Brent R. LAYCOCKPrevious ArtistNext Artist

The majority of my paintings are landscapes. Although I have experimented with many other forms and subjects, it is the interaction with the land that continually fuels my interest. Perhaps this passion comes from my background as a farm boy or perhaps it comes from just living where the sky, mountains, prairie and water have a continual impact in my perceptions. In the landscape I see the spiritual connection between ourselves and the divine. I only hope to transmit some of its power to uplift the soul.

Painting is really about understanding and feeling. The expression of feeling becomes a balancing act in which I attempt to give the work some life through spirited brushstrokes but still exert enough discipline over composition to give the piece unity. I like to allow accidental things to happen with the movement of the paint and brush so that the piece begins to take on a life of its own. After this rather loose and chaotic stage of carefree painting, I then face the task of bringing order and enough clarity to the composition to allow the viewer both an emotional feeling and some understanding of the subject.

With some work, especially the watercolors, I will paint outdoors use the real shapes and colours of the landscape. I do not finish the painting on site; however, but take it into the studio where I will work on it without reference to the subject matter. In this later stage, the solution of abstract design problems is my main concern. I hope that each painting will work on two levels; one making a statement about the subject matter, and the other working as a successful abstract composition.

It is often challenging to juggle the demands of representation with the needs of abstraction. Sometimes, viewers will notice that they can see the subject matter when they stand way back from the painting. They wonder how I painted it when I had to stand up close to it. I try to convince them that the painting can be enjoyed close up when one tries to understand and appreciate the interplay of small details in an abstract way.

I learned that music is often a very abstract form of art where the elements derive their meaning from the way they interact with each other. This is what I endeavor to do with my own painting. I see them as musical compositions where the rhythms, repetitions, melodies and movement are all involved in making a harmonious statement.

Born June 2, 1947 at Lethbridge, Alberta

Married to Kathleen Palmer

Children: David, Laura, Roger, Andrea, Dallin

Education:

  • 1974 Master of Fine Arts (Painting) Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
  • 1972 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Printmaking) Brigham Young University

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

  • 2003
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton
    • Gust Gallery, Waterton Park
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary
  • 2002
    • Hollander York Gallery, Toronto,
    • VAAA Gallery, “Sojourn”, Edmonton
  • 2001
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary;
    • Gust Gallery, Waterton Park
  • 2000
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton
  • 1999
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary
  • 1998
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton
  • 1997
    • Hollander York Gallery, Toronto
  • 1996
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary
  • 1995
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton;
    • West End Gallery, Victoria
  • 1994
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary
  • 1993
    • Springville Museum of Art, Springville Utah;
    • Whitten Gallery, King City (Toronto),
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton
  • 1992
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary
  • 1991
    • Whitten Gallery, King City (Toronto)
  • 1990
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary;
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton;
    • Buschlen/Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver
  • 1989
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary;
    • Yates Centre, Lethbridge
  • 1988
    • Buschlen/Mowatt Galleries, Vancouver;
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton
  • 1987
    • Wallace Galleries, Calgary;
    • Whitten Gallery, King City, Ontario
  • 1974-1985
    • Gold Design Fine Arts, Calgary;
    • West End Gallery, Edmonton;
    • Sullivan Galleries, Salt Lake City;
    • Assiniboia Gallery, Regina;
    • Gustafsson Galleries, Toronto;
    • Martin Gerard Gallery, Edmonton;
    • James Ulrich Gallery, Calgary;
    • The Guild Gallery, Calgary;
    • The Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge;
    • Lefebvre Gallery, Edmonton

Selected Group Exhibitions:

  • 2005
    • Diversity 100 - The Works Art & Design Festival, VAAA, Harcourt House, Edmonton
    • The Canadian Garden Show: 2005 Garden Collection, West End Gallery, Edmonton
    • Endless Possibilities, CSPWC, Roberts Gallery, Toronto
    • Volunteer Exhibition, ASA, Red Deer Public Library, Red Deer, AB
    • Members’ Juried Exhibition, SCA, Gallery on the Grand, Waterloo, ON
    • Juried Members’ Show, Leighton Art Centre, Calgary,AB
    • Memory & Identity, ASA 75th Anniversary, Alberta Tour: Lethbridge, Crowsnest Pass, Calgary, Grand Praire and others
    • Unlimited Potential, CSPWC, Homer Watson Gallery, Kitchener, ON
    • Flower Power, Hollander York Gallery, Toronto, ON
  • 2004
    • SCA 37th National Open Juried Exhibition, Salle Tudor Ogilvy, Montreal, PQ
    • SCA Members’ Exhibition, Barber Gallery, Guelph, Ontario
    • Palliser Diversity Exhibition, Cultural Centre Gallery, Medicine Hat, AB
    • Samplings: A Collection, Trianon Gallery (and Gust Gallery), Lethbridge
  • 2003
    • Watermark, Alberta Foundation of the Arts, McDougall Centre, Calgary
  • 2002
    • Open Water 77, Nova Scotia Public Archives, Halifax
    • Alberta Watercolour Tradition, Extension Centre Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton
    • In Search of the Human Essence: Mankind at the Beginning of the 21st Century, CSPWC, Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts, Calgary
    • Visions of Wellness, Health Sciences Centre, Edmonton
    • Landscape Celebrations, Leighton Foundation Museum and Art Gallery, Calgary
  • 2001
    • Booming Prairie: AFA Travelling Exhibition produced by Edmonton Art Gallery and ASA
    • ArtCity 2001, ASA at Devonian Gardens, Toronto Dominion Square, Calgary
    • ArtCity 2001, ASA at ArtSpace, Calgary
    • 70th Anniversary Millennium Show: ASA at the Leighton Centre, Calgary
    • Southern Waters: CSPWC show at the South Sussex Art Centre, Leamington, ON
  • 2000
    • A Brush with History: CSPWC 75th Anniversary Exhibition, Art Gallery of Mississauga
    • Bridging a New Century, Alberta Society of Artists touring show: Red Deer, Stony Plain, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Calgary
    • Kaleidoscope, Artists’ Circle Touring Show, Triangle Gallery, Calgary, National Gallery, Ostrava, Czech Republic and WG-Expozaal Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
    • Watermarks,CSPWC Roberts Gallery, Toronto
    • SCA Juried Exhibition, Haliconian Club, Toronto
    • Friends of the Leighton, The Leighton Centre, Calgary
  • 1999
    • Canadian Prairie Watercolour Landscapes, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon
    • SCA Annual Members’ Juried Show, The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto
    • Triple Take, ASA, Muttart Public Art Gallery, Calgary
    • A Touch of Spring, ASA, Leighton Centre, Calgary
    • The Hanging Garden, West End Gallery, Victoria
  • 1998
    • Third International Watercolor Biennial, National Watercolor Museum, Coyoacan, Mexico
    • Open Water 73, CSPWC, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • Watercolour: Into the Second Millenium, Blackwood Gallery, U of T at Mississauga
  • 1997
    • 4th International Art Competition, Museum of Church History and Art, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • Shared Visions, ASA, Artwalk, Mount Royal Village, Calgary
    • Calgary, the Urban Landscape, Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts, Calgary
    • Personal Selections, Harbour Gallery, Mississauga
  • 1996
    • ASA 65th Anniversary Show at the Leighton Centre, Calgary
    • Coast to Coast Exhibition, West End Galleries, Edmonton and Victoria
    • The Hanging Garden, West End Gallery, Edmonton
    • Open Water, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
  • 1995
    • CSPWC at Roberts Gallery, Roberts Gallery, Toronto
    • Open Water 70, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • Views, Museum of the Regiments, Calgary
    • Spring Values, Muttart Art Gallery, Calgary
    • The Prairie School of Painters, Buschlen/Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver
  • 1994
    • Alumni 100: Centennial Art Exhibition, BYU, Provo Utah
    • Artists in Bloom, Buschlen/Mowatt Gallery, Vancouver
    • Not a Diploma Show (RCA), John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • SCA Annual Members\' Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Etobicoke
  • 1993
    • Blocking the View, The Works Festival, Edmonton
    • Open Water, CSPWC, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • Orchid Show, Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton
    • My Name is Tom Three Persons, Tour of Alberta cities
  • 1992
    • Fusion International Exhibition, Shizuoka Prefectural Museum, Japan
    • Alberta Society of Artists: Sixty Years, Edmonton Art Gallery
    • Grand Scale, Manulife Centre, Edmonton
    • Best Foot Forward, Beaver House Gallery, Edmonton
  • 1991
    • 2nd International Art Competition, Museum of Church History and Art, Salt Lake City
  • 1990
    • State of the Art, Beaver House, Edmonton and Triangle Gallery, Calgary
  • 1989
    • Open Water, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • Towards a New Canadian Mythology, "Works Festival", Edmonton
    • Second Impressions, Alberta Art Foundation, Edmonton
    • Art for All, Edmonton Art Gallery
  • 1988
    • SCA Annual Juried Exhibition, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • Western Icons, Muttart Art Gallery, Calgary
    • Art Is Our Game, ASA Touring Show to Calgary, St. Albert, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Medicine Hat
    • Wintershow, Olympic Arts Festival, Calgary
  • 1987
    • Art for All, Edmonton Art Gallery
  • 1986
    • Calgary Wilderness Show, Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary
    • CSPWC 61st Annual Open Exhibition, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
    • No Safety Net, ASA, Muttart Gallery, Calgary and Front Gallery, Edmonton
  • 1985
    • Hot Watercolor Show, SCPWC, Harbourfront Gallery, Toronto
    • CSPWC Diamond Jubilee Show, Okeefe Centre, Toronto
  • 1984
    • ASA/OSA Collaborative Exhibition, Touring Alberta and Ontario
    • Sharing Visions, ASA Intercultural Exchange Show touring Japan
  • 1982
    • Image 81, OSA 109th Annual Juried Exhibition, Touring Alberta and Ontario
    • Calgary Corporations Collect Realism, Muttart Gallery, Calgary
  • 1981
    • CSPWC Annual Juried Exhibition, Toronto
  • 1979
    • Salute to Canada, Birmingham Festival of ARts, Alabama
  • 1978
    • Festival 78, Commonwealth Games, Edmonton
  • 1977
    • ASA Juried Exhibition, Glenbow Museum, Calgary
    • SCA Juried Exhibition, Signal Gallery, Montreal and McDowell Gallery, Toronto
    • Mormon Festival of Art, BYU, Provo, Utah
  • 1976
    • What's New?, Edmonton Art Gallery
  • 1974
    • Graphex Two, Art Gallery of Brant, Brantford, Ontario1973
    • National Invitational Exhibit, Springville Museum of Art, Utah

Awards:

  • 2005
    • Antoinette (Toni) Stevens Award & Medallion for “Best Painting in Show” for SCA Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition, Gallery on the Grand, Waterloo, ON
    • Third Prize Winner, International Artist Magazine Flowers & Gardens Challenge
  • 2004
    • Antoinette (Toni) Stevens award for painting in acrylic, SCA,
    • Barber Gallery, Guelph, Ontario
  • 2002
    • Sam Black Award for outstanding transparent watercolour, CSPWC Open Water 77, Nova Scotia Public Archives, Halifax
    • Bobs and Peter Haworth Honour Award for painting in watercolour, CSPWC, Triangle Gallery, Calgary
  • 2000
    • Antoinette (Toni) Stevens award for painting in acrylic, SCA, Toronto
  • 1991
    • Watercolour presented by Alberta Government to Queen Margrethe of Denmark
  • 1990
    • ASA Recognition Award for service to the Society
  • 1987
    • ASA Purchase Award, Fort Calgary Show
  • 1986
    • Watercolour selected for the CSPWC Diamond Jubilee Collection of Watercolours presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the Royal Collection of Drawings and Watercolours at Windsor Castle
  • 1983
    • Crown Life Purchase Award, CSPWC 57th Annual Show, Verdun, Quebec
  • 1981
    • H.G. Love Award (Freeman/Yipp Advertising) best logo design
  • 1979
    • Alberta Energy Company Purchase Prize, ASA Annual Exhibition
  • 1976
    • Award of Merit and Purchase Prize, Mormon Festival of Art, Provo, Utah

Publications:

  • 2001
    • International Artist Magazine, Suggestive Dabs and Random Strokes, pp 100-107, April/May 2001
  • 2000
    • Alberta Society of Artists - The First 75 Years, Kathy E. Zimon, University of Calgary Press, 2000
    • Magazin’ Art, Brent Laycock Nature Abstraite, 12, #4, Summer 2000
    • International Artist Magazine, Master Painters, Canada Showcase, June/July 2000
    • International Artist Magazine, What is Watercolour?, Spring 2000
  • 1998
    • Magazin’ Art Biennial Guide to Canadian Artists in Galleries (1998-99 and 1996-97 editions) reproduction, biography
  • 1998
    • Oral History Interview, (with June Montgomery) ASA
  • 1997
    • Treasured Moments, John & Monica Kurtz, reproduction, biography, letter
  • 1996
    • Utah Art, Swanson (listing p. 234)
  • 1994
    • Wallace Galleries 1995 Calendar
  • 1993
    • FEESA 1994 Calendar
  • 1991
    • Back cover, Selection (Reader\'s Digest French Edition), May 1991
  • 1990
    • Back cover, Reader\'s Digest, May 1990 issue
  • 1986
    • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 1986 Calendar
    • Aquarelle! A History of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour 1925-1985, Sisler
  • 1984
    • "Harmony on the Horizon" illustrated article in Skyword Magazine, June 1984

Commissions and Competitions:

  • 1999
    • Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom Roof Design
  • 1998
    • Chevron Canada Resources anniversary painting and print
  • 1990
    • High River Historical Mural (outdoor)
    • Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Logo Competition
  • 1989
    • Lethbridge Regional Hospital
    • Richardson Greenshields of Canada, Vancouver
    • Canadian Parks Partnership Logo Competition
  • 1988
    • Two acrylic murals, Amoco Centre, Calgary
    • Triptych mural, Standard Life Building, Calgary
  • 1986
    • Waterton Heritage Centre Logo Competition
  • 1984
    • Painting of Glacier National Park for Canada Post $1 stamp
  • 1982
    • Painting of Waterton Lakes National Park for Canada Post $1.50 stamp

Exhibition Services:

  • 2005
    • Catalogue Design, Memory & Identity, ASA 75th Anniversary Exhibition, Travelling Show
  • 2002
    • Exhibition coordinator, CSPWC, and catalogue design, In Search of the Human Essence, Triangle Gallery of Visual Arts, Calgary
  • 2001
    • Catalogue design, Alberta Society of Artists 70th Anniversary Millennium Show, Leighton Center, Calgary
  • 1999
    • Catalogue Design, Hands That Shape, ASA Sculpture Exhibition, Triangle Gallery, Calgary
  • 1987
    • Guest Curator, Ernest E. Riethman Retrospective Exhibition, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge

Art Society Memberships:

  • The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
  • The Alberta Society of Artists
  • The Society of Canadian Artists
  • The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour
  • Canadian Artists Representation

Teaching Experience:

  • 2005
    • Edmonton Art Gallery & ASA, Visit With Artists Public Lecture Series
    • Cochrane Art Club, Watercolour Workshop
  • 2004
    • Hat Art Club, Medicine Hat, Floral Workshop
    • Centre d’arts Visuels de l’Alberta, Watercolour Workshop, Edmonton
    • One Day Acrylic Workshop, Calgary
    • Lethbridge Acrylic Workshop
  • 2003
    • Lethbridge Artists Club, Acrylic Workshop
  • 2002
    • Kimberley Arts Council, Acrylic Workshop, Kimberley, BC
    • “Capture the Spirit” Acrylic and Watercolour workshop, Gibsons, BC
  • 2000
    • Leading Edge Workshops, Acrylic Painting Workshop, Calgary
  • 1999
    • CSPWC Watercolour Symposium at Bowen Island, BC
  • 1998
    • Acrylic Workshop, Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, BC
    • Watercolor Workshop, White Rock Summer School of the Arts, White Rock, BC
  • 1997
    • CSPWC Watercolour Symposium at Jasper, AB
    • Watercolor Workshop, Calgary
  • 1996
    • Watercolor Workshop, Acrylic Workshop, Calgary
  • 1995
    • Acrylic Painting Workshop, Leighton Centre, Calgary
  • 1993
    • Watercolor Workshop Instructor, Whitten Gallery, Toronto
  • 1992
    • National Watercolor Workshop, CSPWC, Calgary
  • 1991
    • Watercolor Workshop Instructor, Whitten Gallery, Toronto
  • 1990
    • CSPWC Watercolor Workshop, Calgary
  • 1984
    • Guest Watercolor Teacher, Spring Session, BYU, Utah
  • 1999
    • CSPWC Watercolour Symposium at Bowen Island, BC
  • 1998
    • Acrylic Workshop, Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, BC
    • Watercolor Workshop, White Rock Summer School of the Arts, White Rock, BC
  • 1997
    • CSPWC Watercolour Symposium at Jasper, AB
  • 1997
    • Watercolor Workshop, Calgary
  • 1996
    • Watercolor Workshop, Acrylic Workshop, Calgary
  • 1995
    • Acrylic Painting Workshop, Leighton Centre, Calgary
  • 1993
    • Watercolor Workshop Instructor, Whitten Gallery, Toronto
  • 1992
    • National Watercolor Workshop, CSPWC, Calgary
  • 1991
    • Watercolor Workshop Instructor, Whitten Gallery, Toronto
  • 1990
    • CSPWC Watercolor Workshop, Calgary
  • 1984
    • Guest Watercolor Teacher, Spring Session, BYU, Utah

Major Collections:

  • Aberford Resources
  • Achievers International
  • Alberta Art Foundation
  • Alberta Cancer Board
  • Alberta Energy Company
  • Alberta Foothills Pipeline
  • Alberta Government Telephones
  • Alberta Treasury Branch
  • Amerada Minerals
  • Amoco Canada
  • B.C. Hydro
  • Brigham Young University
  • British Petroleum
  • Burger King
  • Burns Fry Ltd.
  • Calgary Civic Collection
  • Canada Northwest Energy
  • Canadian Air Lines
  • Canadian Fortune Resources
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
  • Canadian Pacific
  • Canadian Utilities
  • Chevron Canada Resources
  • The Churchill Corporation
  • Conoco
  • Contemporary Art Collections
  • Cross Cancer Institute
  • Crown Life Insurance
  • Deloitte Haskins & Sells
  • Dover Park Development
  • Denison Mines
  • Esso Resources Canada
  • Enbridge Inc.
  • Fletcher Challenger
  • Geocrude Energy
  • Glenbow-Alberta Institute
  • Glencoe Club
  • Gulf Canada Resources
  • IBM
  • Imax Systems
  • Lacey International
  • Lethbridge Regional Hospital
  • Manufacturers Life Insurance
  • Marlin Travel
  • MBNA Bank of Canada
  • MediCentres
  • Merland Exploration
  • Milner & Steer
  • Nesbitt Thompson
  • Nortel
  • Nova
  • Pan Canadian Petroleum
  • Petro-Canada
  • Peat Marwick
  • Queen Margrethe of Denmark
  • Richardson Greenshields of Canada
  • Richardson Securities
  • Rodman Hall CSPWC Diploma Collection
  • Royal Bank of Canada
  • Royal Collection at Windsor Castle
  • Scarborough Centennial Hospital
  • Shell Canada Resources
  • Standard Life Assurance
  • Texaco Canada
  • Toronto Dominion Bank
  • Ultiima Energy Trust
  • University of Alberta
  • Vencap Equities
  • Vennard Johannesen & Co.
  • Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre
  • Weigle Educational Publishers