Rhythms of the Sea This series of 25 paintings in acrylic all measure 24 inches by 36 inches. These are painted intuitively by Gwen Tooth on gallery canvases. No specific location is in mind. A horizon line or suggestion of a horizon line is selected, a family of colours are chosen and the painting evolves. Colours and feelings may change along the way. Gwen paints the energy of the water and also paints to express soul and mood.
Rhythms of the Sea II This series of paintings was painted by Gwen Tooth after her emotional reaction to the showing of Rhythms of the Sea. In this second series about Rhythms of the Sea, Gwen abstracted by zooming in to the waves and motion of the water, and creating luminosity and light effects as she sensed the play of sunlight upon the surface of the water. The installation of these paintings, which were in a variety of sizes, created the effect of being somewhere warm and sunny.
Blue Water Series This series of paintings was completed to pay homage to the beaches of Lake Huron and to the Blue Water Highway which connects all these beaches. These are small paintings. Some are 12 inches x 12 inches. Others are smaller. Some are slightly larger. Gwen Tooth spent much time along the shorelines of some of the beaches of Lake Huron. She still finds solace in walking the beaches and watching some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
Whirlpool Variations Series In this series of acrylic paintings, Gwen Tooth is exploring the movements and energies of whirlpools of water. The reflecting light on these whirlpools attracts the viewer and engages that person to look into the whirlpool. The force of the vortex draws the viewer into the bottomless abyss.
Indian Ocean Series This series of paintings was inspired by Gwen's visits to India. Her experiences with cooking food using spices grown in India influenced her use of colours. Her walks on the beaches of the Indian Ocean are also felt in these paintings.
Moods of the Sea Series This is a group of paintings completed after spending some summer time at a Lake Huron beach. Gwen Tooth has always been fascinated by the movement of bodies of water - oceans, lakes, waterfalls and more.
Fauvist Style Portraits This series of acrylic paintings was completed using live costumed models. Gwen paints in an expressionistic manner mindful of the Fauvist painters, who included Matisse. These painters often employed the inherent value of the colour in their paintings.
This series of drawings was completed using black and white gesso with strong gestural drawing movements starting from the shoulder. Black and white fluid acrylic was later added. In the spirit of contemporary drawing and painting, blurring occurs between drawing and painting. Often two techniques are combined in one work of art. Hence, are these works drawings or paintings? These works, influenced by the work of K. Kollwitz, and based upon a series of pen and ink sketches by Gwen Tooth, document various human relationship scenarios.
This gallery includes works completed on paper in water colour, acrylic, gouache, casein or combined media on paper.
Tsunami Series Following Gwen's Whirlpool Variations and Waterfalls and Flora by Night Series, Gwen's work evolved into tsunami images. These are a few of fourteen completed works with more in process. Textures in these paintings evoke the churning of the sea and earth. Gold and silver foil bits and paint symbolize the loss and destruction of valuable possessions. Nature is in control.
Into the Light A series of paintings expressing the hopeful energy of water and survivors following a tsunami where nature is in control. Each of these paintings has been coated with four layers of Hansa Yellow Medium in order to create the luminosity once other colours are added.
Red Series: Gentle Waterfalls is a series of 20 paintings experimenting with more serene and gentle water on red backgrounds. Nature is full of joy once more. Through series of colourful imaginary sunsets, canvases exploring the light and playfulness on the surface of water, horizon lines have been left far behind as the artist progressed through Waterfalls, Whirlpools, Tsunamis, Post-tsunamis into "Red Series: Gentle Waterfalls". There is a yin yang in balancing the gentleness of dropping water with the energy of red.
Indian Ocean Variations Abstract acrylic paintings expressing the energy, colours and scents of India as experienced by Gwen during her travels to the subcontinent.
Black and Gold Variations A series of 25 acrylic paintings using gold dripping expressions on black backgrounds. Viewing this installation evokes emotions and symbols of wealth, drama, mythology and music through operas such as "Der Ring des Nibelungen" by Richard Wagner.
White Water Rapids, 2019, is an exhibition of acrylic paintings that has been created to express both the rugged beauty and the destructive force of white water rapids. Gwen experienced the impact of these waters, as she walked along the White Water Walk, a close encounter with the White Water Rapids of the Niagara River in Niagara Falls, Canada.
I am an experimental expressionist painter. I have completed several series of
acrylic paintings revealing the moods and energies of water – whirlpools,
waterfalls, and tsunamis. For the “Niagara Falls in Winter” series, I created
acrylic paintings expressing both the rugged beauty and the powerful energy and
force of this huge waterfall. I experienced the impact of these waters in many
winter climates over many years of visiting “the Falls”. I applied many layers
of colours of paint, both thick and thin, building up ridges and suggesting the
power of the falls dropping and the mists that occur.
