Weekend Workshop and Horse Portrait back on the easel

Workshop at the PAClubhouse

Beautiful work from the participants!

Last weekend I spent 2 days teaching a workshop demonstrating Graphite Pet Portraiture Techniques to members of the Porcupine Art Club in Timmins, Ontario. It was fun to meet artists old and new and judging from the results, it looked like everybody enjoyed themselves!  I look forward to traveling to Timmins again for yet another workshop...

 After a stint with a back problem,  I am back at the easel working on this gorgeous Appaloosa Portrait.  I am really enjoying painting the rich colors of his coat using my pastels; mostly Rembrandt's, Carbothello's and Nu Pastels.

Art in Bloom

Next Sunday, I will be exhibiting at the Canadian Mental Health "Art In Bloom" Show and Strawberry Social to take place at The Minnow Lake Centre, Sudbury. I was asked to donate a piece for the silent auction and since spring flowers are blooming everywhere, I thought the folowing painting would fit the theme well...

 "Orange Crush"

pastel on velour

7" x 5"

Duck Painting makes the cut!

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday to find out that my painting "Take Off" was one of the 50 works chosen for the RBC Dominion Securities Art Impact Juried Art Show!! This year's theme entitled "Water" is in recognition of the important work that the Vale Living with Lakes Centre does to conserve and protect our freshwater resources. The opening of the show is to coincide with the official opening of the new state-of-the-art research facility at Laurentian University on the shores of Lake Ramsey, Sudbury.

Dog in Graphite Workshop

Last night I had the opportunity to give a workshop to members of the local Sudbury Art Club which I belong to. I have to say that I was thrilled and pleasantly surprised to see the room packed to capacity. The fact that I brought my dog Shayli along, (our live furry "model") might of had something do do with it (wink).

I relished observing my students, all so attentive and receptive to what I was saying; ready, willing and eager to learn all they could in this all-but-too-short 2hr session. The room was almost vibing with utmost concentration as everybody worked diligently on each task I put forth before them. It really was such a pleasure to share with them some of the techniques I use to bring my pencil work to "life".

I would like to think that last night's workshop might have stirred in them a renewed interest for the medium that is so often misunderstood or overlooked because of it's simplicity. Gauging from the smiles and expressions on my student's faces as they gaze upon their masterpieces, I think I might just have succeeded.

Photo courtesy Ray Thoms photography