Abandoned cars, trains, trucks, and farm or sawmill equipment serve as artist Ed Cleave’s inspiration for some of his watercolour paintings. He photographs his subjects and then creates his art. His main medium is watercolour, but he also uses India ink, draws cartoons, carves soapstone, and has published a book of poetry. He starts every piece with the intention of creating a masterpiece. He feels he has not achieved it yet, so he continues to try.
Ed was born in Port Alberni but lived most of his life on the Lower Mainland. He worked in sawmills and machine shops as a welder. At the age of 59 he retired and started down the elusive path of the artist. He had no formal art training, so he says that it was a challenging and bumpy road.
