TRUMPING THE SEPARATION OF POWERS

Trumping the Separation of Powers (2017)

This work (above), completed in 2017, is the first part of what is now a three-part series focusing on the power of colour (the three primaries – red, yellow, and blue) to explain a central concept of the US governing system – the separation of powers – and to illustrate how Trumpism has eroded this fundamental concept of democracy.

The three primary colours are powerful. Each colour is unique and separate, containing no colour of the other two. Regal blue represents the Executive, fiery red the Congress, and reflective yellow the Judiciary. Traditionally each colour borders on and contrasts with the other two, but no colour penetrates the others.

During Trump’s first term the broad-brush strokes of blue emanating from executive Trumpism washed into congressional red, transforming it to violet and washed into judicial yellow, transforming it to green.

Trumping the Separation of Powers 2.0 (2025)

This work (above), completed in 2025 with Canadian oil on Canadian canvas is the second in a three-part series focusing on the power of colour (the three primaries – red, yellow, and blue) to illustrate how the central concept of US government – the separation of powers – is now being undermined and dismantled by Trump and his authoritarian chaos.

The chaotic and self-serving slashes of blue emanating from executive Trumpism are infiltrating and contaminating congressional red, transforming it to violet and infiltrating and contaminating judicial yellow, transforming it to green.

The Separation of Powers Post Trump (2033?)

This work (above) – a triptych – is the third in a three-part series on the power of colour to illustrate the separation of powers. It asks the viewer to consider what the separation of powers will look like in a post Trump world. While there are many possibilities, this work illustrates three:

• Will it be a world where the separation of powers is Rechecked and Re-balanced with a return to the separation of executive blue, congressional red, and judicial yellow?

• Will it be one in which the separation of powers is Under Checked and Off Balance with executive blue continuing to infiltrate congressional red turning it to violet and infiltrate judicial yellow turning it to green?

• Or, will it be Unchecked and Unbalanced – a world where powers are neither separate nor distinct, with large swashes of executive blue transforming and permanently changing congressional red to violet and judicial yellow to green?
  
  
  
  

JUROR’S CHOICE AWARD

My painting, Late Afternoon Cross Country — West Passage, Mount Washington has won the Juror’s Choice Award at the WHITElight Exhibition, Metchosin Artpod Gallery. The painting is 4 feet by 3 feet, oil on canvas.

The Exhibition, which includes two of my paintings, runs from November 7th to December 21st with an Opening Gala, Saturday, November 8th, 2 — 4 pm. The Gallery is at 4495 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm.

FLYING OUT?

Next time you are flying out from YYJ in Victoria check out my winter painting — Out of Bounds - Mount Washington — upstairs in the airport departure lounge. There until April 2026.

COME TO THE ART GALLERY

I look forward to seeing you at the opening reception for the Winter Small Works Show and Sale at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Thursday, November 20th, 5 - 8 pm. The show runs until January 25, 2026.

2025 FAIRFIELD ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR, MAY 3rd & 4th

My thanks to all the folks who visited my Studio on Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th. It was a real treat to chat with everyone. The studio tour was a great success with warm sunny weather and engaging conversations Here are a few of the more than half dozen paintings that sold at the event.

MOUNT WASHINGTON SERIES

I’ve been busy painting snowy winter scenes on Mount Washington where I spend many a winter day skiing with my family and friends on the challenging powder slopes and trails. Here are a few of my recent paintings.

SNOW IN VICTORIA?

Yes it does snow in Victoria and there is nothing better than getting out plein air painting in the snow. Here is a painting I did in my back yard. The other one is at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in the Winter Small Works Show and Sale.

ROUNDHOUSE AT BAYVIEW PLACE

The E&N Roundhouse and Turntable properties in Victoria West will be dramatically transformed with the recent “go ahead” for the massive redevelopment project — Roundhouse at Bayview Place.

For years now I have been quietly painting this historic rail yard, complete with roundhouse, turntable, tracks and repair buildings and I have witnessed the subtle changes to this unique place of history, magic, and memory. Before the massive redevelopment gets underway and we lose forever the timeless feeling of this unique place I want to capture the memories through a series of plein air paintings.

Here are some of the beginnings of the end.

See my paintings on line at the Federation Gallery (Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver). Type in David Good on “Filter by Artist Name”

Not So Still Life: Video Interview with CTV's Adam Sawatsky (click on title)

Plein Air Painting in Floating Frame