Summer 2014
Last summer's I signed up for a 3-day art workshop, Expressive Acrylics, with Suzanne Northcott. The workshop was offered by the Whistler Arts Council, and their Workshops on the Lake program, on Alta Lake in a wonderful, old lake house.
I’d been looking for the right workshop to advance my understanding of acrylics and the painting process, with an artist who’s work I admire – I found it with Suzanne. She’s a wonderful teacher, known for reaching each artist at their own level, no matter the group. She excelled her reputation, and I learned a great deal from her. Over the three days I completed four pieces, each an evolution, becoming more painterly and layered. I was infused with renewed energy and inspiration, and a solid understanding of the painting process.
Learning to paint like I draw – meaning, being as comfortable with the medium of acrylic paint as I am with chalk pastels, relaxing into the work without being conscious of the process. Many years ago I drew The Back in Chalks, and this weekend I translated it into paint, and hit a high moment when I actually felt like I was ‘drawing’.
In progress
Finished piece
The underpainting
Finished piece
Reference photos I took in the spring
and a sketch
My small 8 x 8” abstract landscape, titled ‘Inspired by the Lake View’
And lastly, a textured experiment, called ‘Stormy Skies Over the Lake’