Thoughtful Reflections

Art that Inspires

One of the great joys of being an artist who sells online, is that I actually get to have some contact with those who collect my art. Galleries are great, but most galleries keep the collectors names to themselves (rightfully so as their mailing list is their business). It is always a pleasant surprise when I receive a collector’s thoughts on why they purchased one of my polar bear paintings or receive a photo of the painting in situ in their home.

Recently I received these thoughtful reflections from a first time collector of my art that I think capture a lot of what I try to say with my painting. I am not bilingual, but these comments were written to me in French and so I wanted to include them in the language written.

Do you see what this person sees in my art? Id love to know in the comments below.

Reverence 1 ©Christine Montague. 12” x 12” oil painting. Private collection.

Reverence 1:   

It calls me to live with love and gentleness for others, because I do not know what they are going through, but everyone needs to feel respected, recognized, and loved. The beauty of the sky in the background gives me hope for a new day that dawns with the determination to do my part to stop the deterioration of the natural world and maintain hope for a better world since despair and resignation cannot benefits only those who exploit the world and others.

Elle m’appelle à vivre avec amour et douceur pour autrui, car je ne sais pas ce qu’ils vivent, par compte tous ont besoin de se sentir respecter, reconnue, et aimer. La beauté du ciel en arrière plan me donne l’espérance d’un jour nouveau qui se lève avec la determination de faire ma part pour cesser la détérioration du monde naturelle et garder l’espérance pour un monde meilleur puisque le désespoir et la résignation ne bénéficie que ceux qui exploite le monde et l’autrui. 

- F. D. Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Reverence 3. ©Christine Montague. 12” x 12” oil painting. Private collection.

Reverence 3:

I feel a lot of the same emotions with this piece, and by juxtaposing them I see the same bear, but in a different state. Sometimes I interpret his roar symbolizing anger towards an environment that is malicious, unhealthy, aggressive, and hostile. Sometimes it seems to me like a cry of anguish, not knowing how else to respond to this new world. A world dedicated to destroying its existence.

Je ressent beaucoup des mêmes émotions avec cette pièce, et en les juxtaposant je vois le même ours, mais dans un état différent. Des fois j’interprète son rugissement symbolisant une colère envers un environnement qui lui est malveillant, malsain, agressif, et hostile. Des fois ça me semble un cri d’angoisse, ne sachant pas comment répondre à ce nouveau monde autrement. Un monde vouer à détruire son existence. 

- F.D. Vancouver, B.C., Canada

If you enjoy my Reverence Series, there are other square foot paintings still available in the series. You can peruse these polar bear and northern lights paintings in Shop Original Art.

Detail - Reverence 2. See the complete painting here.

You're Invited To "Polar Bear Wonder and Warning"

Christine’s Solo Show of Polo Bear Paintings

at the Fireside Gallery at Art Gallery of Burlington June 28 - July 9, 2023

If you live in the Burlington, Ontario area I’m delighted to invite you to my solo show show of recent polar bear paintings.

Wonder and Warning Exhibit. View from atrium . Fireside Gallery at Art Gallery of Burlington. Burlington, ON

The show is a series of work paying tribute to the magnificent polar bear on its solitary journey through the arctic night. But in each painting, evidence of climate change and vanishing sea ice awaits.

More Info on Polar Bear Wonder and Warning Show

Location : Fireside Gallery at Art Gallery of Burlington, Ontario. 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON, L7S 1A9

Please phone the gallery 905 632 7796 to ensure Fireside gallery is open.

Hours: The gallery is closed Mondays. But is open Tues. & Wed. 10 am - 9 pm. Thurs.,Fri., Sat., & Sun. 10 am - 5 pm

Entry: Free, but donations are appreciated.

Parking: Paid parking is available behind the gallery. Free after 6 pm.

Polar Bear Art for the Ukraine

An Art Auction with Heart at Waddington’s

All Proceeds Go to The Canada-Ukraine Foundation to be used where needed most. Make a Polar Bear Yours & Help the Ukraine, too

Bidding begins … NOW until April 14th, 2022. https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/auction-for-ukraine-apr-14-2022/gallery/lot/107/

I wanted to help in some way with my art and wasn’t sure how. When this opportunity to donate came up I jumped at the chance. All proceeds from the auction will go The Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Waddington’s is a well revered, prestigious auction house (read more here. )They are generously waiving any of the fees normally associated with an auction.

So which polar bear painting can be yours?

A Light in the Darkness is a perfect title and symbol for this cause. Goodness and hope will shine even brighter in the darkness of evil. This beautiful bear rises up out of the dark sea, to face the future with strength, intelligence and resilience. Please bid here

Please bid for this important cause! You will have the fun of bidding from the comfort of your home, the triumph of winning art at good value and helping those who need it in the Ukraine. Please bid here

THANK YOU! GOOD LUCK!

A Light in the Darkness. 12” x 12” oil painting on canvas ©Christine Montague Available through waddingtons.ca April 9 - 14, 2022. Auction to help The Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Please bid at https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/auction-for-ukraine-apr-14-2022/gallery/lot/107/

How A House Portrait Can Be a Portrait of Who Lives There, Too

A House Portrait With Heart & Soul

In pandemic times , all my portrait commissions are from photos supplied to me from the client. Although I work directly from these photos, I always strive to make the portrait more than that image sent me, that the spirit and character of the subject shines through brighter. 

Recently, I was commissioned to paint a portrait of a house as a surprise Christmas gift for the client’s spouse. The house was the spouse’s childhood home in the UK.   The client wondered if there was a way to show that the spouse’s father, who had recently passed, was at home, and working in his second floor office. 

I was moved by this thoughtful, loving idea of a portrait. 

The reference photo (i.e. the photo I was to work from) was in focus. I could clearly see the shape and colour of the brickwork and roof. 

But it taken on a very grey day, which subdued all colour and contrast. The windows and doorway were dark.

A garage and car that did not belong to the homeowners was predominant in the lower left of the photo. The planters were empty. 

It was a snapshot of a house but not the story of the home.

So how to make the painting more than simply a copy of the photo supplied? 

Portrait of a House ©Christine Montague 16” x 20” oil painting. House portrait from a supplied photograph

Creating a Mood

I have not lived near any of my family since my youth. I understand the emotion of returning home, what it is like to pull into the driveway of a well lit home, the knowledge of the people you love and who you know love you excitedly waiting inside. 

So how to insert this emotion into the painting? 

Plus also place emphasis on the centre window on the second floor which was the Father’s office? 

The simple solution to bring attention to the study window was to make the scene a night painting, and “turn on” the light in the room. 

I personally enjoy looking at night scenes paintings, but I was sensitive to the fact that the loss of the parent was too recent, and a dark scene , even in beautiful blues, could be perceived as too mournful. 

But by creating a sunset painting , I could still the house with lights on.

A sunset painting is overflowing with the symbolism of beauty, life, reflection, the end of the day, and the promise of tomorrow. 

What better sky for this portrait painting?! 

Introducing Colour 

Now that the scene was to be a sunset painting,  I could introduce a new warm palette of pinks, gold, and mauve to the image. Warm colours are inviting, appealing and bring energy to an artwork.

The bricks of the house, although in a brown considered on the warm side, were actually glazed over in a cool blue as the front of the house was basically backlit and in shadow. 

This  contrast of warm sky and cool house front added dimension to the painting and added emphasis to the lit up window.

Drawing You Eye to the Office Window

I used the brightest colours on the office window. The white was clean and bright and so was the yellow.

The bricks around the office window are lighter than elsewhere, the illusion light was escaping from the space.

On the left of the painting, I toned down the attached garage of the neighbour and and omitted their car.

I set the house a bit further back than it was in the photo so that the viewer could follow the path up to the house. 

The other windows of the house reflect the sky and  create a frame for the office window.

The darkness on the pathway rail takes the viewer’s eye to the hanging flowers on the right of the door and jump up the line of the darkest bricks up to the office windows.

Portraits are about Likeness, Love, Memory and Tribute

And I think this portrait of a house fits these parameters. But much more importantly, the recipient did, too. 

The British philosopher Sir Bernard Williams said  “It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream”. 

How true for us all. I am very grateful to the clients that they entrusted me with this poignant portrait .

A Polar Bear For Christmas Eve

A Starry Night Bear for Christmas Eve December 24th

Only Two Polar Bears To Go

Here’s the 23rd Polar Bear Face for December 23rd

Here's polar bear face #23! A sweetheart of a bear for December 23rd! Enjoy your day!

Do you know that all my polar bear portraits are inspired either from photos I have taken of polar bears or are from my imagination. In this case this furry little face is inspired by a photo I took of the email bear, Juno, who was born @thetorontozoo , spent a while at the @assiniboineparkzoo and then returned pre pandemic to the Toronto Zoo again. Learn more about Sweetheart Polar Bear (on special) here

Here's Polar Bear #22 for December 22 of My Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar 2021

Fuzzball and The Poppies

Today's addition to the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar is very late because we had a wonderful early Christmas celebration with the new little cub in our family! It seemed appropriate that a baby bear should be the art for today. (To see Fuzzball & The Poppies in its entirety & to learn its symbolism , please click here). I hope your December 22 is (was ) a good one!

Here's December 20 Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

We’re All in This Together

Today's Polar Bear has a couple of titles - one of which We Are All In This Together. And whether climate change issues (what this was created for with its crown of Canadian provincial & territorial flowers ) or the pandemic, we most certainly are, aren't we? Enjoy your December 20th, may you be safe and well.

To learn more about this available 30” x 30” painting, please click here. Do you know I actually will consider any reasonable offer on larger art? Please contact me here

December 19th Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar is "In The Pink"

Today's Advent Calendar features the polar bear portrait from my painting In the Pink. Well, Christmas is just a week away and once again family get-togethers here in Ontario, Canada, are being limited due to the spread of the Omicron virus. So we're not quite "in the pink" here, but like this intelligent bear we're cautiously moving ahead. Enjoy your December 18th, and stay safe!

Learn more about In the Pink here

Here's December 16th's Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

Wise Eyes For Troubled Times is Today’s Painting

Inspired by the beautiful, intelligent polar bear that enjoys the solitude, wonder and beauty of its arctic night journey. The bear in this painting gives us a “look”. We know what we have to do, that inner strength, that fortitude, it’s there. The original oil painting is a 6" round canvas, a portal into the polar bear world, and round like our beautiful planet. It is attractively framed in a black, and is wired, ready to hang. To see or purchase the original artwork , please click Shop Original Art

Hello "Out There"! Polar Bear Advent Calendar Art for December 14

Today’s Polar Bear Portrait

This polar bear hopes you enjoy Tuesday, December 14th…. although I think if you were this close , well, I think this bear might enjoy its day, but you...?!?

The Grey is the December 10th Polar Bear Advent Calendar Art

A Beautiful Polar Bear…

.. rising from a grey sea. A grey painting for a grey, but beautiful day here in the Toronto area. I hope you enjoy your day!

Here is December 9th's Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

Polar Bear Prayers

Today’s polar bear art is created from Polar Bear Prayers, an original oil painting on a 6” diameter round canvas. To learn more about this painting, please click here.

Here's the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar for Dec. 5th

Into the Northern Lights is Dec. 5th’s Bear

To learn more about this artwork and see it in its entirety, please click Shop Original Art

An Invitation to Bring Feel Good Summertime Memories Into Your Home

I’m pleased to announce that my painting Hydrangea Blues has been awarded first prize in the Kefi Art Gallery “Summertime Memories” online juried fine art exhibit in a virtual gallery . I am honoured that a detail of the painting is is used on the invitation below. To read more about this summer artwork, please scroll down.

To see the complete painting , and enjoy a walk through a virtual gallery, please click Kefi Art Gallery (opens in a new window)

Invitation to Kefi Art Gallery Summertime Memories . This is a detail of Hydrangea Blues. Please scroll down to view the complete painting.

Hydrangea Blues is a 60" wide by 20" high oil painting on canvas.

My oil paintings of summer offer escape into days at the cottage or by the lake. They are about the promise of contented, quiet, and mindful moments alone, often before the day begins, or when it is done. They are about solitude without loneliness.  They are meant to invoke memories and emotions - good ones - but  will probably stir up longing for carefree days and warmer weather, too. 

My scenic figurative artworks are mostly inspired by the Canadian locales I vacation at and am fond of, usually in Ontario. Hydrangea Blues, could be easily be in Ontario, and is meant to be universal in mood, but in truth, it is inspired by the beautiful blue hydrangeas that surrounded the century old cottage I stayed at in Chappaquiddick, Mass., USA.  

In Hydrangea Blues, a young woman, a girl really,  sits in the shade of the cottage. She is lost in thought, her feet resting on the cool flagstone path.  She is probably relieved to not only be out of the heat, but to be away from parents and siblings. Whether she misses her friends or her phone, we don’t know. Her thoughts are hidden, as she almost is, amongst the gentle blue hydrangeas. 

This painting is one of the most ambitious artworks I have created. A lot of intricate work went into making sure the overlapping leaves and flowers took the eye up and around the figure, across the canvas, then down to zig zag along the path and up the legs and arms to the subject’s face.  The brush strokes in her hair point to a branch in the bush, and so our trip around the canvas begins again. 

Like most of the world, I love the colour blue, and enjoy using it in my art. It is a popular colour because we equate it to nature , especially sky and water.  

It actually makes one feel good to look at a blue painting, and this one is no different. All those beautiful blue flowers, set amongst the fresh green of the leaves, were a joy to paint as well as to look upon. 

This  painting is created in a slightly more graphic style than what I usually use. There is a lot of an outline to the shapes and the colours are more selective. But I feel this works as  there is a brightness and youthfulness in this, that suits both the young model and the subject matter. 

Hydrangea Blues. ©Christine Montague 20” x 60” x 1.5” oil painting on canvas.

Polar Bear Rock

Polar bears rock ! Yes, polar bears are awesome, but there's another way they "rock", too.

In the fall , the polar bear finds its way to the sea’s shore to wait for the ice to form. It has been months since it has feasted on it vital source of nutrition - the ringed seal. And it needs the frozen sea in order to catch this seal, travel, mate, and shelter.

Polar bears are excellent at conserving their energy. They enjoy a nap amongst, (or on) the rocks and willows. It is easy from afar to mistake a still, motley white and cream polar bear for one of the big rocks in the landscape.

In my latest polar bear painting, A Polar Rock Waiting Beneath the Northern Lights, a graphically painted landscape, I strive to bring you into the magic and otherworldliness of the north. It is a world as filled with wonder and danger, beauty and vulnerability, found in any storybook tale.

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30" x 40"x 1.5" oil painting. Edges are black. Wired, ready to hang.

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Regular price is $2500 CAD. However, until Feb 28th, 2021 enter POLARBEAR21 to receive 10% discount in celebration of International Polar Bear Day. Free shipping in Canada

Yorkies in Sweaters, Coundn't Be Better

Two Yorkshire Terriers, One Adorable Painting

Do you know that almost all of the portrait commissions I receive are commissioned as a surprise gifts for a loved one? This recent portrait of two adorable Yorkshire Terriers in their hand knit sweaters was no different!

Earlier this year, I was contacted via email to about painting the portraits. The client emailed me the photos. As, the dogs were not together in the photos, I sent back some simple sketches of how the dogs could be painted on separate canvases or together in a composite. The client liked them together, and I quite agreed.

It was a pleasure to paint these little dogs, so full of personality. And painting that little pink tongue and co-ordinating sweater was priceless.

Oh, and about paintings commissioned as a surprise - I personally love to be the recipient of a thoughtful , heart felt surprise, and in no way would I ever want to deprive someone of that lovely moment. This is why, in this age of share everything on social media, you never see my portraits online as works in progress, etc. It is only after I am sure that the recipient has it and loves it, that I may post the portrait. .

If you are interested in a portrait from a photo, please feel free to contact me. OR to read how to commisson a portrait, sizes, prices and examples click here. Portraits can be of people, pets, objects, places, homes, and of course, polar bears! I ship worldwide.

Get Ready to Run

Here are a series of polar bear paintings, that viewed together animate an arctic night life moment.

At approximately 12" wide, the polar bear paw width is the same height as the paintings below.

In Paws Pause, (info here) a handsome polar bear pauses on its solitary journey in the arctic night. What does it sense out there in the dark? Its sensitive nose can pick up scents from over a kilometre away. And its round, furry ears hear better than ours. Then….

Paws Pause. First in the series. ©Christine Montague

Our intrepid bear is Thinking (info here)….and….

Thinking. Second in the series. ©Christine Montague

….now, the paws of this powerful, apex predator, with their thick, curved and very sharp 2 inch plus claws, have changed direction. And appear to be heading your way. So...

"Oh, oh"

(info here)

Oh, Oh. Third in the series. ©Christine Montague

I often use blue in my polar bear art because it is one of the world's most popular colours, and it symbolizes intelligence, nature, royalty, and spirit. Perfect for the intelligent , curious and powerful polar bear, one of the world's most favourite animals.

Each of these original oil paintings is 12”H x 6”W x 1.5”D wood panel. Edges are black. Wired and ready to hang. A Certificate of Authenticity is supplied.

$195 each CAD. includes taxes. BONUS! Free shipping to Canada and USA. Wish to buy all 3? Contact me for additional savings. Please contact me here

Growl - The Polar Bear Painting of the Day

Here’s Portrait 2 of the Mini Polar Bear Portrait Series

Growl

A miniature portrait of a big bear in bright light, but his mood? Maybe not so sunny. The light reflects nicely on those big teeth, don't you think? This portrait may be little, but the might of this highly intelligent polar bear, top arctic predator, is still evident!

Oil painting on 8" x 8"x 1.5" Canvas

$200 CAD. Free shipping to Canada and USA.

To purchase-

https://www.christinemontague.com/buy.../growl-polar-bear

Painting of the Day - Into the Sunset 1

Polar Bear "Into the Sunset 1"

A powerful looking polar bear is portrayed against the setting sun, and the sea. The darkness of the winter is retreating, as is the sea ice, so important for the polar bear's survival.

As the sun sets, its glory is reflected in what remains of the sea ice and off the polar bear's translucent fur.

We can reflect, too. What will we loose under the threat of climate change? A setting sun offers hope with a new day ahead, but it also symbolizes the end of a story. Do we want a happy one? .

24" x 24' x 1.5" Painting continues around edges. Wired ready to hang. Certificate of Authenticity supplied.

$1000 CAD. Free shipping to Canada. Shipping is available worldwide. Contact me here

Into the Sunset 1 © Christine Montague ChristineMontague.com