Blog

I am happy to introduce to you Carol Meredith. You can read about her art journey, and see some of her painting here on my website: “Featured Art Student“. / Painting by Carol Meredith 

This one is for artists: What do you get when you cook Raw Sienna paint? (You can comment below.) 

This is an older painting of mine that was painted “under the influence” of Group of Seven work. That simply means I had been studying their colours and techniques. It bothers me that the horizon is splitting the canvas almost 50/50 – that’s a no no! However, I do like the the glowing sky and the tree shapes. Maybe I’ll re- invent this painting in class in October. Your comments are welcome. 

“When I paint, I am not aware of what I am doing.” Jackson Pollock – I agree with this quote. It’s common that the creative mode makes artists oblivious to anything else in the world. Winston Churchill said that when painting all your worries disappear and, “Time stands respectfully aside.” However, I tend to be an advocate for also have times of stepping back from your painting and consciously analysing what is happening. This helps so much with all aspects of composition and colour. Am I being too bold by saying – I think Jackson Pollock should have stepped back more often? What do you think? – Painting by Jackson Pollock 

This painting, titled “Solitude”, is an example of one of my own paintings that was influenced in style by first working through a number of Group of Seven paintings. The almost brick like effect in the sky can be seen sometimes in Group of Seven paintings, especially Tom Thomson’s work. I’m looking forward to working through more Group of Seven paintings in the October class! If you haven’t yet registered and are interested, the full info is found here… “Local Art Courses with Cheryl O“ 

Sometimes we painters get so absorbed in our painting that we forget that it can look very different from a distance. Stand back – often! Ten or fifteen feet between you and your painting, and a critical eye, can save you from many compositional and colour disasters.  

With lots of registrations coming in already for classes that start in October, I have been pondering the happy atmosphere of classes again. I’m convinced that it’s partly the creative spirit of students interested in art that fosters such an atmosphere,  but there are other things that help too. One is understanding learning curve. We would all like to have the kind of learning curve that looks like a straight line sloping upward. Fact is, I don’t know anyone who learns that way. With most of us it’s 4 steps forward and 2 steps back. For myself, I do a lot of flat lining. Those are times when I feel like nothing is happening. But I know from experience that if I persevere, the line will eventually slope upward again and I will get where I am aiming – with practice. People also learn at different speeds as well. I say, if you are having fun learning, it really doesn’t matter at all how quickly or slowly you learn. Being conscious of these few aspects of learning can help make it a happier experience for you. Hope to see you in class! 

“Too many artists get seduced by sunlight and have to continually adjust for light variations. The lighting conditions in [my studio] are perfect. It never changes from day to night. I always know the colour on the canvas is what I want it to be.”  – Jack Cassinetto – How about you – studio or plein air painter? Some of both?