Toronto based visual artist, curator & instructor Steve Rose demonstrated an interesting perspective to abstract art in acrylics and oils. Progressing from a series of startup exercises, eager participants were challenged with fresh approaches to landscape, a cherished and respected painting genre.They were shown how to utilize the natural and urban landscape as well as the organic world with an emphasis on conceptual/personal investigation.
(Submitted by Shelley Cinnamon)
On the chilly evening of January 17th, 30 some members of the Don Valley Art Club braved the icy cold to come out and listen to Gareth and have their work critiqued.
Gareth has been working as a professional artist for the last 11 years and has his own art education company. He goal is to educate his students the way that he wishes he had been taught at OCAD. His desire is to have those artists whose work is being critiqued to examine not only their own work but to start to grasp the strengths and challenges in the paintings of others in the group as well. To this end, with each painting, he asked for positive input from the DVAC members in attendance, from the particular artist what their goals were and then he gave some of his own input on the works strengths and where the artist might consider altering or adding to strengthen the piece. One interesting method that Gareth suggested numerous times during the evening was as an alternative to altering or repainting the critiqued painting was to start a new piece, incorporating the advice or suggestions given that evening and then compare the two.
It was an evening of learning how to observe, make positive comments or suggestions and how to interpret what you are looking at.
(Submitted by Brent Arlitt)
Artist Brain Harvey presented slides of many of his paintings and demonstrated his typical artistic method to the club on Friday November 16. He has training from Seneca College, Sheridan College, Toronto School of Art, the Art Centre at Central Technical School, and received a BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University in Toronto. His paintings are studies of the commonplace and the typically mundane; everyday objects, spaces and urban landscapes which are frequently overlooked. His paintings reflect his very careful perception of colour which is translated into warm colourful cityscapes that are both captivating and rich in feeling.
In his painting demonstration, Brian used his favourite medium, oil painting, and a very simple primary colour palette. He typically utilizes a grid when painting from a photograph, and using minimum guidelines such that the images are properly located but there is plenty of scope for impressionist interpretation of the scene. The dark marks were made by a complementary combination for viridian green and alizarin crimson to create a lively vibrant dark colour that works well with his use of reds oranges and complementary blues.
A couple of views of the starting of his unfinished demonstration painting are attached.
Website: https://brianharvey.ca/
(Submitted by Brent Arlitt)
On Friday Oct, 4 Vera Bobson demonstrated her unique method of producing beautiful abstract paintings. Her vibrant and colourful works are painted on full sheets of 200 lb paper. Vera applies green painters tape to the paper outlining the hard edge forms which are then painted using watercolour paint from tubes. Using a mixing pan, she chooses her colours, mixing them to suit her vision of the completed painting, then with a damp Bristol brush, scrubs the paint into the paper. Pulling off the tape as the work progresses, Vera examines the effect of each application of colour to decide whether to add more, or let the work be finished. Vera is an elected member of OSA, CSPWC, SCA, CFS, and TWS.
Check out Vera’s web page to watch a short demonstration of her process. It is truly unique. http://verabobson.com.
(Submitted by Karin Fediw/Wally Lush)
This was the last, official session of Plein Air for the season. It had rained in the morning, but the weatherman assured us that there would be no rain at 10 am when we met. And he was right! The sun even broke out for a while as ducks, geese, goldfish, dragonflies and chipmunks kept us company at James Gardens.
(Submitted by Ellen Sieniewicz)
DVAC Friday night speakers series launched its 2019/2020 club season last evening with the very engaging Zoey Zoric! Zoey is an oil painter who included time lapse videos, her plein air kit, and gorgeous samples of her work in her presentation. She also shared some of her creative process that no one is usually allowed to see (thanks Zoey!). Tips from Zoey include among others: vertical palette (!); Gamblin solvent-free gel; Princeton brushes (oooh); compact mirror; rath’s pr 88; make-up brush holder; Gamblin, Kama, Williamsburg; safflower oil; “guest star” King’s Blue; removing varnish & Gamsol (eek!), and anatomy.
And finally, a big thank you to Zoey, to Above Ground Art Supplies, and to Williamsburg for their generosity in supplying attendees with gifts to take away! A terrific first Friday night!
Check out more of Zoey’s work at zzfineart.com.
(Submitted by Wally Lush)
On September 10 a group of artists met at The Guild Inn in Scarborough to paint in the lovely park filled with a profusion of flowers and many architectural remnants. It was a perfect day, sunny but not too warm.
(Submitted by Karin Fediw/Wally Lush)
Despite the promise of showers and thunderstorms, more than half a dozen showed up in High Park. Painters were found all around the park restaurant, painting trees and flowers. It was a milder day than expected, with a lot of people in the park.
(Submitted by Wally Lush)
Several artists gathered on a muggy morning at Kew Gardens anticipating a pleasant morning painting people, trees and the flowers that were in full bloom. Only to watch in dismay as a torrential downpour washed paintings right off the canvas and paper! Dedicated plain air artists would have carried a giant umbrella and carried on. Most of us ran home, soaking wet.
(Submitted by Wally Lush)
PACT Grow-to-Learn (GTL) teaches schools and communities about food and gardening. It feeds families and seniors in low-socioeconomic areas. It creates safe green spaces for pollinators and it transforms communities. This group was kind enough to allow 12 of us to invade their garden behind John Polanyi Collegiate to spend a few hours painting surrounded by growing veggies, flowers and a multitude of butterflies. It was a perfect day in a lovely, welcoming space.
