Fall is drifting away quickly, but is such a lovely time of year to paint. Last week we were bitten by the Gwendolyn Best bug. She is a wonderful painter of whimsical cats, and her latest show can be seen at the Orange Gallery in Ottawa. All students created wonderful and creative pieces based on Gwendolyn's theme, cats and pumpkins. Below are the ones from Wednesday evening. In doing these paintings, students reinforced their learning on negative space, composition, and thumbnail drawings.
This project starts with - well - a mess! Splashing, removing, painting with paper towels. There are no flowers on the table, no photos. Just you and your imagination. Once the splotches and splashes are in place, the artist finds the bouquet, vase and table (if any) and negative shape paints (this time in a light colour) to paint out anything that is not the above. Students are encouraged to use lots of paint.
The next step is to loosely define one flower as the focus, and lightly build up the others, trying to stay loose and easy, and to maintain some of the yummy background that was first created. The results: a juicy, loosey painting of vigour, colour and personality. And, as you can see, each one unique! Next week we will explore a similar exercise. Want to join us? Let me know through FB, by phone (613-294-0373) or by email. $20, all supplies included, Wednesday evening 7-9. I also run a program Monday afternoons from 1-3:30.
I can't complain - it was, and still is, a lovely summer. Fall is almost here, though, and I am making my list, checking it twice to pick up supplies for the fall season. Let's see...Magenta, Primary Cyan, Bright Yellow, Bright Red... Summer saw me attending an amazing workshop with Brian Smith - Figurative Abstracts. I have spent as much time as I could trying some of the techniques, as you can see in my posts below. One of the other things I did was enroll in the portrait workshop at the Nepean Sportsplex. I am too busy to attend this fall, but enjoyed my weeks there. While working I tried to keep some of the thinking and processes in mind as demonstrated by Brian. The third image is a conte portrait on watercolour paper, accomplished in about 15 minutes. So, I have a few new bags of tricks up my sleeve, but am happy to guide in traditional techniques, and re-explore our previous projects. Monday classes, then, will start on September 21, 1 to 3:30. Wednesday classes start that Wednesday as well, the 23rd. Children's classes will begin October 10, as Tom and I will be out Plein Air Painting on the 2-5 October. Please <click here> for more details on classes this fall.
On Monday we had fun with poppies, which are surviving the rain so far here. I was inspired by the flowers, and by some images I found online. A few different approaches, and we will work on 16 x 20, or 12 x 16 canvases. These below were on watercolour paper. Splashing colour, then 'capturing' with black drawing. In the bottom piece, I used saran wrap. Fun!
Wednesday evening, Cedar Lane Studio. I have to tell you, we learn so much from each other! I had seen a link on FB that intrigued me, researched it and felt is was something I could use to inspire. Matt Malloy (https://500px.com/MattMolloy), photographer extraordinaire... You know, when I look at a fleeting sunset I understand the images his time-lapse photography captures. We used this for inspiration but I did not print out the images. So, we sprayed the canvas (16 x 20) with water, and brushed on fluid acrylics, creating rich strokes of colour and movement. Wow! I would like to draw your attention to the uppermost image, only because it holds a particular story of its own.
As Christine painted, I could see a theme developing. When she added the turquoise arrow-like marks I felt sure where she was heading. When she added the teepee images I interrupted. "Christine, you are channeling the truth and reconciliation talks going on right now", I said. She was surprised, "Yes!" she replied. Christine is a very intuitive painter - she gets in the 'zone' and away she goes. You know, it was very exciting for all of us in the studio. In the process of creating these pieces, we had all taped off a small portion of the painting at the bottom, to be a contrast to the free flowing section. I said, "This is where you have to make a conscious decision. This section is the punctuation to what you have stated on top. First, I saw black, for the terror, and horror, but maybe also for strength, for ravens... Then, I saw red, for lives lost. But finally, I saw green, for renewal and hope. Christine chose renewal and hope. I think she should offer this painting to Buffy Sainte Marie, whom I adore and who sang at the closing ceremony. This painting was wrought from the finest sentiments.... Here is her painting, alone. I hope someone takes the time to look at this and comment. You have no idea the bravery and single-mindedness it takes to create a piece like this. Love you, Christine! |
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March 2017
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