Distracted by Abstraction

I am back into abstract painting. Continuing to explore abstraction is one of my "creative resolutions" for the new year. The question that arises for me is - what comes first - the painting or the title when doing  abstracts? Even more challenging is the question - are titles important or even necessary in abstract art? Is the emotional connection to the painting the thing, rather than a somewhat arbitrary title? Does the title help focus your response to a piece of abstract art? More on that later. Meanwhile there is an "Abstract Art Title Generator" to provide some tongue-in-cheek assistance at
ttp://noemata.net/pa/titlegen/.
The latest two paintings were completed before they were titled. As a result they are called "Abstraction 1" and "Abstraction 2". I should have used the "generator" which came up with "Component with Morphism" and "Ode to Quirky Insight". What do you think fits better?

 

Abstraction 1

Abstraction 2

                                                                        

 At all points in my painting life I shall content myself with the words of Eugène Delacroix who said that "Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything." Just in case you think he's a slouch, check below.

Welcome a New Decade

I mentioned in a previous blog that I would think about "creativity resolutions" for the new year. This list will probably haunt me by next year and it  is not world- changing, but you have to make an effort.
In  2011
 I will paint more watercolour on Yupo paper, continue exploring abstract painting, particularly abstract landscapes, investigate the creative possibilities that collage offers, continue my series of "old men", try new acrylic techniques and look into all the options for watercolours without glass and frames.
PS. Visit more art galleries.

Good news for the new decade! According to Robert Genn, a Canadian painter who produces a regular newsletter called Painter's Keys, about art and other arty thoughts - "Fine art is on the way in. In our gadgety, thing-happy society where Walmart and creeping meatballism threaten, painting is hot. Old fashioned as the shoeing of horses--about the same methodology for the last six hundred years--art fills a vital human need for life enhancement. Art reboots the cerebral cortex, teaches new skills to underutilized hands, arouses dormant sensitivities and promotes latent passions. If need be, art gives us something to talk about besides the kids, grandkids and celebrities, hence making us more interesting people. And it's cheap--a month of art supplies for the average Daumier is about the same as a round of golf."

Think about art and click on this video link. The paintings of Van Gogh are set to music, the lyrics of which have been changed to reflect the art. Enjoy and happy new year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dipFMJckZOM

Joy

I am posting the only kind of seasonal painting I have ever done - gone to a good home.

The Red Umbrella

  This painting was done for a friend and told a very important personal story for her. I thought the red umbrella (that was really in the actual scene) made the painting.
Yesterday, I met the "old dandy" that inspired " The Pursuit of Happiness" painting in a previous post. I recognized him by the "bent knee strut" because of his arthritis. He was totally charming. We are now friends and he talks of us as neighbours, although we live a few blocks apart. Little does he know how close he and I were as I laboured over his somewhat modified image in my painting. What a thrill!

I am continuing my foray into colour and abstraction, that is if I don't become too "abstracted" to finish.  In my next post, I also hope to share my New Year's creative resolutions so stay tuned! I have not forgotten to take up in the near future, the thread of "What is Art"?

It's All About Colour

Painting is all about colour. There is no painting without colour - even if it is in black and white - although some would say that those are non-colours. Design, compostion, theme or subject are superimposed on colour. The following two paintings are purely a response to colour.
This of course opens up the whole discussion about what is art -more on that later.

Verdure

Orange Catalyst

Inspiration

What inspires us to paint a subject? There are a thousand answers for a thousand artists and a thousand paintings.
I had an inspiration several years ago when I saw an elderly man in France. He was walking downhill between houses on a village road. He had on a coat that had fit him at one point, but now he was very thin. He had an old slouchy hat. He had a small poodle on a leash which looked as old as he was. He appeared to have come out of a cafe. It was very poignant. What was his story? Was he alone and lonely? Was he going home to his wife? Was the dog, his best and only pal? The idea was to do a painting that captured the mood of the scene and all it's questions for the viewer. Since then I have done the "Old Man and Dog" in about six paintings in many guises and environments. I think he will be with me forever.
My current "old man" is a "dandy", and the "old lady" in the painting is after him - thus the title "The Pursuit of Happiness". I had seen him a couple of times, always looking smart, with his knee socks and hat. He was still jaunty in spite of obvious arthritis, which forced him to walk with bent knees. He looks attainable in the painting, but finally turns away. Perhaps his mind is elsewhere. What would happen if the old lady caught him?

                                              The Pursuit of Happiness

Art Walk

The Yonge Lawrence Art Walk is continuing till November 4. Local businesses highlight original artwork in window displays and in-store. They do a wonderful job of working with the artists to create an exciting annual event. Look for "official participants display cards" and VOTE online for the "People's Choice Award" for best Art Display. Come "walk the ARTWALK" and check out original artwork by local artists in a variety of media.  Visit www.yongelawrencevillage-bia.com/  for details.
This year, I will be located in the window of Papermarche at 3429 Yonge Street. http://www.papermarche.com/ with two paintings which bring back wistfull memories of "cottage country" in the summer.

Northern Lake

Haliburton Still

                                                                 


                                                      

It's All About Shape and Sensitivity

The Distillery District in Toronto is a fascinating historical area. It is home to art galleries, restaurants, the Soulpepper Theatre and boutiques - all housed in the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. www.thedistillerydistrict.com/.
A variety of events take place here all year round. That makes it a great place for people watching and sources for painting! It is also a romantic place as you will see from the latest mixed media painting which captures a moment in time at the Distillery. I was attracted to the spontaneity of the couple and the shape their bodies made around each other. I enjoyed the cool shadows cast by the old buildings.I loved the old clock and placed them in front of it to show the timelessness of a young couple in love. Painting figures which tell a human story is an area of increasing interest to me.

A Kiss in Time

It's All About Me

"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint you can on it " says Danny Kaye, and I am certainly trying to do that!

I  have several art shows coming up this Fall and hope you will stop by to say "hello".
The season begins with:

North York Visual Artists Art Tour and Sale September 25 & 26
Mitchell Field Community Centre

(Mitchell Field Community Centre is located on Church Street, just East of Yonge and South of Finch)
I will be showing in the community centre with seven other artists. Other artists in our organization are in their home studios. More details and a map can be found in the brochure on the North York Visual Artists Website http://www.nyva.ca/

Note: The tour is held for two weekends. The brochure indicates which artists are only exhibiting on the first weekend, which includes me.

Yonge Lawrence ARTWALK October 15 to November 4

The Yonge Lawrence Village BIA presents the 6th annual Artwalk. Local businesses will host the works of local artists in mediums ranging from watercolours to photography. Artists’ works will be displayed in local merchants’ windows and establishments along Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue and Yonge Boulevard.City Councillors will walk the Village and judge the windows for best overall creative impression and flair and determine the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners. Check out the Business Association website at http://www.yongelawrencevillage-bia.com/
 to view last year's photos. This year, I will be located in the window of Papermarche at 3429 Yonge Street. http://www.papermarche.com/

Parallel Lines October 1 to Oct 30 Starbucks at Yonge and Brookdale.

An exhibition of 20 paintings by the North Toronto Group of Artists, as a preliminary to their Fall show

North Toronto Group of Artists Fall Art Show November 5 and 6.

Mark your calendars! This year's art show and sale will take place on November 5th and 6th. 20 local artists will be personally showing their latest artwork to the public at this annual arts event. NEW LOCATION...Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Ave. located just one block south of Lawrence on Yonge Street. HOURS OF SHOW are Friday evening 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (*opening night reception by invitation only) and Saturday 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. FREE ADMISSION to the Public on Saturday. . Email northtorontogroupofartists@gmail.com for more information or the website at http://www.northtorontogroupofartists.com/
**If you plan to attend the opening night reception, please email me at aneidhardt@rogers.com so that I can send you an invitation and put your name on the list.

Hope to see you there!

Just in case you think that I am too busy promoting and not painting,

Hie Me to a Nunnery!

I am leaving abstraction for the moment and finishing two more realistic paintings started some time ago. These paintings are in watercolour, but I have also done some figurative paintings in acrylic.


I get very excited when I see the possibilities for paintings as I observe people in unique settings, doing unusual things or simply casting a clear light on the ordinary everyday. I am also very attracted to the idea of painting people that are "forgotten" in various ways.

The following paintings are not about “forgotten” people, but about nuns enjoying life.
It was so charming to watch a group of nuns in Rome winding there way down a busy street. The juxtaposition of the habit and the designer shopping bag drew my attention and amused me. What was in it?? Thus – “Blessings from Gucci.” The younger nun looks interested, while the more mature nun behind has an air of disapproval.

Blessings from Gucci

I originally thought of calling this painting “Free at Last”, but thought better of it. That does express the carefree feeling the painting is trying to recreate, however. This is a nun, spied wheeling along a path in a convent beside the St. Lawrence in Quebec City. Such fun to be a nun!

Nun A La Carte

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Hie Me To a Nunnery!

I get very excited when I see the possibilities for paintings when I am able to observe people in unique settings, doing unusual things or simply casting a clear light on the ordinary everyday. I am also very attracted to the idea of painting people that are "forgotten" in various ways.
The following paintings