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I was delighted to see the current Picasso exhibit at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario last week. It’s a wonderful overview consisting of paintings that he did not want to sell, or purchased back in order to have a ‘diary’ of his work. I really enjoyed it even though Picasso isn’t one of my favourite artists. And somehow it struck me as a bit funny that, by the end of the exhibit, faces split into two profiles and body parts in seemingly odd places really didn’t seem so strange at all anymore. The show is on until Aug 26th if you are wanting to see it. 

For all you artists in London Ontario and area – I just saw sunflowers in some local grocery stores! Happy painting – woohoo!! 

There is one method that seems to work best for trying to get that stubborn lid off of a paint jar or tube – and that is to run it under hot water for several minutes. The water needs to be really hot, and you need to be patient, holding it there for awhile to let the heat penetrate through the lid and soften the paint. This seems to work with all types of paint. This method is less likely to damage the paint tube or jar than pliers are. Sometimes pliers rip a metal tube. 

“All that is gold does not glitter /  Not all those who wander are lost /  The old that is strong does not wither /  Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”   J.R.R. Tolkien 

The emotional attachment to art is huge. Who was it that said, “Art is emotion”? Visual art that happens without words (usually), relies on touching people’s emotions with colours, shapes, sometimes subject, always interpretation. This is also why it takes courage to show others your art. Our emotions and the expression of them is a vulnerable place. But it’s also a place ripe with meaning. I hope that as you create, you can take a deep breath and let others share your heart. Your thoughts? 

It’s an interesting question: What is the artist’s role in society? Art Promotive asked this question of 10 different artists. Here is the link to see their responses: “Art Promotive“, and I’d love to hear what your answer to this question is! 

“An onion can make people cry but there’s never been a vegetable that can make people laugh.” Will Rogers   Have a happy long weekend, everyone! Next blog post August 7/12. 

There are so many interesting brush shapes – and names to go with them. For example, “Cat’s Tongue” is a square brush that has had the corners rounded – if that makes sense. But which is the very best brush to use? Certainly not the tiny one! You pick up niggley little amounts of paint, and spend more time moving your hand back and forth between the palette and the painting, than you do actually painting. If you are wanting to make thin lines or small marks, a larger round brush that holds a good point will do that just as well. The key here is – it is in good shape and holds a good point. Personally, I use a lot of square brushes. If you hold them on the chisel point, they can still make a thin line, and they can be held at an angle for thicker marks, or pressed flat on the canvas for the widest mark of all. This versatility in marks is fun for me. But which is the very best brush for you? It should be: 1. Large enough to hold a decent amount of paint,   2. In good shape and not having a bad hair day,   3. Make the type of marks that you are excited about having in your painting!    Notice #3 – that’s why I can’t tell you exactly which brush shape will be your favourite. You need to experiment with a variety of shapes to figure that one out for yourself. Happy painting! 

Here’s a list of ideas that may inspire your next drawing or painting. Thanks, “ArtPromotive – Inspirations“ 

With Olympic fever upon us, it is impressive to see what mere humans can accomplish. If there is just one characteristic of an Olympian that impresses me, it would be the perseverance. The long determined road of hard work that goes into honing a skill to that degree. I admire the same thing in great artists – singers, painters, actors, dancers and the rest. How about you? What do you admire about those who are in the spotlight in London England right now?