Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Rockport Paint Out ... and Reunion - Part One

People's Choice #2
Ed Andress, Master Wooden Boat Maker's Craft Still Lives in Rockport
Oil on canvas 24x20 inches - Gifted to the Andress Family






People's Choice#1



Work Tug Ishpeming - Captained by Eugene Johnston


Oil on canvas 24x20 inches - SOLD to Ishpeming's Master, Captain Eugene Johnston






The 1st International Plein Air Artists Paint Out held over the past weekend in Rockport, Ontario... in the very heart of the famous and very beautiful Thousand Islands was a smashing success! Not only were we blessed with "picture" perfect weather on all three days... but the planning and hospitality of the organizers... The Rockport Development Association and the warm reception and hospitality of all Rockport village residents at large went far beyond expectation... contributing greatly to both the level of comfort and the painting enjoyment and success of the twenty-three participating artists.


Not only did we have a carte blanche welcome to paint anywhere within this quaint and historic village itself... we were offered ridiculously low priced water taxi access to outlying, privately owned island retreats that are normally not open to visitors. My second painting was made on Pine Island... the personal retreat for John Keats, an American columnist/writer best known and much-loved "Of time and An Island"... a book which nostalgically chronicles island life and life along The St Lawrence River... as many of us have been blessed to enjoy.


For my second painting site... I water taxied out to Pine Island with several other members to explore possibilities on the island. I chose to paint the boat houses of the mansion-covered Zavicon Island located a scant two hundred feet south of Pine Island... looking eastward down the River. I was joined by Phillip Chadwick, a recently retired meteorologist for Environment Canada in Toronto. Phil and I have an early connection dating back to 1967 to Brockville, Ontario... our shared home town. He was a student in my very first class... a grade seven class at Toniata School.


Phillip was a very gifted and exceptional art talent even then and has grown to become a recognized and very successful plein air painter in his own right. He offers lectures... as "Phil the Forecaster" which tie together his observations and thesis that the plein air works of the Canadian painting legend Tom Thomson record very accurate meteorological data of specific weather in time in Algonquin Park. His after dinner talks on both Friday and Saturday nights kept all of us attending rapt and riveted by the combination of his quick and lively humor... as well as the very demonstrably plausible evidence he provided about Thomson's skill as a meteorologist! I take great pride in having taken Phil on his very first plein air outing. I "fore casted" great things for him in this school of painting... and he has done us both proud! I was very proud of him on those evenings!


The entire group of participants welded together instantly as a common family. No one was left out of the circle. No one dominated or stood off by themselves. We shared every moment of the three days... in harmony... good cheer and encouragement. Everywhere one went... you would find others who were sharing common subjects without reserve or petty jealousy. How good it felt to be in the company of such sharing individuals... brought together under their common passion for painting and this beautiful natural kingdom.


The meals were both wonderfully and tastefully prepared... and again efficiently... and with reasonable costs. And after a long day out in the fresh air... no one was left wanting for more food. The portions were excellently prepared... and very filling!


The Rockport area is a place very familiar to me. My family had a summer cottage... no a home really located at The Narrows where the mainland nearly touches Tar Island. Our family use it in all four seasons for fifty-four years. I worked in Rockport as a teen at Ed Huck Marine and Caiger's Fishing Lodge... the very site of our first evening meal! The whole experience was a home coming for me... a blessing... a catalyst of renewal.


To be able to share my knowledge of the history of the area with the other artists was so gratifying for me personally. I met so many people, old friends of our family... and saw so many faces from as far back as fifty years... fellow cottagers that I had chummed with. How gratifying to know and feel that we shared more than wrinkles and years. We shared lasting common memories and a common joy that our presence still had meaning in the minds and memories of others. I felt so blessed.... to reconnect!


On Sunday morning... we headed out for one last painting foray of choice... for one final go at this pristine painting paradise. I remained on Front Street and painted the entrance and alley that led to The Cornwall's Restaurant and Grill. The Rockport Boat Line loads its passengers from tour buses... en route to a Thousand Island cruise nearby. People came and went for lunch at The Cornwallis and Boathouse Restaurants. There was a continual stream of passersby during the course of the painting session. Due to the many questions and reunions that kept coming and going... I was unable to completely finish the painting. I'll take it from the lay in stage to finish tomorrow... from memory


I was deeply embedded in my painting thought... you know the feeling, when I recognized a familiar woman's voice behind me. That voice belonged to a woman, Janet... from"way back when" who came up from Cleveland, Ohio each summer with her family to their haunt on Tar Island. She now lives with her husband Don Pedersen and lovely family in Oregon. I had not seen her in at least twenty years.


How joyous the reunion for us both! Our now..."ancient history" could be better classed as "a crush"for us both... as opposed to a "squeeze"... in nature. We were simply friends... and common members of a cottage family/community that water skied... swam... danced... wiener roasted and hung out incessantly each summer during our teen years. Romance bloomed momentarily... and I might say was more often than not... was the result of "cross-pollination"... and sharing. Another blessing delivered!...


The greatest blessing occurred at the final scheduled event of this Paint Out event at the Boat line Patio. All artists were invited to exhibit their paintings to the public at an informal wine and cheese social under the auspices of the RDA. The event was well attended by citizens from all around... local dignitaries and press reps from local newspapers.


None of the works displayed against the surrounding benches were signed. Each had a numeral assigned directly below. Artists were not permitted a vote. Votes were democratically cast on a small ballot given each person... no matter their age entering the one entrance to the patio. They were given the two hour period to view all of the works and them they were asked to submit a single vote for their favourite painting of the lot - a difficult decision... given that each of us submitted at least four or more paintings. The ballots were then placed with the official on the door and were then tallied to determine the three favourite paintings in the exhibition. There were many very different... yet equally beautiful paintings presented.


How surprised I was... to learn that two of my five paintings were awarded First and Second place. I have never painted expecting awards and really have not followed the competition and juried shows route... except on a few occasions. I have always painted for myself and for pleasure. To be awarded two awards by people from my own heritage community really touched me. It will be a memory I will always cherish fondly.


This entire event... from start to close reflected a very unique situation... a situation totally governed by generosity and sharing. I wish to thank all of my fellow participating artists... now all friends... Wendy Merkley, her husband Art and her hard working Rockport Development Association team... The Rockport Boat Line, Andress Boatworks for the excellent water taxi service, Rockport and Island residents who permitted us to share their truly magical properties .. and our fabulous dining hosts at Caiger's Fishing Lodge and The Cornwall's Restaurant for their fine food and impeccable service and hospitality during our most enjoyable stay. Be assured that we will each carry the "Good News" about Rockport... and share it wherever we go!


Until the 2nd Annual Rockport IPAP Paint Out next September... a HUGE Thank You ... ALL for this incredible painting experience!


Stay tuned for Part Two and more pix and details... and Good Painting to ALL!

16 comments:

  1. Congratulations Bruce, not a bit surprised that you received these awards. You are truly gifted. Well done.

    all the best to you,
    Joan

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  2. Thanks Joan!... It was such a rewarding and productive weekend for everyone involved!

    New friendships... new sites to paint... great food... great weather! Great to be painting... en plein air!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Congratulations! The awards are well deserved.
    I think your history and love for the place shines through in the paintings.

    I'd like to thank you for the comments that you left on my blog and for the inspiration that it gave me for the following post... a continuation of a tangent. I quoted part of the comment and linked at the start of the post, I hope that you don't mind.

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  4. Love that you used the word "talent" here, Bruce. I so strongly believe that an artist must have talent to be called an artist (and hence, why I don't use that honorific to refer to myself). I am tickled to know that one of your students from long ago has risen to the top in the art world. No surprise to me that two of your pieces were chosen as number one and number two. I love them both!

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  5. Hi there Lisa!... Thanks for stopping by... and for your shared keen observations and kindly comments!

    It is most always my intent when painting... to try and record what I find interesting with how I feel about the subject. The combination of those two important elements, I feel will convey my reason for painting in an accurate, truthful fashion.

    The two will almost certainly as well, form a conduit for connection with the viewer. Why else do we paint... than to try to express our feelings?

    I very much enjoy both the written and painted contents of your very attractive site... and never come away without inspiration and knowledge. I am honoured that you would quote or use any portion of my blog! Thank you for the Link you created as well!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Hi there Sherry!... Nice to hear from you again!

    Thank you for your uplifting comments re: the two paintings. I don't believe that I stated that the term "artist" by my definition... was reserved for those alone who displayed unusual artistic talent. Passion and commitment to do one's best.... are my mantras.

    In the more accurate terms of the legegendary Canadian musical artist and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot:

    "We're all just painters passing through."... and I agree wholeheartedly with his take on creativity Sherry... and that my dear... includes..."You"! Just my opinion though!

    Good Painting and Writing!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. I am not a bit surprised that you won first and second in the People's Choice! Beautiful paintings. I would love to have been there for the whole experience. Yours is the first blog I have gotten back into reading. I am just getting to my studio once in a while now to straighten up and take care of some business but the hobbling on this broken ankle takes a lot out of me. Hope to be back to normal soon!

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  8. Hello there Karen... Was wonderin' about you Kiddo! Missed seeing your posts!Glad to hear that the ankle is on the mend!

    The entire event was such an uplifting and enjoyable experience for all of us who were fortunate to attend! Can't wait for next year's event... I'll be on board for certain!

    Good Painting... and Speedy recovery Karen!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Bruce, what a wonderful post!! I felt as if I were there with you! and congratulations on your well deserved awards!! the paintings are just wonderful and knowing the facts surrounding their creation makes them all the more meaningful. what a wonderful function to attend and be part of. it sounds too good to be true! do people and places like this still exist in this harsh violent world. this visit was a nice respite, i so enjoyed it. thank you for sharing this experience and your beautiful work!

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  10. A package deal experience! Looking forward to hearing more of the details! Neat that you reconnected with a few familiar faces! So proud of your awards! Richly deserved, and the cherry on top!!
    Love you! xoox

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  11. Hi there Suzanne!... It is always a pleasure to be in contact with you Suzanne.You are always "upbeat"... and right on the money with your comments and views!

    I know that we share a common optimism about our gift of life... and our making art and sharing it. It is indeed refreshing... and spiritually uplifting to be in the presence of a kindred spirit.

    Yes... places and people that who satisfy our need for Truth... Harmony and Hope still do exist... and when "You" discover such a place... unspoiled and empowering to your soul... you should remain there... if only in spirit.

    The Thousand Islands remain the very core of my spiritual and artistic being. It isn't about reminiscing about..."the good ol' days"... it's about being "Home"... and it feels that for me still... after all of the years passed!

    Our cottage was named by my dear Mom..."Shangri-la"... and it remains to be that Utopian realm for "Me to this day"! This entire weekend... I was... "beside still waters... and my soul is indeed... restored."

    I am so happy to learn... that some of my own Peace and a sense of respite rubbed off in my post... and shared with "You" some of that Joy!

    Thanks for your kind words and interest Suzanne!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  12. Hi Allison!... Good to here from "You"! How's it going in Guelph? Can't wait to share all the news when we are able!

    It is the whole deal Allison... and as one who has been raised in that environment along with "Me"... there is no need to elaborate on my feelings.

    It wasn't seeing ... a few faces Allison... it was a stream of familiar faces that I never thought that I would ever see again. It was my journey... on "rewind"!

    There weren't any awards in my mind... simply acknowledgement by ordinary people who share my love of the place... validation and a sense of belonging. Community - pure and simply stated!

    "I" love "You" dearly
    As ALWAYS,
    Dad
    XXXXXOOOOOXXXXX

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  13. What a wonderful event that sounds (as was the trip down memory lane) - to receive such praise is wonderful indeed. And well-deserved, I must add!

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  14. Hi there Rolina!... A trip down memory Lane for sure... and a plein air adventure which brought together new artist friends... and a new realm of opportunity for me in the not so distant future!

    Thank you for visiting and for your kind compliments!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. Love this one Bruce! Congratulations on your award and your sale.

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  16. Hi there Linny!... Thank you for your continued visits and encouraging compliments! They mean a lot coming from a kindred spirit and fine artist such as your Self!

    Love your recent work as well!Colourful and full o' light as is the usual case... in Linnyland!

    Good Autumn Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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