Postcards from the Pacific

My abstract landscape work is inspired by human influence on our natural environment and our changing connection to it and each other.

My abstract figurative work, in turn, explores the concept of self, our relationships to our immediate surroundings and each other. My work has elements of melancholy and longing. In considering my landscape pieces within the broader tradition of Canadian landscape painting, I see a natural progression from celebrating nature's grandeur to acknowledging its fragility. Early Canadian landscape painters, and the arts in general, historically spoke to the grandeur, power and wonder of nature. With shifting contemporary policies on land use and a growing threat from international interests in our natural resources, I am becoming increasingly aware of our collected impact upon that landscape.

Postcards From the Pacific is a collection of abstract and expressive paintings inspired by the rich biodiversity of Canada’s northwest coast. This series has evolved to incorporate both abstract and figurative works, drawing from the landscapes, experiences, and connections I have made during my travels. Each painting serves as a reflection of these moments, capturing the essence of the places and relationships that have shaped my journey. ~ Mark Thibeault