Behind the canvas:
Welcome to the Kaine MacPherson Studios blog, your exclusive peek into the world of art and design.
Here, I'll share the inspirations, processes, and stories behind my pieces.
Join me, and learn more about how my art is created!
'Nevermore'
Every artist has that one piece, the one that sits in the corner of the studio, gathering dust and mocking you.
For me, that was Nevermore.
It began as a graphite sketch, a constant cycle of drawing, erasing, and re-drawing until the paper felt the weight of every change. However, when I finally transitioned to paint, the vision fell apart. It didn't go as planned, and I wasn't ready to force it. So, I set it aside.
A year later, I looked at that "failed" canvas with fresh eyes. I had learned so much in that one year, new techniques and a new mindset. Instead of seeing a mistake, I saw a roadmap.
Using the original layers as a guide, I painted over the entire piece, letting the history of the sketch be a foundation for the the raven.
Looking at it now, I realize it needed that year of silence to become what it was meant to be. It turned out better than I ever could have imagined!
'Alice in Chains'
Alice in Chains (Book 1 of the Trilogy)
This project features the full cover wrap for my future debut novel, Alice in Chains. Set in my hometown of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the story follows Kate Green as she navigates the halls of Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School. What begins as a struggle to fit in quickly descends into a supernatural nightmare when a classmate’s obsession turns out to be demonic.
Directing this photoshoot was an incredible experience.
Working alongside photographer Stephanie Mackin Photography and our model/graphic designer Emma McPhail, I was able to translate the dark, psychological weight of the story into a visual format. The design highlights the duality of Kate’s survival and the choice between a stolen life and a necessary death.
