Paintings from Canada to Sri-Lanka: Raelene Shea
My Canadian and South Asian paintings are my way of sharing things I see on my travels in North America, South Asia, and more recently New Zealand, that have an impact on my heart or my mind. The culture in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Maldives fascinate me. These cultures are rich in diversity, beliefs, customs, and dress and afford may opportunies for interesting subjects. Myanmar markets were the inspiration for several paintings of the people and their activities. Monks in Sri Lanka and Laos have inspried many paintings throughout the last 10 years.
The process of creating a painting allows me to become immersed in the subject, either by photographing or sketching the subject when I see it.
With a Canadian landscape I can explore the sensations experienced at the site, and my constant awe at the nature of the world we are privileged to live in.
My figure paintings are mostly of people and places in South Asia, where something of meaning was happening; where the action and surroundings gives me understanding of the culture. Dress in Laos is much different from dress in Sri Lanka for example.
I paint when something moves me to have to try to capture that feeling on my canvas or paper. I know it is finished when my mind confirms 'yes that is how it was at that very time I was there'.
Raelene is available for commissions, exhibitions, special projects, and individual or group instruction. Purchased works can be shipped.