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

April flutter (sold) & encaustic workshop

April rains are the handshake guarantee of growth and renewal.

*And without them showers, there ain't no flowers!

The full image in this post is another vertical so included are four detail images with the full dimensions to follow.

 

flutter, detail, encaustic on mirror 

 flutter, detail

Flutter, encaustic etc on found panel, 6x30in, 2013, available 

This Saturday I will be teaching another encaustic half day workshop  at my Grimsby studio and there are openings. Please contact me if you would like to join us. The shorter time is a great hands on intro to this beautiful and forgiving medium and you are sure to knock off at least one masterpiece!

Please click here for info and to register.

Below, a few images of workshop participants and their encaustic paintings. I am not good at remembering to take photos when I teach- usually I am too engrossed with the gang. I will have to be more diligent in the future!

silent meeting

When I sound the fairy call, gather here in silent meeting,
 Chin to knee on the orchard wall, cooled with dew and cherries eating.
Merry, merry, take a cherry, mine are sounder, mine are rounder,
 Mine are sweeter for the eater, when the dews fall, and you'll be fairies all.”

 Emily Dickinson

April, waiting for May, encaustic on panel,16x20in, 2013, available

art announcement

 see more constructions and discoveries here




Some upcoming art gigs:

City of St. Catharines juried exhibition It is with great pleasure to announce that “LAND MARK” has been juried into the City of St. Catharines 2013 exhibition: Beyond the Wall: Unpacking the Layers of St. Catharines’ Walls. The opening reception will be held at St. Catharines City Hall on April 24, 2013, at 4PM. All are invited to attend. For more information: Jennifer Tupling Culture Coordinator City of St. Catharines jtupling@stcatharines.ca www.stcatharines.ca

Upcoming Exhibition at Earls Court Gallery in Hamilton, ON


I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited to take part in a two person show with Dara Aram at the renowned Earls Court Gallery in Hamilton, ON.

Show runs August 9 – September 8, 2013, with the opening to be announced.
http://www.earlscourtgallery.ca/

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Upcoming workshop at the Art Gallery of Hamilton

Introduction to Encaustic painting
Artist Jan Yates will introduce a new painting technique to the AGH Studio programme—the art of painting with bees wax. Participants will learn to control heat and pigment to create brilliant and tactile paintings.
Sundays: June 2, 9, 23
Time: 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm

 To register please contact:
 www.artgalleryofhamilton.com

Lucid dreaming

 Last night I had a dream that it rained all night and when I woke up, it was May

April, waiting for May, oil on canvas, 30x36in, 2013, available

what is it about an orchard?

I have been spending as much time and energy as my schedule permits immersed with painting. Spring brings out the best in me I think. The returning birds are back to welcome me on my daily walks, and even though there are still patches of snow on the ground, the earth is warming up and showing green.

The orchards will not be in bloom for another month at the earliest, but after the monochrome and dormancy of a long winter I crave some colour and light and those familiar with my work know of my orchard obsession. 

I have a few canvases on the go and this is one of them. 

 Waiting for May, oil/cold wax on waxed support, 24x30in, available

 Although I usually work from paintings made on location, ‘Waiting for May’ was made by intuition, intention and recall. I hope it t echoes my optimism and although you may not see the birds in this painting, I like to think I speak for them as well.

happy spring

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." 
 - Doug  Larson 


I've been working long days in the studio-just realized today was the first day of spring!

below, a painting from last Spring's Ireland residency

 I lar baire (in between)

 mixed media on mylar  16x30in 2012

upcoming painting workshop

You are invited to participate in my next series of playful art classes to be held at the Grimsby Public Art Gallery. Open to artists who like to learn and have fun-and you can bring your ipads and laptops to class!!!

for info and to register:
Grimsby Public Art Gallery
18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 1Y1
905-945-3246
gpag@town.grimsby.on.ca
www.town.grimsby.on.ca/ArtGallery/Main/

International Women's Day

in light, some early work

 

 warning, oil /cold wax on canvas, 26x48in

painted in 2000 in response to a poem by Jenny Joseph. There is a whole movement around this poem-which I dispute, as the meaning  of the words is non-conformity. In my humble opinion, women grouping  together  to dress up in purple goes against the very core of the message.