Pattern of Eight VII - Oil on Canvas - 36x48- Painting

S. Gordon Harwood resides in Ottawa, Canada. After a short exploration of sculpture and glass blowing, he took up painting in 2004. As a self-taught artist, he is fascinated in impressionist work along with abstract expression. He travels to Provence, France annually to explore the art and the lives of the impressionists; particularly that of Van Gogh and Cezanne. Particularly in my abstract work, I consider myself a colourist; possessing a growing appreciation for the relationship between colour, brush stroke, and the emotive energy that can engage the viewer. The brush and the pallet knife are an extension of my hands to express my emotional state. More recently, my work is rooted in expressionism and the works of Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Jack Bush have served as a profound influence on my technique and pursuit. My technique is often characterized with colours directly from tube to canvas; using the canvas as a pallet to mix, merge, extract, and explore emotive shapes and figures. Abstract work can be entirely impulsive. This style appeals to my emotional level and it is this premise that I educate others in how to appreciate abstract work. My refrain is often, “Ask yourself not what it is, ask yourself how it makes you feel. On that basis, you may just find that elusive connection with art”. His work can be found in both corporate and private collections across Canada, US, and France.