Artists Statement: Invasive Weeds of Southern Alberta

Invasive Weeds of Southern Alberta

First:

My inspiration has always come from the natural world, to me it feels as though nature itself is the first true artist and I can only hope to capture some small portion of its beauty within my art. There has always been magic in the parts of nature so often forgotten and disregarded by man. To think that these beautiful things which we call weeds must be removed when they offer so much more to those who rip them from the ground. I aim to give space to these beautiful things that we so often overlook and hold them equal to that of fine art as a soft rebellion. These detailed watercolour paintings like that which they directly represent both belong and break all the rules. Sitting starkly in the centre of the page drawing in the paper around them as though they wish to suck the resources from that too, but rendered far too lovingly to be anything but intentional. I have placed them there on purpose as they are disguised to fit into the gallery space they inhabit but also demand the attention of those around them, to draw in the eye with the beauty and detail of the piece. “Invasive Weeds” focuses on those unwanted plants which are not supposed to be here but are and to perhaps open up a conversation around why they ended up here.  

Second:

My inspiration has always come from the natural world because I feel as though nature itself is the first true artist, and I can only hope to capture some small portion of its beauty within my art. There has always been magic in the parts of nature so often overlooked, disregarded and actively destroyed by man.  Many of the invasive weeds in Alberta were brought over from other countries for their medicinal or culinary properties, their beauty, and sometimes by accident. Unlike native plants, these foreign plants don’t have pathogens or insects to keep them in check therefore they can proliferate and have destructive impacts on our environment and agriculture. They compete with “desirable plants” for water, light, nutrients and space, grow in a variety of soils and are resistant to control measures.  I aim to give space to these beautiful plants and hold them equal to that of fine art in soft rebellion. Sitting alone, starkly in the centre of the expansive page, they draw the viewer in to truly observe and appreciate the fine detail and beauty of the featured weed. Due to the nature of watercolour, the weeds also appear to draw the paper in around them as though sucking the resources from the paper similar to what weeds do to the earth.  “Invasive Weeds of  Alberta” focuses on a few of those plants which are viewed often with distain, but have an overlooked beauty and usefulness and aims to, perhaps, inspire a new sense of wonder for the viewer.

Third:

“Invasive Weeds of Southern Alberta” focuses on a few plants which are viewed often with disdain, but have an overlooked delicacy and usefulness through which I aim to inspire a new sense of wonder for the viewer. Sitting alone, starkly in the centre of the expansive sheet, these paintings draw the viewer in to truly observe and appreciate the fine detail and uniqueness of the featured weed. Due to the nature of watercolour, the weeds also appear to draw in the paper around them as though sucking the resources from their environment similar to what true weeds do to the earth. My inspiration has always come from the reverence created within me by the parts of nature so often overlooked, disregarded and actively destroyed by humanity. My art therefore shows those things which others see as undesirable but which have a quieter strength and purpose. Many of the invasive weeds in Southern Alberta were brought over from other countries for their medicinal or culinary properties, their ornamental value, and sometimes by accident. Unlike native plants, these foreign plants do not have pathogens or insects to keep them in check therefore they can proliferate and have destructive impacts on our environment and agriculture. They compete with “desirable plants” for water, light, nutrients and space, grow in a variety of soils and are resistant to control measures. I aim to give space to these unnoticed plants and hold them equal to that of fine art in soft rebellion. 

David’s reccomendations:

“Invasive Weeds of Southern Alberta”, the title for my recent watercolours, focuses attention on plants that are typically viewed with disdain, yet have an underappreciated beauty and utility. My works aim to inspire a sense of wonder for these plants. Isolated on a large, otherwise stark, and empty sheet, my paintings draw the eye closer, inviting us to see and appreciate fine details, each unique features and form. Due to the wet nature of watercolour, the painted weeds distend the paper that holds them, as though the drawn plant sucks the nutrients from their fibrous environment, like what actual weeds do beneath the earth. My inspiration comes from a reverence for nature, especially the overlooked, and disregarded, and the actively destroyed living forms and habitats altered by humans. My art attempts to celebrate those things that others may see as undesirable but nonetheless have a quiet (sometimes monstrous) strength and place in our world. Invasive weeds in Southern Alberta were brought here from afar for their medicinal or culinary properties, their ornamental value, and sometimes by accident. Unlike native plants, these foreign plants do not have pathogens or insects to keep them in check. Therefore, they proliferate and can have destructive impacts on our environment and agriculture. They compete with “desirable plants” for water, light, nutrients, and space, and grow in a variety of soils and are resistant to control measures. In a kind of soft rebellion, I aim to give aesthetic space to these unwanted plants.

Fifth:

“Invasive Weeds of Southern Alberta” is the title for my recent series of watercolours. These paintings focus attention on plants that are typically viewed with disdain, yet have a disregarded beauty and utility. My works aim to inspire and open discussions surrounding nature and why these plants are thought of as weeds and how they came to be in southern Alberta. Isolated on a large, otherwise stark, and empty sheet, my paintings draw the eye closer, inviting us to contemplate, see, and appreciate each subject for their unique features and form. Due to the nature of watercolour, the painted weeds distend the paper that holds them, as though the painted plant sucks the nutrients from their expansive environment, similar to what live weeds do with their surroundings. To notice, and admire the delicacy of nature, in all its forms, especially the overlooked, disregarded, and the actively destroyed living forms and habitats altered by humans is, for me, to sit with these plants and take in their many differences and intricacies. My art attempts to celebrate those things that others may see as undesirable but nonetheless have a quiet strength and place in our world. Many invasive weeds in Southern Alberta were brought here from afar for their medicinal or culinary properties, their ornamental value, and sometimes by accident. Unlike native plants, these foreign plants do not have pathogens or insects to keep them in check. Therefore, they proliferate and can have destructive impacts on our environment and agriculture. They compete with “desirable plants” for water, light, nutrients, and space, and grow in a variety of soils and are resistant to control measures. In a kind of soft rebellion, I aim to give aesthetic space to these unwanted plants.