Art Begins where Judgment Ends

by David KearnArtist's Questions, Artists, General, Studio InsightsPosted on Comments are Disabled

“Art begins where judgment ends” and “as in art as in life” have been two resonating ideas since I welcomed art into my life….David

In her book Closer Together, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau expands “The more I paint, the more I believe I can. My painting teacher, David Kearn, says that art begins where judgment ends. I think we could say the same thing of love and of life. Everything becomes more authentic, including ourselves, when we let go of self-criticism and judgment. Creativity is within all of us.” 

“David is so good at making art approachable and possible! Such a pleasure having him as a regular guest on the show! 🔥” Derick Fage, host of RogersTV Daytime Ottawa
 

Welcome to our Judgement-free Zone!

 

Break-a-Brush! – Newsletter for October and November 2026

by David KearnCourses, Creativity, General, Monthly Newsletters, Painting, Studio InsightsPosted on No Comments

A Pivot Point

There’s a point in every artwork where the lines, marks and colours start talking back, ushering in a shift from pure creating to a back-and-forth conversation with an image’s emerging nature. I do something and it lets me know what it thinks of it. With many paintings, this comes after I’ve blocked in the major forms. I might like the result so much that I work around the image with little more definition. In other cases I go forward, almost methodically, with a higher – for me – level of realism. Wherever that point might be, look for it, feel it: that point where the art begins to live!

Starting in November: Courses and Workshops – There’s still space!

We are looking forward to a range of short courses – online and downtown – as well as three weekend workshops at the Shenkman, all starting in November.

Weekend Workshops at the Shenkman Centre in Orleans:

  • To Brush or not to Brush? – Exploring painting techniques – 7 & 8 November, 9:30am – 4:30pm
  • The Life in Your Portraits – Emotion through Technique – 21 & 22 November, 9:30am – 4:30pm
  • The Voice of Colour – 5 & 6 December, 9:30am – 4:30pm

5-week on-line courses:

  • Expressive Painting Your Way… any media! – 3 November – 1 December,  9-11:30am Eastern Time
  • Expressive Portraits in Watercolour – 3 November – 1 December, 1-3:30pm  Eastern Time

5-week downtown courses

  • Paint in Acrylic and Oil – 4 November – 2 December, 9.30am -12.30pm
  • Expressive Portraits – 4 November – 2 December, 1:00 pm – 04:00 pm 

Details plus direct links to each of the Course Registration pages are on our website at: https://www.davidkearn.com/workshops/

And in the wide world of art…

Chance to buy a Van Gogh, Cézanne and a Monet: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/sep/30/vincent-van-gogh-paul-cezanne-claude-monet-blaquier-arrieta-collection-display-sothebys-sale

The grittier side of Georgia O’Keeffe: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/sep/08/georgia-okeeffe-architecture-exhibit

Renoir paintings worth millions stolen in French museum heist: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70drp0pyw2o

Most famous image of JMW Turner not a self-portrait, says expert https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/may/14/most-famous-image-turner-not-self-portrait-says-expert

Break-a-Brush!

David & France