Commissioned Work

Gamage Family

Spindly Tree

The Story of Spindly Tree

The view from my collector’s cabin on the Sunshine Coast is magnificent with the majestic skinny Arbutus tree sitting out front of the cabin being most cherished. Their friend, visiting from London England, and unfamiliar with west coast cabin life, loved the view but pondered “Why did you leave that ‘spindly tree’ in the way?”

Since that moment, the gnarly Arbutus has been affectionately called “Spindly Tree”.

Bronson Family

Bowen Island Five O’Clock Shadow

The Story of Bowen Island Five O’Clock Shadow

I discovered this bicycle on Bowen Island late one spring afternoon. The sun had just broken through the clouds and it was casting an intriguing shadow on the wall of a small shop. I immediately knew that I had to photograph it for reference.

When I showed the photo to a collector she commissioned a painting of it. The painting now happily resides in her family home.

Terry Ortynsky’s Royal Ford

Jinx

The Story of Jinx

Commissioned by Terry Ortynsky’s Royal Ford, Yorkton, SK, as a gift for Dianne Craig, President & CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada on the occasion of the dealership’s grand reopening.

The original owner of this 2003 Thunderbird was a realtor in San Diego, California. Ken McDonald, sales manager of Ocean Park Ford Sales in Surrey, BC, kindly made the car available for reference photography.

A coral 2003 Thunderbird was driven by Halle Berry’s character Jinx in the James Bond movie Die Another Day. To commemorate the movie, Ford issued a limited edition painted in the coral colour – quite cleverly numbering only 700, the reverse of 007.

Terry Ortynsky’s Royal Ford

Standing Proud

The Story of Standing Proud

The Yorkton Mill was constructed in 1899 and designated a heritage site in 1997. The building is the oldest surviving flour mill in Saskatchewan and is currently undergoing restoration. The painting was commissioned by Royal Ford for the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society to help raise restoration funds through a ticket raffle.

Ortynsky Family

J.J.’s Fine ’49

The Story of J.J.’s Fine ’49

Commissioned by Linda Ortynsky, this 1949 Chevrolet one-ton truck was the first family vehicle owned by her dad. Sitting next to the aged family house since 1983 and over-grown by poplars, I found this rusted gem in 2011.

The title is derived from three sources: her dad’s signature (J.J.), the truck’s known reliability (Fine) and model year (’49). Strung together the title’s rhyming quality is personalized for the family.

Royal Honda

Doris

The Story of Doris

Commissioned by Royal Honda, Yorkton, SK, as a gift for the President & CEO of Honda Canada on the occasion of the dealership’s grand opening.

The painting is named after the original owner. Doris purchased this 1978 Honda Civic at Clarke Simpkins Motors in Vancouver, now Carter Honda. Stacy Restiaux, service manager at Carter Honda and an avid auto collector, purchased the car from Doris in 2007. It’s a 4-speed manual, 2-door SBC hatchback with only 47,963 km and original paint (somewhat faded). Stacy kindly made the car available for reference photography.

In a thank you letter to Terry Ortynsky, Mr. Sekiguchi writes in part, “It’s an invaluable gift that is now proudly being displayed in our office.”

Contact Warren to find out about a commissioned painting for your office or residence.

Collections

2019
Gamage Family
North Vancouver, BC

2015
Bronson Family
Surrey, BC

2014
Ortynsky Family
Yorkton, SK

2013
Ford Motor Company of Canada
Oakville, ON

2012
Honda Canada Inc.
Markham, ON

2011
Dakeryn Industries Ltd.
North Vancouver, BC