BEAVER HALL WOMEN PAINTERS

It has been a busy week though certainly not all art related. I have fussed over the 'buildings' painting, getting amost there and then making changes. I have been taking photos after each painting session and this has been helpful. When something isn't just right, I refer to the previous photos and can see where I need to get back on track. Currently the painting is covered with chalk, indicating to me which lines need to be altered, extended or removed and places where insertions of colour and shape would benefit the overall look. Otherwise very little activity on that particular canvas.

Painting group: J's painting, filled with emotion, enough to bring her tears as she told us of the experience the work represented. Half of the group was available for lunch at Paddys and again we were in the turret room, ideal for us when a large group. T agreed to get involved in painting and became excited about attending the acrylic course the next day. [She has talent for sure!]

After the lunch, my errands took me downtown, first to On The Front, but found no one was there and at Assante learned that I should give Deb a call. The Stardust Book Store was next on my list and though it would be great to look through some of the art books she has in stock in more detail, I came home with only one, "Painting Friends, The Beaver Hall Women Painters" by Barbara Meadowcroft. It fascinated me on two counts, one being the as yet unknown to me women painters and their association with and exhibition with The Group of Seven, and two, because these women were contemporaries with my mother, and like her, lived in Montreal. A quick overview enticed me to go to the computer and google one of these women. I chose Prudence Heward because she had summered at Fernbank just outside of Brockville, another association, mine this time.

I was pleased to discover that the CBC had done a documentary and found a link to the text and a copy of the painting, "At the Theatre", 1928 at:

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/beaverhall.html Another link featured Prudence Heward, selected Artist of the Month:

http://www.jamespicard.com/aotm/aotmheward.html

My third stop was at Bear Creek Studio, where I was encouraged to take a look at the work being done at the workshop across the hall. I did and was disappointed that I had not signed up. Marie Louise showed me the samples of the work that the group had done and showed me one of the techniques she had used. That day's work was being done on raw canvas, later to be stretched on stretcher bars. Sorry I missed this workshop.

Yesterday, downtown and back to Bear Creek. Met T there and she and I were in a class with three other females and two males. Some brought in samples of their work, the older gentleman showing a painting of Greece, with row of boats at the shore and the houses reaching back and up the hillside. The painting was 'flat' and colourful and very effective, by far my favourite. Ariel gave a suggestion re improving the painting I had brought in, and it made much sense. Why couldn't I see that! Came home and added a few touches of yellow, and the painting is completed. Didn't produce anything during that class that doesn't need

a lot of work. Should have remembered to bring a photo.

Called On The Front from my cellphone, parked just a block from their building and need to return on Monday around 4p.m. to pick up the not-yet-processed cheque. Presumably there was a wait to be certain that the purchaser's cheque or card had cleared.

Later in the evening, I decided to try the GAC 900 on some fabric I had on hand. An attempt at a flat painting, not without errors. It grows on me. I wonder how it will look as a bottom half cafe style curtain in my art room...hmmm!