite things on Earth are Canada and making art. In the act of creating I am seeking knowledge. When the piece is ďŹ nished, I am seeking connection.

Once these paintings leave my studio they take on a new life and new stories are written, through the eyes and minds of the viewers that see them, and my job as the artist is to connect with as many viewers, as possible. We may be aging, but we are strong and beautiful and full of warmth and pride.

Leaf in Repose acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm) 2016

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Patchwork Nation acrylic on canvas 48" x 36" (122 x 92cm) 2016 38

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GO Canada GO! I grew up with an artist mother and a sports loving father.

I am an unusual mix of sensitive and competitive. I love the feeling of watching a live sporting event. The energy of the crowd, the smell of hot dogs, fries and popcorn. The costumes and painted faces of the exuberant fans. The singing of the national anthems of competing countries. All of this bleeds into the subconscious and ows out onto the canvas. Can you imagine a stadium full of people cheering on an art exhibition? I can.

The Ideal Arsenal, The Weekend Goalie, The Lucky Mitt, The Warm Hug acrylic on canvas painted around edges 12" x 12" (31 x 31cm) 2016

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With Our Hearts On Our Sleeves 'Hearts On Our Sleeves' has many inuences, but I will begin with the initial intent. When I began thinking about creating this new self-portrait I had an image in my mind, that of 'Rosie The Riveter'. An iconic war-time poster image, the image did not really hit it's full stride until it inspired a social movement that increased the number of women in the workforce, and became a symbol of feminism. I wanted to paint a self-portrait for all, but also for Canadian women from all walks and in all professions. As I began painting I came to focus on the eyes and began to see the Mona Lisa on my subliminal horizon, a horizon inuenced by the landscapes of Lawren Harris with muted tones and almost abstract forms. The heart on the sleeve quite literal in it's placement and meaning. As with all art, ultimately what you see is based on your experience, so even though I began with an intent, it becomes your place now to bring your story to the ďŹ nished piece.

Art is long. Life is short.

A picture can become for us a highway between a particular thing and a universal feeling.

Lawren Harris

Hearts On Our Sleeves acrylic on canvas painted around edges 30" x 40" (76 x 102cm) 2016 42

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Thank You and Acknowledgments I would like to extend thanks and acknowledgment to the contributions of a wide arrange of people. Whether supporting my work through; presenting it to the public, publishing articles, supporting the creation, assisting in final details, delivery and display, or just simply offering advice, these people make my work as a full-time visual artist that much sweeter.

Gratitude.

Okotoks Art Gallery & Curatorial Staff Allan Boss Katrina Lougheed Brenda Barry Byrne Strathcona County Gallery @501 Strathcona County & Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation SALT Magazine Reader's Digest Our Canada Magazine ArtInCanada.com Canada's Sports Hall of Fame Victoria Premium Automobiles Visual Arts Alberta - CARFAC VEVEX Crates ArtistsinCanada.com Dennis-Kane.com AllHabs Hockey Magazine Bruce Nagel Andrew Valko Charles Pachter Chris W. Carson Sharon Moore Foster Rick Stephens Dennis Kane Paul Constable Lynda Baxter Jennifer Luckay Penny & Reg Rogers Ed Pierick Mario Siciliano Rod Russell My loyal patrons, collectors, friends, colleagues, and extended family.

David & Judy Saturley and my right hand man, Robert Gordon Bain.

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CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 6 | B R A N D Y S A T U R L E Y Presented by The Okotoks Art Gallery | At The Station Okotoks, Alberta June 10 - September 2, 2017

www.Okotoks.ca/culture-heritage/art-gallery

WWW.BRANDYSATURLEY.COM