It’s a gray, drizzly Thursday morning. the perfect  time to introduce you to another favourite artist.  His name is Leslie Poole and he was born in 1942 in Halifax, Nova Scotia but has been a Vancouverite for many years.  He’s probably one of Canada’s most internationally well-known artists as he exhibits in galleries all over the US and the rest of the world pretty regularly.

For those of you who’ve seen my artist selections I think you may be beginning to see a trend ~  I love lots of colour and energy ~ but Poole is unique in that his work has a controlled spontaneity, I can see it in  his creative use of pattern and repetition.  I was blown away when I first saw these pieces where he combined tree trunks and blocks of solid plaid.

Was he suggesting the patterns we find in nature are just as intriguing as the ones that are man made?  Or did he simply like the juxtaposition of the rough branches next to the colourful interwoven stripes?  If I had been lucky enough to have gone to the opening show I might have been able to ask these questions. The textures are amazing.

Instead I’ll have to satisfy myself with my own interpretations.  I’m sticking to my play of patterns theory and the blending of natural beauty with created beauty.   Order and randomness.  Look at the painting on the right how the stark black twigs cross into and over the orangy and purple plaid.  Little details like these give me chills!  Even the shadows of the tree trunks running diagonally across the canvas accent the bold black stripes in the plaid.  Nothing’s a coincidence here!

I had to add this one below because it is soooooo cooool!! I want it!!!

Poole is known for his very large paintings that often span three or four canvases and his mastery of mixing themes or ideas to create an harmonious whole.

I wish I knew who this woman was!  Her face and hair style remind me a lot of classical portraits from the 17th/18th century but the way she’s positioned facing out to the right edge of the picture is totally modern.  Love the plaid section followed by a coordinating landscape (which is suggested in terms of pattern primarily)

The bottom section is a self-portrait of the artist Leslie Poole, I’m pretty sure.  I’m 99.9% sure, as I’ve seen others, but couldn’t find any confirming info on this painting.  Well, the glasses should be a giveaway but I’m just being safe.  Don’t want to put any mis-information out there.

I’m gonna have to think about the reason for the particularly awkward looking two light bulb fixture in the portrait!

Here’s one last funky floral to end off.  You know I had to throw one in here!  Enjoy!