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The opportunity for a solo show is a welcome one for any artist, but it’s even more special for an artist that has as wide-ranging a portfolio as Clyde Finlay.
“I leave it pretty wide open,” he explains of his works, which range from abstract to landscape and comprise of oils, acrylics, multimedia, and everything in between.
“I want to make sure that if I’m doing a solo show compared to a group show, I want to give the audience, the viewers, an opportunity to see exactly all the years that I’ve done and the love that I have for it.”
All of these types of works and more are currently on display at Finlay’s show at Carman’s Golden Prairie Arts Council on Centre Avenue West. The openness that Finlay holds for all of these works means that inspiration can come from more esoteric sources. “It usually is a theme that comes up with something that has happened to me personally,” he explains. “Say you’re having an argument with somebody or something, and then something will pop up in my head and say, ‘How am I handling that? How am I going to do that?’"
Another key element of Finlay’s creative process is the method of cataloguing the inspirations that he interacts with. “One of the things that I do for each time I sell a painting is that I’ll write about it,” he says. “In my journal, I’ll write all kinds of stuff about where it’s coming from, what the theme is, why did I do this, was I upset over something.”
The practice of cataloguing artistic experiences is something that Finlay picked up during his studies at the University of Manitoba School of Art in the early 1990’s. With the academic rigour that he picked up, Finlay is able to bring a scrupulous and disciplined approach to the different mediums and genres of art that he works in.
Armed with this discipline, Finlay hopes to pass along his technical knowledge and vast inspiration to aspiring artists at a workshop at the Golden Prairie Arts Council. Using pen and ink in combination with watercolours, Finlay will guide participants through whatever they would like to create. “I can’t see an instructor that I’ve met or myself saying, ‘You can’t do that,’” he chuckles. “You go, ‘OK, I’m going to come by and I’m going to help you with whatever you have.’”
Clyde Finlay’s workshop at the Golden Prairie Arts Council will take place on August 16 from 1 to 3 p.m, with Finlay’s own works on display until August 30. For more information on both events, visit the arts council’s website.