#Freestack of clean plates cartoon free

Now, I have a tendency to use pre-gesso canvas and boards-probably just becoming lazy these days. Originally, I used Masonite board and applied multiple layers of gesso, which created a smooth surface for detailed work. Sometimes, I go to hard body acrylics or water-based oils for a bold effect.

I found acrylics a fast, forgiving medium that fit my lifestyle when I was juggling art and full-time work. X-RAY MAG: What is your artistic method or creative process?Д¬A: I mostly use soft body acrylic paint and tend to water them down in baby food jars to apply multiple washes to my work until I get the results I want. I have also greatly admired and definitely been influenced by some of the premier underwater artists like Stanley Meltzoff with his bold brushstrokes, Mark Susinno with his keen ability to depict natural lighting and underwater surface effects, and Larry Tople with his knack for creating action in his freshwater fishing scenes. I would say a lot of my techniques came from purchasing and reading his books. His uncanny feel for design is what I most respect. X-RAY MAG: Who or what has inspired you and your artwork and why?Д¬A: When I started actively painting, it was around the same time Robert Bateman was becoming extremely popular as the leading nature artist, and I became a keen fan of his work. I mostly take my small Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 or my GoPro Hero3 for quick access and spontaneous shots. I do not use elaborate underwater camera systems for research.

A lot of time was spent snorkelling and fishing in the Turks and Caicos Islands where I photographed and filmed the vibrant underwater life of the area. I originally concentrated on North American freshwater species across Canada and then started travelling to the Caribbean a lot and developed a keen interest in the diversity of the coral reef ecosystem.

#Freestack of clean plates cartoon free

Spending much of my free time on the water fishing, I put the two hobbies together and started drawing and painting underwater scenes. X-RAY MAG: Why marine life and underwater themes and how did you develop your style of painting?Д¬A: I worked mainly in the fishing and boating industry in Canada and the United States, which fit perfectly with my passion for angling. I enjoy painting both underwater scenes and terrestrial wildlife in this way, I can mix it up a little to avoid boredom of any one subject matter.

I have spent most of my on-water fishing time in Ontario, Vancouver Island, British Columbia coast, Nova Scotia, Turks and Caicos, Cuba, Florida, Costa Rica and Mexico, where I combine fresh and saltwater experiences. I eventually transitioned to sales and marketing, while keeping art as a hobby and part-time business.Д«eing from Canada, I was able to spend much of my free time fishing and snorkelling our northern lakes and Great Lakes and, believe me, there are a lot of lakes in Canada to choose from. I had studied advertising and graphic design before entering the workforce and worked in various facets, including newspaper layout, political cartoons, illustration and cartoon city maps. X-RAY MAG: Tell us about yourself, your background and how you became an artist.Д¬A: I have always had an interest in art.