Greetings et bonjour to all my colleagues and those kind souls who waited or wondered what has happened to me and my art of Canadian Landscapes after so long!    

In particular, gallery owners or those who have either purchased work by me or been a part of my wonderful dynamic art life since my very first sale of “Two Lonely Trees” in 1984 in Edmonton! 

For many of you in French or English Canada, I know I said I would have a plan and ensure my art was always a part of my life … either the first or second priority. And quite honestly, I am pleased to report that it is and has stayed that way. 

But it’s been 30 years of growth, numerous travels across and up and down Canada and parts of the United States, PLENTY of reading, gallery hopping, kind criticism from Mom, Con and my colleagues all for the purpose of “learning light” that still inspires me!

I continue selling my art, have established a gallery in my home and continue training my mind and heart on the intricacies of light while being loyal to my dynamic artistic soul and you, my clients.

So, on the 30th anniversary of my travels and artistic career, I finally launched this simple website as a solid start to say to the world, my colleagues, my clients and my friends, I am content and happy with my art and will pursue excellence doing more! 

What has also been asked by people in the past is if I can also provide a number of services for those who want my vision or perspectives of their surroundings, company activities or landmarks, or properties into a unique art piece as well. The answer is yes! 

As I said, this site is intentionally simple. Its purpose is to basically tell you I am here and have loved every minute of my life through my successes and my sorrows - my sore knees to broken arms to my best swim strokes - to art by the masters to art by those in the current century! 

My work and my passion for art and photography has grown strong since my early years as a voyageur in the Hyundai Pony – which most of you might recall being my “home” or “mode of transportation” for many many years across this country - much  like William Kurelek and his Volkswagen – a piece by him I viewed at his exhibition in Victoria a few years back. I was so happy inside my soul to see his work!

There are NO prints of mine on this site. Risk Management stories and experiences throughout my career on copyright and theft on the internet have just scared me!  

Thus, I hold true to my belief in keeping and protecting you – the client – whom I cherish most with the utmost of integrity in my quest to contain and limit my images to 50 signed and documented prints per title. To me this is tantamount. So if I be viewed as silly for this choice, so be it. 

I know there are so many images in our world (our little universe for that that matter) that keeping my works controlled and signed and documented on the back and then in my personal leger as to dates, purchaser and purchase location etc. is the right thing. And for all of you who own my prints or will in the future, it’s just the right thing to do. I will continue on this path.

Next question: film or digital? The answer is FILM!  

Still. I have dabbled in digital but not enough to really say I want to, yet. Digital to me is a separate art form. I also am very glad there are people in Canada with dark rooms to service my prints and small labs that do my 4 x 6’s including the Comox Valley for me still. It’s getting tougher but still worth it!  
I was reading Freeman Patterson’s new book that I bought for myself as a Christmas present in 2013 and he has views on digital versus film. So I felt I am in good company to recognize both as he does yet for different purposes and for me? I consider them different art mediums. 

While Canadian Landscapes and our surroundings will always be my subject, Galen Rowell taught me through his art and in his books that in his last few years he produced some of his strongest photographs of his career by moving to Bishop California which was the place he loved the most.  As a result, Galen Rowell had some of North America’s most dramatic landscapes in his own backyard. 

In following, I thought in some ways, after never staying in one place for really that long for 30 years but getting a very good sample of geography thanks to previous professional work choices and my desire to be a voyageur, it’s hard for me to choose the right location to live. 

But the discipline of learning and the challenges of producing the best photographs is, for me, here in the Comox Valley and to keep on with film. But some digital may come out in 2016 in limited edition - I have yet to decide. Going to Europe in January and February 2015 and seeing the Landscape Exhibition in Vienna titled “Landscapes On My Mind” was amazing and inspired me to consider digital.

In so doing, and with such enlightenment from my European trip, making every attempt to include the natural elements of composition that Courbet does so well, and the depth that Leger provides in his pieces, and the natural light sense of Turner’s incredible seascapes and landscapes, have been and will be my goal as I grow as an artist.

In my opinion, Digital can do that but not realistically. That still remains true. Thus, as I grow with so-called “wisdom” I find myself with light being real and making the most of its natural magic.

What about now you might ask? As my dossier says on the other tab, my mind is relaxed a little more as the home I purchased in Comox, which is full of light and has my gallery as well, is paid for. That “debt relief” has created much less stress, allowing me more time to focus on my art and its growth. 

That determined approach of the past I hope benefits my future art, my health and you, the client who have believed in me for so long. I only want to be better and better as I hike, read, visit galleries and travel this land to learn more about light.

What’s the approach to seeing my work? That is the easy one now and very simple. Just email me in advance to when you want to come for a visit to see my works and have a good chat. I’ll be happy to have you!   If you aren’t too far or I am in your province on a work or art assignment, I would be happy to come show you my portfolio in loose form with maybe a few in frames!

After my travels and adventures in the past 30 years in Canada from coast to coast to coast and parts of the US and Vienna. Prague and Ornans France in 2015, I know I am home here in the Comox Valley or the Lower Mainland! From time to time I may venture off to other parts of Canada that I want to see and create landscapes and either work in risk and safety issues. 

Or I may simply have the opportunity to do my art with my cameras at hand. But home is where the heart is. Southern Alberta and “Le Cote Nord” in Quebec are very close behind and are still very inspirational locales for me as well. 

But being here in the Comox Valley consolidates my past into what is mine now and in the future. The airport is a ten minute drive from home so there’s no problem getting away quickly to numerous destinations. 

When you arrive and soak up this wonderful part of Canada, you will likely understand why I made this my home of choice.

The landscapes and seascapes are limitless on any particular day given the diversity of the geography and my proximity to it within a 10 minute walk. I will be glad to let you know how great life really is in my paradise-The Comox Valley-Vancouver Island!
    
I look forward to your thoughts on my website. Also I look forward to reconnecting with you for a chat or two while also meeting new people from around the globe. Into the future, I will continue learning new ways of life and more insights into photography as an art form!

I was quite relieved the website is finally up on my 30th anniversary!! Merci and onward we go!

Kindly,

Roger D. Brecka
rdb_photography@hotmail.com