Way, way back in the 1960s a rambunctious group of teenage boys shared student accommodation in Dunedin New
After a space of nearly 30 years my husband and Mc D were reunited when Mc D and his wife
When they returned to Dunedin Mc D painted two canvases for us. Here he is on a snowy
The painting on the easel is called ‘The Beach’ and is a reminder of their stay in Noosa.
The BeachNearly another fifteen years have elapsed and Mc D, Ewan Mc Dougall, has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s leading artists, exhibiting widely nationally and internationally and gaining finalist placings in many art awards.
A Hoy There!
You can learn more about Mc D, his work, and listen to a TV3 interview on the occasion of his 60th birthday- 20 year retrospective at http://www.ewanmcdougall.co.nz
This next painting, full of exuberance and vitality, is called:
Here come the yahoos.
Mc D talks about himself and his work this way:
"I am an Expressionist painter. I rarely plan a painting or do preparatory drawing. I commence the work with a quick wash of strong, primary colour and then begin to hurriedly paint figures-people, animals and hybrid creatures. I add crude marks for volcanoes, hills, sea, buildings, boats, clouds, sun and moon, working with vibrant impasto.
The painting forms and informs me as to what it is. The last stroke is always the title. Above all I prize spontaneity, colour and a good dose of irony.
I love being a painter."
I love the way Mc D’s paintings so colourfully and intensely express emotions. There is a witty, playful dynamic evident, often summed up by a pithy phrase in the title.
Gone to the Dogs
When I spoke to Ewan this week he was packing up paintings ready to hit the road - heading to the New Zealand Paintings Awards. We wish you all the best Mc D. Paint on…
Hit the Road Jack
wow such vivid colours... and so many of them, very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comments on my blog.
Katherine
Katherine: thanks for calling by...the colours give you a charge...
ReplyDeleteMc D looks like he has a lot of fun in his work. Spontaneous, colorful, playful. You sure have an interesting circle of friends!
ReplyDeleteDan - It looks a lot of fun and a great way to vent emotions.
ReplyDeleteJulie ~ thank you for the LOVELY (you know what I'm driving at with the capitals) comments you left at the 'Gather Ye Rosebuds' post. I'm glad you overcame your dislike of computers long enough to look closer into my world. I appreciate your interest my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your ever returning comments on my blog Delwyn-Mc D looks like a lot of fun -particular the yahoo figures make me laugh-
ReplyDeleteMona - a pleasure
ReplyDeleteThe spontaneity certainly shows in his work!
ReplyDeleteI love the big (boomerang-ish) smiles he uses.
Smiles...or grimaces? Look to my brother's blog on GurneyJourney.blogspot for a fascinating discussion on that subject. Having read that blog post made these painting more interesting on a second look.
ReplyDeleteVS , Dan: If you look there are both smiles and grimaces. In the interview Mc D suggests he paints a panorama of emotions , not just joy. I thought Gone to the Dogs is an expression of wild abandon and frustration. I had read your brother's blog earlier Dan and agree. I am guilty of using that same smile when I am uncomforable in large social settings.
ReplyDeleteGreat paintings - a true talent indeed - paintings full of joy and life - great stuff.
ReplyDeleteAlden; Had Mc D come to your attention in NZ before?
ReplyDelete