65 Red Roses

Recently I was honoured to be part of a collaborative work by 65 members of the Federation of Canadian Artists that was donated to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. All artists painted an 8x10 panel which had to include a red rose. Collectively they total 65 red roses which is also the title of the blog by Eva Markvoort. Eva died this past March but left behind a life legacy that few could accomplish. She has and will continue to touch the lives and hearts of so very many people worldwide through her blog and award-winning 2009 documentary film 65 Red Roses.

A unveiling reception on May 15 at performance Works on Granville Island was attended by over 400 guests. Homage was paid to Eva, her life and love that she shared freely. The final painting composed of the 65 8x10s was absolutely stunning and will be auctioned by Maynards in Vancouver on June 16. Posters were also made and are available for $65 each. All proceeds go to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For info go to http://web.me.com/angela.au.hemphill/Painting_65_Red_Roses/Welcome.html or if you wish to purchase a poster contact the Federation of Canadian Artists at 604-681-8534.

Have included an image of my own 8x10 red rose and one of the poster.

Contributing Artists:

Gaye Adams SFCA
Trish Armstrong-Gibson AFCA
Carol Arnston, Active
Angela Au Hemphill SFCA
Robert Bateman SFCA
Anthony J Batten SFCA
Teressa Bernard SFCA
Alessandra Bitelli SFCA
Kristi Bridgeman Active
Barrie Chadwick SFCA
Tinyan Chan SFCA
Doris Charest AFCA
Roberta R Combs SFCA
Sue Cowan SFCA
Sandra Donohue AFCA
Marney Edge Active
Tim Fraser Active
Robert Genn SFCA
Drew Gillies AFCA
Martine Gourbault SFCA
Disa Marie Hale AFCA
Lalita Hamill AFCA
Kiff Holland SFCA
Phillipa Hudson Active
Lorry Hughes AFCA
Caroline Hunter AFCA
Gail Johnson AFCA
Amanda Jones SFCA
Jutta Kaiser SFCA
Sandy Kay AFCA
Sarah Kidner SFCA
Michael King Active
Michael Knox Active
Heidi Lambert AFCA
David Langevin Active
Chi-keung Leung AFCA
Carol Ljuden AFCA
Brent Lynch SFCA
Pauline Martland AFCA
Andrew McDermott SFCA
Richard S McDiarmid SFCA
Robert McMurray AFCA
Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki SFCA
Suzanne Northcott SFCA
Uli Ostermann AFCA
Patricia Peacock SFCA
Sandrine Pelissier AFCA
Genevieve Pfeiffer AFCA
Dianna R Ponting SFCA
Alice Rabinowitz AFCA
Myrtle-Anne Rempel SFCA
Cindy Revell AFCA
Janice Robertson SFCA
Jo Scott-B AFCA
Merrilee Sett AFCA
Michael Svob SFCA
Shirley Thomas AFCA
Marilyn Y Timms SFCA
Marjorie Turnbull AFCA
Jim Walsh Active
Pam Weber AFCA
Gary Whitley AFCA
Elizabeth Wiltzen SFCA
Alan Wylie SFCA
Barbara Younger AFCA

Logan Lake Scape #5

Wow! It's been a while since my last blog. The national show/fundraiser and demos etc... all done until next April. Show turnout was great and we sold 8 paintings. The fundraiser dance was a blast as usual and we did pretty good with it. My painting included in this blog was hanging at the show and was one of the eight sold. YEA!

Was in a car accident in early April and am slowly recuperating from that. Am trying to start painting again but it is a struggle as the affected areas are shoulders neck, arms and back. Was forced to miss the remainder of life drawing this year. We don't meet again until September so no more nudes until then although one of these days I'll have to go through the last few sessions before the accident and post a few.

I managed to finish a 10x8 painting for a project organized by the Federation of Canadian Artists,'65 Red Roses', for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. There are 65 amazing participating artists whose paintings will be made into one piece that will auctioned on June 16 by Maynards, Vancouver. For more info go to http://web.me.com/angela.au.hemphill/Painting_65_Red_Roses/Welcome.html

Am looking forward to next weekend away on the coast which includes the reception for this event as well as some much needed alone time for Bill and myself. Will be a nice relaxing break! Hope its a glorious sunny weekend as I plan on getting as much reference material as I can gather...ssssshhhhhhhhhh....don't tell Bill. LOL Trish

Thompson Nicola Shuswap Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists

Lifedrawing February 11, 2010

Thought I should probably post some of my life drawings from last weeks session before I go to life drawing tonight!! LOL. It has been a real crazy week. So busy right now helping plan and organize a national juried art show that will be at the Old Kamloops Courthouse in April. Along with the show there is two days of demos and discussion at St Andrews on the square and our fundraiser dance with David Langevin and the Blues Jumpers at the Ukrainian Hall. If you want dance tickets let me know!!

Have uploaded 6 life drawings 2 @ 2 minutes, a 5, a 10 and 2 @ 15 minutes each in that order. Sometimes when painting or drawing an artist can 'blank out' otherwise known as being in the zone. This rarely happens at life drawing more frequently in the studio. Those are the magic moments. The 15 minute pose where the model is in a doorway with one hand on her belly. I was focused so much that I did get in the zone and I made her slightly pregnant....must have been that hand on the belly. Funny what the subconscious can do! Love what happens when I'm in the 'zone'.

Lifedrawing, February 4, 2010

The secret to being early/on time is to realize that your car's clock is 20 minutes slow!!! Oh and to make sure you follow up and change it. Was wondering how I kept losing time! Made it to life drawing early this time...in fact was the only one there for about 15 minutes. Was a good night and I'm getting comfortable with the group. Have shared a 2, 2 @ 5, 10 and 2 @ 15 minute drawings.









Last and maybe least...haha....a 15 minute I tried on arches 140cp using the water soluble graphite with water. I have drawn a fair amount with it dry. I love the feel and soft grayness. So I wasn't expecting how dark it got when brushing over it with water. The texture of the paper impeded the process as well. I couldn't get those flowing lines I do when its dry or the soft washes I'm used to getting in watercolour. Kind of silly to try it the first time at lifedrawing. Will try again with 140hp paper and see if I get better results.

Life Drawing, January 28, 2010

Late for life drawing this week too!! I am usually on time but somehow the clock in my car lost 20 minutes.....maybe that was why I was late last week too! Anyways got there just in time but still had to set up my easel etc...so by the time I did that we were into the 5 minute poses. Had a good night once I got going. Have picked 5 drawings to share...a 5 , 10 and 3 @ 15 minutes.

Life Drawing January 21, 2010

Not my best session! First I was a bit behind schedule. Then I forgot my drawing board and clips...so nothing to put my paper on. The other artists attending lent me what I needed so I could draw...thanks! By the time I got it together in time for last two minute pose time was half up. My graphite was acting up too...hit a hard spot...had to keep working it down. The drawings are fainter than usual because of it. Not too good a night. You know how it goes...we all have them once in a while. Have posted a 2, 5 and 10 minute drawing from that session.

Life Drawings From Fall 2009

Life drawing is the act of drawing the human figure from a live model. Sketching nude models from life is a time-honoured artistic endeavor recorded in history as early as the 13th century while figure drawing goes back to prehistoric times. The human figure is the most prevalent subject throughout Art History. This process is one of the most challenging as people come in all forms and the body can change dramatically with the slightest movement of either the model or the artist.

Life drawing is a passion of mine. Models are expensive so groups of artists get together to share costs. Recently I have been fortunate to get into a life drawing group that meets weekly in Kamloops. It is about 40 minutes from where I live but well worth the trip! I have posted below photos of my life drawings from this past fall. Next I'll begin posting a few from each weeks session starting with the sketches from Thursday January 21. I work primarily on newsprint although a few are on pastel paper. I found it difficult to get decent photos but am sharing them anyways!

1 to 2 Minute Life Drawings

At the beginning of a life drawing session the model strikes quick poses usually 1 and then 2 minutes each. This allows the artists to 'warm up' and to draw from poses that would be difficult to hold longer.

1 to 2 Minute Life Drawings

5 to 10 Minute Life Drawings

After the 1 and 2 minute poses the time for each pose jumps to 5 and 10 minutes each. While the poses are still difficult for the model they are a little easier to hold than the short times. These poses make up the bulk of each session.

I had worked mostly in charcoal but was introduced to water soluble graphite during a workshop last fall given by Suzanne Northcott, http://www.suzannenorthcott.ca/NewWork.htm# I find the graphite stick to be big and solid in my hand. It is easily manipulated to create soft and hard lines. With water it creates a wash. It doesn't smudge like charcoal. Now, I usually work with either the graphite or charcaol in my right hand and schminke white pastel in the left. This way I can create the dark and darker midrange values with the charcoal/graphite and the lightest value with the Schminke while the newsprint becomes the lighter midrange.

5 to 10 Minute Life Drawings

15 to 20 Minute Life Drawings

15 to 20 minute poses are generally more relaxed and comfortable as they get easier for the model to hold.

15 to 20 Minute Life Drawings

30 to 45 Minute Life Drawings

I'm sure you get the picture by now. The longer the pose the more complete and detailed the drawing. Sometimes it is too long and loses the freshness of something quicker. 20 minutes seems a good length most times although a longer pose can give more information on which to base a painting.

30 to 45 Minute Life Drawings from Fall 2009

Beauty

Another acrylic. This woman caught my eye at the Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts. She seemed to exude a sense of contented joy. I loved the hair and her smile so I asked if I could take a few pictures. The orange you see peeking through is for the most part the underpainting that I had painted over the whole canvas. As I worked I let it show through which created a nice harmony. I was drawn to her hair and its cast shadows. The texture in the background mimics this vertical aspect. I really enjoyed painting this one.

After the Dance #2

Another dancer this time in acrylic. I found the figure in this medium to be very challenging. To get the soft transitions in the skin is difficult to say the least. The skirt was fun to paint in multiple glazes of transparent blue and black. Her ballet slippers have this soft glow that I love.

Hippy, Hippy Shake

Another watercolour, a belly dancer named Meeka. I love the light on the figure and the way the 'coins' on the costume did their own dance. Beautiful dancer and a wonderful model.

Beach Ball Bliss

This watercolour is one of my favorites. My granddaughter, Brittany, is a frequent subject. This day at Nicola Lake she had so much fun with that beachball which was almost too big for her to handle. She sat down for a bit , just hugged that ball and glowed with joy. I tried to capture the heat of the day and her pure pleasure.

Introductions

Hi all,

Just thought I should post some of my work from the last two years. While I have been primarily a watercolourist recently I have branched out into acrylics. Will post examples of both. Hope you enjoy them!