Last week I picked up my watercolours and did a self portrait: brush in one hand, mirror in the other. I posted it on Instagram (davidkearn1) then later thought I’d add an additional wash. France prefers my initial effort and I can see why.

Although I was working in what I would call “safe mode” that is, being careful not to mess with key ingredients, I couldn’t help recalling David Milne’s comment: “all detail is at the expense of the whole”, reminding me to practice what I preach and “stop!” We all need this reminder from time to time and in this case, I feel lucky as it only went sideways!

Which version do you prefer?

 

Fall Courses & Workshops

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

10 week courses at the Ottawa School of Art, 35 George Street

• Expressive Portraits, Intro-inter; Wed, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, 10 sessions: 20 Sept. 2023 – 22 Nov. 2023
• Paint in Acrylic or Oil! Intro-inter; Wed, 1 – 4 pm, 10 sessions: 20 Sept. 2023 – 22 Nov. 2023
• Register with the Ottawa School of Art: https://artottawa.ca/ Tel. (613) 241-7471
  

8 week On-line course

• The Art and Theory of Colour, Mon, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm,  8 sessions: 18 Sept. 2023 – 06 Nov. 2023
• Register with the Ottawa School of Art: https://artottawa.ca/ Tel. (613) 241-7471

10 week Children’s course at the Ottawa School of Art, 35 George Street

• Amazing People and Places – Drawing and Painting, Ages 8 – 12; Wed, 4:30 – 6 pm, 10 sessions: 20 Sept. 2023 – 22 Nov. 2023
• Register with the Ottawa School of Art: https://artottawa.ca/ Tel. (613) 241-7471

Weekend Workshops at the at the Ottawa School of Art, Shenkman Centre, Orléans

• Forgotten Impressionists 30 Sept. 2023 – 01 Oct. 2023
• Rembrandt to Renoir: Portraits Classical and Modern 28 Oct. 2023 – 29 Oct. 2023
• Van Gogh, Gauguin and the Post-Impressionists 18 Nov. 2023 – 19 Nov. 2023
• Register with the Ottawa School of Art: https://artottawa.ca/ Tel. (613) 580-2765

 

OSAO Instructors’ Exhibition and Open House – Orleans

 28 August –  23 September, 2023

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

Join me for portrait demos 11am to 1pm and at the Vernissage

Visiting hours hours for the OSAO gallery at the Shenkman Center Orleans campus:

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

 

OSA Open House – downtown

Open House  Sunday 11:00 to 3:00  10 September, 2023.

 

Babies Love Van Gogh

Study finds babies love van Gogh: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/aug/02/adults-penchant-for-van-gogh-mirrored-in-babies-study-finds

van Gogh’s Yellow

Was there some reason why van Gogh used so much yellow? Some think it was a side effect of an epilepsy remedy, or perhaps too much absinthe. Did he see the world differently?

On the other hand why did he like sunflowers and wheat fields? Maybe he just liked yellow. According to colorpsychology.org: “Yellow is mentally activating, psychologically stimulating higher cognition, creativity, and feelings of optimism. However, in excess, it can also overstimulate, resulting in anxiety, impulsiveness, and emotional fragility.” Sounds like van Gogh’s colour!

Break-a-Brush!

David & France