Upcoming plein air workshop

Summer Painting in a Grimsby Garden

Join us as we revel in the heady scent, sound and colour of a summer garden.

This afternoon workshop is enjoyable for those with minimal art-making experience as well as more seasoned artists. We will paint on location Monet style-‘en plein air’. In inclement weather work will progress in the studio with fresh flowers as inspiration. Sessions are in oil or acrylic and a materials list will be provided upon registration. 

Sunday, August 18

1:30-4:30

Grimsby Public Art Gallery
18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 1Y1

phone: 905-945-3246
e-mail: gpag@town.grimsby.on.ca
webpage: www.town.grimsby.on.ca/ArtGallery/Main/

June gone so soon

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfilment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ~ Gertrude Jekyl

June 1, encaustic etc on panel, 7x14in, 2013, sold

June 2, encaustic etc on panel, 8x11in, 2013

 Started in May, finished in June, encaustic etc on panel, 6x18in, 2013

land mark, line & Solstice

Mark-making and line are ideas fresh from heart and mind. Tentative to begin with, then gaining momentum as faith and curiosity intervene- everything begins with line. Years ago my mediums of choice were charcoal and soft pastel. I slowly veered away but drawing is making its way back into my artistic sensibility.

Solstice (voices of the air), June, oil/coldwax on canvas, 40x40in, 2013, available

This painting  commenced with an acrylic ink under-painting. I then worked over it with oil and a thin application of cold wax. I wanted the painting to set up fairly quickly so I could build the sky but also needed some impasto in order to go back in and cut down again with thin solvent. 





The bottom of the work was drawn with charcoal, and I applied solvent (lots!) to saturate and move the pigment around. This process was repeated several times, with thin wax/oil added to the final layers. I then drew/wrote with charcoal–all rendered while the painting was wet.

*Summer Solstice is a significant day of the year for me. It has been an annual  tradition  to respond, document and pay homage-and this June marks year ten!

trees and time

I guess that my inner soul is nourished by the trees. I think most of us, if we let ourselves, feel this energy. We are all drawn to trees. They are magic, powerful, calming, useful. Birds are messengers and can’t survive without the trees. Neither can we.

 Voices of the Air, oil/cold wax on canvas, 30x36in, 2013, available

 I didn’t want to rush this painting. Yet I didn’t want it to be contrived or tight. Self discipline is integral in making art hence studio works evolve differently then plein air. Time is on your side in the studio-so I make the most of it. When rendering larger works I want to relish in everything I don’t have time for outdoors.

I still want to bring in the intuitive responsive play. Just as there is push-pull in a work of art, there is continuous push-pull in the making of it-at least for me. 

I started this painting last month and only worked on it once or twice a week. Besides wanting passages to dry I also wanted to approach each session with objectivity and a fresh mind open to possibilities at the start of each session. I do think it is easier to give up or change course when there has been time away from the work. In the last leg of the painting I was able to think more about the final strokes than the amount actually laid down. That’s the lovely thing about time.

close to the edge

Studio works of the orchard series are making slow but satisfying progress in preparation for the upcoming show at Earls Court Gallery.

I did get out for some respite –perched on the porch amidst fragrant June flowers whilst brush followed cloud. 

We have had some near-storms and lots of rain-a recipe for wondrous June skies!

 June, remains of the day, oil on canvas, plein air,  9x12in 2013, available

 

    "The wind shows us how close to the edge we are."-  Joan Didion  

Fare Well

Today as I was working on this painting my senses were with my daughter, who left this morning for a month long journey. I was also feeling bittersweet about the last days of May.

Later while out walking in the field I came upon a hawk feather, resting on the long grasses before lifting off with the breath of wind.

 May, Fare Well, oil on canvas, 40x40in, 2013 

 This painting will be featured in a dual exhibition, (along with work by Dara Aram) at Earls Court Gallery in Hamilton, ON. Show runs August 9 – September 8, 2013, with the opening to be announced.

a sense of place

This happy-and fun!-couple are taking their new painting home after attending Saturday’s open studio event.

 I am always honoured and delighted with those from afar who collect my work as they tell me it enhances their daily life. I am, however, especially moved when collectors close to home make the decision to acquire one of my paintings. They have commented that my work is a connecting sense of place; that it triggers a symbiotic connection with this magic land...this response resonates within my being as an artist and in my daily being.

Open Studio event this Saturday

The image below was made one evening last week, when the weather was warm and hues of summer were tantalizingly near.

 May, remains of the day, oil on canvas, plein air, 16x20in, 2013

It has been cold, grey and monochrome this week, perfect for hunkering down and preparing for Saturday’s Open Studio. 

may be

I went out the other day and made two paintings. The first one is below. The second, after working on it for two hours, tore as I was packing up-it was very windy, the canvas was small, it got away from me, became impaled on a branch, and, need I say more?

There's a lot to be said for letting go-whether the`going` is within our control or out. In earlier years I`d work a painting to death, driven by the fear of 'failure' thus admitting`defeat'. Now, a wee bit wiser, I welcome surrender. It is a valued part of life. I want to keep learning.

on the line

When I look at my side yard I often think of Fairfield Porter and his lawns with green shadows. I like the sense of order in his work-so far from my own!

After I hung clothes on the line (like many, something I really like to do) I turned and looked at the irresistible juxtaposition of May flowering trees and shadows…

 May, laundry day, oil on canvas, 16x20in, 2013, available

waiting for my favourite paint-shirt to dry

further a field

           I love May

*and no, I am not responsible for ALL of the empties- guerrilla artists, I know where you live ;{)

To see more constructions and discoveries, click here.

plein air tree easel

 May, remains of the day, oil on canvas, 8x10in, available

This evening I was tired but because of the lovely weather I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to work outdoors. 

 My intention was to sit and paint with a small canvas perched on my lap so I left the french easel behind. However, once at the site with renewed energy, I regretted not bringing my easel so I could stand and work.

So I decided to try mounting a support in the branches of the pear tree instead and it worked out beautifully. The low branch sections also enabled me to place my painting mediums and brushes at an accessible distance-it was perfect!

 I have the utmost respect and gratitude for whoever invented the bungee cord

spellbound

 Have the enchanted orchards only cast a spell on me? If so, I hope there is no expiration date.

  May, remains of the day, oil in canvas, plein air, 18x24in, 2013, available

all things seem possible

Forsythia is pure joy. There is not an ounce, not a glimmer of sadness or even knowledge in forsythia. Pure, undiluted, untouched joy.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I was enamoured by the shape and texture of this weathered panel that was waiting for me in the field. 

May, encaustic and oil on found panel, 5x15in, 2013, available

The initial application of stained red in the under-painting remains exposed in the lower part of the work and appears throughout in the panel’s crevices. Hence I didn’t develop the forsythia in passages as I did not want to lose the lovely tactile push/pull between the built surface and what lays beneath. 

I quite like this from all angles.

The world's favourite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May.

Edwin Way Teale

hello May

What a beautiful May day here in Niagara! If felt so great to be outside working again. 

May days grow almost as quickly as I paint! This wild orchard is still carpeted with dried winter grasses but fresh green forges it’s way through with rapid fervour.

 May, oil on canvas, 18x24in, 2013   available

The lovely thing about working outside this time of year is listening to the riot of birds. There was a corn field behind me, attracting a myriad of flutter from Canada geese to  finches, however my  favourite-the Bobolinks- are back from South America. I don’t know how they synchronize it, but its pretty amazing that every May 1 they appear!

This Orchard is not yet in bloom but little bits were breaking out as I was working.

 Happy May!

plein air workshops in the orchard

You are invited to join me for  a few plein air sessions that are sure to be a lot of fun!

Spring and early summer
Workshops and Classes 

 

Plein Air Painting
for the outdoor enthusiast

held on the Niagara Escarpment, a Unesco world biosphere reserve

Paint amidst colourful orchards, vineyards, fields and beautiful skies in this painters' paradise. For those who prefer to paint structures, there are barns, fences and wonderful fallen down sheds for inspiration. You will work uninterrupted by passersby and all levels are welcome.

for workshop description, dates, times, fee and to register, please click here.
registration can be booked online via paypal. 

special plein air workshop:

In the Orchard

Orchards are only in bloom for a short period of time so you are invited to take this opportunity to paint them!
In this self-directed workshop, you will hike right into beautiful orchards and paint uninterrupted for 2 hours. I will work alongside you and guide all participants by attending to individual needs as progress unfolds. The last leg of the workshop will address completed work and include a group critique. Artists are responsible for their own supplies, paints etc. I will provide a suggested colour pallet and supply list upon registration. Some outdoor easels are available 

Wednesday, May 8, 10am-1pm or 4-7pm
or Saturday, May 11, 10am-1pm
Workshop fee: 40. per session includes GST
register here

Sessions are held on the Niagara Escarpment in Grimsby, ON with  quick and easy access from the highway if you are coming from Toronto or Niagara Falls.

voices of the air

A  new encaustic painting depicting my enchantment with friends returning.

voices of the air, encaustic etc with aluminum, 12x36in, 2013, available

On my walk this evening I reflected on the marvel of living on the Niagara escarpment and being in the midst of such varied bird species. 

 Hawks are playing in the thermal winds,  I am seeing the yellow flashes of finches lighting up the thickets, the red-winged blackbirds scold me, the mockingbirds are-mocking, cardinals show off for mates and the bobolinks will be back soon to nest.

The air is filled and I love it.

old friends: trees & blogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday my annual Earth Day tradition brought me outside to hang out with an old friend.

 

April, waiting for May, oil on canvas, 8x10in, 2013, available

 I will be having a studio sale of all small plein air (painted outdoors) paintings, this one included. Will post info soon or email: janyatesart@gmail.com.

Speaking of old friends, I also wanted to mention a few artist blogs that I follow. Rhonda, Catherine and Katherine, as always, thank you for taking the time to leave your comments. Lately I have been negligent in leaving comments about your beautiful work, but I do visit and am so liking what you are doing! I highly recommend all to visit:

http://katherine-artandmusic.blogspot.ca/

http://rhcarpenter.blogspot.ca/

http://cajeffrey.blogspot.ca/

a little madness in the spring

"A little Madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King."
-  Emily Dickinson

April, waiting for May, oil on canvas, 40x40in, available