A true lover of nature, the great outdoors and the local 'weathered landscapes of Newfoundland. His intricate detail brings captivating, realistic paintings to life. - Informed Collector
"Nature is my muse and inspiration simply because of her endless subject matter and surprises. This collaboration offers me something I never even thought of. Although I prefer to paint nature themes, weathered objects and rural settings, I'm open to other things that may catch my eye because there is always something to learn that nurtures the soul. I like to create a sense of place that is somewhere but nowhere in particular. My goal is not to paint life, but to paint life into my work and create an emotional connection that I hope will inspire my viewers."
Collectors Say:
Photo realism in art is a compelling genre. The obvious time, skill and great amount of patience required one can see in this genre make the layman's mind bend. Characteristically the subjects might be thought as mundane, but they are brilliantly brought to life by fine and calculated strokes of brush. Newfoundland artist Brian LaSaga will catch your eye in this very way. Housed in the Imperial Theatre lobbies, LaSaga's works pull us in. Predominantly of nature or people in the outdoors, the details are simply astounding. Look closely, the feathers of a blue jay seem poised to flutter or tall grasses on the verge of waving in the breeze. These are average scenes that we may walk through on a nice weekend. We were there and we saw, but not this clearly. More and more of LaSaga's works are finding their way into collections ranging from Canadian business elite to embassies. Comments range from, in awe and amazement to the Vermeer of Newfoundland.
Glen Creamer, Imperial Theatre
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LaSaga's "Constant Observer" exhibition of paintings at The Christina Parker Gallery might run the danger of looking a bit, well, ordinary. But have no fear. They are not.Take a piece like "After the Blizzard," which shows some foliage covered in snow. Every inch of it is so tactile the effect is almost holographic. Much of his work here has the same three-dimensional impact; just look at them for a moment and you'll start to feel you're studying a diorama, not something flat. The sense of volume is amazing. His gorgeous silvery light doesn't hurt either.
Brian LaSaga is the kind of realist that we at International Art Scene love. There's no disputing that he possesses the eye for detail that is a prerequisite for realistic painting. But LaSaga's paintings are more than just photo-realistic representations of scenes (after all, isn't that what cameras are for?) No, LaSaga's portrayals of Canada's countryside each have the distinct feel of his brush...the viewer knows that these exquisite pieces were crafted by human hands. And the moments he captures - often serene and quiet - show an appreciation for the unsung aspects of existence that are the foundation of our earthly home.
Brian LaSaga was born in St.Teresa's, Newfoundland in 1955. He moved to St.George's, Newfoundland in 1965. Brian's journey as an artist began when he was very young.He has always been a very visual person and with no formal training, art is more instinctual, full of discovery and experimentation which has continued with him today. Being somewhat of a perfectionist, Brian has always remained faithful to realism and his imagery. Although he has experimented with watercolors, gouache, egg tempera, and oils, the artist soon realized that acrylics suited his style and technique. Brian has been painting with acrylics since 1980 and considers them to be a very versatile and durable medium. He also notes and subscribes to the fact that it's not the necessarily the medium, but how one manipulates and uses it that matters in the end.
The artist prefers to paint familiar experiences and subjects indigenous to his area. An area that he feels is raw and sacred. Upon viewing his work, you will notice that he has a very discerning eye for weathered textures and prefers to paint character pieces as opposed to pretty pictures. Over the years, many have labeled Brian a wildlife artist or a photo realist. He doesn't seem to dwell on labels or titles and just simply feels he is just a painter, an instrument and student of Nature. At times, he may incorporate some form of wildlife into certain pieces as an extension of Nature.
Brian's studio is located in his hometown of St.George's, Newfoundland. The island of Newfoundland is Canada's most easterly destination and offers the artist a sanctuary for his work. It has many rugged coastlines,rivers, forests, wildlife, ponds and marshes. It has also been the inspiration for Brian's work for over 30 years. When not in his studio, he is out hiking, kayaking or making field trips and gathering more material for his paintings. Many of his works hang in corporate, public and private collections in Canada, United States and Europe.
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l.jpg "Photo of Brian LaSaga")
