COLOURS on the WALL
Featuring the artwork of Gordon R. Wilson
Hi, and welcome to my website. There are 7 volumes of watercolour, gouache, and acrylic paintings to explore. There is also a Volume of Military themed artwork. Most of the art in the 7 galleries are for sale. Gallery 7 also features special sale items!
Please refer to the CONTACT page regarding any questions.
Cottage number 6, No WIFI.jpg
18" x 14", gouache on paper.
Dedicated to all those whose dream vacation destination did not quite live up to expectations.
Dedicated to all those whose dream vacation destination did not quite live up to expectations.
High Water.jpg
"High Water", 14" x 18", gouache on paper
This scene is of the Drag River, near Minden, Ontario, after a series of rainstorms.
This scene is of the Drag River, near Minden, Ontario, after a series of rainstorms.
Looking North.jpg
14" x 18", Gouache on paper
Looking north from the golf course in Qualicum Beach.
Looking north from the golf course in Qualicum Beach.
Along the Severn Waterway.jpg
14" x 18", gouache on paper
SOLD
SOLD
Making Music.jpg
“Making Music”, gouache on paper, 18” x 14”
This painting is based on a photo taken during one of my Grandfather Wilson’s “Guy’s Holidays” back in “the day”. At some point during the hot and steamy Ontario summers, my granddad, and his cronies, would head up to a rustic “cabin” in the Georgian Bay area. Once there, the musical instruments were unloaded along with copious amounts of beverage, and some form of food. This was the chance for the lads to leave the wives (who were, no doubt, just as happy to see them off!) and digress into various forms of adolescent antics. One can only imagine the moment of reckoning the following morn waking up on a iron cot, sprawled out on a lice-infested mattress, waiting for someone to make coffee! Breakfast would likely feature a delicious medley of wieners, beans, and sauerkraut, washed down with yet more beverage and music. Ah, the good old days!
This painting is based on a photo taken during one of my Grandfather Wilson’s “Guy’s Holidays” back in “the day”. At some point during the hot and steamy Ontario summers, my granddad, and his cronies, would head up to a rustic “cabin” in the Georgian Bay area. Once there, the musical instruments were unloaded along with copious amounts of beverage, and some form of food. This was the chance for the lads to leave the wives (who were, no doubt, just as happy to see them off!) and digress into various forms of adolescent antics. One can only imagine the moment of reckoning the following morn waking up on a iron cot, sprawled out on a lice-infested mattress, waiting for someone to make coffee! Breakfast would likely feature a delicious medley of wieners, beans, and sauerkraut, washed down with yet more beverage and music. Ah, the good old days!
Mont-Saint-Michel.jpg
14" x 18", gouache on paper
This painting depicts an evening scene inside the walls of Le Mont-Saint-Michel.
This painting depicts an evening scene inside the walls of Le Mont-Saint-Michel.
Ruins, Normandy.jpg
18" x 14", Gouache on paper
Another in the "Normandy" series, this is what appears to be a centuries-old walled farm, that is slowly crumbling with time.
Another in the "Normandy" series, this is what appears to be a centuries-old walled farm, that is slowly crumbling with time.
Old Structures, Bayeux, Normandy.jpg
18" x 13.75", gouache on paper.
This painting features various old buildings with remnants of painted advertising quickly fading over the years. The river Aure flows through the centre of the town.
This painting features various old buildings with remnants of painted advertising quickly fading over the years. The river Aure flows through the centre of the town.
"Repose".jpg
14" x 16", Gouache on paper.
The model in this painting was resting under the sun, on a rock, by a lake, in Algonquin Park.
The model in this painting was resting under the sun, on a rock, by a lake, in Algonquin Park.
Words.jpg
18" x 14.25" Gouache on paper
I just happened to stumble upon some old photographic slides that my grandfather had taken back in the 60's. Amongst them were all sorts of material; many pics of me (the first grandson. I think I'd been photographed more times than Brad Pitt), and a series of wedding shots of folks I don't know. Using some of the shots for the main characters, I then assembled them into a composition and created a narrative of some sort. The background and secondary characters were done without reference. Alot of fun watching something like this come to life.
I just happened to stumble upon some old photographic slides that my grandfather had taken back in the 60's. Amongst them were all sorts of material; many pics of me (the first grandson. I think I'd been photographed more times than Brad Pitt), and a series of wedding shots of folks I don't know. Using some of the shots for the main characters, I then assembled them into a composition and created a narrative of some sort. The background and secondary characters were done without reference. Alot of fun watching something like this come to life.
Mountain Meadow.jpg
24" x 18"
Acrylic on Canvas
This particular painting is based on a series of quick sketches jotted down while driving along HWY 19 here on Vancouver Island. I was intrigued by the various mountain ranges and how the clouds wove their way through them. The colour scheme plays off of yellows and greens against the mauves and purple blues of the mountains.
Acrylic on Canvas
This particular painting is based on a series of quick sketches jotted down while driving along HWY 19 here on Vancouver Island. I was intrigued by the various mountain ranges and how the clouds wove their way through them. The colour scheme plays off of yellows and greens against the mauves and purple blues of the mountains.
Storm Over Lasqueti Island.jpg
24" x 18"
Acrylic on Canvas
This painting was a winter view looking across the water from the foot of Memorial Drive in Qualicum Beach towards nearby Lasquetti Island. The sun and low clouds are creating interesting patterns on the island itself with warm and cool colours creating interesting tensions and patterns over the landscape. I have balanced the dark stormy water along the bottom of the canvas with a dark cloudy ceiling at the top describing a slight arc. I feel this lends a dramatic touch to the work without taking the eye away from the centre of interest.
Acrylic on Canvas
This painting was a winter view looking across the water from the foot of Memorial Drive in Qualicum Beach towards nearby Lasquetti Island. The sun and low clouds are creating interesting patterns on the island itself with warm and cool colours creating interesting tensions and patterns over the landscape. I have balanced the dark stormy water along the bottom of the canvas with a dark cloudy ceiling at the top describing a slight arc. I feel this lends a dramatic touch to the work without taking the eye away from the centre of interest.
Blue Wagon.jpg
24" x 18"
Acrylic on Canvas
Originally, I had located this old wagon in upstate New York while participating in an art exhibition near Ellicotville. I have painted this wagon several times over the years, first in watercolour, then gouache, and finally acrylic. This was the perfect opportunity to really have fun with colour. Notice that I have used both warm and cool shades of blue next to each other which create excitement to the viewer's eye and complimented these with the near complimentary variations of oranges and mauves. The gouache version can be seen in one of the other galleries on this site.
Acrylic on Canvas
Originally, I had located this old wagon in upstate New York while participating in an art exhibition near Ellicotville. I have painted this wagon several times over the years, first in watercolour, then gouache, and finally acrylic. This was the perfect opportunity to really have fun with colour. Notice that I have used both warm and cool shades of blue next to each other which create excitement to the viewer's eye and complimented these with the near complimentary variations of oranges and mauves. The gouache version can be seen in one of the other galleries on this site.
Morning.jpg
20" x 20"
Acrylic on Canvas
Here is a good example of what can be done with virtually no reference material and just having fun with colour. Based on a vew along the beach here, I have used warm shades of purple and peach to define the rocky beach and still water, and some darker clouds in the upper right hand corner. The little red-coloured cottage was added to provide a centre of interest and surrounded with variations of greens and soft blues. The buttery colours in the lower cloud patterns compliment nicely with the purplish tones throughout the composition. Notice how the wavy contours of the shoreline lead the viewer's eye into the scene.
I had alot of fun with this painting as my painting style allows me to use colour to roughly define objects without having to worry about detail.
Acrylic on Canvas
Here is a good example of what can be done with virtually no reference material and just having fun with colour. Based on a vew along the beach here, I have used warm shades of purple and peach to define the rocky beach and still water, and some darker clouds in the upper right hand corner. The little red-coloured cottage was added to provide a centre of interest and surrounded with variations of greens and soft blues. The buttery colours in the lower cloud patterns compliment nicely with the purplish tones throughout the composition. Notice how the wavy contours of the shoreline lead the viewer's eye into the scene.
I had alot of fun with this painting as my painting style allows me to use colour to roughly define objects without having to worry about detail.
Marshland.jpg
30" x 24"
Acrylic on Canvas
This one took several years off my life! It stared with a series of photos taken along the Englishman Rive near Parksville, BC. Essentually, this final work is a morphing of several sketches and number of bottles of wine!
In short, the background is brightly lit and features yellows, oranges, and subdued shades of green. The foreground, being darker, (dark colours tend to advance), and feeature purples, greens and variations of colours found elsewhere in the painting. It has been kept rather
subdued to allow the viewer's eye to follow along the fallen three into the marshy area beyond.
Lesson learned: Just because something looks wonderful in a photo does not always make for a great painting. I nearly gave up on this one until I solved it in a dream by adding the dark foreground.
Acrylic on Canvas
This one took several years off my life! It stared with a series of photos taken along the Englishman Rive near Parksville, BC. Essentually, this final work is a morphing of several sketches and number of bottles of wine!
In short, the background is brightly lit and features yellows, oranges, and subdued shades of green. The foreground, being darker, (dark colours tend to advance), and feeature purples, greens and variations of colours found elsewhere in the painting. It has been kept rather
subdued to allow the viewer's eye to follow along the fallen three into the marshy area beyond.
Lesson learned: Just because something looks wonderful in a photo does not always make for a great painting. I nearly gave up on this one until I solved it in a dream by adding the dark foreground.
Sanctuary.jpg
24" x 18"
Acrylic on Canvas
Located on the waterfront in Qualicum Beach is this sanctuary for fish and waterfowl (I believe). I stumbled upon it by accident while scouting locations for possible future works. It was located at the end of a gravel road and looked rather unkempt to be honest. On a whim, I gave it a shot and those fencelike structures came off looking better than the reality. I was surprised it turned out as well as it did!
Lesson learned: An artist can turn something dull into something beautiful by using colours theory and being aware of composition.
Acrylic on Canvas
Located on the waterfront in Qualicum Beach is this sanctuary for fish and waterfowl (I believe). I stumbled upon it by accident while scouting locations for possible future works. It was located at the end of a gravel road and looked rather unkempt to be honest. On a whim, I gave it a shot and those fencelike structures came off looking better than the reality. I was surprised it turned out as well as it did!
Lesson learned: An artist can turn something dull into something beautiful by using colours theory and being aware of composition.
Summer Walk.jpg
20" x 18"
Acrylic on Canvas
I have a dog. A yellow Labrador Retriever named "Bella". Therefore I take lots of walks in places I might not have gone for whatever reason. The location is a land reclaimation site in Qualicum Beach. The morning shadows and angle of light made for an interesting painting using high key colours. The little red sign acts as a centre of interest- originally, it was yellow but red has alot more eye appeal than yellow.
Acrylic on Canvas
I have a dog. A yellow Labrador Retriever named "Bella". Therefore I take lots of walks in places I might not have gone for whatever reason. The location is a land reclaimation site in Qualicum Beach. The morning shadows and angle of light made for an interesting painting using high key colours. The little red sign acts as a centre of interest- originally, it was yellow but red has alot more eye appeal than yellow.
Near Courtenay.jpg
30" x 24"
Acrylic on Canvas
While attending to some business in nearby Courtenay, BC, I happened to stroll along the beach at low tide. I was attracted to the shapes created by the green vegitation and the rocks and trapped water pools.
The distant mountain range and dark coniferous trees give the painting some very nice depth.
Acrylic on Canvas
While attending to some business in nearby Courtenay, BC, I happened to stroll along the beach at low tide. I was attracted to the shapes created by the green vegitation and the rocks and trapped water pools.
The distant mountain range and dark coniferous trees give the painting some very nice depth.