Sunday, February 6, 2011

Bark Lake Weekend - Part 2



























As a follow up to my last post... I am posting the five paintings that I produced on the weekend ... aside from the demo... which has been displayed. Despite the VERY cold -22C temperatures, I managed to make decent sketches around Bark Lake, Salerno Lake and Irondale... all fairly nearby. On most occasions... I shared time with my long time friend and mentor, 86 years young... Poul Thrane from Belleville, Ontario.

I first met Poul and his wife Audrey at an outdoor show at Ameliasburg in Prince Edward County in the mid 1970s. Poul had immigrated to Canada after a stint with the British Army in India. While stationed in Great Britain ... he met Audrey and they moved to Toronto seeking a new life. It was while living there that Poul began honing his painting skills as a landscape artist at evening classes at the Ontario College of Art. His day job as a tram operator for the Toronto Transit Commission held little challenge for him... so they moved to Actinolite, north of Belleville and he began teaching evening classes at Loyalist College.

This fateful encounter converted me from a hobbyist to a serious student of painting. It was Poul alone who took "Me" to the outdoors to paint in Algonquin Park... and forever changed the direction of my journey. "I" am... and will remain an outdoor... yes "plein air" painter too... because of his encouragement and his sharing. Many other artists owe "Him" this same debt as well. "He" is... our own (Canadian) Richard Schmid... if you get my drift! Talented beyond others... but generous with his time and knowledge beyond comparison!

I learned a great deal about painting on location with Poul, but I learned a great deal more about living a disciplined and committed life as an artist through observing him relentlessly pursue excellence and continual growth. This was achieved... I would come to learn only through unsupervised personal study... regular painting practice and contact with many other fine artists. The pure imitation of his "stylism" was not the intent of either the "student"... or the "mentor during the many years we shared painting together."

In my next post, which will be entitled Sharing Your Light... I will attempt of share what "I" learned about the process of mentoring... and finding mentor ship. Both afford valuable growth experiences and opportunities... but as in all parts of life... can be harmful if used to the extreme by either party involved. Making art should be always an individual pursuit... driven by the passion, skills and the initiative of the artist. Even conducting a simple demo for a group can provide gain for both the presenter... and the group being presented to.

This post is motivated by a comments/questions offered by my Scottish blogging friend Caroline Simmill... check out her wonderful simmill-arts.blogspot.com . You' ll be glad that you did!In my last post, I alluded to the fact that I rarely look for acceptance or praise to direct my thinking or my work. That may be true on one level... but on another... making art is in fact an attempt by the artist to "express" an inner "idea" or feeling... so that others viewing the work can be caused to at least respond in some way... or on the higher level to want to purchase a work. "I" make art for my Self at first... but I really always hope and intend... that they will find their way into the hands of others to appreciate and enjoy.

I will close this post with the words on a plaque in our studio which is a mantra/ credo of sorts for "Me":


"The artist is nothing without the gift. But the gift is nothing without the work."
-Emile Zola, French Author


Zola knew what he was talking about... both as creative writer and a confrere of many of the French Impressionist movement. Our "work"as artists... is painting. The simple act of painting more than anything... creates artistic growth and development beyond work shopping... reading "how to" books by gurus and lessons. All of these admittedly do improve any one's painting, but there are lessons that can only be learned alone... brush in hand... in the studio and in the outdoors.
Do your own work... in your own way... with passion... and regularity... and "You" will... without fail... grow artistically towards your own unique style.... OVER TIME!

As Nike's logo puts it: "Just do it!"


Good painting to all !







22 comments:

  1. I give you a lot of credit for being so dedicated as to be out in such cold weather painting! The paintings are beautiful so well worth the discomfort. My "lessons that can only be learned alone" involve the repainting of areas again, finding that the pain of doing this (especially over areas that are painted well) is rewarded by an improved look to the total piece. And how do you keep your paints from freezing out there?

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  2. FABULOUS post!!!
    What a great tribute to a man who has shared his gift.... he shared his gift with you but you have shared it with us, so thanks to both of you.

    I don't know how you could paint that many paintings in a weekend.... especially with that weather!! WOW...

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  3. Your determination amazes me. At 50, I still feel like such a 'hobbyest.' I rarely paint on location, and maybe that's because I don't often paint landscapes, (maybe I don't paint landscapes because I rarely paint on location).

    I'm really looking forward to your next post on "Sharing Your Light". I have the feeling it will make me very uncomfrotable, lol :)

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  4. Hi there Karen!....Thanks for the compliments and for the insights into your process!We all have our standards and systems!

    Despite the cold... when one is prepared with the proper clothing... scouting carefully to find locations which illeviate dealing with head long and punishing wind... comfortable painting conditions can be found.

    Also... one's body becomes acclimatized with experience to accept longer periods in lower temperatures. It takes time... but it does occur.

    As for the paint freezing and tightening up... a little tip I learned from Carlson's Bible. Premix your a large amount of titanium white on your palette inside by adding a few drops of kerosene. It slows down... or extends the malleability of the linseed- based white until late afternoon or well below -20C temperatures. That's the trick!

    Thanks for checkin' in! Goood luck with the Parrot n' Princess!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Hi Marian! "You" are so right! Poul is an example... like Richard Scmid of an unconditional sharing with younger artists of learning gained over years of succcessful painting. What a shame if it were to go to the grave with the likes of these giants!

    "I" simply "pass forward" his knowledge with my own... in the hopes that together they offer direction to others who search and work to create fine art!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards.... from an ol' junkyard dog!
    Bruce

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  6. Hi there JB!... No need for apologies about your own watercolour work. It stands... along with your fine writing style... as your own unique tribute to excellence!

    Be proud of what "You" have achieved... and try to release your Self from any need to compare what you do with other artists. It is the breadth of our combined differences that creates true original fine art! Paint... and write on!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. I love these fresh looking impressionist paintings Bruce, they are always my favourites those painted on location and full of such life. The second one down is my favourite such simplicity yet it is so beautiful as if you found a special place in the wild. Did you work on them some more in your studio? I can't believe the age of your painting pal he looks very young for his years. That painting he is holding looks lovely. I look forward to hearing more on Sharing your light, it looks from a piece you have written here something that will give us much thought. I have come to the conclusion since speaking here last that there are a band of merry painters who do not paint to learn more, they paint to be happy and to feel complete within. Does their voice have less than those who paint to improve by constant learning. It always has me wondering. I was thinking more on this subject late last night and I believe I painted my best work four years ago. There was one that was a turquoise blue deep tones moonlight painting on the beach. The gallery owner said folk would come and stand in front of the painting and feel peaceful. Strange as I had it in my washroom floor a bit forgotten for a year as it needed some more work done in the foreground. I finally finished it and framed it up. I will post it on my blog now I am thinking about it! Thanks for the mention Bruce. Keep up the great painting.

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  8. Poul sounds like an awesome mentor and friend, Bruce. Of your pieces, the crispness of the last piece really stands out for me. All of them are beautiful.

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  9. Hi there Caroline!... I agree with "You" regarding the "freshness" and painterly quality of the outdoor work.

    So did the four individuals at the Paint Out who bought them right there. Obviously then... what you see in these photos is exactly how they apppeared in finish... when I signed them and handed them over! Bonus!

    When one paints outdoors... and especially in winter when temperatures dip quickly at the end of the day... and the light diappears rapidly... decisions must be made quickly and bravely.

    "Bravura" is a wonderful term to describe the "joie-de-vivre" that one experiences when painting "alla prima"... with caution-to-the-wind! I love this type of painting... and in this season more than any other!

    The "band of merry painters... painting to make themselves happy"... is only one reward for the group. Each of those people... my Self included... has grown exponentially in their individual ways as a result of our being together and sharing.

    Each of Us" has a unique "Voice" Caroline... both in our thinking and our creative expression. It seems to "Me" to be all about courage and confidence. Call it Self esteem. Some just lack that element and constantly search for it... sadly for them... usually just "seeing" it in others... but not in their mirror!

    Just my thoughts!

    Look forward to seeing the piece you have mentioned here! I KNOW... that it will be wonderful!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  10. Hi Sherry!... Good to hear from "You" again so soon! Thanks for dropping by and for the encouraging comment!

    Poul has been... and will always remain special as a friend and mentor... for all of thos artists who have had the great honour to be with "Him" on his wonderful journey.

    His vast knowledge and his generous spirit separate "Him" from most fine artists that "I" have been with on my own journey. It is these qualities... plus his dedication to his craft... and his puckish zest for people and life that "I" so deeply admire and emulate.

    "I" am deeply blessed... to have "Him" as my Friend... till the end!

    Good Painting and Writing to "You"
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Love these 5 paintings. They are all painted so beautifully. Hard to believe you finished them all so quickly! I'm so impressed. I love the painting that your friend Poul is holding! I also love Poul's face..a face I would love to paint!! Stay warm.

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  12. Dear Bruce,

    Once again, not only are your paintings wonderful. Your words on being passionate about our journey as artist is so well said.

    I tip my hat to you and Poul. Painting in the cold. When I read someone as young as Poul venturing out to paint, there are no excuses not to do the same.

    That being said, I will venture out today temps in the 20's. If I don't return, just know I am still out there with a frozen smile on my face.

    All the best to you
    Joan

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  13. you are such a trooper bruce
    and the paintings show good hard work
    you are so good at snow!

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  14. Hi there Hilda!... Thank "You" for visiting... and for more of your always encouraging comments!

    Poul indeed...has a wonderfully paintable "Old World" face and disposition... I have painted him a couple of times. He was the subject of two watercolour portraits on this very weekend- both very natural and becoming!

    Last evening we returned home from a five hour plus journey to Brockville our home town... in the teeth of a fierce winter storm with blizzard conditions. Very tired this morning after shovelling out.Getting ready for another possible 10-15 cm more!

    That's okay! Deb and I can just cuddle up .... safely inside... and celebrate my 67th tomorrow!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. Hi Joan!.... We all are creatures of habit and passion... to degrees! Those characteristics in my own case... are to the extreme! HAHA!! Sometimes that is a good thing. Other times... it can be otherwise!HA!! But it's who "I" am!

    The message is to live your own life as fully as you can... in your own singular way! Being individualistic in your production of art is essential... and only comes out of "doing the work"... "out there" if you choose... or in the studio.

    Good Painting! Stay warm...NO frozen smiles... it's lovely as it is!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  16. Hi there Mate!... Good to hera from "You"!

    Thank you for the uplifting comments. Coming from you... they are much appreciated... because "I" much value your own talent and commitment to your own plein air work!

    It's all about hard work isn't it my Friend? There's nothing else that contributes to growth and success more than hard work... and accepting new challenges!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    PS Your new work... dating back to your lovely Amsterdam series really sparkle with a freshness that to me indicates new growth in the Rob portfolio!HAHA!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  17. It's a great shot of you at the top, Bruce! I haven't visited for a bit but I have scrolled back and really enjoyed visiting! Lots and lots of wonderful paintings, Bruce!!!

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  18. Hi Linny!... Thanks for visiting... and "scrolling back"! Thanks too... for your gracious and encouraging comments!

    "I" always enjoy visiting your vibrant and exciting site... your "Linnyland"... as you playfully call it!

    I will be posting my newest image arising from my Bark lake adventure shortly. Be sure to check it out! There's a bit of "You" and Emily in this one. There's a lot of joy and "Me"... painting as I do from time to time... in my "Intuitive" mode.... my own zone!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  19. Bruce, this was such a wonderful introduction on my first visit to your blog. I thoroughly enjoyed "your" weekend with Poul. The resultant paintings give me an opportunity to be there and soak in the beautiful sights even while I sit next to my cozy little fireplace. Each one is a treasure.

    Your good fortune in having such a grand mentor, and your warm friendship with Poul, shines through in your writing. Thank you for sharing that with us.

    Kindly,
    Sandy

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  20. Hi there Sandy!... Nice to have "You" visit... and glad that the pictures and content adds to your "coziness" ... beside your fireplace!

    It is indeed my great fortune to have spent time with Poul... learning the lessons that "He" offers not only for my painting... but also for for the zest for life that he instills by his example.

    Hope that you will visit again!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  21. Hi Ben, Good to see your work again. Incredible that you manage to work out in -22deg, whereas I was complaining when I was out painting at about -3 last year. We hav e adamp cold here. Guess you need to be dressed appropriately for the occasion. Some lovely painting on your pages.
    Andrew

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  22. Hi Andrew!... Sorry for not seeing youe comment until today! Thanks for visiting and for the encouraging comments!

    We have "your kind of cold" as well.In fact that is the case today. It is raining and the snow is grey and brown....YUK!

    Being dressed for the occasion and staying out of the punishing wind are essntial to comfort and successful outdoor painting! I have good gear for the Arctic times.. but Mackinaw and hoodie are the usual and adequate attire.

    Do visit again Andrew! I'll get over top see what "You" do behind the easel! I'm curious!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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