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One of my favourite things about taking virtual-live watercolour workshops, with many artist-instructors, is receiving their suggestions on my own paintings and sketches.
One of these instructors is Brazilian artist Fabio Cembranelli, with whom I've taken numerous workshops.
He provides theory, along with several demos, during an initial 3.5 hour Tuesday session. Workshop participants then have a day or two to create our own versions of the subjects he demonstrated, which we send in for his 1.5 hour follow-up session on the Friday.
The photo below shows Fabio pointing out what a difference it made when I painted from life versus from photos, for my apples and oranges.
It also shows how how important it is to have good light when painting after dark, as my evening watercolour of apples needs darker values - because my painting looked much darker without any natural light.
N.B.: These are NOT Fabio's paintings, his are exponentially better!
His workshops are often twice/month, less frequent when he's traveling to teach around the world [see www.fabiocembranelli.com].
Fabio is offering an in-person workshop this fall, for five days in upstate New York, which I'll be attending as a 30th wedding-anniversary gift from my sweetheart.
That five-day workshop will be a challenge for me, as I live with a CRPS-related Mild Cognitive Impairment, and several other symptoms of CRPS rare disease ...
Including chronic bone/joint/neuropathic/skin pain in my right hand and arm, as well as spasms and tremors in that arm.
I may not be able to *fully* participate in the workshop, but my sweetheart convinced me to try.
He knows that I'll learn much more in person than online, even if I can't paint all of the exercises or demos because of my two rare diseases.
After all, that's what my Art Despite Pain [#ArtDespitePain] initiative is about.
Treating art as brain-plasticity or neuroplasticity training for my chronic pain, and then using the resulting paintings and sketches for chronic pain awareness ...
And encouraging others living with persistent pain to try creative pursuits as a form of pain-management technique.
PS: If you're wondering what feedback he gave me on these paintings, he didn't have any improvements to suggest for the oranges but recommended that I darken some of the reddish values on the left-side apple - something that I'd noticed as well when I saw it in daylight.
There are always plenty of these little yellow American Goldfinches flitting around our backyard during the summer months, as they enjoy the bird feeders and bird baths that we set out for our feathered friends.
But, for some reason, I'd never tried to paint any of these goldfinches from life. So this afternoon I set up some plein-air painting supplies on our patio table, overlooking a bird bath and nearby tree, and waited for some goldfinches to visit.
My goal was to try to paint a "looser" watercolour than my usual style, as this is something that I've been working towards for a while now. I want to paint my impressions of nature and wildlife, rather than taking a photographic approach to these scenes...
I used to do some nature photography, and I don't want my watercolour paintings to at all resemble my photographs!
Painting these birds from 'live models' is quite a challenge, as these little creatures don't stay in one place for more than a few seconds, so I'm happy with this first attempt.
This male goldfinch isn't quite as bright as when it was in direct sunlight, as it was perched in the shade where its feathers appear to have a more muted yellow-olive cast. In full sun, at the bird feeders, these birds are such a bright yellow that they seem to glow.
I'd have loved to paint another few birds today, but my CRPS rare disease decided that one was enough.
Living with chronic pain - or any other chronic illness - often means having to pace oneself, and learning to 'pack up' from activities sooner than you'd have liked to.
In this case, the occasional spasms and tremors in my right hand and arm started just as I was finishing up this male American Goldfinch - so I'm happy to at least have had the time to get one watercolour wildlife sketch done.
And, as I so often say: "There's always tomorrow!"
Two years ago today, I was preparing for my first art fair and sale, with no idea of what to expect in terms of reaction from the public.
Well, in a word, it was fabulous!
The event was organized, specifically for emerging artists, by the non-profit "YES Montreal". They provided tips and training on how to; set up a table to showcase artwork, talk with strangers about our individual art practices, reach out to local media, and more.
I tried to follow all of their suggestions - tailored to my Art Despite Pain initiative which is completely intertwined with my artwork - and ended up with a feature in The Suburban newspaper. Also plenty of fun eye-catching decorations for my table and canopy - as it was an outdoor event.
I've now participated in several different artists' and artisans' fairs, along with about 30 group art exhibitions, and just wrapped up a 3-month solo show.
I'd love to do more art fairs, but living with high-impact (severe) chronic pain and a Mild Cognitive Impairment (both due to my CRPS rare disease) means that it takes me quite a long time to prepare for these kinds of full-day events ... and then to "recover" from them.
So I'm excited to share with you that I have an art fair coming up in November, indoors in case of snow, at the Whitlock Club in Hudson (Québec). This golf course has been certified by the environmental organization Audobon International, for protecting the local watershed and providing a sanctuary for wildlife - which fits perfectly with my preferred subjects for paintings; nature scenes featuring wildlife, wildflowers, and our beautiful waterways and forests.
If you'll be in the Montréal area, mark your calendars for Saturday November 23 for a visit to the lovely scenic village of Hudson!
I've been under the weather with Covid for most of the week, along with my sweetheart, so haven't felt well enough to do much painting or sketching. The last time I painted, though, was lovely.
When my 1000 to noon (virtual) volunteer-project meeting was canceled at the last minute Monday morning, I'd normally have headed out on my bicycle - with a stop for some plein-air painting along my route.
But with my bike in the shop for an overhaul, I instead rather gleefully used this unexpected gift of free time to do some plein-air painting in our home gardens.
The Echinacea purpurea and Rudbeckia hirta (purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans), each indigenous or local wildflowers grown from heirloom seeds, are in full bloom these days. And, as you can see, we have masses of each of these plants.
I opted to focus on the Echinacea, as the shapes of their petals vary interestingly from one flower to the next. But rather than doing one larger painting, as usual, I sketched blooms onto three 7" x 5" pieces of cotton paper. The idea was to start one study, then work on another while it was drying, and alternate between the studies in this way.
I needn't have bothered; it was so hot, l without Montréal's usual humidity, that the pigments dried far too quickly.
None of these three studies is quite finished yet, so once I'm feeling better I'll set my easel back up outside to finish them.
There was quite a crowd at the Vernissage Friday night, for a group exhibition organized by "Artists in Montréal". Two of my newest - more experimental - watercolours were juried into this show, the maximum number of artworks for accepted artists.
All in all 59 member-artists were accepted into this exhibition, 28 with only one work and 31 with two paintings, so I was honoured to have both my pieces selected.
Participating artists were encouraged to provide very descriptive summaries of each accepted painting, so I had fun with mine.
For "Hot & gritty day in the city (CN Tower), Toronto", my description was "Summer smog so thick, it's gritty; Toronto sunset".
And for "Cosmic crocuses" I wrote: "Flowers floating in space, or a Listening Post for alien messages? You decide!"
So, what do YOU see - a listening post, or a couple of crocus flowers?
The Galerie BOA Gallery is also permitting accepted artists to display "a small box of small works" - unframed pieces on paper rather than on canvas or board, as well as greeting cards - during this exhibition, so I have a number of these smaller paintings on display. Some are plein-air watercolours, and a few were painted off my bike-as-easel set up during cycling rest breaks.
My "small box" featured 25 of my more abstract and contemporary watercolours, matted and mounted onto backboards with archival materials, along with 20 hand-painted cards. I say "featured" in the past tense, because at least one of my small paintings was sold on Friday night - a lovely to begin the exhibition for me!
The "Summer Dreams" art show continues through July 24th, in the stunning Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal) district of the city.
There's no entry fee, so feel free to drop in to visit this exhibition - it's one of very few free activities in this area.
Exhibition details:
Galerie BOA Gallery
263, rue de la Commune est
[between Place Jacques Cartier and the domed Marché Bonsecours, in the heart of Old Montréal]
July 19 to 23: 1000 to 2000
July 24 only: 1000 to 1600
If you'll be in Montréal this weekend, stop by the Galerie BOA Gallery - in the Beautiful Old Montréal district - on Friday.
The opening night Vernissage for the "Artists in Montréal" (AiM) group exhibition is July 19th, from 1600 to 1900, at this gallery.
Two of my newest watercolours will be displayed in this group art show - under the theme of "Summer Dreams - and some of my smaller pieces & bike-as-easel outdoor (plein-air) paintings will also be available at the gallery.
Drop by, say Hi, and get a free postcard featuring my sweetheart's fave among all the watercolours I've painted.
* Free postcards at the Vernissage only, while supplies last!
Details:
Galerie BOA Gallery
263, rue de la Commune est
[near Place Jacques Cartier, in the heart of Old Montréal]
July 19 to 23: 1000 to 2000
July 24 only: 1000 to 1600
Eighty-five years ago, in 1939, a group of American artists on the West Coast founded the Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS). Today, the "NWWS has grown into the internationally recognized, historically rich organization of today with over 1,000 members.
It has been recognized by Artists Magazine as one of the ten most prominent watercolor societies in North America."
They also offer the option of creating a free account, without any membership requirement, to receive their "very popular, quarterly newsletter Hot Press and other timely news".
Even though I'm closer to the East Coast, and north of the border in Canada, I joined the NWWS in 2021 for their fantastic offerings of live-virtual watercolour demonstrations and workshops.
In chats with other members during the introductions at each online event, I usually mention my Art Despite Pain initiative - and that I began learning to paint as a way to help deal with chronic pain from a rare disease named CRPS, and for my CRPS-related Mild Cognitive Impairment.
These conversations often continue during the breaks, as people tend be quite curious about the more therapeutic benefits of painting - of art in general - and about the various arts-related healthcare and research projects with which I'm involved as a volunteer Patient Partner.
A few months ago, I was asked to provide additional information about all this, and about how I combine watercolour painting with exercise and nature (two other elements of my pain- and symptom-management plan) by painting en plein-air (outdoors) off the back of my bicycle.
The NWWS has ePublished this, as a two-page feature on my Art Despite Pain initiative, in the Summer 2024 issue of Hot Press (across pages 10 and 11).
I'm honoured that the NWWS has profiled me and my recent solo show "Watercolours on Two Wheels", which featured plein-air watercolour sketches completed during my bike ride rest-stops along with studio paintings from bike-ride studies and sketches.
I've posted only excerpts of the Art Despite Pain profile here; to read the entire feature, please sign up for a free account with the NWWS.
In the meantime, the profile begins in this way:
"When someone approaches while you're plein-air painting, and asks "Why are you painting?," or "How did you get involved in art?", what's your usual response?
It catches people off guard when I reply: "I paint because of pain."
This leads to other questions, and one-on-one or small group conversations which are a fantastic way to raise awareness of chronic pain.
That's how my Art Despite Pain (#ArtDespitePain) initiative began."
Thanks so much to the NWWS, for helping to raise awareness of chronic pain and for highlighting the role that art can play in managing persistent pain as well as cognitive issues!
I've just received some great news, as a fabulous ending to the Canada Day long weekend.
A few weeks ago I submitted two of my recent watercolour paintings to a Call for Artists, for a Summer Show at the BOA Gallery.
Located in the gorgeous Old Montréal historic district of the city, this Gallery specializes in contemporary art.
With an entry limit of two paintings per artist, I took a chance and submitted a couple of my more experimental pieces for this group exhibition.
The good news that I just received is that both of my paintings were juried into this show!
With these kinds of exhibitions, it's an honour simply to have a painting (or more) accepted, so I'm very happy with this news.
One hundred and nineteen artworks were submitted, with only ninety (or 75%) accepted; 28 artists had only one piece selected, while 31 artists had both of their artworks accepted.
All in all, fifty-nine different artists will be participating in this juried exhibition - and I'm truly honoured to be among them.
Here are the details of the "Summer Daydreams" 2024 exhibition:
. Vernissage (opening): 19 July, 1600 to 1900
. Show: 1000 to 2000, 19-23 July
1000 to 1600, 24 July
. At: Galerie BOA
263, rue de la Commune est
Vieux Montréal
* Near Place Jacques Cartier
Via: AiM; Artists in Montreal | Artistes à Montréal
Happy Canada Day, if you're in this beautiful country! And for American readers, happy Fourth of July a few days early!
Had a lovely surprise this weekend, when I opened the Summer 2024 edition of the "CPS eNews", the quarterly update from the Canadian Pain Society (CPS).
I do quite a bit of volunteer work with the CPS as a Patient Partner - even serving on a few of their Committees & Sub-Committees, including the Art Awards Committee.
[I should mention that the CPS uses the term "Person with lived experience" (of pain) or PWLE, rather than Patient Partner, which can be confusing.]
This edition of the eNews features the inaugural "PWLE Corner", focusing on individuals living with chronic pain in Canada who make a difference through their advocacy and/or awareness activities.
I am truly honoured to be the first Patient Partner/PWLE featured in the eNews.
A few years ago, one of my watercolour paintings won the inaugural Art Awards of the Canadian Pain Society, so I'm touched that this feature mentions my Art Despite Pain initiative, and how I encourage "people living with pain to use art and creativity - practice or appreciation - as a tool for pain management."
Thank you so much, CPS!
Montréal has a vibrant arts scene throughout the year, but during the spring and summer months the city hosts so many outdoor art and music events that it seems like a months-long festival.
As just a few examples, in May we host the World Musicians Festival (Festival des Musiciens du monde), and the weekly outdoor Piknic Électronik DJ concert series begins.
Into June it's the TransAmériques Festival of experimental choreography and dance, and the Montréal Fringe Festival showcasing more than 700 performers.
By mid-June it's the ten-day day, mostly outdoor and public, MURAL Festival celebrating urban art with building-sized exterior artworks, concerts, digital art installations, and techno-centric exhibitions.
Then the Montréal International Jazz Festival takes centre stage; the 44th edition will begin on June 27 and continue through July 4, 2024.
At the same time, the Mtl en Arts event transforms a huge swathe of the city into Eastern Canada’s largest open-air art gallery.
July brings Comiccon, the International African Nights Festival (Festival International Nuits d’Afrique) with performers from at least thirty countries, and the Taste of the Caribbean food festival.
The Fantasia International Film Festival, focusing on fantasy, horror, and sci-fi movies, begins in July and continues into August. And these are just a few of Montréal's spring and summer festivals.
As you might imagine, local art galleries are happy to join the buzz and often host special exhibitions during our warmest months.
So, with my three-month "Watercolours on Two Wheels" solo show wrapping up this coming Friday, I've been planning my submissions to some group exhibitions over the summer.
One of these is the Summer Show of Artists in Montréal, being presented this year at the BOA Art Gallery in the gorgeous Old Montréal historic district.
I've submitted two of my new experimental watercolours to this juried exhibition, as the gallery specializes in contemporary art.
This show will run from July 19 through 24, with a Vernissage from 1600 to 1900 on July 19, 2024, so wish me luck for my submission package!
One of the the watercolours I included in my submission was this one: "Hot & gritty day in the city (CN Tower), Toronto", with an additional description of: "Summer smog so thick, it's gritty; Toronto sunset".
With the summer solstice coming up on Thursday, this seems the perfect opportunity to wish you a good summer!