🚀 go-pugleaf

As an artist one is always challenged to explore new ideas. I have 
watched a number of well known artist  get stuck and are bankrupt for 
new ideas. They have painted themselves into a corner.
A good example of this, in my opinion, is Canadian artist   Tony Onley.
Actually, I feel that Mr. Onley is also one of the few artists who could 
burst out of this dilemma with a bit of effort. I like his work because 
it is very strong but it is obvious, in my opinion, that he has hit the 
brick wall . He needs to sit back and get out of the commercial loop of 
the gallery circuit and take the time to take some real gambles with his 
work. I mentioned to him at a recent art show that I would like to see 
him explore colour and his face went purple. He said it was not the 
first time someone had said this and it was obvious that he did not like 
the criticism. My main point was that he needs to expand himself and 
that I think he is very capable of doing so. I do see him throwing in 
some colour here and there but I think he is merely tweaking a style 
that has a limited direction. In my humble opinion he needs to have the 
courage to abandon this "thing" that works very well for him and take a 
new direction completely. 
Jack Shadbolt, another Canadian artist, is in my opinion,  an excellent 
example of someone who is willing to take chances and as a result one  
sees a great range in his work.
I am a Canadian artist and I have always tried to seek something new in 
myself and my work. 
I am in the process of exploring my childhood memories as a little boy 
on a farm in Scotland. 
I am also relating these memories to my life today and to my own 
children. The painting "Boy with Apples" is about a little boy with a 
basket of stolen apples from an orchard. The background has some images 
of the judgment from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. There is a 
relationship between the little boy of yesterday in the painting and 
some of the  troubles the same boy faces today. The little boy in the 
painting is a brother of mine. We do not talk to each other. 
In this painting and also in this series, I am exploring some of the 
betrayal I feel from my family. I did not get the support I expected 
when I stood up for what was  right. Even when it meant the question of 
the safety of children. 
I have been deeply hurt a lack of understanding. I now know why no one 
speaks up or comes forward with information. It seems that it is still a 
sin to break the code of silence. 
I have been found guilty of "interfering" in something that is non of my 
business. 
I have tried to explain to the family that I did not make the decision 
to come forward on my own, that I sought the help of a number of 
professionals such as social workers, lawyers, and also a Supreme court 
Judge, but the replt I got back from that was a big " These so called 
professionals, who do they think they are?".
So, as a result of this backlash, I find myself looking at old black and 
white photos of happier family relationships and trying to make sense of 
it all.
I must say that I am very lucky to have a wonderful understanding wife 
and children and I this series of new works has lifted my spirits a 
great deal. 
Please take a look at my new paintings at    
http://coastnet.com/dhouston/