Colin O'Neil
Portfolio
NewGrowth
Gingerbread | 14 x 20in | Dec. 2022
This gingerbread sculpture depicts an abandoned and decaying barn rejuvenated as an autumn garden shed. This entirely edible sculptural piece tells a story of new life and brings brightness to the dull and forgoten.
NewGrowth
Process
The design and construction of the piece presented some challenges while working in this new and difficult medium. As you can see, I templated the structure and car first, while accounting for expansion during baking. In the process, I developed some techniques, such as using a zester to 'sand' the gingerbread into 45° angles and using a variety of sculpting tools and household items to imprint the raw dough.
Baking and Decorating
A collection of photos acting as reference and inspiration.
Planning and Templating
Leadingthe HerdHome
Watercolour on cold press paper | 16 x 20in | 2021
This watercolour painting showcases a female Indian elephant; the matriarch charging toward the observer with the rest of her herd in behind. The kicked-up dust helps to bring focus to the matriarch as they cross the savanna. This piece was based on an artwork featured in a National Geographic magazine.
AfternoonBloom
Photography 4.2mm, ISO 64 |
4032 x 3024px | Sept. 2021
This bloom was captured just as the sun disappeared below the treeline during the late afternoon. The soft light and focus give the photograph a dream-like quality.
CameronLake
Framed paper cut artwork | 11 x 14in
May. 2021
This papercut wall art was inspired by a 1966-1971 topographical survey map of Cameron Lake, Tobermory, the lake on which my family cottage has been since the '70s. Every layer of the map represents a five-foot depth with the gradient of coloured paper deepening along with the body of water.
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CameronLake
Process
This project, from start to finish, involved restoring parts of the original map and transferring them online so that they could be cut and assembled. Spacers were placed between each layer for every 5-foot depth marker to provide depth and visual interest. On the 'ground' layer additional specs. were included, referencing the original survey.
Reference material
Cutting and Assembling
Final Piece
TheDoctor's Carriage
Watercolour on cold press paper | 16 x 20in | June 2022
This photograph features an over 100year-old doctor's carriage sealed in time in a neighbour's barn. The beautiful beams of light flooding through the barn's broken windows are what inspired me to paint this moment, opting for watercolour to achieve the soft warm light.
ForestDwellers
Wooden Figures | 3 to 4.5 inches tall
These small wooden figures, based on works by Odin Parker, were each carved from a single piece of cedar, stained and painted with details like eyes, antlers and ears. Each figure was based on a member of my family, my mom, dad, and myself, and inspired by the deer around our home.
| Dec.
2021
MirroredRealities
Mixed media sculpture | 12 x 12in round | 2023
This thought-provoking sculptural piece was inspired by the issue of climate change, especially plastic waste. As the name suggests, the concept is to showcase two distinct environments, mirrored on either side of the centre divider. When observed from either side only that environment is visible, but when viewed from above, a parallel of shapes, textures and colour is apparent.
MirroredRealities
Process
My goal with this piece was to use as many recycled and waste materials as possible to fit with my theme. Because of this, I built from the bottom up, using a broken clock for the base and its glass for the divider.
Design sketches
Placing and Construction
Planning Final Piece
AGreenerFuture
Acrylic on canvas board |
8 x 10in | Dec. 2022
This painting is based on a gentle sunset on a road trip and captures the beauty between the natural environment and the manmade one and how they can operate in harmony.
Gravitate
Driftwood sculpture | 12 x 5 x 8in |
Nov. 2022
This driftwood sculptural piece was created with collected driftwood that I gathered from the sandy shallows of a lake. Using the natural shape of the wood I assembled them to create a dynamic falling pose for the wooden figure.
HighSchool MusicalSetDesign
Set design | Jan. 2023 and Set
production | Feb. 2023
Inspiration and reference images
WindsweptPine
Acrylic on canvas | 16 x 12in | 2022
This painting was once again inspired by the natural landscape of Tobermory, Ontario. It features Ontario's provincial tree, the eastern white pine, windblown but standing tall overlooking Cameron Lake.
HolidayWelcome Sign
Reclaimed pallet wood sign | 42 x 21in | Dec. 2020
For this woodworking piece, I created a snowman from reclaimed pallet wood. I embraced the imperfections in the wood, such as the nail holes and rough surface texture, to add character and to balance the bright pops of colour with the more earthy elements, like the greenery in the hat.
HousePortrait
Watercolour on cold press paper | 11 x 18in | 2022 - 2023
This watercolour was a commissioned painting by one of my neighbours, featuring their home. The sketch was particularly challenging because of the perspective and the various angles of the roof and the complex shape of the exterior. Additionally, the landscape was added to frame the house and to capture the warm and inviting feel of the home.
