VICKI McFARLAND

McFarland explores, with her unusual pouring technique, a dialog with colours, shapes and angles. Intuitive, by nature, she creates work that evokes an emotional response in her viewers. She is guided often by her choice of music in her studio.  We can readily see the six elements of music, rhythm, dynamics, melody (the theme), tone, texture and form that are masterfully interpreted on her canvasses. Typically, she will pick a song and let the rhythm become part of the design process.   

When designing, the negative (white) space is equally important to me as the colours I select. Knowing the direction and the scale of the flow sets the theme of the piece. After the first pour, I construct the composition from there”.

The artist loves the boundless freedom of letting go of preconceived ideas; allowing her intuition to dictate the process. She describes this as “pouring her heart out”.  One can readily see the mastery she has achieved. The technique is so difficult that it is often seen as easy. Quite the opposite.  Like the prima ballerina spinning on her toes, the experience is breathtaking; perceived as so clean and simple, yet thousands of hours have gone into perfecting the skill.

“I am rewarded by being able to express my feelings in a piece of art. I liken the experience to a runner’s high which many artists feel. To cross the ‘finish line’ as I bring a painting to its conclusion brings me the greatest joy.  My heartfelt wish is to pass along the full range of emotions on canvas and paper to the viewer.”

Vicki’s fascinating interplay and rhythm of transparent layers of colors spins the magic that kindles the soul. From early childhood, Vicki studied all forms of art; advancing to private coaching from a local portrait artist in her teens. She has an intuitive understanding that color relationships embody human emotions. Producing art at a professional level was Vicki’s lifetime goal.

Like the majority of female artists, she postponed that dream to marry, raise a family and hold a job. Her creative spirit began to take shape in 2014 after her children left home to embark upon their lives. The artist began spilling the stored images in her head onto canvas and paper. Exploring many options, she soon began to perfect her unusual pouring technique which resulted in her first show in 2015. 

Vicki’s full-time art career, after her retirement in 2019, has gained a notable following and continues to fuel her dedication. Her work may be seen in many galleries and private collections around the world.  She has recently opened a dream studio in her home.

The artist embodies the spirit of inspiration.  From the Latin word “inspirare,” meaning to “breathe or blow into” each of her unique pieces carries the breath of a moment well lived.  Living inside this inspiration, Vicki continues to explore new mediums and materials. One of her favorite substrates to experiment on is stone paper (an environmentally friendly mineral-based material made without trees, water and chlorine) with which she produces transparent, subtle, sensual paintings. Students flock to her classes to experiment with the nuances this material.

Vicki uses her skillful hands and body to manipulate the flow of the paint. She loses herself in the music she has carefully selected, as her distinctive and ebullient images flow with abandon. Her mantra, from her favourite author, is “don’t die with your music still in you.”

Hope

Acrylic on Canvas 32″ x 37″

Renewal

Acrylic on Canvas 84″ x 56″