Why paint?

When I think about why I paint, I quickly conclude that it’s a life dimension that does not work in words, at least not directly. It’s a conduit to something other than what my senses are telling me, a unique communication with others and myself equally: “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way–things I had no words for.” Georgia O’Keeffe

Many artists have had something to say – Emily Carr stated: “I think that one’s art is a growth inside one. I do not think one can explain growth. It is silent and subtle.”  René Magritte was more sanguine: “Life obliges me to do something, so I paint.”

Of course the activity is enjoyable too: “Just to paint is great fun. The colours are lovely to look at and delicious to squeeze out. Matching them, however crudely, with what you see is fascinating and absolutely absorbing.” Winston Churchill

Trans Canada Trail Article

I’m delighted to be featured in a new article by the Trans Canada Trail.

Check it out on the TCT website: https://tctrail.ca/stories/david-kearn-plein-air-painting/

OSA Instructor’s Exhibition – downtown

OSAO Instructor’s Exhibition – Orleans

August 28 – September 23, 2023

Vernissage/Open House  Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 September 10, 2023.

Visting hours hours for the OSAO gallery at the Orleans campus:

Monday to Friday 10:00 to 5:00
Saturday 10:00 to 4:00
Sunday 1:00 to 4:00

Fall Courses & Workshops

This Fall we’re looking forward to a full program of courses and workshops, both in-person and on-line.

Check out all the details on our website: https://www.breakabrush.com/workshops/

Plein-air Update

I’ve been out plein air painting with a group of you since April: we´ve worked in cold, wind and heat although luckily, no rain! In August, France and I are taking some time to travel and catch up on other projects. Although I won’t be organizing events, I would be delighted to circulate information on plein-air meet-ups that come my way. Let me know at david@davidkearn.com should you be going plein-air painting, or hear of any groups out there!

Gabriel’s Painting Retrospective

We’ve known Gabriel Lepkey and her paintings for over a decade now. Imagine our delight when we heard that Gabriel, egged on by her husband and family, mounted a Saturday afternoon retrospective of her art. Like homing pigeons, the many paintings with family and friends returned to the roost for the show: 140 in all!

We were honored to be invited. Congratulations Gabriel!

 

Facial Recognition Technology used to Identify a Long-Lost Raphael

The similarity is blatantly obvious, however the crafty software can get beneath the surface:

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/facial-recognition-raphael-authentication-2246583

Kicking the habit

We artists often get hooked on a colour and I’m no exception. I readily admit I’m stuck on Burnt Sienna. To counter this from time-to-time I force myself to start with something different, either radically different, a blue, say, or swing round the colour wheel just a little to perhaps a crimson. It almost does not matter what …I just pick up a different pigment and play with it. The only nuance for me is that it should be around the same value – a mid tone. That way I can form an image with darks and lights, revolving around my mid tone core.

Break-a-Brush!

David & France