ART OF GEORGE WILLIAM VAN HUMBECK

In the 80's, while working in the photographic industry, I was on the road a lot and even back then I rarely travelled without my camera.  While driving along the 401 near Mississauga, I happened to see this barn not too far from the highway.  I turned off onto the shoulder, grabbed my camera and hopped the fence.  What we won't do for the sake of our art.  I love old barns; their organic shape and structure and the honest reflection of time in the elements of nature.  I shot every frame I had.

It wasn't until many years later that I came across these photos and decided to paint the barn.  I painted many barn works as a fledgling painter thanks to those "Walter F. Foster" books, "How to paint..." They all showed the barns in a pastoral setting.  I wanted something different, bold.  I was reminded of the quote: "Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks," Mark Rothko.  I liked his bold bands of rectangular colour.  So I decided to crop - a lot. 

By the way, did you know what I did was illegal.  No I'm not talking about the trespassing.  I'm talking about stopping on the shoulder of a 400 series highway, taking pictures.  I never really gave it a second thought.  I've done it so many times when a scene inspired me.  Well, my bad habit, and an OPP officer,  finally caught up with me.  The fine was $50.

If you are interested in painting hay have a look at "Forbidden Fruit, 1889," by George Agnew Reid; amazing painter, so was his wife.