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I think women have always known this. The real secret to genius is …. CHOCOLATE! Here’s the tongue in cheek (or is that chocolate in cheek?) article link: The Secret to Genius – It Just Might Be More Chocolate. And thanks to Skinny Artist for posting this on Facebook. 

It is crazy when you think about it. Taking ground up colours that are mixed into a medium, spreading them about on a canvas, working so hard sometimes to make a 2 dimensional surface appear to have 3 dimensions – what’s this about? For as long as man could hold a stick of charcoal, there has been art. It’s that need to express thoughts in ways that are unique to who you are. At most basic, it comes down to having a voice and wanting to communicate with others. Artist and art appreciator both stand together and say “Aaaah”, and find meaning and sometimes joy in what was said through the art. We all need a creative voice. Whether that’s how you make a soup, dance a dance, make people laugh, sing your song – we all need to be heard sometime. And if you’ve got that passion for an art form inside of you, it would be crazy not to let it out. In a racing, running, must be-making-money world, it’s likely the most sane thing you can do. (Thanks for the title, Gloria L.) 

 

There are opportunities to see some fine local art this weekend. As well as the Gallery Painting Group show at Byron Library, the Country Creations Artisan tour is on for Thorndale, Thamesford, and St. Mary’s. Great opportunities to get out and enjoy some art!   P.S. If your art group in London Ontario area is having a show, send a poster image to art@cherylo.ca no larger than 450 pixels wide at least a week before the event and I will try to feature it in my blog. Sorry, I generally don’t post about solo shows, simply because there would be too many. 

Below is the reference photo that I used to make this quick watercolour painting done as a demonstration in one of the classes last week. I thought you might enjoy a little mini art lesson. Here are the main points that were covered: The background was done first, the trees last. 1. Skies often gradate from darker blue at the top, to lighter at the horizon. Even if your reference doesn’t show this, putting it in adds depth. /  2. Cloud shapes should be larger at the top of the page and get smaller toward the horizon. / 3. The colours in the original were very dull – why not make those distant hills autumn instead? / 4. Using dark silhouetted foreground trees, give a lovely glow of light to the background. This effect is called a ‘screen’ and was made popular in the Art Deco time period – early 1900’s. The Group of Seven sometimes used this effect in their work. / 5. Making up some shadows under the trees sets them nicely into the ground. /  6. Simplify the number of branches – only enough to indicate the brush. /  7. Near the end, I was going to do the green shapes on the branches. At the last minute decided it would be more fun to echo the orange/brown of the distant hills in the leaves. And since I liked how the background had turned out, might as well leave more of it showing. /  And the most important point of all? 8. A photo reference is simply a launching off point. Give yourself permission to change anything – colours, shapes – whatever your heart desires to make a more dynamic painting. 

Have a great weekend, everyone! 

 

This is one of the best art history websites I have seen. You will need time to explore it – so much good information about this iconic Canadian artist – enjoy! And I really like their approach to the mystery of his death. Rather than picking one theory, they do a good job of giving a brief overview of them all. Here’s the link.. “Westwind: The Vision of Tom Thomson“ Painting: West Wind by Tom Thomson 

Thanksgiving this past weekend has me pondering the things that I am thankful for as an artist. Here is a partial list. I am thankful for: 1. living in a time and place where there are wonderful art supplies available. I can choose paints that are permanent and non-toxic. /  2. the many inspiring artists who have gone before that I can study and learn from /  3. the internet – so I can see so much great artwork, and network with contemporary artists too! /  4. amazing family and friends who help me and cheer me on in my creative adventures, including help with my website / 5. terrific art students to share this journey with /  6. Last but not least, a loving Creator who has made a marvelous world that I am continually in awe of. I could never paint more than just a tiny fraction of it in my lifetime. /  So much to be thankful for! What does your thankful list look like?