Information on The Landscape Painting

A FEW WORDS ON THE COMPLETION OF THE PIECE

When the painter, David K. French, was approached by the committee representing the Fermeuse church to do the painting, he responded without hesitation. It was an opportunity for him to show his appreciation to the people of the community, for their kindness and hospitality, in welcoming his wife and himself who were "strangers" to the area. David and his wife Madonna purchased a house in Fermeuse, in the Spring of 1996 and moved into the community in the Fall of 1996.

For David, a professional painter and photographer, life on the Southern Shore of Newfoundland offers an extensive array of subject matter.

During the fall of 1998 and early winter if 1999 the Fermeuse church underwent a real facelift inside, with new carpet, repairs and fresh paint. During this time, David completed the painting at the main altar.

To help speed the process and to make his job easier he asked for some of the workers to become involved in the process of creating the painting. He, at first, gave them a brief orientation and an introduction to color mixing, using only the three primary colors and black and white. As well, he explained, with the use of a small version of the original, which he completed earlier, what would transpire in the execution of the larger piece. The painting in the church is eight feet wide by twenty-two feet high.

Ladders, step ladders and scaffolding were required to complete the work. The workers assisted with brush cleaning and maintenance, color mixing, moving of ladders and equipment. Several of his "aspiring artists", under his guidance, applied paint in various colors to the broad areas of the painting, in preparation for the detail work which would be completed later.

David wishes to express his sincere thanks to those who participated in any way to make his job a little easier. The following persons were very enthusiastic and helpful:

A special thank you is extended by David to Mr. Charles O'Neill, foreman of the work group, for his co-operation and kind assistance in procuring the necessary ladders and scaffolding and making it possible for members of the work group to participate.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PAINTER

David has painted for most of his life. Born in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, in 1942. He was always active as a child with model making, art and music. After completion of school he taught school on the island for two years and then attended a course in Office Procedure and Practice. He is a graduate of the School of Modern Photography, Little Falls, New Jersey, USA, for the completion of a two year course in Professional Photography and holds a certificate and as well a Baccalaureate in Photography and Media and Applications, awarded by Ryerson in Toronto, Canada. To complement this, he has completed various courses in painting, graphic arts and illustration. He's had work published in various national and international publications and has completed over three hundred works on commission. He has been profiled in various articles and publications and on CBC.s Midday program which aired across Canada.

He operates from his home in Fermeuse, where he has a small gallery. As well as being a painter and photographer, he is also a musician and has produced an album titled "The Pictures That I Play" by D.K. French, which incidentally, is the name under which he produces his work. During the summer periods, he plays at various festivals and outdoor events.

For close to thirty years he worked with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, in Labrador City, Labrador, Newfoundland. He retired from this company in 1989 as a Media Specialist. Operating from his home, he is quite busy with his painting, photography and music. His future plans are to offer pieces of his work through the internet and to have a web page of his own detailing the services he offers.

THE LANDSCAPE PAINTING

AT THE MAIN ALTAR,

FERMEUSE CHURCH

Painted by David K. French, February, 1999

'The Symbolism of the Painting'

The crucifix has been in the church for several years and was presented for a lengthy period of time upon a plain white background. After some preparatory work the painting was executed on this white surface. It measures approximately 8 feet (2.44m) X 22 feet (6.70m).

At the floor level, heavy rocks and boulders have been depicted, as representative of the granite entombment of Christ. An old broken tree trunk in this area is covered with moss and is decaying. A shoot taking root within it, is bearing a new leaf, bright in the light of the sun. This symbolizes death, with the promise of new life.

The ray of light, cast upon the hill, on the right side, is suggestive of the light of the star as seen in many artistic depictions of Christ's birth, in the town of Bethlehem.

Further to the left of the cross, a bird in flight can be seen. In this case a seagull has been rendered (instead of a dove), in keeping with Newfoundland scene. If an imaginary straight line were drawn along the ray of light to the bird it can be seen that the seagull intercepts the line after it passes through the intersection of the cross.

The ray of light represents the birth; the cross, the death and the bird in flight represents the ascension of the spirit.

The sun and light behind the cross is a powerful reminder of the impact this solitary spirit has had on the Christian world. The mountains, valleys, brooks, streams, and ponds, while typical of a Newfoundland landscape, have references in the Bible and were areas traveled by Christ, during his journey.

"Written and explained by the painter D.K. French"

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

The Certificate of Authenticity reads like this:

This is to certify that the painting bearing code # Latnf-001, located in the Fermeuse Church, was painted by Professional Painter and Photographer, David K. French of Fermeuse, Newfoundland, February 1999.

D.K. French; David K. French; D. French and DK (Signature) are signatures and characters used by him to author his work.

Based upon the sale of past commissioned pieces and patrons' purchases of his work, this piece has been valued at $8000.00.

It has been donated by the painter to the Holy Family Parish and the people of Fermeuse.

D. French charged a nominal fee of $220.00 plus expenses of $135.27 = $355.27 for completion of this work. This amount was paid to him by Mr. Charles O'Neill of the Holy Family Parish as an "In Memoriam" donation.

Dated: February 22, 1999                                                     Signed: David K. French

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