Christine Brackenbury

Here you will find artwork by Christine Brackenbury, a painter and goldsmith of many years.

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“How Rare is the Light.”

16″ x 20″

Acrylic

Looking from my front door,out through the porch, on one of those muted, snow-filled days that we have occasionally through the Winter here in Ottawa, Canada.

[christinebrackenbury]

Canadian Nasturtiums

10″ x 8″ x 2″

Acrylic with Gesso undulations.

I loved the hint of the red maple leaf at the centre of these nasturtium flowers that grew in my vegetable garden this Summer.The stems looked gelatinous and along with  the flower are delicious to eat in a salad.

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My Marigolds

36″ x 36″

Acrylic

The marigolds I planted in my garden grew large and unruly this past Summer.I had accidentally picked up the tall version of those I had grown for years on the border of my vegetable garden.It proved to be a happy accident as they just glowed in the sunshine and all that movement was so much fun.

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“Memories At The Cottage.”

24″ x 20″

Acrylic

Lucille sat a few feet away from me one day when we were visiting her son’s cottage.She wasn’t aware that I was sketching her as she watched her family vigorously enjoying all that they do on the lake. Her grandchildren would occasionally come and sit on the low yellow chair beside her. A nurse by profession but also a wife, mother and grandmother. A long life of caring about and for others.

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“The Space Between.No.1.”

20″  x 28″

Acrylic

After a stormy early Summer day in downtown Toronto.

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“The Space Between. No.2.”

20″ x 28″

Acrylic

Centennial Lake on an early August afternoon.

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Emmerson & The Plasma Cutter

24″ x 30″

Water based Oils

Emmerson was a local welder heading up a large workshop in Carp.He was the only one who could use this amazing machine that cut through an  incredible thickness of steel with what looked like just a blinding light.

I had heard that he never raised his voice in anger, or to show authority, to the other welders in the shop. He earned a great deal of respect from all who met him. I believe he has retired now.

I wanted to try and capture his contrasting strength and  humility.

[christinebrackenbury]

Quintessence

40″ x 55″

Acrylic

Motorcycle Trials Riding is the oldest motorcycle sport. It has nothing to do with speed. The challenge is to ride an extremely challenging course over rough terrain without falling or putting a foot down on the ground. Each time a foot goes down on the ground the rider scores a point. The rider with the least points is the winner.

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“Self portrait - Pastel Poised”

24″ x 30″

Acrylic

The composition of this painting was put together from several photos taken 10 years ago when I was working mainly in pastels.

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Sunflower Smiles

12″ x 24″

Acrylic

My middle age self amongst the sunflowers.

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Springtime in Norfolk.

24″ x 24″

Acrylic

My teenage self standing in a field of daffodils in Norfolk,England. My boyfriends parents had retired to this beautiful rural area and the local farmers were growing daffodils strictly for the bulbs. We were allowed to go pick as many of the flowers as we wanted. You can see the old Hempstead Church in the background.

[christinebrackenbury]

A Pleasing Absence

Acrylic

36″ x 12″

Sitting on the beach at 7 am one morning in July. Constance Bay, on the Ottawa River is a favourite place for my husband to practice his Stand Up Paddle board skills. We raced there to capture the two hours between rain storms that the weather bureau promised us that day.I made my sketch in this heavenly quiet. It was so relaxing. Just different shades of grey.

[christinebrackenbury]

Aunt Elvy’s Apron

30″ x 40″

Acrylic

A self portrait ,wearing an apron carefully embroidered by my Aunt Elvy, a year or two before I emigrated to Canada.The keg of beer had been emptied by the family gathering at the annual Henley Regatta on the River Thames.

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Mother and Son

Acrylic

22″ x 28″

A mother is a powerful being. Her son gives her strength to move forward after an unimaginable loss. Family and community surround her with love.

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Bubbles, Banjo, Curls.

Acrylic       20″ x 20″

What do Kiters do on a rare no-wind day in Cape Hatteras ? High on the upper deck of a beach house playful bubbles blow away the key from minor to lively banjo music. The curls on the musician start to bounce and the mournful mood is changed to playful!

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Rodanthe,Pamlico Sound

Watercolour and Ink         19″ x 29″

The view on a windy day from a beach house on the “Sound-Side” of Rodanthe,Cape Hatteras.Kite-surfing, wind-surfing. The power of the wind and challenge of harnessing that power. The sparse undergrowth is tough. It has to stand up to the extreme weather conditions it experiences here on the coast of North Carolina.

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Meg and Georgia

Acrylic  40″x32″

SOLD