More from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and the Group of Seven!

Quote by Lawren Harris on the wall of the
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

My work is often compared to the paintings by the Group of Seven.  For a long time I wondered if all landscape painters in Canada were compared to them simply because we paint landscapes?  I think it's more than that.  Then of course, I thought people were just being nice and paying me a huge compliment?  But I think it's more than that too.  Once in a while I do see glimpses of their influence in my work.  My mentor Shane Garton recently commented on my blog "Next time you are at the easel Caprice, imagine as you are painting that one by one your favorite artists are quietly coming in looking over your shoulder. The studio is full...then slowly as you progress into your work they leave...gone. Then magically as you lay down the final strokes...even you leave. You then see your work and are amazed and ask yourself...wow, where did that come from?"  I love the idea that each one of my art heroes is with me while I paint!

What is it that draws us to the paintings by the Group of Seven?  So much has been written about them that I hesitate to write more but thought I would write from a painters perspective.  Since visiting the McMichael Canadian Art Collection last month, I've had many of the paintings I saw swimming in my mind.   Something magical happens when you see their original paintings rather than seeing them in a book.  It's a strange sensation but I really feel like I got to know them just by being with their work.   

From my notebook...notes on my impressions of
Emily Carr painting!

"Edge of the Forest" by Emily Carr
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

 For one thing, their brushstrokes were simply amazing and each painter had their own individual style.  It was a thrill to be able to view the paintings right up close and memorize individual strokes!  How did they do that?  Tom Thomson's paintings have such thick paint that you would expect it to almost fall off the canvas.  On the other hand, Lawren Harris must have done layer after layer of thin paint.  His strokes are barely visible but still handled with so much grace.  In books his paintings look very hard-edged but in real life his ability to handle paint in such a spectacular way is very near to genius.  If you look at the crazy notes I took during my visit to the collection, you will see that on occasion it was a single stroke in a painting that drew my attention.  In the Emily Carr painting called "Edge of the Forest" I took note of a single bright blue stroke in the middle of the trees.  How did she come up with that?  It's a stroke I would have never noticed if I had not been sitting in front of the original...in fact, as I look at the reproduction, I can't even see this one brilliant stroke!

 

3 versions of "Mt. Lefroy" by Lawren Harris
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Seeing the original paintings also gave me ideas on the processes the artists used.  Several of the artists would do small studies of paintings before turning them into large oil paintings.   I can certainly see how they worked out difficulties in the small paintings prior to tackling the large canvases but I personally find that when I try to do that, some of the magic is lost along the way.  Can you imagine trying to paint the exact same subject matter four or five or more times?  It worked very well for Lawren Harris as these photos prove.

"Mt. Lefroy" by Lawren Harris
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

"Mt. Lefroy" was not on display at the McMichael this time, but I had the priviledge of seeing the large original at the Glenbow Museum in 2002 during the "Group of Seven in Western Canada" exhibition.  This painting continues to be one of my favorite Harris paintings.  For some of the other painters, I found that I preferred the small study over the large studio painting.  An example of this would be these 2 Tom Thomson paintings: 

"In Algonquin Park" by Tom Thomson
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

"In Algonquin Park" by Tom Thomson
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

 

Two small Tom Thomson paintings
McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The Tom Thomson exhibit was a thrill.  I had the pleasure of seeing a larger exhibit of his work at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2003 but the McMichael presented his work in a more intimate way.  Some of my favorite pieces that were on display were his tiny on location paintings.  I know they would have been done very quickly possibly only taking minutes of his time.  Thomson had some art education but it was his raw talent that makes his works stand out above so many others.  Very difficult to believe one man could produce so many masterpieces in only four years when his untimely death took him way too soon.  Thomson's death is one of Canada's greatest mysteries.  He was an exceptional outdoorsman and was most comfortable alone in nature.  He was an experienced canoeist and swimmer, yet somehow drowned in a lake that he was extremely familiar with.  There was a large bruise on his head and many that new him felt that foul play was involved.  Thomson died in 1917 and therefore was not an official member of the Group of Seven since it was not formed until a few years later.

Lawren Harris painting in his studio.

I am currently re-reading one of my favorite books called "Inward Journey: The Life of Lawren Harris" by James King.  Since returning from the McMichael Collection, I like to try to put myself into the mindset of the painters.   I try to imagine their lives and what it would be like to be a painter during two World Wars and the great depression.  How on earth did they do it?  I love to imagine the Group all working together in the Studio Building in downtown Toronto.  Lawren Harris painted while wearing his suit and tie...always a gentleman!  He even wore his tie on his hiking trips through the Rockies! Can you imagine doing that?  At the McMichael, they had Lawren Harris' paintbox and brushes on display.  I wished I could have touched them and maybe some of their paint magic would flow into me!  J.E.H. Macdonald's paint box that he carried for miles through the bush was on display as well.  What a thrill to imagine that strapped around his shoulder as he travelled to painting locations throughout Canada!

J.E.H. Macdonald's Paintbox

Lawren Harris' painting supplies

I think one of the reasons we are so very drawn to the Group of Seven is because of all that they were able to accomplish and the fact that it will never happen again!  Why do I think that?  They worked and painted together and fully supported each other and artists today rarely do that.  In fact when I rented an art studio in downtown Calgary many years ago, I didn't talk to a single artist that worked in the building.  How sad is that?  Times are certainly different.  They managed to create an entire art movement here in Canada and went out into the wilderness and painted the landscape in ways that had never been done.  As I sit here in my Studio and contemplate the paintings that I saw, I am deeply humbled by the fact that I would not be doing what I am if it had not been for them.  The old saying is true that all artist's stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.  I owe the Group of Seven a tremendous amount of gratitude.  When I look at their paintings, I am forever inspired but I also have a feeling of being completely inadequate!  This is a hurdle I have to overcome every time I go to art galleries.  It always takes me a while to get back into the groove and just let it all come through.  I am in awe of them but it also gives me hope when I see that not all of their paintings are great.  Yes, you read that correctly. In fact there are quite a few of their paintings, in my opinion, that are simply awful.  Nice to know that even the very best of the best can't win them all!  The Group of Seven represents so much more than what I have written here.  I have photos and notes on so many more paintings but decided to write today on my "big" impressions from my day at the McMichael.  They left an indelible mark and will stay with me for the rest of my life....so grateful!

Here I am having some one-to-one time
with my favorite paintings!

The Accidental Artist - Part Three!

I began writing this blog to share some of the stories along my art journey but more importantly to introduce you to some of the extraordinary people I have met along the way.  It has been quite the trip for me and it has been fun going back...way back to the beginning.  I have already introduced you to my first two mentors Karen Hersey and Keith Smith but my art education continued in the most serendipitous way.

Once again, this story begins with my Mom.  She had come across a job in the newspaper advertising for "a contemporary Mary Poppins".  This intrigued my Mom and she phoned and set up an interview.  Well, Mom was hired on the spot!  It was the perfect job for her, as she was basically hired to be "Grandma" to three beautiful little girls.  Would you believe that the woman who hired my Mom was actually an European artist?  Yup, you read that right!  Her name is Janicke and when she found out that I was a beginner painter she immediately took me under her wing and she had a huge impact on the way I see art!

Until this point my art studies had mainly been on Canadian art, primarily landscapes, such as the Group of Seven and Emily Carr.  Janicke introduced me to a whole new world of art and I realized at that point that I had only barely touched the surface!  It was my first introduction to the work of Matisse and the Bloomsbury Group.  I had no idea how naive I was about art until I started reading about the Bloomsbury Group.  They lead very liberal, promiscuous lives, yet their art was fascinating.  This group of painters, writers and intellectuals (probably the most famous of the group would be Virginia Woolf) lived and worked from a beautiful farm house near London called Charleston.  Here they painted everything inside the house...every piece of furniture, dishes, walls, you name it...had been painted!  Reading their life stories was an eye opening experience!  Janicke had loaned me a fantastic book called "Bloomsbury - It's Artists, Authors and Designers " which is now out of print.  I was able to finally get a copy of my own on Ebay many years later but I had to stay up half the night bidding on this book which in the end cost me over $200.  It was so worth it!  They have inspired me more times than you can imagine!  If you do not know about the Bloomsbury Group, please do yourself a favour and look them up. 

Janicke also led me into abstract art and modern art.  My first teacher Karen Hersey did not believe in abstract art and felt it did not belong in the art history books so this was all new to me and I loved it!  Janicke's painting had a much freer style, her education was more along the lines of letting inspiration flow and letting go of the rules.  This was a huge turning point for me. 

Janicke taught me a great deal about the art world and making it as an artist.  She had a studio space in a trendy neighbourhood in downtown Calgary.  It was an old red brick building that had been a warehouse by the train tracks.  The building was filled with artist's studios and you could feel the creativity everywhere.  She explained to me how important it was to have your studio outside of your house.  Not only is it more professional and you will be taken more seriously but it is a more creative environment with no distractions while you work.  I wound up renting a studio space in the same building.  What she said was exactly true!  Somehow once I arrived at the studio I was suddenly "at work".  My home life was left behind.  There were no distractions, no dishes to be done, phones to answer, etc.  All that I needed to do was paint.  When I wasn't painting I was reading my art books.  It truly was a creative space and I wound up producing a painting called "Grandfather Time".  This was my first large canvas and it was a pivotal piece in my career, as I felt it was truly inspired.  Janicke thought it looked like Van Gogh!  How about that?  I did as Janicke had suggested and let go of the rules and just let the paint flow.  This was the first time that I truly went into "the zone".  It was such fun!  This was a wonderful opportunity and I value the experience but in the end I discovered that a studio at home works best for me!  I often get my best ideas in the middle of the night and need to have access to my art books and my paintings when I first get up in the morning.  I like to spend time in my studio at the end of the day in the dark contemplating my half finished painting...etc, etc, etc.  This is just my way! 

'Grandfather Time', oil on canvas, 48"X24"

Mom and I moved from Calgary to Kimberley in 1997.  In June 1998, Janicke helped me organize my first solo art exhibition at her studio in Calgary.  She completely emptied her studio of all her things so that I could use the entire space.  It was incredibly successful and I could not have imagined I would nearly sell out on opening night.  Janicke truly knew what she was doing!  I had personally invited a lot of people I had not seen in years. I was blown away by the love and support I received that night.  Even one of my high school teachers came from Lethbridge!  Janicke had also invited many of her friends and they supported me as well (with a nudge from Janicke who suggested they bring their cheque books)!  A couple walked into my studio this summer here in Kimberley who had purchased a painting that night.   They still have their painting hanging on their wall!  What a surprise.

Janicke, Mom and I at my first art exhibition
at her studio in Calgary, Ab. 
June 12, 1998.

Ironically, Janicke was in my life helping me with my professional career at a time when my personal life was at it's deepest low.  She was a light in the dark and helped me and my Mom get through some very difficult days. She gave me a pin that said "Due to recent cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been temporarily disconnected."  Her sense of humour was a god-send! Her artistic talent and her professionalism was a great blessing to me, but more important was her friendship.  I will always be grateful for that!

As sometimes happens I lost touch with Janicke for several years.  She had moved and so had I.  Then years later we re-connected and I received an email from her stating "We are building a villa in Tuscany and you must come."  I was flabbergasted.  I pulled out my old journals and in May 1996 I had written "I've been reading a book on Michelangelo and it has really been inspiring me.  As I look at these brilliant pieces of work I know that someday I will go to Italy and see them in person."  I found out 14 years later that dreams do come true, sometimes you just have to be patient!  Mom and I went to Italy in 2010 and it truly was a life changing trip, thanks once again to Janicke!  Michelangelo completely lived up to my expectations!  Stories about Italy will just have to wait for a future blog post...

Our first night in Tuscany with
Janicke & "momma"
April 30, 2010.

The Accidental Artist

I've been wanting to blog for a very long time but like many people I kept wondering "who on earth would ever be interested in reading about me?".  As I sat pondering this question it occurred to me that my life is certainly not the norm.  Every morning I wake up and wonder what the day will bring? What will I create...or not create...and who will walk through my studio door today?  Since finding myself in this crazy business of being an artist, I have had many extraordinary experiences that I would like to share with you.  I am not the most regular, consistent person.  I am an artist!  So, a warning; I paint when I am inspired and I will write when I am not painting so if you are following this blog please enjoy but I am not on a calendar!  It is my hope that maybe you will get to know me just a bit better and maybe have a glimpse of what it is like to be an artist.

How did I become an artist in the first place?

In January of 1994, in the spur of the moment, I decided to take a semester off from University where I was majoring in psychology.  My sudden withdrawal may seem like an impulsive decision, as I had been told many times that since I was in a wheelchair I needed to get an education. I did have a full scholarship, so I planned to return to school in the fall.  You can imagine my surprise when I returned to register and found out I would have to start all over again as a first year student even though I was in third year!  Forget that!!  I had moved back home with my parents in January and spent the year just floating, travelling and wandering aimlessly trying to discover exactly what it was I was meant to be doing!  At this point, all I knew was that psychology was NOT IT!!!

In December everything changed.  Karen Hersey walked into my life.  She came to visit my Mom at our large log home in the country and as soon as she saw the place she said "I want to live here!".  We all had a good chuckle...little did we know that she soon would be doing just that!  On that day, Karen offered to teach me to paint and I politely replied "No thank you, I have absolutely no talent when it comes to painting and drawing."  When I was a little girl my mom put me in art lessons and bought all the supplies but I didn't like it.  I had no interest in taking art in school or university.  My Mom had always kept me very busy with creative projects, she taught me to be a custom seamstress...I made all my own clothes but painting was not my thing!  Karen was determined and in the end I took her up on her offer to teach me to paint simply because I had nothing better to do at the time!  It wasn't until years later that I would fully understand what a life changing moment that was.

Karen had just moved to Calgary.  She was a professional artist and teacher for 30 years but due to health issues she wasn't painting and had plenty of time to teach me.  She was a strict teacher let me tell you!  She insisted on abiding by the rules of fine art so I had to learn to paint the way the Masters painted. I could have searched high and low for an art teacher with Karen’s qualification as very few artists are capable of passing on the knowledge that she had and she just fell in my lap by accident!  Our weekly lessons began with a sketchbook and pencil as she trained me in endless art theory.  She handed me a three inch art history book and said "read this".  Ya...right!  Considering I wasn't interested in painting in the first place, she was starting to lose me and finally she handed me a paintbrush!  Hallelujah!  From that point on there was no turning back.  In 30 years of teaching, Karen said she had never had a student that could sign and sell her very first painting (I never did sell it…it’s still here in my studio) so we were on to something here….

At the time, Karen was living alone in downtown Calgary and one night while she was asleep in her bed, she was robbed.  She awoke in the morning to find her front door wide open and her jewellery stolen.  Obviously she was very shaken and since we had the room, we offered her a place to stay with us.  What a gift for both of us!  Our art lessons not only continued but it was non-stop art!  We had the great fortune to also have the support from my Mom, who cooked for us and gave us the opportunity of not having to think about anything BUT art.  We discussed art from the time we awoke in the morning, over coffee and then painted in the afternoon and the discussions never stopped until we went to bed.  It was a very bohemian lifestyle…great food, great conversation, great books, great music and of course great painting!  Karen and I set up our studio in the living room and we painted side by side every day.  We went out sketching and painting on location on the beautiful prairies. I remember the day Karen took me to the art supply store for the first time. I was so excited that I spent $850 on my first trip since I had now decided that I was going to be a professional artist(it took me years to use up all those supplies)!  Karen was a strict teacher but I became a student obsessed and I drove her crazy with my incessant questions!  Every morning she would wake up and wonder "what am I going to teach her today?".  Yup, this indeed is what I am meant to be doing with my life!  My poor family was in shock (except for my Mom and Dad who have always been my biggest supporters).  Can you imagine?  The plan was to get a university degree and now I’m going to be an artist??  Who knew?  I certainly had no idea what I was getting into but one thing is for sure, it has not been dull!  Karen’s health began to return and I was on my way to becoming an artist...and still am...it was a magical time!

Photo of Karen & I at her art show in Invermere, BC.  July, 2005.  I was her guest artist!

My first painting!  Tie Lake, 16"X20", oil on linen