Elyse Dodge, “The Stawamus Chief”
When I first came across the geometric landscape paintings of Vancouver’s Elyse Dodge, the towering mountain images composed of colorful polygons brought to mind The Beatles’ song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. That song’s not-so-veiled allusions to psychedelic and kaleidoscopic visions seems fitting for the vibrant playfulness exhibited in Dodge’s art.
In an artist statement, she notes that her “work aims to capture the vibrant beauty of the landscapes that we call home. . . . The contrast between the crisp geometric lines of the mountains and organic textures of the trees has become my signature aesthetic. The polygonal shapes transform the peaks from being something that is recognizable as a mountain to a faceted, diamond-like form. These surreal scenes encourage the mind to imagine what an alternate and more vivid world could look like.”
Dodge’s work as a professional illustrator (you gotta pay the bills!) and the techniques she borrows from that undoubtedly informs her expressions as a fine artist and her deft manipulations of the iconic landscape of western Canada.
I love the compositional aesthetic of Dodge’s art, but even more I appreciate the deeper ideas about perception that she explores through her paintings. Her work is a wonderful example of how a talented artist can use her art to challenge us to see our world in a different way and conceive of possibilities we might not have considered otherwise.
Her artist site here provides more insight into and examples of her art and links to some lovely video interviews and profiles. Vancouver’s terrific Ian Tan Gallery also showcases Dodge’s work.
Elyse Dodge, “Vermillion Lakes”
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Elyse Dodge, “Squamish”
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Elyse Dodge, “Elfin Lakes”
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Elyse Dodge, “Cleveland Dam”
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Elyse Dodge, “Emergence”
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Elyse Dodge, “Vermillion Reflections”
(Image Credits: Elyse Dodge)
Similar Posts on O’Canada:
→ Cameron Steven’s Vintage Style Canada Parks Posters
→ Amazing Landscape Artistry of Philip Buytendorp, Jennifer Woodburn and Steve Coffey
→ David Pirrie: Mapping Western Terrains and Our Sense of Place
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Her work is amazing – an alternate landscape reality. It’s like being in someone else’s dream or perhaps nightmare.
Nice thoughts! 🙂
What an imagination she has! Thanks for sharing this. I’ve never seen anything like it.
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Two thoughts: first time I have viewed polygons that have softness, curves and sensuousness!
This form of art was introduced to me when in a high school math class by a then forward thinking teacher in the hope he could inspire his students to see math beyond numbers, perhaps even something beautiful. I am still hopeless with math but do appreciate the art.
That’s a wonderful connection. 🙂
I love her work. “The Stawamus Chief” is especially striking.
Darlene, that’s a beautiful painting.
All paintings are so beautiful and original! I like the one of Elfin Lakes best.
Peter, the lake reflection adds a lot to that painting.
A beautiful interpretation of nature. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! 🙂
Nice link with Lucy
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Very good
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Beautiful! I wonder if she sells her work in the US… It also makes me want to explore Canada more!
Hi, Cathy, there are a lot of good things to explore in Canada. 🙂
At first these reminded me a little of Cubism, but when I went back for a second look, I thought, no, these are different, more appealing. I think it may be that Cubism tends to fragment objects to alter our perception of the everyday, whereas these paintings strike me as logical–logical in a way that is very comforting in our current world.
Hi, Liz. Those are nice comparisons and contrasts.
Thanks for sharing her work, Brett. I was not familiar with this artist. It’s kind of blowing my mind a little bit. Verra cool.
Hi, Elen, cool! 🙂
Wow, how awesome. You always make me discover the most amazing artists. Thank you ♥️
Hi, Rhapsody, thanks! 🙂
Hey there, you are very welcome my friend. Awesome stuff….
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You’ve got quite an eye for cool art !
Thanks, Chris! 🙂
What an intriguing concept and beautiful works of art.
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So these are paintings no computer aided artworks, Brett? They are stunning. I love Squamish the best. I agree with Muscleheaded that you have a good eye.
Thanks, Kate! 🙂
Breathtaking!
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beautiful artwork, thanks for the discovery assist! 🙂
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Such a unique concept… cool and yet, real. Thanks for the share. I had to keep checking to see what exactly this was that you had done. I mean, just wow.
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