Cruising...through a wet summer

This summer has been very unseasonable for our area. Rain seems to be the order of business every weekend...and for much of the week as well.The corn is stunted...no heat to speak of...and drenched fields.Unusually fast running rivers, streams have taken 6 lives in our area.Tourist travel is down...and the mood of the "average man" is low..or at least complaining.

Fortunately, I have the warmth of studio lights and my easel to dispel those feelings and a goodly number of supportive clients who have graciously given me commissions to work at. I am blessed...and truly grateful for these opportunities!

On Thursday, I accompanied an interior designer I work with to a sumptuous home...with bare walls beckoning. The prospective clients already have a few pieces of my work and are looking for some more to place in their new "castle"- Cape Cod period. They are nice folk....a necessary ingredient for me in the commission undertaking. I have to have a good feeling about them...and their home.That point was easily reached in one meeting with them.

So the next part of the process is to produce several "thumbnails" which serve to allow me to present my "inclinations"...prior to undertaking the 48 x 60 inch canvas they have requested for their living room. Since the dimensions of the final painting g are 48 x 60 inches...I will use an 8 x 10 in sketch panel format for these "thumbnails".Each will focus mainly upon subject...composition...and colour aspects of the final selection...but NOT detail. I give them my "idea" then request 5the permission to "run with the idea"...artistically.

I am excited to begin....already have six landscape subjects in mind...and am doing rough ink thumbnails to kick start my artistic juices!Let the game begin!!!

Cheers...and good painting to all! Stay tuned!

More on the Algonquin Foray

Despite the fact that it rained...albeit ...off and on over the entire three days that Deb and I were in the Park, it was refreshing to get away from the "din"of noise and activity from which there seems little escape close to any large urban area these days. I crave solitude at times...and this opportunity to get away ensures that I get this. We were the invited guests of my painting pal in the Park, David Kay and his lovely wife Diane. They own and operate The East gate Motel in Whitney, a small town on the very eastern entrance to the Park.

We get along... "like a house on fire"so the trip blends painting with friendship for all four of us.Thanks to the proliferation of black spruce that dominates every part of this pristeen wilderness, we were able to find locations suitable to paint at...as well as cover when the inevitable showers came. Even the wind seemed to be on our side as well. Not too strong ...so that the easel setups were safe...but strong enough that they held most of the mosquitoes and horseflies( which plague you during the summer months in Algonquin)at bay during the two and one half hour painting times.

David is both an accomplished painter and a woodsman who knows this country like the back of his hand, so finding new places to explore...in any season is an easy task.We both ended up completing three pretty good canvases...and Deb managed a nice waterfall scene as well. She has a nice touch I might add...and is growing in confidence in her efforts to paint on location.It is wonderful to have someone at your side who is willing to share the experience...and the rigours one must undergo at times to be "out there"...as I call it.

The word "plein air " seems hackneyed these days and seems to denote that anyone who paints a few pictures using this method produces superior work to that of artists who work in the studio. I have painted outdoors for almst thirty yearsand that experience...in all seasons has equipped me to feel both capable...and comfortable in the studio during times when the weather will not allow you to be "out there".Both types of painting support and depend upon each other.

Here are the other two "sketches" coming out of that Algonquin Adventure. Hope that you enjoy seeing them ...as much as I did producing them.Green is beautiful!

"He leadeth me beside still waters...it restoreth my soul".Isn't that so true???

Good painting all!

Journaling With Paint

Though I'm not exactly sure that "journaling" is a correct verb...or even a word for that matter. It really doesn't matter. I do feel that "my" term "journaling" with paint accurately describes my intentions whenever I paint. Each painting records a specific place and time... and furthermore, even mood...or my state of mind at the time. Over the course of my lifetime I have painted several thousand paintings and filled numerous sketchbooks which when laid side-by-side...would record a very substantial part of my time and interests. On many canvases in the past I have also included written expressions in the form of verse, prose and poetry...or simply a thought. I have collected these on napkins, show programmes, in sketchbooks and on my computer...but with no attention to arranging them, or creating any substance.

Having thought about this for some time, I decided a month ago to attempt a book that gathered together both the written and the painted expressions. After some initial struggling, I did manage to put together what I feel is at least a representative overview of these two separate but related activities. "Two Voices"- Paintings With Poetry was what emerged from this project.I felt a great sense of accomplishment in having completed the task and now have a record for my children, family members, loyal friends and collectors...all of whom have encouraged my passionate journey.I would offer it as an idea for any artist...if simply to look at your own art and to place it under your own microscope...to view motives and methods..to contribute to your own artistic growth and development. Say what?
Good painting!

Back From a Foray to Algonquin Park

Despite fighting the rain throughout the entire three days, it was a rewarding trip. I managed to come home with three pretty good paintings doine entirely on location...thanks to the copious canopy cover of stands of black spruce that proliferate this beautiful and pristeen wilderness area.
My wife Deb and I were invited to visit by our good friends David and Diane Kay in Whitney located at the East Gate entrance to the Park. Together they operate a motel business called the East Gate Motel there. David is a very fine artist who knows the area like the back of his hand. His gallery of fine art at the motel attests to this intimate relationaship and his capability as an artist.
The horse flies and mosquitoes which frequent the Park in July were VERY active...and distracting to say the very least. We did find several sites which offered wind and some relief from their incessant badgering. The Park is very green in this summer season...but I love the challenge of playing with pigment to unravel the slight differences between greens. One has to study the scene before them very carefully ...before adding paint. The old adage: Look twice... paint once...forms the best startegy for success in this undertaking. One has to watch carefully that they don't let the bravura...no bravado that many outdoor artists demonstrate when working outdoors. Not strangely to me, these same artists forsake summer because of the "green monsters"...and in so doing...in my own humble opinion miss an opportunity to discover the joy of accomplishment of being out there...surrounded by the vitality of Nature at her height. Just my thought however!
Here are a couple of the "sketches" completed entirely on location. Judge for yourself if the exercise is achievable...or worthy of time and effort. I'd be interested in your comments!
Good (summer) painting!....wherever you are!
Cheers!

Resuming My Attempt at Blogging

I apologize to anyone who "might" have stumbled upon my blog for the lengthy periods between this and my last post.I really don't understand how the whole thing works really. I will continue to add a few more posts before "abandoning ship"on the project...time is to valuable to spend at my time in life by simply...."playing it away".I always try to work with purpose...and in hopes of sharing my findings along the journey.

I have been busy completing my first self-published book entitled "Two Voices-Paintings and Poetry" by A.W.Bruce Sherman.It is finally completed and can be found...and reviewed in the blurb.com Bookstore...or on my web site at http://www.thepaintboxgallery.ca/

I enjoy writing...but the truth be known...I love painting on lacation outdoors much more. I spent three days last week painting with my wife Deb and a painting pal David Kay in Algonquin Provincial Park...a world class wilderness destination here in Canada. Despite the fact that bit rained off and on each of the three days..our spirits weren't dampened and I came home with three creditable paintings. These have been "tweaked" with a few well placed strokes and value changes...and are now ready for the Gallery walls.

I do hope that this blog thing accomplishes something...for someone. If not...Hey! Nothing gained ...nothin' lost in the trying! I'll add some pix on the next posting! Stay tuned...or please do tune in!
Cheers!
Bruce

Starting Your Journey or...Playing With Pencils

Our earliest Art experiences likely began with available household drawing tools... pencil to crayons and then to tempera or poster paints in our primary education. Usually , primary school experience is rich in opportunities to express ourselves with paint. However by senior grades (in Canada at least)...these opportunities begin to dry up, due in my opinion to inadequate teacher interest and training. The curriculum focus tends to be directed towards accommodating and achieving literacy and the aptitudes in the sciences.The system totally ignores any attention to integrating the Arts into this curriculum package to prepare students to make choices and course selection decisions in highschool that might lead to developing skills and interest in pursuing career opportunities for post secondary education...and life.



It is highly likely that your last art activity involved pencil exploration, so in my opinion it seems a good place to begin your new independent study program. This path also involves minimal costs to begin...requiring only a small number of pencils of varying lead thicknesses, a sketchbook and a variety of erasers.A purchase involving acquiring HB, 2B and 4B drawing pencils ...a 8x10 inch sketchbook....a soft white and a kneadable eraser will provide all the kit you will require to begin.

"First you have to think a think. Then put a line around it."
-Arthur Lismer
A Fool in Paradise
By Doris McCarthy

All that remains...is to BEGIN ! My advice is to just begin...not being concerned by the quality of what you produce...or about what you choose to sketch. Sketch whatever interests you around you...at home...at lunch...while waiting for transportation. Just keep making as many quick sketches as you can DAILY! I really mean PLAY with the pencils!!! At the end of a week's sketching....select your favourite sketch and have another try at it using your first sketch as your "model."Refine it... do a few versions of it ,until you get a feel for the object. Work loosely...and lightly! Try not to treat your grip on the pencil in the same manner that you might sign your name. Drawing IS NOT a writing task!



Set up still life activities which retain their position and therefore allow you to revisit your subject from the same perspective.Work with geometric shapes such as a box...a ball...a can or cylinder. Make a still life incorporating these shapes so that they overlap each other. Try sketching this setup using different vantage points.You can add a lamp to provide stronger lighting effects and shadows to create more interest and drama.



After a week or two, you are probably at a point where you could profit from reading a book which offers drawing instruction... there are a great many reasonably priced books to choose from in good book or art stores. Choose one that you can follow easily...one which offers clear and graphic support. Most of these offer exercises that you can complete at the end of one chapter.



Drawing is the underpinning and foundation for all great art and design. Without good draughtsmanship no painting can succeed.The last stage is to search for a local artist, group or school where you can begin a more intensive exploration of the drawing process in your own journey.



Sketch away!...Have fun!...and spend time ..... LOOKING EQUALLY between the subject and the sketch itself. Explore with line freely...and with imagination! Take risks!

Living in Today

Living in "Today"...means exactly that to me. Too many of my artist friends retreat to the past...choosing to substitute reminiscing for actively pursuing new experiences...and embracing change in their lives. They cut themselves off from the world they actively and productively created and choose "play" versus the challenge and risking that comes from continuing to dream...and to discover "Who"... they might become.

I recently spent a weekend in February at a winter gathering of longtime painting friends with my mentor...Poul Thrane...who introduced me to outdoor painting...long before the coined phrase "plein air painter" became a credential for "high" art.Poul is now 84 years young...paints with the same vigour and fire as he did when we first start painting together thirty years ago. However today...he paints from the warmth and comfort of his van...but still...his studio is the outdoors.Nothing has faded...or heightened for that matter in his ouevre. It is simply...eloquently...constantly...

uniquely...Poul Thrane! He continues to teach by example...generously critiquing and guiding

his friends to encourage their own journeys of creative discovery....still enjoined with them in the creative dance of Living!

It is his indomitable spirit...his "joie-de-vivre"...and his dedication to his Art which allows "Me"

to journey in parallel with him...albeit...at a distance physically...yet "easel --to-easel" spiritually.

I conduct my own journey on my own terms...but I have gleaned basic tenets from his journey

that enrich my own. I have sold countless paintings in my lifetime...but those monetary "dividends"will never approach the value of the friendship of mentors like Poul. My daughter Allison's highschool art teacher,Berkley Breene...her mentor and my friend passed away two years ago ...succumbing (in body)to cancer.His funeral was a civic celebration rather than a mournful, tragic dirge. I will borrow his very last mouthful of words to his family at his passing to end this post. It reflects both his... and my own "take" on living in "Today."

"I am blessed."

Much Peace...Stay tuned!