It wasn't until the family left home and were on their own that I would take up painting - something to keep me busy in my fast approaching golden years.
Fortunately at the time Father Jordin had built an art studio in North Batlteford, where a group of about seven of us would gather once a week to paint or sketch outdoors. Other classes followed, including Banff and Emma Lake.
A change from oil painting came with workshops in Sedona, Ariz., Saskatoon, and Edmonton, Alta. with Zolton Szabo, a master of watercolour painting. After his excellent critiques, I could see I had much to learn.
Another interesting class in watercolours was held at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alta. with Esabele Hunt Johnson.
Eager to try pastels, the change came with a pastel portrait workshop in Saskatoon with Dean Bauche. Totally deaf by this time, I somehow managed to fit in with this group of talented strangers.
A very intense but great learning experience occurred when I found going page by page through the book, Drawing on the Right Hand Side of the Brain. Taking in local workshops in North Battleford helped pave a path to where I am today, now well into my golden years.
I was also truly humbled when the Allied Arts Council purchased one of my paintings.
As a member of the Battlefords Art Club, I continue to enjoy growing my artistic skills, as well as the quiet life and love of nature on the family farm by Jackfish Lake.
Art Notes
The Battlefords Art Club wishes to thank everyone who attended our autumn art sale at the Chapel Gallery. A small group of artists came out Tuesday for a discussion of the sale as well as working on their various artwork.
The Chapel Gallery will be offering a workshop in conjunction with Dean Bauche's exhibition, Visual Tension, Nov. 15 and 29. An encaustic workshop will be held at the Allan Sapp Gallery. Bonny Macnab offers her silk painting workshop Saturday and Sunday in the Don Ross craft room. In addition, Rosemary Stadnyk is offering instruction in modelling paste Tuesday and Wednesday at the Allan Sapp Gallery.
