Nigel Fox Artworks

In the Bible, Jesus speaks of the heart and says “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45, NLT)  Or another translation “Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.” (The Message)

Simply put, you just can’t fake who you are.  This will come out in your words and actions; no matter how much you repress, trivialize, spiritualize, legalize or lie.  The you in you will always shine through.

This maxim is true for all walks of life, from business to relationships.  The compass needle always points north.

I often find myself trying to not speak about certain things and trying not to touch on certain subjects.  The reasons for this often vary, but it is usually just to avoid embarrassment.  When I speak/paint about those who matter to me, I always try to keep the “damage” down to a minimum, because you never really know how people are going to react.  Sometimes this is justified and sometimes, it is completely irrational.  It’s just that when “representing” people, it can sometimes bring out the best in others and sometimes the opposite.

Some people ask why I paint landscapes so often.  After all, they know that I can do portraitures and I’m not so bad at northern style westcoast art, either, if I do say so myself 🙂  So, why do I paint landscapes so often?  Personally, no matter what people say about seeing naked women or faces and whatnot in my landscapes, I think that it has to do with my love of geology.

But painting from what is on my heart is the ultimate reason why I paint.  So, whether it is a landscape or a portraiture, my best paintings are always the ones that I put my heart into.

“The same is true for anything, including ditch digging”  someone once remarked to me.  It’s true, a ditch dug with passion and skill is better than a ditch dug without.  *But* very seldom does anyone walk by a ditch and say, “that’s some fine ditchwork you done there, man!  It really moved me.”

I said it before and I’ll say it again, good artwork reflects upon who we are; great artwork reflects upon who God is.  Art is always a reflection upon something.  Reflection always comes from the heart and from the abundance of the heart. 

So, to all those reflective people out there, I encourage you to work with passion from your heart!

With the success of my first draw for 200 likes on my facebook page, I have decided to extend this draw to 270 and give away yet another artwork.  I am planning on giving away one of my Butterflies serigraphs when my page reaches 270.

To enter this draw is quite simple: 1) Like my facebook page and 2) post on the wall of my facebook page that you want to be part of the draw.

When my page reaches 270 likes, I will draw from the entries (using random.org) and announce the winner.

The last draw had 60 likes in under 5 days, and I anticipate that this draw will go quite fast,too.  As of writing this, it is at 244 likes and climbing daily.

So, get your entry in there and happy contesting!!!

Okay, here’s the deal. I am planning on giving away an impressionist painting to one of my facebook fans when my page reaches 200 likes.

Here’s how to enter: 1) like my page, 2) post on my wall that you want to be part of the contest.

My facebook page is here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nigel-Fox-Artworks/168821496495506

When the page reaches 200 likes, there will be a draw from among the people who entered.

The piece is called Red Sunset. Here are more details on this piece:
http://www.nigelfoxartworks.com/?page_id=69&artid=80

I have been teaching a basic drawing workshop over the past four weeks at the Houston (BC) public library using the concepts taught in Betty Edwards’ book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. In this book, Betty explains that sometimes seeing and talking are two totally different things. As an example of this, try naming out loud the actual colors from the list below without saying the names of the colors.

If you are like most people, you probably had difficulty naming the actual color. The reason for this is because the part of your brain that gives names to colors is different than the part of your brain that perceives colors, and the part of your brain that gives names is usually more dominant.

Anyways, going on the theory that drawing is mostly a right-brained activity, students can more effectively learn how to discern and improve their drawing ability. It has been a fun course, with a good set of students and I have learned a lot.

I am just on my way back from a visit to Vancouver Island and Vancouver city where I received a set of silkscreen prints that I recently produced from a gentleman in Comox. After much pounding the pavement in Victoria and Vancouver, three major galleries have accepted the prints.

I currently have work in the Spirit Wrestler and Hill’s galleries in Gastown, Vancouver; Lattimer gallery near Granville Island and the Eagle Feather Gallery in Victoria. The locations are on this map (drag and click the + button to zoom in):

[mappress mapid=”8″]

At long last, the silkscreen butterfly prints are “off the press.”  These prints are based upon an original that sold within two days of completion in Febrauary.  I thought that I had a good thing at the time and a teacher recommended that I make prints out of these.  That was about six months ago now and the prints will soon be ready to sell.  If you are not familiar with the process, silkscreen printing is a method of printing where each separate color is placed individually onto each print, for all the prints in the edition.  And unlike giclee (computer) prints, the end result looks very much like an original and the quality is quite evident.  I had a printer out of Comox complete my prints.  Andy MacDougall has done prints for artists such as Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Davidson, too, I believe, and has been in the business for decades.

The story behind this particular print is as follows:

“Years ago, I was told by some friends that in Tsimshian culture, the butterfly crest has a special meaning and is usually reserved for those who are not Tsimshian by blood—outsiders. The interlocking nature of the butterfly motifs on this painting suggests teamwork and co-operation—each one respecting each other’s borders and not going outside or falling short of their appointment. The repeating geometry within the design also suggests that it can be extended infinitely. Thus, it is universal that for harmony to be maintained between differing peoples, respect is mandatory.”

Please contact me at nigel@nigelfoxartworks.com to place an order.

These are some new images that I have recently completed.  They are both done in Northwest Coast style.  The image on the left is a bear and the one on the right is an octopus.  They are both framed (12×14) and ready to be hung.  The one on the left is for sale.  Contact me at nigel@nigelfoxartworks.com if you have any questions.