Painting. Writing. Creativity.
"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen." - Leonardo da Vinci
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"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen." - Leonardo da Vinci
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AstarteA depiction of the Mesopotamian Goddess most known from the Starbucks logo. The painting is intentionally ambiguous, is this her rising from the water, or her reflection? The work invites the viewer to question what they think they know.
Acrylic on Canvas, 7' x 9'
© 2009 Fame Mackney |
MorriganThe Celtic war goddess is highly protective and inspired by mother. She takes the souls of fallen warriors through the crack between worlds.
Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24″
© 2013 Fame Mackney |
A Fine PairInspired by a dear friend who has a fondness for pears.
Acrylic on Canvas 9" x 12″
© 2013 Fame Mackney |
“It was a pleasure to burn.” -Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
A transformative painting depicting the waking horror of climate change inspired by Fuseli’s The Nightmare. Painted while the Amazon rainforest burned and wildfires raged in Australia. The tiger, a metaphor for nature, implores the viewer to solve this human-created problem. The woman, a nearly extinct species, lays all but evaporated in a riverbed. A raven cannot solve this problem. A spirit child representing possible future generations, sees the bird. The piece begs the questions, “Will people and animals still exist or be the stuff of fairy tales?” Acrylic on Canvas, 24" x 36" ©2020
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Life ThrumThis piece demonstrates the vital energy present in all things; everything moves despite what our eyes tell us. The Golden Ears Mountain Range is in motion albeit on a molecular level. As carbon-based life forms we're challenged by conceptions of life existing beyond that construct; I believe everything is alive in some manner, or it wouldn’t exist.
Chalk Pastel on Paper, 18"x 22″ © 2001
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Unnatural BeautyNatural things are a rarity these days. It's a challenge to find things that haven't been genetically modified, altered, or controlled in some manner. The fusion between animal and habitat is indicative of interdependence. The Peacock Jaguar is an imaginary construct while the vegetation is inspired by circuit boards. The work's aesthetic appeal demonstrates how seductive technology can be; just because something is enchanting, doesn't mean it's healthy. Meanwhile, exotic species are becoming extinct. What is a painting of a jaguar compared to the real thing?
Acrylic on Canvas, 30 x 42″ © 2012
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The GuardiansHuman beings, ought to be the planet’s care takers. Our dangerous arrogance has resulted in abuse of nature in all forms. Balance between our emotional and intellectual energies is paramount. We see ourselves as separate from nature rather than an extension of it.
Acrylic on Canvas, 18″ x 24″ © 2006 |
Artists' Dinner PartyThis painting was inspired by the wild notion that when I die, should there be a hereafter, that I would like to have a dinner party with those famous artists who have lived before me, and that the essence of who they are should be stylistically reflected in how they're depicted. After all, what kind of heaven would it be if an artist doesn’t get to meet those whom she admires? The composition was inspired by da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 20" © 2009
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InterconnectedThe interconnection of microcosm and macrocosm is enthralling. I don't believe in coincidence, but rather believe randomness is pattern on an enormous scale. I believe in the cause and effect of our universe, and that divine energy unites us all. I wanted to represent this relationship visually, and depicted a mermaid (with fins instead of arms) as the reality of the fantastic intersects with the reality of the physical.
Chalk Pastel on Paper, 18" x 22"
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Dream of ValhallaSome of my ancestors were Viking warriors, and I wanted to depict heaven as a peaceful timeless place; a place where all seasons exist simultaneously, a place without strife. The problem with our species is we're not usually the heroes in this tale, we're the bad guys.
Chalk Pastel on Paper, 18″ x 22″ © 2000
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Reverence for the FallenInspired by Covid and Remembrance Day, to honor those whose lives ended without closure or comfort. I wrote the poem below, to accompany it.
Re-cognition The moon sends condolences Spilled from a dryad's unclasped grasp Rabbit-fur rays soft illuminate Where beauty abounds, Communion is possible amongst barren trees Despite disease culling wolfishly There can be reverence for the fallen In stillness: peace In remembrance: life Canadians fall as maple leaves... Land like blood Kisses on sacred ground Hearts frosted in moonlit frieze Nature released by a travesty of ease The lost are found By Luna abound: the luminous thrall of her Wilderness call Respect for the fallen Bear witness |
Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 20" ©2020
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Bear-a-sailingA painting inspired by friends expecting their first child, a boy. The tiny bear sets out into the world with a sense of adventure (hence the hat) and looks slightly uncomfortable being out of his depth, bear-a-sailing. The painting is a metaphor for life; we enter the world excited and somewhat overwhelmed, only to grow strong and confident from life’s challenges. The Creator, in the form of a bear nestled in the clouds, grants inspiration to the artist who holds her heart, her artistic gift aflutter, so she may document the journey of this young soul.
Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 20" © 2020 |
Turn the TideA painting revealing two possible futures. The title invites the viewer to change the trajectory of our future by taking action on climate change. One possible future includes our local orcas and sea otters. The killer whale is a visual pun for the earth and an alternative future lies beneath the waves in the lower right corner.
Acrylic on Canvas, 12" x 36" © 2020 |
Drunk KittyPart of my Sooke Party Animals series inspired by the need for humor during the pandemic, and working in a liquor shoppe. I felt compelled to paint animals behaving like people. Kitty is having a good enough time to become slightly wall-eyed from the effects of a great vintage.
Acrylic on Canvas, ©2021 |
My homage to Chagall. One wonders what kind of bunny business rabbits get up to? When not performing magic tricks, hiding chocolate eggs, nor being late for important dates, they sit in trees, walk other hopping things or dust dust-bunnies of course! The giant lop they worship looks on while they practice their disappearing skills.
Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 20" © 2012 |
Chalk Pastel on Paper, 16” x 20” © 1998 |
Timesleep“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.” Life reminds me of Plato’s allegory of the cave. For this pastel work, I was ruminating on the age of the earth, of the civilizations that have come and gone; of the people and cultures that have been lost. Everything and everyone that exists today is the cumulative expression of every decision that has ever been made. Simply put, The Butterfly Effect extends from the past to the present and affects our future. Ergo, our past is inherently present, and our present is inherently our past. The image depicts the world as seen darkly, through broken glass, where the past merges with the present, and life is like a dream.
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Cleaning House: Not Your Property
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Canadian Artist and Traditional Territory Acknowledgement |
Events & Exhibits -Updating soon! |
Sooke BC,
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