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by AuthorPosted on Posted in Friday Night Speaker

(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/



by AuthorPosted on Posted in Friday Night Speaker

(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.



by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

(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.

by AuthorPosted on Posted in Friday Night Speaker

(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.

by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

(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.



by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

(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.




by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

(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.

by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

(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.

by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

( Submitted by Carolyn Shushelski/Wally Lush)

To the east the Toronto skyline provided a striking background.  In a small cove white swans basked in the sunshine and ducks floated peacefully along the water’s edge.  Sunbathers relaxed on the sandy beach, children paddled on the lake in their brightly coloured canoes, and others leisurely strolled along the boardwalk. 

It was an enjoyable day at Toronto’s vibrant lake shore!


by AuthorPosted on Posted in DVAC Plein Air Session

(Submitted by Wally Lush)

Grange Park had a variety of things to paint and see. There were fountains, wading pools, fascinating old trees, sculpture, and even an old ruin of a church. Half a dozen people made the trek down and were delighted  to see such a variety of choices. The day was  warm and sunny, but there was a cool breeze that kept everyone happy.