March 02 - Negative Painting in Watercolour: Flowers with Nan Hogg

Watercolour is a wonderful, exciting medium. This workshop is about using the transparent quality of watercolour to layer colours. Start with a wonderful wet surface onto which you brush, drop and swirl rich colours. When that layer is dry, don’t paint the flower but rather paint the space behind the flower, the negative space. Add a few positive pieces, maybe stamens, stems or leaves, and you have a glowing painting. 

This workshop with Nan is for painters with some experience painting in watercolour, or a brave beginner. Come and take up the challenge. The day will begin with an introductory talk, followed by periods with step-by-step demonstrations and periods when you are painting. There will be lots of time for you to paint, maybe more than one painting, with individual help and critique from Nan. 

Negative Painting in Watercolour: Flowers with Nan Hogg

March 2, 10 am - 4 pm

Cost: OAG members: $50; non-members: $70. Non-members may join at the workshop. 

The workshop will take place at Victoria Parks Community Centre, Mono Mills. For more information, go to www.orangevilleartgroup.ca.

Artists in the Schools

Artists in the Schools

The fall is traditionally a quiet time for this program, which allows us to complete some other related activities. My new associates, Donna Henderson and Shelley Hannah, and I, are working on many exciting things to add to our program this year:

- we are hoping this year to run two special camp days for which we will draw together a selection of students from various schools to participate in an intensive integrated arts day

- our artists attended a luncheon workshop with a guest speaker in curriculum trends in the arts from the Upper Grand District School Board

- we have offered to deliver art workshops for teachers

-we are speaking to artists who want to be added to our complement. By the next artsletter I should have some interesting news on this.

- our storytellers have joined with us and will be more active in schools this year. Some initial experiences last year were very successful.

- we are exploring funding possibilities in some new ways to allow us to far exceed our usual $6,000 budget. If some individual or business would like to become a sponsor of an arts day I would love to speak to them. Funds donated to this will be targeted to a school or activity of your choice and will count as a charitable donation. Donna and I are also working on a grant proposal.

If this brief article sparks interest in any of you, please contact me for a more detailed discussion or explanation.

Ken Topping
519-925-2819
ktopping@sympatico.ca

Artist in the Spotlight - Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

 

Artist in the Spotlight - Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

"I believe art is a buffet and we can choose what we like from the table." - Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

Artist Biography:

Sharon received her artistic education from Kwantlen College in B.C. She has worked as a photographer, graphic artist, and instructor. Her main focus for the past twenty years has been as an art instructor. She states that one of the joys of teaching is when one witnesses a new artist gain experience and become enthusiastic about their creative discoveries. She is now identifying with her students as she returns to classes herself and starts to participate in more shows and group events. Her recent works are inspired by the shapes and colours of the beautiful Hockley Valley where she lives. She has paintings in many collections and galleries.

Artist Statement:

As an artist, I am constantly trying to find new ways to express more vibrant colour in my paintings. With my recent works, I take many reference photos of my subjects and then I distort the colour balance, contrast, and texture and attempt to play with the paint in a carefree, expressive manner.

I enjoy painting still-life, landscapes and crowd scenes, with people enjoying both ordinary and special events like carnivals or town gatherings, farmers’ markets and activities in colourful surroundings. I take many reference photos to work from, or if the weather is good, I will set up my easel and paint from life. In my current series, Painting the Town, I explore the events in small towns in Ontario and observe the people celebrating many diverse community activities.

I like to be adventurous in my choice of medium and enjoy using bold brush strokes. My recent work is in acrylic, but I believe that each medium has its’ own special voice so I choose the one that best portrays the spirit of the painting that I am working on.

Sharon Wadsworth-Smith

www.wadsworthsmithart.com

519-941-6670

Artist in the Spotlight is prepared by Arlene Taylor, Community Outreach Coordinator at DAC

To see all posts go to: 

www.inthehills.ca/blogs/artist-spotlight/ or

dufferinartscouncil.blogspot.com/p/artist-in-spotlight.html. 

Want to be featured? Contact Arlene for further information.

Feb 10 to Mar 10 - A Legacy of Laughter & Sketching Sunshine

Join us for 2 amazing events:

Special Presentation: Leacock – A Legacy of Laughter: An Afternoon With Three Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Award Winners – Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole and Dan Needles!

Sunday, February 10 - 1:30 pm at Theatre Orangeville

In partnership with BookLore, Theatre Orangeville will be hosting this very special afternoon with three brilliantly funny Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour Award Winners: Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole and Dan Needles. Moderator: Bernadette Hardaker. 

Tickets are $20 (all inclusive) and can be purchased by calling the Theatre Orangeville Box Office at 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295 or online at www.theatreorangeville.ca. 

Complimentary Wine and Cheese and Book Signing Reception to follow. Proceeds from this event will be directed to the Theatre Orangeville New Play Development Fund. 

February 21 - March 10

 

In honour of the 100th anniversary of Canadian legend Stephen Leacock's most enduring work, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, this one-man show starring Joe Matheson conjures up an intimate visit with Canada's preeminent humorist. It is a show filled with laughter, razor-like wit, and thought-provoking insight. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Theatre Orangeville box office at 519-942-3423 or 1-800-424-1295 or online at www.theatreorangeville.ca.