“Write your life with paint!”
Glenna
Slow Art Sunday - Harris
‘Tis the season to find some cool water to lay in and so today Slow Art Sunday brings you “Afternoon Sun, Lake Superior” by Lawren Harris.
Harris was not only one of the founding members of Canada’s Group of Seven painters but the main initiator. Being from a wealthy family he generously contributed to many of the group’s start up needs as well as funding painting trips and studio space.
He painted with his own unique voice with bold colours, simplified shapes and a style somewhere between abstract and representational.
Take a few moments on a warm July day to enjoy the colours and coolness of this largest freshwater lake in North America.
#slowartsunday #lawrenharris #groupofseven #slowart #slowartflow #lakesuperior
Slow Art Sunday - Thomson
As we celebrate Canada’s 156th birthday, Slow Art Sunday brings you one of our country’s most recognized painters and one of his most famous paintings. Tom Thomson played a significant role in the early years of Canada’s art scene and “The Jack Pine” (1917) has taken a notable place in culture. Although he had a short career, sadly passing away at a young age, Thomson’s artistic contribution has had a lasting impact.
Known for his bold brushstrokes, vibrant colours and deep connection to nature, he often painted plein air (outside on location). He travelled to remote places to capture the spirit of what he wanted to convey.
Thomson died before the Group of Seven was established, however, he was friends with many of the members and together they dreamed of a group that would birth a uniquely Canadian style of painting.
A new exhibition, “Tom Thomson: North Star”, has just opened at the McMichael Gallery in Ontario and will run until January 2024.
#slowartsunday #slowart #tomthomson #thejackpine #groupofseven #mcmichaelcanadianartcollection #pleinairpainting
THREE THINGS Issue 07
THING ONE
Believe it or not, there is actually a World Watercolor Month!
Hooray for JULY when we can paint everyday with watercolors - which of course you can do anytime, but it’s great to have a prompt to keep you at it! What’s more, it’s an awesome opportunity to be brave and post online what you’re painting (#worldwatercolormonth). I've found that joining an event such as this helps to keep me painting consistently, which is the best way to improve my skill level. It’s not too late to join me - here’s a quick video with some info if you're interested: video
I'm thinking of doing flowers everyday but we'll see if I can come up with 31!
THING TWO
When I first started painting with “real” watercolors a decade ago, I was introduced to the Seattle based product called “Daniel Smith”. In 1976, founder Dan Smith started his art materials business with a vision to leave the world a better place. He saw his company as his contribution to beauty here on earth and I agree! I am still using these wonderful watercolors years on and as a loyal fan, I would highly recommend giving them a try.
*Worth mentioning - I strongly prefer to spell watercolor, “watercolour” but since someone in America invented both World Watercolor Day and Daniel Smith paint, I feel obligated to spell it their way (for July anyways :)
THING THREE
Sticking with the theme for July, check out this "water colour".
The sky is pretty amazing as well and I promise there was no editing!
Yesterday we sailed home from a wonderful weekend getaway on this little section of the Pacific (Active Pass).
Well that's it for July. I hope you consider dabbling in watercolour even if you don't pursue the whole month challenge. I'm happy to help, so reach out if you'd like some tips to get started.
Artfully yours,
Glenna
Slow Art Sunday - Belcourt
In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21st, Slow Art Sunday, would like to introduce you to Metis artist, Christi Belcourt. Ms. Belcourt, who was born in Ontario, is known for her vibrant and intricate paintings based on First Nation beadwork traditions. Her artwork is inspired by both the natural world and her cultural heritage, and she uses her art as a medium to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Indigenous culture.
Besides her beautifully detailed acrylic paintings, she has created stained glass art, one of which hangs on Parliament Hill directly above the Members’ entrance. Through her art, Christi Belcourt continues to make a significant impact, promoting Indigenous representation, cultural preservation, and social change.
#christibelcourt #Metisartist #canadianartist #slowartsunday #slowart #slowartflow #thispaintingisamirror # #giniigaaniimenaaning #lookingahead
Slow Art Sunday - Rembrandt
On this Father’s Day, Slow Art Sunday brings you Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. The painting is rich and deep in Rembrandt style and beautifully illustrates a father with open arms welcoming home a repentant son. This allegory for God’s love towards us was a theme in other works of his as well.
Rembrandt van Rijn was born and lived his life in Holland during the 1600’s. This was a period called the Dutch Golden Age when culture and especially Dutch painting was inventive and prolific.
Catherine the Great acquired the painting in 1766 and it still resides at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg today. Author Henri Nouwen spent many hours in front of the original and wrote a book about how it changed his life (through the practice of slow looking!). The impact of viewing this painting in its full size of 8’ x 6’ would be greater, but we can still take a few minutes to experience the tender touch of a father.
#thereturnoftheprodigalson #rembrandt #dutchgoldenage #fathersday #henrinouwen #slowartsunday #slowart #slowartflow
Slow Art Sunday - Moses
Ah, a June wedding. If you’re not familiar with Grandma Moses, Slow Art Sunday is honoured to introduce you to this lovely lady with a great story. Born in 1860, she enjoyed art as a child, however, her mother turned Anna Mary’s focus to the “practical” arts of soapmaking and dressmaking to secure a job. During her busy family, farm-life years she did a little embroidery, however, it wasn’t until she was 78 that she began to paint in earnest!
At age 93 she graced the cover of TIME magazine after being in almost 200 exhibitions. Her expression of rural, folksy, “old-timey” (her word!) scenes was her unique connection with her patrons. At first her jam and preserves sold better at local fairs than her paintings but it wasn’t long until a New York collector saw her work in her small town, drugstore window. Her recognition grew from there and she painted for years to come. “Grandma” lived to be 101.
#slowartsunday #grandmamoses #acountrywedding #slowart #slowartflow #folkart
Slow Art Sunday - Degas
Today, Slow Art Sunday brings you classically trained French artist, Edgar Degas and “The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage”. If you have school children, you know that June is spent wrapping up classes, lessons and attending recitals and Degas spent many hours observing and painting ballet dancers. He produced approximately 1,500 paintings, prints and drawings on this theme during his lifetime.
He experimented with a wide variety of media (including sculpture) and was acclaimed for his depiction of Parisian life. This 1874 painting includes oils, watercolours and pastels – mixed media!
If you’re planning a trip to New York City this fall, you may like to take in the Degas/Manet exhibition that starts September 24 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). The work of two friends, and sometimes rivals are paired for contrast of the painting of the era.
If you’re not too tired from watching your little darling’s recital, spend a few minutes taking in this ballet scene painted 150 years ago.
#edgardegas #balletdancers #mixedmedia #therehersaloftheballetonstage #slowartsunday #slowart #slowartflow
THREE THINGS Issue 06
THING ONE
Ahhhh, summer. Such a welcome season in the great white north. I’m loving all the flower pictures that are being posted on social media – their beauty just fills me up! Would you be so kind as to do me a favour and send me any pics of blooms you’ve taken? (glennalundberg@gmail.com)
For the month of July (World Watercolor Month), I’m planning to sketch/paint a flower a day. I'd love it if you'd join me! Here's some info:
https://vimeo.com/822687421?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=144593108
THING TWO
I recently took an online course on how to pitch an arty, non-fiction book. It had great assignments, practical ideas, and a structure for how to write a winning (we hope) proposal. The only thing left to do now of course, is to actually write it.
Why am I telling you this? Without even asking, I am using you as my accountability partner! I really want to write this book based on the practice and benefits of embracing slow art (definitely NOT going to be the title) so I was thinking if I told people, then it might help me get at it. To be honest, I’m perhaps exhibiting avoiding behaviours due to some real doubts that it will go anywhere even if I do write it. Maybe you’ve got a secret project that has you wondering if it’s worth the effort - I'd love to hear about it. Maybe you’ve tackled your big idea and can spur me on with a story of possibility.
THING THREE
A quick update on my gallery show that took place in May. The opening event was so much fun, and I really appreciated how many people dropped by to take a look and say hello. If you’re not familiar with the exhibit, it is 26 mixed media, nature inspired paintings based on the alphabet.
Due to the large number of pieces in the collection, I wasn’t anticipating selling it at the gallery as its appeal will be to a very niche audience. As this newsletter seems to be turning into THREE THINGS to request of readers (reminder THING ONE - send me flower pics and THING TWO - hold me accountable to pitch a book idea), I’d like to ask one more favour. This series would be a perfect installation for a library, children’s ward of a hospital, school, community centre, etc and if you happen to have a contact that may be interested, I’d love if you would send them my way!
Here's a few of the paintings to give you an idea.
Happy summer days ahead!
Glenna
Slow Art Sunday - O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “to see takes time”. Today, on Slow Art Sunday, take some time to get to know her lovely flower paintings (first two images) and other earlier works. O’Keeffe was born in Wisconsin, lived and studied in New York but ultimately enjoyed New Mexico the most, spending the majority of her life in this desert location painting images of the Southwest.
Currently showing at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is an exhibition of O’Keefee’s works on paper (last 3 images) using pencil and charcoal.
Like making a good meal, or building a relationship with a new friend, seeing all there is to see in an artwork, takes time. Give yourself a few minutes today to enjoy the details.
#georgiaokeeffe #flowerpaintings #slowartsunday #slowart #slowartflow #moma
Slow Art Sunday - Kandinsky
This week’s headliner for Slow Art Sunday is Wassily Kandinsky’s “Squares And Concentric Circles”. This colourful painting was done by the Russian artist with watercolour, gouache and crayon and was completed in 1913 as a small (9” x 12”) colour study. Kandinsky pioneered the way into abstract painting believing that circles were a foundational building block in art. They feature prominently his art and he is known for saying that everything starts from a dot.
Kandinsky gave up a promising career in law and economics to enroll in an art academy at the age of 30. He had great interest in the psychology and “sound” of colour and dedicated much of his time to personally study this field.
During WW2, a few of his paintings were involved in the Nazi looting of art. After his death there were battles over where his recovered work belonged, but eventually they were gifted to Holocaust victims.
#slowartsunday #slowart #kandinsky #concentriccircles #kandinskycolor #slowartflow #watercolorpainting