For the last two months I have been an artist in residence at the Pouch Cove Foundation, in Pouch Cove Newfoundland. I was staying there along with fellow artist Jared Betts, who I attended NSCAD University with over 10 years ago. During my stay I created 5 large scale artworks, four were pre-sold commissioned pieces arranged through my art dealer James Baird, founder of the Pouch Cove Foundation, and one was a special collaborative piece that Jared and I created together.

The experience was incredibly inspiring and really pushed my abilities as an artist. I was immersed in the history of the Pouch Cove residency where so many amazing artists have stayed over the years. The town of Pouch Cove is a coastal village on the rugged coast of Newfoundland and the ocean views were so inspiring as a seascape painter. The building itself is an old school which now holds 8 artist studios and several large gallery spaces filled with art from all over the world which is always on rotation. When I wanted a break I would walk around the galleries admiring other artists work, or take hikes along the East Coast Trail, just across the street from the old school.

It was also a pleasure having Jared across the hall and watching his work come to life. Our collaborative piece is something we’ve been discussing for years so this was the perfect opportunity to do it. Our work is so different and yet so complimentary when combined onto one canvas, as well as hung alongside each other in the gallery at the end of our stay.

A huge thank you to James Baird and the Pouch Cove Foundation for this incredible opportunity.

I will be heading back to Newfoundland in September, for my next solo show with James Baird Gallery, opening September 11, 2021. Until then I will be working back in Nova Scotia on the collection of new work, which will become available in the coming months!