"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.” Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Closer Together
“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
View across to Ottawa from Bate Island, 8″x 10″, Oil on canvas
If a picture is worth a thousand words….
I’ve been known to quip: “If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a plein-air sketch is worth a thousand reference photos.” When I sit down to sketch a scene, a sense of intrigue and mystery kicks in. I get fascinated with particular elements, colours, shapes and, semi-intuitively add these into my picture – ingredients for the recipe if you like. I ḿight even say to myself: “this sketch is all about that weathered tree, still standing proud” or “those roadworks are giving me a splash of colour.” And so it goes as I work up my sketch or painting. Later, back in the studio, I might get the urge to develop the theme. I look at the photos taken at the scene and invariably think to myself: “that’s not at all what I saw…what’s all that rough bush there in the way of my tree?,” or “Those roadworks are so far in the distance that they look non-existent.” The photos record the view but not the fabric of the place, the idea, emotion, relevance or message. Out comes my little sketch, completed on the spot and the tension breaks. “That’s what I’m talking about…that’s what I saw.”
Plein-air sketching and painting starts this week! Bate Island Wednesday, 08 July:
The sessions will generally be on Wednesday mornings, 9:30am to 12:00pm, with Thursday a reserve day in case of rain.
At each session there will be an optional summer painting class consisting of:
On-site instruction;
Follow-up review by email;
Access to companion on-line lessons and demonstrations.
Cost for the optional classes is $30.00/session, with a maximum of 8 participants per session. Book the complete series of 8 sessions for the cost of 5: $150.00. Payment can be by secure payment link, Interac transfer or on-site.
Should you like to be added to the plein-air email list, send an email and we’ll keep you informed of weekly meet-up details and contingencies: david@davidkearn.com
Here’s to good weather!!
A few things to remember:
Apart from a paint kit of your choice (plus a sketch pad) here are a few other things to consider bringing:
Something to sit on, such as a small cushion or a fold-up stool or chair. There will sometimes be a convenient picnic table or wall;
Sunscreen, a sunhat and sunglasses;
Something windproof, and layers in case it cools;
Something to drink;
A bag to put rubbish in, such as dirty pieces of paper towel;
A large plastic bag as an emergency rain shield;
A camera for recording the scene.
Fall Registration now open at the OSA!
Fall Registration is now open on-line at the Ottawa School of Art. Our courses will be commencing early November this year, following some commitments earlier in the fall. We are looking forward to a range of short courses – online and downtown – as well as three weekend workshops at the Shenkman:
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
