Local artist Brian scott will exhibit his new paintings at his Black Creek studio/gallery from his new winter studio in Phoenix, Ariz.
Scott is excited about these new paintings of the desert environment, the desert being the opposite of the rainforest, which is primarily cold colours — whereas the desert is hot colour.
Cool colours are minimal; even the greens are warm.
The classic cold green used by Emily Carr is minimal in shadows or some cactus.
The artist's favourite time is April when the cacti are in bloom. However, the colour of the flowering cactus is so unique there isn't a pigment in Scott's palette to match, so he has to use all his skill to create the illusion of cactus flowers.
Arizona abounds in ghost towns and history of the Old West. The amazing thing is a lot of it is still there to paint. The climate is so dry that old buildings, brothels, saloons and stage coach road houses are still there.
The artist is planning a book of paintings and history of the area. When he returns in the spring, summer and fall to Vancouver Island, Scott will have a fresh vision and see the Island with renewed vigour.
Traditionally artists have travelled south in the winter to paint. Delecroix painted Morocco, which revolutionized his colour sense and French art. Renoir, Picasso, Matisse and many others gravitated to the French Riviera, making it famous. British artists such as Turner preferred Italy.
Scott is thrilled with his new studio on Honeysuckle Drive with a view of the San Tan Mountains southeast of Phoenix.
He and his partner, Barbara Freeland, leave Comox at 7 a.m. on WestJet and, via Calgary, are in the "Valley of the Sun" in the afternoon. No ferries, no freeways.
The public can see the difference in Scott's new works at his Black Creek Studio/Gallery at 8269 North Island Highway from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit www.brianscottfineart.com.