Once they had their group together, we found an evening that worked for everyone. They requested we do abstract landscape paintings.
I prepped some canvas boards for them prior to their arrival in the studio and suggested if they had a landscape reference they were interested in using to bring it with them. I also had reference they could use in the studio.
This lovely photograph was taking by one of the mothers. I believe it is from a family home in the interior. You have got to love the landscape of British Columbia, we are lucky, lucky people to be surrounded by such beauty.
I think going into the project the mothers felt that creating an abstract would be much easier to do than something realistic. In hindsight, I believe they discovered that is not really the case. Abstract requires one to 'let go' and be willing to let the work guide you. Once you get the hang of painting intuitively, the results can be amazing. This woman caught on quite quickly and I am in love with her final work.
This work is inspired by a well known mountain peek in Vancouver called, "the Lions". They are so well known that the local CFL team, Vancouver Lions, and the production company on many a feature film, Lionsgate Studios are named after them. (a little trivia for ya!)
I love the serenity of this work.
I enjoy the graphic nature of this work. Absolutely love the color choices.
I tried to put out a lot of different tools and mediums for the women to explore in their work. One was a palette knife and boy, did this woman fall in love with it. This entire painting was created with the palette knife! She was a master. I loved the fact that her husband posted it on his Facebook page the next day with the world's sweetest note about her talent. She had created it for him from a cruise they took together (if I recall right) I do know this was a favorite place for him.
If that entire paragraph isn't a testament to true love, I don't know what is, she loved the palette knife, loved him when thinking of her subject matter, and he loved her so much he wanted to share it with the world...or at least his several hundred closest friends on Facebook. ;)
And speaking of love, I love this. That simple streak of yellow running through the work. awesome.
And I loved watching this woman make different discoveries while she created her art. I had put out some spray bottles with water and she really enjoyed the different things it created on her piece.
I'm missing one work from the night and it is so disappointing. It was the one piece I was most proud of because the woman worked so hard throughout the night. The whole process of abstract painting was so uncomfortable for her and she really had to fight to keep from creating a realistic work. In the end, she got a beautiful piece that spoke to her aesthetic but also had an abstract quality. I was so proud of her and her tenacity that night.
I think the women had a good time, I know I did! How can one argue when the students show up with wine and cake? Two of my favorite things to go along with my favorite activity- creating.
I hope this group makes plans to come back again soon as it was a great night.
If you would like to have a group of friends come create at the studio, contact me through KudzuStudio.com. If this group is any indication, it will be a very fun night.
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