2019 Procreated inspirations loss and new beginnings Ian Bateson; artist, art director and graphic designer
2019 Procreated inspirations loss and new beginnings
2019 was a busy year, planning my first solo show at Place des Arts in Coquitlam, participating in the West Vancouver Harmony Arts Festival and donating artwork to raise funds for the BC Boys and Girls club. This was the first year where I was not consumed with helping my Mother and hence I managed to produce a record number of 140 artworks, many included in this publication. The summer was made up of photographing the wonderful blossoms and fauna providing a wealth of images to work with. During the fall and winter I created a series of photogram-type images, Abstract 1 through to Abstract 101, allowing shapes created—through cutting, pasting and reorientation—to take on a new symmetrical abstract expression. All the work presented in this years book are in chronological order. v
All works are Copyright Ian Bateson © 2011-20
fig 1; Full Circle, Mum, 22” x 16.5” - 58.8cm x 41.9cm.
Left, fig 2; Eternity, 16.4” x 36” - 41.7cm x 91.4cm. Top, fig 3; Mum and Dads last resting place, 31” x 11.6” - 78.7cm x 29.5cm. Right, fig 4; Playing, 26” x 34.6” - 66cm x 88cm.
fig 6; Consumed, 34” x 17.4” - 86.3cm x 44.4cm.
fig 5; Descending Liverpool in Cool, 22” x 29.3” - 55.8cm x 74.5cm.
fig 7; 3-hour maximum, 19” x 14” - 48.4cm x 35.5cm.
Above, fig 8; Pathway, 22” x 29.4” - 55.8cm x 74.8cm. Right, fig 9; Choices, 14.2” x 34” - 36cm x 86cm.
fig 10; Sunken treasure, 19” x 13.4” - 49cm x 34cm.
fig 11; One Way, 36” x 26.8” - 91.4cm x 68.3cm.
fig 12; Morning, noon and night, 20.3” x 29” - 51.8cm x 73.6cm.
fig 13; Morning and night, 22” x 29” - 55.8cm x 74.5cm.
fig 15; Organic 35, 30” x 22” - 76.2cm x 55.8cm.
fig 14; Directions, 22” x 29” - 55.8cm x 74.5cm.
fig 16; Organic 34, 36” x 27” - 91.4cm x 68.5cm.
fig 17; Lillie multiplied, 26.8” x 36” - 68.3cm x 91.44cm.
fig 18; Organic 33, 14” x 18.6” - 35.5cm x 47.4cm.
fig 19; Organic 32, 25” x 11.2” - 63.5cm x 28.6cm.
fig 21; Organic 30, 28” x 27.5” - 71.12cm x 69.99cm.
fig 20; Organic 31, 27” x 36” - 68.5cm x 91.4cm.
fig 22; Organic 29, 23” x 17” - 58.5cm x 43.8cm.
fig 23; Organic 28, 34” x 15” - 86.3cm x 38.3cm.
fig 25; Poseidon stops wood log exports, 31” x 12.9” - 78.7cm x 32.9cm.
fig 24; Organic 27, 22” x 29” - 55.8cm x 74.5cm.
fig 27; Organic 22, 26” x 19.5” - 66cm x 49.5cm.
fig 26; Organic 21, 16.5” x 22” - 41.9cm x 55.8cm.
fig 29; Organic 24, 10.8” x 13.44” - 25.6cm x 34cm.
fig 28; Organic 23, 37” x 26” - 68.5cm x 91.4cm.
fig 31; Walking through the grass, 28” x 21” - 71cm x 53cm.
fig 30; Organic 26, 10.08” x 13.44” - 25.6cm x 34cm.
fig 32; Spent, 14” x 18.6” - 35.5cm x 47.4cm. Right, fig 33, Hydrate, 12.9” x 31” - 32.9cm x 78.8cm.
fig 34; Time marches on, 12” x 9” - 30.4cm x 23.8cm.
fig 35; It’s in the stars, 26.8” x 36” - 68.3cm x 91.4cm.
fig 36; Anticipation, 26.8” x 36” - 68.3cm x 91.4cm.
fig 37; Random moments, 26.8” x 36” - 68.3cm x 91.4cm.
fig 39; Abstract 1, 26” x 30.7” - 66cm x 78cm. fig 38; My Winter of discontent, 17” x 29” - 43.4cm x 73.6cm.
fig 40; Abstract 2, 36” x 17.3” - 91.4cm x 44cm.
fig 42; Abstract 4, Manhatten, 29” x 20.6” - 73.6cm x 52.4cm.
fig 41; Abstract 3, 25.5” x 36” - 57.19cm x 91.44cm.
fig 43; Abstract 5, NVCL, 30” x 17” - 76cm x 43cm.
Above, fig 44; Abstract 6, fashion, 26” x 34” - 66cm x 86cm. Right, fig 45, Abstract 7, 16” x 42” - 40.6cm x 106.6cm.
fig 46; Abstrct 8, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
fig 47; Abstract 9, 36” x 24” - 91.4cm x 60.9cm.
Top, fig 48; Abstract 10, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
Bottom, fig 49; Abstract 10, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
fig 50; Abstract 12, 28” x 30” - 71cm x 76cm.
fig 51; Abstract 13, 30” x 20” - 76cm x 50.8cm.
fig 52; Abstract 14, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
fig 53; Abstract 15, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
fig 54; Abstract 16, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
fig 55; Abstract 17, 45” x 17” - 114cm x 43cm.
fig 56; Abstract 18, 36” x 13” - 91cm x 33cm.
fig 57; Abstract 19, 36” x 13” - 91cm x 33cm. Right, fig 58; Abstract 20, 36” x 18” - 91cm x 45cm.
fig 59; Abstract 21, 36” x 16” - 91cm x 40.6cm.
fig 60; Abstract 22, 36” x 13” - 91cm x 33cm.
Below, fig 61; Abstract 23, 36” x 18”, 91cm x 45cm.
fig 63; Abstract 24, 36” x 16” - 91cm x 40cm.
fig 64; Abstract 25, 21” x 14” - 53cm x 35cm.
Top, fig 65; Abstract 27, 31” x 7” - 78.74cm x 17.78cm. Bottom left, fig 67; Abstract 28, 22” x 28.8” - 55.8cm x 73cm. Bottom right, fig 67b; Abstract 29, 22” x 10” - 55.8cm x 26.3cm.
Left, fig 68; Abstract 30, 11.8” x 21” - 30cm x 53cm. Top, fig 69; Abstract 31, 31” x 11.6”, 78.7cm x 29.5cm. Bottom, fig 70; Abstract 32, 31” x 11.9”, 78.7cm x 30.4cm.
fig 71; Abstract 33, 29” x 19.9” - 73.6cm x 45.5cm.
fig 72; Abstract 34, 36” x 24” - 91.4cm x 61cm.
fig 73; Abstract 35, 31.7” x 12” - 80.7cm x 30.4cm.
Left, fig 74; Abstract 36, 11” x 36” - 27.96cm x 91.4cm. right, fig 75; Abstract 37, 14.6” x 39”, 37.29cm x 99cm.
fig 76; Abstract 38, 31” x 11.6” - 78.74cm x 29.68cm.
fig 77; Abstract 39, 31” x 11.6” - 78.74cm x 29.68cm.
fig 78; Abstract 40, 31” x 20.7” - 78.74cm x 52.6cm.
Left, fig 79; Abstract 41, 12.4” x 34” - 31.7cm x 86.3cm. Above, fig 80; Abstract 42, 34” x 21.9”, 86cm x 55cm.
Left, fig 81; Abstract 43, 22.7” x 34” - 57.7cm x 86cm. Above, fig 82; Red yellow, blue and green #1, 18” x 18” - 45.7cm x 45.7cm.
Left, fig 83; Red, yellow, blue and green #2, 8.97” x 19.68” - 22.78cm x 49.9cm. Above, fig 84; Abstract 45, 34” x 25.7” - 86.3cm x 65.3cm.
Left, fig 85; Abstract 46, 24.7” x 34” - 62.8cm x 86.3cm. Above, fig 86; Abstract 47, 34” x 16.5” - 86cm x 42cm.
fig 87; Abstract 48, 31” x 11.6” - 78.7cm x 29.5cm.
fig 88; Abstract 49, 18” x 17” - 45.7cm x 43.6cm.
fig 89; Abstract 50, 31” x 21.7” - 78.7cm x 55cm.
fig 90; Abstract 51, 31” x 11.6” - 78.7cm x 29.5cm.
Left, fig 91; Abstract 52, 11.6” x 31” - 29.5cm x 78.7cm. Above, fig 92; Abstract 53, 31” x 18” - 78.7cm x 45.9cm.
fig 93; Abstract 54, 31” x 20.8” - 78.7cm x 52.8cm.
fig 94; Abstract 55, 31” x 20.8” - 78.7cm x 52.8cm.
Top, fig 95; Abstract 56, 31” x 11.6” - 78.7cm x 29.5cm. Bottom, fig 96; Abstract 57, 31” x 5.5” - 78.7cm x 14.11cm.
fig 97; Abstract 58, 31” x 20.9” - 78.7cm x 53.22cm.
Above, fig 98; Abstract 59, 31” x 10.8” - 78.7cm x 25.6cm. Right, fig 99; Abstract 60, 31” x 19.8” - 78.7cm x 50.5cm
fig 100; Abstract 61, 31” x 20.8” - 78.7cm x 52.8cm.
fig 101; Abstract 62, 31” x 27” - 78.7cm x 69cm.
fig 102; Abstract 63, 31” x 22.7” - 78.7cm x 57.8cm.
Left, fig 103; Abstract 64, 11.6” x 31” - 29.5cm x 78.7cm.
fig 104; Abstract 65, 31” x 14” - 78.7cm x 36cm.
fig 105; Abstract 67, 20.8” x 31” - 53cm x 78.7cm.
fig 106; Abstract 68, 31” x 14.6” - 78.7cm x 37cm.
fig 107; Abstract 69, 31” x 10” - 78.7cm x 25.7cm.
fig 108; Abstract 70, 31” x 24” - 78.7cm x 61.3cm.
fig 109; Abstract 71, 31” x 20.8” - 78.7cm x 52.8cm.
Above, fig 110; Abstract 72, 31” x 20.8” - 78.7cm x 52.8cm. Right, fig 111; Abstract 73, 11.6” x 31” - 29.5cm x 78.7cm.
Left, fig 112; Abstract 74, 24” x 36” - 61cm x 91cm. Above, fig 113; Abstract 75, 31” x 20.8” - 78.7cm x 52,8cm.
fig 114; Abstract 70, 31” x 24” - 78.7cm x 61.3cm.
fig 115; Abstract 77, 31” x 18.6” - 78.7cm x 47.3cm.
fig 116; Abstract 78, 31” x 12.19” - 78.7cm x 30.97cm.
Left, fig 117; Abstract 79, 15.6” x 31” - 39.6cm x 78.4cm. Above, fig 118; Abstract 80, 31” x 25” - 78.7cm x 63.6cm.
fig 119; Abstract 81, 31” x 12” - 78.7cm x 30.9cm.
Left, fig 120; Abstract 82, 20.9” x 31” - 53.25cm x 78.7cm. Above, fig 121; Abstract 83, 23.5” x 31” - 59.7cm x 78.7cm.
fig 122; Abstract 84, 31” x 20.7” - 78.7cm x 52.7cm.
fig 123; Abstract 85, 28” x 16” - 71cm x 40.6cm.
fig 124; Abstract 86, 31” x 21.7” - 78.7cm x 52.2cm.
fig 125; Abstract 88, 31” x 14.8” - 78.7cm x 37.6cm.
fig 126; Abstract 89, 23.5” x 15.7” - 59.6cm x 40cm.
fig 127; Abstract 90, 31” x 16.9” - 78.7cm x 43cm.
fig 128; Abstract 91, 31” x 15” - 78.7cm x 38cm.
fig 129; Abstract 92, 31” x 13.3” - 78.7cm x 33.8cm.
fig 130; Abstract 93, 37.6” x 28” - 95.7cm x 71.12cm.
Above, fig 131; Abstract 94, 31” x 11” - 78.7cm x 28cm. Right, fig 132; Ruskin Centre reflected, 13.6” x 31” - 34.6cm x 78.7cm.
Left, fig 133; Abstract 95, 13.9” x 31” - 35.3cm x 78.7cm. Above, fig 134; Abstract 96, 27.6” x 31” - 70.2cm x 78.7cm.
figs 135 and 136; Abstract 97 and 97#2, 27” x 31” - 68.9cm x 78.7cm.
fig 137; Abstract 98, 31” x 23.4” - 78.7cm x 59.6cm.
Left, fig 138; Abstract 99, 17.7” x 12” - 45cm x 30.4cm. Below, fig 139; Abstract 100, 34.6” x 12” - 92.4cm x 30.4cm.
fig 140; Abstract 101, 36” x 18” - 91.7cm x 45.7cm.
About Ian Bateson
and
Publications
from
2012-19
Education 1970 – 1974 Lancaster College Of Art. Graduated with Honours, Illustration and Graphic Design.
Experience During the 1970’s and early 80’s Ian worked in the field of illustration and graphic design, building a solid reputation with the publishing industry as an illustrator of children’s books and a designer and illustrator for academic publications. Ian worked with Douglas & McIntyre, UBC Press, Harbour Publishing and various other international houses.
Exhibitions: Dec 2013: North Vancouver Community Arts Council, Anonymous Show. Mar 2014: Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver. Abstracting Colour Photography, a group show. Nov 2014: Federation of Canadian Artists, Digital art, a group show
From 1986 to 2012, Ian helped build Baseline Type & Graphics Cooperative into a thriving creative design studio, working for major corporations, businesses, government agencies and NGO’s telling their stories through well crafted design and marketing solutions.
Dec 2014: North Vancouver Community Arts Council, Anonymous Show.
Ian now uses the skills he gained over 35 years, to apply his thoughts and imagination through personal, interpretive art. Ideas expressed through sketch books, photographs and finalized as digital art, output to either giclée or limited edition laser prints.
Dec 2016: North Vancouver Community Arts Council, Anonymous Show.
Influences During his extensive travels, lan has visited some of the major world galleries; the Hermitage in St Petersburg, the Tate in London and Liverpool, the Louvre in Paris, the National in Washington and Biennale in Venice. Through these collections, from the 18th Century William Turner to Picasso in the 19th Century and Willem de Kooning and the American abstract expressionists in the 20th Century, Ian discovered wonder and amazement when in the presence of such exceptional works of art. The art of typography is also a keen interest influenced by; William Caslon, John Baskerville, Frutiger, Max Miedinger for their wonderful type designs and Ian Hamilton Finlay, Dom Sylvester Houédard and Edwin Morgan, for their amazing concrete poetry.
Artistic
expression
Ian creates an impression, mood and emotion through use of colour and form. He takes from his immediate environment and reflects a visual metaphor. Assemblage and painting, for example, will turn into an expression of questioning or perhaps anger and a moment to reflect on the environment.
Dec 2015: North Vancouver Community Arts Council, Anonymous Show.
Jun 2017: The Storey Gallery, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK ORIGINS; a two man exhibit with John Sharp. July 2019: Participated in the Harmony Arts Festival in West Vancouver. Nov 2019: Place des Arts, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada Solo show in the main Salon showing 38 pieces.
Reviewing a year of work using photography, acrylic and other mediums in combination to create a body of artwork using the Procreate app. I also reviewed my concrete poetry and their relationship to my reactions surrounding personal annoyance at the increasing melt down of liberal values built over six decades and personal thoughts on emotional issues we all face. January 2017 was the start of an all consuming process of planning, designing and production for a major two man exhibit with my friend, John Sharp—who lives and works in Manchester, UK—in our old art school gallery in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. In the last segment of this book I go into more detail about this wonderful process we were both thrilled to experience. I began 2016 in England, visiting my Mother who turned 91 that October. The fifteen pieces completed from that period are not included in this book but published separately in; A month of Procreating in England. During the year, I photographed many of the images used to create the rest of this body of work. I also returned to images captured whilst in Venice in 2013, New York in 2014, China in 2015, England during 201516 and of course here at home in Vancouver, BC, Canada. A five week Christmas break spent with my Mother in North West England, allowed for some downtime between our extensive trips—in a hired car—to produce these fourteen pieces using Procreate. The finished artwork is accompanied by notes and the raw photographs used to create each piece.
April saw my wife Jean and I fulfill a long wanted trip to China and we were also saddened to learn the death of a good friend and writer Mark Budgen. These were some of the experiences that shaped these works produced both in Canada and England.
Twenty eight pieces—by no means the entirety of my output—from my remaining 2014 volume of work representing the themes of air, land, water and other. Many are derived from my travels to England, the US, Europe and Canada using photo’s, painting and effects to create the multi-layered art work. Whimsical interpretations of fossils, skulls and bones—photographed at the Natural History Museum during a trip to New York—positioned within environments I had visited and photographed in other parts of the world. You can review the original photographs, descriptions of my process and the final art when using an iPad and the Procreate app. A trip—September, 2013—to Alaska, photographs taken at the Fairbanks Museum and also during a five day tour of the Denali Park. My first ISSUU book of work, completed in 2012-13 using an iPad and the Procreate app. View all books @ https://issuu.com/ icreate
BOOKS DESIGNED FOR A FRIEND ALEX WATERHOUSE-HAYWARD: Utilizing some of the many photographs taken with my second digital camera,these are a series of sixteen Vancouver images converted into art using Illustrator and Photoshop in 2012. This series won an adjudicated place in the Ferry Building Gallery and my first group show in 2013.
Alex’s long running project of inviting friends; writers, photographers, artists and luminaries of Vancouver and beyond to be photographed using his Mothers Red Shawl through their personal interpretation, became a book gift from me to him capturing the initial 40 individuals who agreed to write a guest blog on his site. I completed this book for him in 2015.
I’ve struggled for some years to open my stored illustration work (and there are lots) done back in the early 80’s. This is a legacy piece for my sons, Julian and Kim to experience what I did to both live my dream as an illustrator and feed the family.
To celebrate twenty five years of work at Baseline Type & Graphics Cooperative on November 19, 2010, I began a blog containing a history of our studio and the work we carried out before and during the adoption of a digital workflow. As Baseline no longer exhibited a web site in 2016, the only record left was a Wordpress site which I have edited to fit this format. View books @ https://issuu.com/icreate
All works are Copyright Ian Bateson© 2011, 2020.
Erotic photography has throughout his career been close to Alex’s heart, so as a gift I presented him with a format through this book to speak to that obsession. Sadly he never found the time to print the book and I had it reside on ISSUE for many years. ISSUE, limited access due to it being considered too explicit. View books @ https://issuu.com/icreate
All photography in above books are Copyright Alex Waterhouse-Hayward © 2011, 2020.