Who knew? The other Gary Crawford

                                                                                      By Jacqueline Spicer

Gary Crawford, the politician is an artist

Politician. Musician. Artist.

It would be easy to throw a label on our local City Councillor for Scarborough Southwest, but it would be a disservice – Gary Crawford is as multi-layered as his paintings.

Entering Gary Crawford’s paint splattered home studio – barefoot I might add – was a colourful foray into an explosion of canvasses, drips and splotches. It was easy to spot one of his key influences, Jackson Pollock, as there seemed to be as much paint on the floor as on the artwork.

Gary Crawford studio

50 hours or more to complete a painting

It’s evident that Crawford is passionate about his craft. On this particular sunny morning, the walls were lined with at least a dozen large canvasses at various stages of completion, as well as a pastel in progress.

Each piece will consume at least fifty hours when completed, if completed. Or possibly 100 or more – The Angel in the Forest, an imposing 16 x 7 foot triptych was years in the making. I wondered how he could possibly find the time.

Working artist since 1983

“I’m an artist first,” he declares. Crawford has been a working artist since graduating from York University in 1983, and for many years a prolific one, with works in numerous galleries and exhibitions as well as private collections.

The Angel in the Forest, 16 x 7 foot triptych

@GaryCrawfordArt on Twitter

The politician who paints

Politics has slowed him down some, but he works around it by getting in the studio 6:00 am every morning and working until 10:00 pm during the week. He’s also modified the way he works: oils have been replaced by faster-drying acrylics; colour is laid on multiple canvases at once and pastel projects progress while waiting – literally – for the paint to dry.

Gary Crawford’s art

At once ethereal, intense and dramatic, Crawford’s works draw the viewer in. Layer upon layer of brilliantly contrasting colours are laid down, or thrust upon his mostly oversized canvasses.

These layers are increasingly refined with a riot of bold drips, splatters and squiggles that animate and energize the works with a certain deliberate tension.

And then there is light – part of the final layering process that lifts the spirit and draws the eye to explore the depths of the work – time and time again.

Thanks be to God, pastel on paper,1996

“There’s always something new I see,” says Crawford, even as he gazes at a pastel portrait of his daughter produced many years before.

Crawford’s journey

While many of his works reflect the beauty he sees in nature or his children, some have a definite message. Crawford is a man with something to say, but like many artists he is more comfortable expressing his emotions and feelings through his vivid portraits and landscapes. His style has remained consistent over the years, yet it reflects the maturing of the individual through life’s journey – from an “arrogant kid” to single father, community and arts advocate and politician.

Art meets politics

Queen Anne Lace, oil on canvas, 1994

Crawford’s ideas are as big as his canvasses. He believes strongly in art in education and in the community.

“Every person should be able to experience art–in all its forms. I am in a unique position to make and influence the kinds of decisions to make that happen, says Crawford”

Certainly, he brings an authentic and sorely needed artistic voice to City Council. Crawford sits on the boards of numerous arts organizations, is a member of the Planning and Growth Committee, Vice-Chair of the Scarborough Community Council and leads the Mayor’s Task Force on the Arts and Theatres. As a school Trustee, he fought to give students accessibility to the TDSB’s vast art, archival and historical artifact collections.

A portrait of Rob Ford?

And what does the future hold for Gary Crawford, artist? First up, he says, will be a portrait of Rob Ford “that his mother will love.” Then perhaps a series of portraits of the entire council portraying what he has observed to be its “divisive nature.” Anything is possible, but what is most important for Crawford is “to just keep doing more.”

I suspect he will do just that.

To see more of Gary Crawford’s art, check out his website.  For a small sampling, scroll down.

Venice Rising, acrylic on canvas, 2009

The scream, pastel on paper, 1997

Self portrait, pastel on paper, 1989