My fellow artists in The Landing Artists group and I will be showing and selling fresh new work this coming weekend at the Gibsons Public Market. Come by and see what's new!
It's SPRING LANDING time again!
Collecting deposits now for 2019 France workshop
I am now collecting deposits ($500 US pp) for my 7-day painting workshop from April 1-7, 2019 in France's gorgeous Lot Valley (just north of Toulouse) at the beautiful Domaine du Haut Baran. This updated French chateau is run by William and Rosalie Haas, accomplished hosts who will take care of every detail and will transport us to many great painting locations in the area. This location has been the setting for dozens of highly-acclaimed painting workshop experiences with well-recognized artists. See their website for details about the site (http://www.hautbaran.com/).
The fee of $3000 US includes workshop tuition, double occupancy accommodation in luxuriously-appointed rooms, transportation to and from the airport and throughout the week, and most meals, prepared by accomplished chef Rosalie. The spring timing will mean cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, for a unique and enjoyable experience.
The week will be designed to review foundational painting principles and apply them to both studio and plein air painting. I will be demonstrating in pastel and acrylic, but painters in any medium are welcome. This session will be suitable for any level, beginner to advanced.
Spaces are limited, so contact me (rodgers.ruth@gmail.com) to reserve your spot soon!
Pastel Journal Feature article
The Pastel Journal magazine has been the single most important resource for me as I developed my skills as a pastel artist over the past dozen years. I have every issue since its inception at the kitchen table of pastel artists Maggie Price and Janie Hutchinson, through to its continuing excellence under the steady hand of editor Anne Hevener of F&W Media corporation. I have written a number of articles for the magazine about other pastel artists' work over the years, but it is a great pleasure to announce that the current issue includes an article that features my own work!
I was asked to write a piece for the 'Creative Life' column, tracing my experience of creating the sixty 'Beach Bits' paintings to commemorate my sixtieth birthday in 2016. Pick up a copy of the April 2018 issue and tun to page 10! The four images they chose to illustrate the piece are some of my enduring favourites from the series. Hope you enjoy reading the article as much as I did writing it!
Bucket Brigade; the original painting can be seen in the offices of Dr. Brian Nelson, ophthalmologist, in Sechelt, BC.
Demo at Sensuality exhibit
On Feb 14th I was pleased to give a demonstration of pastel painting to a small but eager audience as part of the Sensuality Exhibition sponsored by the One Flower, One Leaf Gallery in Gibsons. I enjoyed the interaction with the audience--you asked great questions!--and was reasonably pleased with how the two works developed. Here are a few shots from the demo, and the finished pieces after some final polishing back in the studio.
Folds and Foam pastel on sanded paper 20.5 x 28.5 unframed $500
Cloud Study pastel on sanded paper 13.5 x 20.5 unframed $250
Federation award
I was pleased to have two pieces in a recent 'Works on Paper' show at the Federation of Canadian Artists' gallery on Granville Island, and even happier that one of them, Knock Three Times, received an Honourable Mention award. Both works are now back in the studio and available for purchase.
Knock Three Times, mixed media, $650 framed
Morning Meditation, pastel on paper, $700 framed