Calgary Sketch Club JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER Editorial I m hoping to include a regular note in the Calgary Sketch Club Newsletter that will be a conversation about art, the Sketch Club and members of the club, both past and present. Some things will be complementary, others will be critical but it is always my humble opinion and I hope you find it informative. First of all, never miss the opportunity to art. An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox : I m quoting somebody but I don t know whom. It means if you can t do everything, at least do something. My friend and mentor Robert E. Wood said if you can t paint, at least read about painting. Consequently, I have a number of books about art and painting- an art library about the size of the library of congress. Robert also said paint everyday and you will get better, paint 3 times a week and you will stay the same, paint once a week and you will get worse. I know we all have busy lives, but try to art in one form or another, every day. Don t let life get in the way. The CSC seems to be in an emotional buzz right now. The issue about whether or not to have juried shows has stirred up a beehive of opinions. How I used to hate (and still do) dragging my paintings to these jury nights. When my paintings were juried out (and they sometimes still are) I would be furious. Damn judges, what do they know, I am going to quit this bloody club. I d go to other Clubs art sales and even back then, about a hundred years ago, I could see the quality of the work in the CSC was much better, by leaps and bounds. So I stayed with the CSC. I focussed on becoming a better artist. No siree, they ain t gonna jury me out again. I WISH! I bought art books by the dozens. I attended about a hundred workshops, I took painting classes, and finally I started having paintings accepted into juried shows. Eventually, I even managed to sell the odd one. This is why we are in the sketch club isn t it, to improve as artists? As I said, I hated the jurying but it made me a better painter. Could I have been a better painter without all this fuss and bother, NOT BLOODY LIKELY. Some people object to this jury system because they think it doesn t make any difference to the club but believe me it does. Some of our members have gotten into other art clubs because these clubs know the good reputation for quality art that the CSC has. Other members object because they don t like the process, or they can t be bothered or they are just plain lazy. Just jump through the art hoops and it will eventually work in your favour. Enough said, for now anyway. Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 1
Some of our members, both past and present, are wonderful painters. Our club goes back over 100 years and some well known artists have been in our midst. Recently one of our newsletters mentioned Jean Geddes was in our club and some members seemed to be surprised about this. She is a well-known member of the CSC and still is a wonderful artist. I am not speaking for Jean, but I know her well and I think she was a staunch supporter of the jurying system. Some of our past members include Roland Gissing, Elaine Fleming, and Robert E. Wood. If you don t know them, google them and surprise yourself. We have high standards and many terrific artists in our club and this is no accident. Remember, art whenever you can. Don t let life get in the way. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Margaret Gray. P.S. Happy painting. Calgary Sketch Club - Schedule Other Date Thurs. Events Description Jan 2019 3 No meeting 10 Artist Demo Todd Lachance 17 How to write an artists statement with Beatrice Wilhelm 25 Artist critique - TBA 31 No meeting Feb 2019 7 No meeting. Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 2
Demo Jan 10, 2019 Todd Lachance Todd Lachance is a representational painter based out of Calgary Alberta, Canada. He works in oils in his plein air painting and studio work. Todd paints portraits, figures, landscapes and still life. Born and raised in Grimsby, Ontario in 1969, Todd found his passion in art as a child. Although an athlete, who moved to Calgary after high school to train for long track speed skating, he was equally committed to art throughout his teen years. After his athletic career came to an end, Todd moved his priority and focus to his other passion - art. He gained representation at galleries but took a break to be a full-time Dad to his two children, Jackson and Isabelle, and then returned full-time painter again when they were established in school. Todd attended the Alberta College of Art, but finds more satisfaction in what he learns from his work with other selected artists, such as Richard Schmid and Jeremy Lipking. Todd lists some of his influences as the Tom Thomson, The Group of Seven, Rembrandt, Degas, The Impressionists, Sargent, Sorolla, Zorn, Schmid and Lipking. He enjoys working in nature and from life as much as possible. In the studio, large paintings are created from smaller outdoor sketches. In an on-line interview, Todd says: Spending a lot of time outdoors and immersing myself in the geography of my subject, I try to work in natural settings and from life as much as possible. This is reflected in my artwork. In the studio, larger paintings are created from smaller outdoor sketches. This was a process I learned by the likes of Tom Thomson. Like my predecessors, I am fascinated with light and colour and how it affects our world. This is what I paint. January 17, 2019 - Refresh Your Artist s Statement All about You and Your ART The artists statement is a useful sales tool whether introducing yourself to a new customer base or applying for representation. Beatrice Wilhelm will lead a review of writing techniques and ideas to compose or refresh your artists statement. The goal of the evening is to review some of the main building blocks of writing an artist s statement so that you may apply them where and when the need arises. Together, we will explore how choices in tone, language, format, and style can impact the effectiveness of your document. Beatrice Wilhelm s B.A. from the University of British Columbia was gained mainly through her work in the Creative Writing department and studies in Literature. Her master s diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute unlocked the freedom to paint the images that had no words. Currently, Beatrice fills the role of communications assistant with the Calgary Sketch club, writing the introductions and newsletter blurbs for visiting artists. Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 3
Events Artists Critique TBA Jan 25th Virginia Carr gave us a fascinating presentation and demonstrated her creativity in November. Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 4
Christmas Party & Painting Exchange Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 5
Live Figure Drawing Gain experience drawing live models every week 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Short pose figure $13 per person / 8 spaces available 2nd Tuesdays long pose portrait $16 per person For more information contact Janey Luc-German Cell 403-700-6293 janeypassion@gmail.com www.janeysart.weebly.com Classified Ads FOR SALE: Oval Cutter $100.00 Contact Adel @ 540-4163 Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 6
Something Positive Editor: Lorrie Warkentin Email: Lorrie.warkentin@me.com 7