I Seafood and I Eat It

Getting to the details!

Paintings at Pacific Breeze Winery Release Party - Sat. Nov.23rd

Everyone had wonderful things to say about my work. Thanks Maurice for creating this opportunity for me!

Only Seafood Con't

Working the details out.

2 Events Down!

The Plimsoll Club is the industry network for people in the maritime industry in Port Metro Vancouver. The gala event took place at the Waterfront Fairmont Hotel and Marc Garneau was the speaker. This is the president, Dave Jones and me in front of my paintings that were on display. I donated the painting shown for silent auction.The painting raised $2000.

Pimsoll Club Event @ the Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver November 23,2012

I am donating this painting to the Pimsoll Club Event. Joe is organizing a raffle for it. Marc Garneau is speaking and there will be about 400 in attendance so yes, I have double booked myself. I will be at Pacific Breeze for 7 pm start after putting in an appearance at The Waterfront. Busy is good!

Mural project for Herbert Spencer's 100th Birthday

Murals make a statement artistically. They send a message. They inspire others and stimulate conversations.

Art in Edmonton

My first masterpiece standing outside and inside the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Coming along with New One

Painting from Fifi Silent Auction

Painting purchased by my benefactors, my patrons, my best friends in 2009. Thank you, Meow and Bruce McDonald for believing in me!



Latest and Greatest - Only Seafood

The Vancouver East Hastings Street area has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades. A once thriving community is innodated with suffering. Those who are drug addicted and starving, begging for food. I am sad to see the destitude individuals relying on the kindness of others to support their basic needs. The area is evolving but where will the suffering go?

Eat, Drink, Learn

Pics from the India Gate Restaurant Event

Saturday, September 22, 2012 7-10 PM

The Sight of Sound Exhibit - Shipbuilder's Pier, North Vancouver, Sat. Aug 18, 2012

Pics from the Sight of Sound exhibit. So fun and very successful event. The music of The Fugitives, Andrew Allen and Barney Bentall mixed with the show of art. A great concept!!

Click on links below for the location of show:)

The Sight of the Sound exhibit, North Vancouver, Aug 11,2012

Artist Statement

Come to my show at the Sight of the Sound exhibit at the Shipbuilders' Pier in North Vancouver, Sat. Aug 11th, 2012 4-8 pm!

Reality Bites – It’s My Life

I am a spontaneous artist who envisions moments and brings them to life through my paintings. “I’ve got these pictures in my head and I’ve just got to get them out!” They are

direct acts of expression and connection, perception and understanding that occur between me, the viewer and the world.  

My muse is the life experiences I have witnessed or the emotions I have faced. The images just come out of me. One can liken it to surrealistic automatism. A thought strikes me, I prepare preliminary drawings, begin the canvas and the painting takes over.  I work “automatically” and quickly to produce the initial sketch on canvas to avoid being deliberate. I let the painting be itself from my subconscious and develop the image to make the mysterious comprehensible. As my teacher and mentor, Gordon Smith, would say, “There’s a point where the painting takes on a life of its own and you work from there.”

My characters are put into situations that are connections to myself and life around me. From the classroom to the coffee shop, to the bar and nights out on the town, my images bring experiences together in a cohesive manner.

Music is a huge influence and many of my pieces come from songs or bands with which I have a relationship. One character sits at the brand name coffee shop pondering life, looking for truth and hoping to find her salvation in a cup of “joe” while listening to the latest “Pick of the Week” music download.

At first glance, my work appears simple, cartoonlike almost childish. I take great care to create line, apply color, and develop the image. When the viewer digs deeper, there is richer meaning below the surface behind the haunting nature of the dark, brooding eyes lay darkness. No one can tell what the character is thinking but the expression in the eyes seem to portend an anxiety to what may come, worries, concerns with no assurances that life is easy. Life is cynical with ups and downs that are never even keeled. That is why “Reality Bites.”

Carla Sumarlidson

Graffiti, ME

Developing the new series. I'm very happy with the experimentation process and more importantly, the results!

Art contest Showdown at the Pier North Vancouver, Aug. 4th, 2012

Making my mark on the world. Too bad I don't follow the pack or I might have got something from this competition. Thx, Lucy, for trying to drum up votes for me. You're awesome. Also, thx to my fans who voted for me. It was a close race. Finished in a win-win since I sold the painting to an admirer for $200 Opus prize money that was awarded. Thx to my patron for believing in me!  

Finished Buddha

So proud of this one. The details take forever but, as Bruce said, so worth it. My craft has really developed and this painting has the magic in it. This is my Vancouver. Love it!! 

I spend hours working with the details that appear.

Getting to the end of this one - LOVE it.

The 1 vs 99

Hastings St.near Main is an area of human suffering. Where there is suffering, there is also desire. As long as there is desire, there will be people who fill that need-be it illegal or socially unjust.

The 1% have the power to control society-the 99% want a piece of the pie.

The have and the have nots.

Ironically, the Smilin' Buddha smiles, jiggles his belly offering peace and serenity while the crowd below pleas to be allowed to enter the iconic night club.

Smilin' Buddha update

The one vs 99

Smilin' Buddha

More in the nightlife series. My dad played at the Buddha in the days of big band/swing/jazz. I remember the punk days of the club but Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplaine graced the stage of this legendary Vancouver landmark. 54/40 bought the sign and it now sits in the Vancouver Museum, refurbished and on display for all to enjoy the artistry of neon. Hastings Street was innodated with neon in the 50's. Today, hardly a trace of the art remains. 

Changing my Shooter Girl

I think you'll agree that she looks better than ever:))



More Messages in the Sea

There they are...they're speaking to me and telling me about the different seasons that are the sea. More than four, much, much more. Save our seas. We live in the most beautiful part of the world and we need to protect it. Stop bringing polluting products into our harbours. We all need to realize that our waters are priceless and cannot be replaced.

I'm BACK!! Happy New Year and welcome 2012!

My guys and the new studio. Yes, I know it's February and you're wondering...where the H*** have you been? Well, two broken index fingers and a dog near death put the brakes on my contributions and art making. We're all healed and producing again and I think better than ever. Enjoy.