The Spirit of Helder

Artists I admire, and why — W. David Ward

1/1/2020

Paintings in this post by W. David Ward.

W. David Ward was born in West Yorkshire, England, and immigrated to Canada in 1977. He studied Graphic Design at George Brown College in Toronto. His original paintings have been exhibited in a plethora of fine art fairs and grace the pages of the annual calendar Cottage Country. He lives and works in rural southern Ontario.

If you love soaking into your soul the raw, natural world, as I do, you may very well thirst for more of David’s work. He paints nature as I see it with my very eyes, second to Carol Evans. His paintings have the ability to transport me deep into beautiful, scenic places of solace and silence: pastoral landscapes, wooded hills, forests, lakes, shorelines, cottage country and more. Many of his originals are of remote and mystical places, as he travels extensively for research material.

Painting realistically, Ward executes beautiful leaves and foliage, water, rocks, clouds and skies, and a great deal more. And he is gifted at painting scenery that is backlit by the ever beloved sunlight.

To conclude, when I thirst for a silent and soothing mini retreat, I slowly drink in one or two David Ward calendars. And, most likely, one day there will be art books.

–Helder

Artists I admire, and why — Mark Schultz

7/1/2019

Artwork in this post by Mark Schultz.

Mark Schultz (born June 7, 1955) is an American storyteller of words and pictures. He is a comics writer and artist, illustrator, and author. He created the award-winning, adventure fiction comics series Xenozoic Tales. Schultz is also the author and illustrator of the Storms at Sea novella, and has produced a plethora of images for many projects. Currently, he writes the Prince Valiant comics strip for the Sunday newspapers, is working on a new Xenozoic graphic novel, illustrates covers and commissions, and continues to release sketch/art books of his various drawings.

Though Mark can draw anything, he wisely puts a lot of thought into his working process. The results are dynamic, bold works of art, with wonderfully great and interesting compositions.

Viewers are drawn into the entire image first, and then they are invited to browse the many details and elements within the entire picture. Every illustration does a superb job at drawing viewers deep into his stories.

Characters in virtually every image are surrounded by astounding and memorable environments. All the elements of his compositions are planned and positioned accurately. There is great balance in all this.

Schultz’s ability to sketch is remarkable and there is balance also in his stunning line work, achieved by the use of both thick and thin strokes, be they pen or brush. In addition, his line work flows with great sense of movement.

I love the natural world — especially forests and jungles — and he draws it so well. He’s skilled at drawing lush vegetation, rocks, and animals — not just human figures and fictional creatures and characters. Mark can draw different rock formations with ease and all kinds of flora and fauna. Of special note are his wonderful and incredible dinosaurs and figures and forms.

Schultz’s lively artistic style greatly enhances whichever comics and books he illustrates. It is perfect for depicting and conveying adventure.

As for his writing and storytelling abilities, they are just as wonderful as his drawing and painting skills.

To conclude, when I long for an unforgettable adventure, I dive into Mark Schultz’s world.

–Helder

1st day sketching

5/6/2019

Yesterday was the first day this year that I spent sketching outside in the balcony. Last year, I started sketching in the balcony on May 1st, as the temperature was warmer. If we lived on the warmer ground level, I would have been able to sketch earlier. HAPPY SPRING!

–Helder

Artists I admire, and why — Rob Gonsalves

5/1/2019

Painting by Rob Gonsalves.

Canadian artist Rob Gonsalves (July 10, 1959 – June 14, 2017) began his career as a full-time fine artist in 1990 at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, after much enthusiasm by the viewing public. Previously, he was a full-time architect and painted trompe-l'œil murals and theatre sets. In addition to shows, exhibitions, and limited edition prints, his paintings have appeared in four children’s picture books — Imagine a Night, Imagine a Day, Imagine a Place, and Imagine a World — and many calendars, all a pure joy to sit back, relax, and have much fun with. He was influenced by Magritte, Escher, and Varo, to name three artists.

‘Magic Realism’ or ‘Magical Realism’ is a term used to describe his genre of painting. And that is precisely what his paintings are — magical!

Magical because of the masterful and brilliant illusions they strike the viewers with. Magical because they convey child-like innocence, now rarely seen and rarely experienced in our dark society. (As examples, consider all the violent and dark and evil artwork and movies and music throughout the world.) Magical because of their playful and youthful character and atmosphere. Magical because they nearly make viewers believe in the impossible. Magical because of their great sense of wonder and adventure and risk and triumph.

Well, you get the picture as only Gonsalves could paint it — My apologies if someone has already claimed copyright of this sentence, as I’m sure it has been written before.

I had the great pleasure of chatting with Rob a number of times here in Toronto, where he was born, raised, and lived for some time.

Very sadly, he passed away at the age of 57.

–Helder

Artists I admire, and why — Charles Vess

2/1/2019

Paintings in this post by Charles Vess.

Charles Dana Vess (born June 10, 1951) is a premier American fantasy illustrator and comics artist who began his career in 1976, after moving to New York City. His visual storytelling of myths and fairy tales has won him several awards. In past interviews, he cited the following — among others — as influences: Arthur Rackham, Hal Foster, Winsor McCay, Walt Kelly, John Bauer, Alfred Bestall, Alphonse Mucha, and W. H. Robinson. Vess was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and now lives in Abingdon, Virginia, with his wife. I’ve been enjoying his work since 1984.

He uses coloured inks for his paintings, black India ink for his black and white illustrations, and graphite and (recently) black coloured pencil for his grayscale artwork. Somewhat recently, he’s also worked with coloured pencils in combination with coloured inks.

Vess paints beautiful pastoral scenes and is a master at rendering and painting fantastic trees. The skies and cloud formations he draws and paints have such beautiful and delicate atmospheres and moods. There is a great feeling of movement as well, present in all his work.

In addition to a deep well of wonderful imagination, I love his delicate line work and amazing, lively use of colour. His compositions are well thought out and remarkable, as are his depictions of forests and trees. Because his work is so whimsical and charged with emotion, it’s the perfect match for fantasy book illustration.

Charles Vess’ latest major project is The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition, written by Ursula K. Le Guin. Sadly, she passed away on January 22nd, 2018, at the age of 88, very shortly before its publication. Vess created 56 illustrations over a span of 4 years for this massive volume, which was released in bookstores on October 30th, 2018.

Among many of my treasured books by him are Drawing Down the Moon: The Art of Charles Vess and Walking Through the Landscape of Faerie.

Second to my faith in God, Charles Vess was the only artist whose work saw me through a great trial in my younger years — a great escape indeed!

–Helder

Artists I admire, and why — Eyvind Earle

12/17/2018

Paintings in this post by Eyvind Earle.

Eyvind Earle (April 26, 1916 – July 20, 2000) was an American fine artist, illustrator and author. He did background paintings for Disney animated films in the 1950s. His works are in permanent collections in art museums in the US. Earle was born in New York, began painting at the age of 10, and had his first solo show in France at the age of 14.

He had a cosmic and fantastic imagination and I see the rich world of Faerie — the way it should perhaps be — in his fine art paintings. His forests and trees, massive coasts, hills and never-ending meadows convey ancient lands of eternal mystery, sheer beauty, child-like wonder, refreshing paradise, and also — oddly enough — grave danger, lurking in the shadows, here and everywhere.

There is a great sense of design and contrast in Earle’s paintings. His use of colour — which I covet — is stunning.

It is a rare artist indeed who can achieve so much, in such a plethora of paintings.

Although I wish he had illustrated fantasy stories, I must admit I am pleased with his awesome art books and calendars.

In times in which I want to escape from the negative and dark realities of our modern and frantic society, I happily plunge into Eyvind Earle’s enchanted world.

–Helder

Artists I admire, and why — Carol Evans

12/7/2018

Paintings in this post by Carol Evans.

Carol Evans is a fine artist and master watercolourist, whose work has achieved international acclaim. Her paintings have been published in three art books. She was born in Vancouver and now lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, with her husband.

The first thing that strikes me about Evans’ paintings, aside from their sheer beauty, is the remarkable atmosphere and incredible emotion of sunlight. When I gaze at a painting of hers, that is exactly how I see the world on a sunny day when I step out of my home-studio — I just love sunlight!

Along with sunlight, of course, follows contrast and Carol is a master at depicting this as well. I can actually feel the coolness of the shaded areas and the warmth of the sunlight in her paintings.

And then there are vivid, rich and accurate colours, bursting with life, also a result of strong sunlight. And once more, Evans executes the beauty of colour so well.

I could go on and on with her plethora of professional skills, but you get the picture — no pun intended — if you’ve already seen her work.

To conclude, when I need a scenic, relaxing and quick vacation, all I need to do is open a Carol Evans art book.

–Helder

Mark Schultz added to my "INSPIRATIONS Illustration" page

10/1/2018

Artwork by Mark Schultz.

A quick note to let you all know that I've added another artist to my "INSPIRATIONS Illustration" page. His name is Mark Schultz and he's also a writer.

–Helder

Misunderstanding

7/2/2018

Folks, some of you are wishing me congratulations. My apologies for not being clear enough. I'm not participating in the 57th TORONTO OUTDOOR ART FAIR; I did not apply for this exhibit—I'm still very busy illustrating my books. However, I do plan on attending it as a visitor. I shared the info about this fair because a lot of you would really enjoy it. Very best!

–Helder

57th Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

6/29/2018

Photo from blogto.com

Next weekend: July 6-8 (Fri., Sat., Sun.)
57th TORONTO OUTDOOR ART FAIR
at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto
This is an awesome annual exhibit (rain or shine) and admission is FREE every year.
There are a plethora of beautiful paintings, photography, and other artwork. If you can make it to the fair, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a great deal, as I always do at these massive exhibits and fairs. ENJOY the summer and God bless!

–Helder

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