Home

 

Canadian artist Neil Hamelin finds his inspiration in the rich history and rugged terrain of the Coastal regions of British Columbia. His acrylic paintings capture the feeling of forgotten stories and adventures told by the battered hulls of ships and rusted metal of vehicles long dis-remembered for their service.

An injury led to Neil picking up a paint brush for the first time in 2010 in an attempt to find an outlet for the creativity he felt locked away inside. The immediate connection with the medium and the inspiration to master the craft has led the artist on a passion fuelled journey through the realm of colour and shape.

As a self taught artist, he challenges himself daily to notice the beauty and the story in subjects that may otherwise be easily ignored. The interplay of light, shadow and colour can turn any object into the subject of a work of art, but it is a lifetime’s interest with vehicles from the past that captures this artist’s imagination. Striving to work only from his own reference materials requires the artist to be out amongst these vintage sources of transportation where he is enamoured by the artistry and craftsmanship that was once employed in their fabrication. There was a degree of aesthetics sometimes incorporated by engineers and builders of the past that resulted in subtle elements of beauty and elegance into objects that were designed primarily for function. It is this contrast between function versus form and the attempt to incorporate the two that draws this artist’s interest.

Neil relishes the process of composing these pieces of art. Coming from an Aerospace background, accuracy and detail in the creation of these artworks is the natural and comfortable realm of the artist. Neil is continually creating and adding to this collection, and invites you to look around his website.  As an Active Status member of The Federation of Canadian Artists, his work can be found in various shows throughout the year. Upcoming shows and events are listed under the Shows and Awards page. Neil is also honored to have been awarded Signature Status with the International Society of Marine Painters. The Easel page on this site showcases the step by step development of works on the go and ones already finished. Feel free to contact Neil with any comments or questions. If interested in any of these pieces of art, please contact the artist by e-mail or phone by clicking on the contact tab.

To view available original paintings and artist signed giclee prints visit my gallery on Artweb.net by clicking here!

I encourage you to subscribe to the site to receive the latest updates on shows and completed paintings.

 

News

 

Thank you to all who came down to see our art display at Golden Ears Cheeseworks this past weekend. We had a fantastic time meeting so many great people. We are planning on being back at Cheeseworks for the May long weekend, weather pending. Please come down and see some of the paintings in person at 22270 128th Avenue Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2R1. I will be on location from 10am to 4 pm and I look forward to seeing you there!

 

Over the Christmas Holidays I had the fortunate experience of spending dinner with good friend, Professional Triathlete Olly Piggin and NASA Astronaut Alvin Drew. I had been commissioned to paint the Space Shuttle Discovery as a gift for Alvin in honour of his recent mission and space walk as well as to commemorate the retirement of the Shuttle Discovery.  It was a great opportunity to be surrounded by  fascinating people and of course the chance to ask the obvious intellectual questions…are there aliens and what is really hidden in Area 51?

(L to R) Professional Triathlete Olly Piggin, Astronaut Alvin Drew and myself

 

Recent Paintings

Click Here to follow along the work in progress to my latest painting titled Miss Helen. A trip out to Steveston Marina in Richmond BC, led up to the opportunity of capturing reference material of the fishing Vessel Miss Helen as she sat in front of a very dramatic cloudscape. My research shows the Miss Helen was built in 1949 in Vancouver by A.C. BENSON SHIPYARD LTD. I love to see these old wooden boats still out working. I find it a true testament to the quality of their fabrication and maintenance.

 

‘All Original’ 14″x32″ Acrylic on canvas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘The New Guys’ ,Acrylic on canvas, 20″x34″

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Floating Proud’ 20″x32″ acrylic on canvas