Slow Art Sunday - Ancher

This Labour Day weekend, Slow Art Sunday celebrates the work of artists and fine crafters who by their labour have added much beauty to cultures around the world. Anna Ancher from Denmark painted this lovely sunlit scene of a woman hard at work and attentive to her sewing.

While growing up, Anna’s parents ran an inn in Skagen at the northern most tip of Denmark where “The Skagen Painters” would gather.  Michael Ancher was part of this well-known group of Scandinavian artists in the late 1800’s and encouraged Anna to pursue her art despite educational restrictions on women.  She began to study under a tutor, then was able to attend art college and ultimately married Michael.  She exhibited her work as the only female member of the group.

This 1882 treasure is representative of her work that depicted everyday, domestic life and for which she was acknowledged as an important contribution to Danish art.  Take some time to enjoy this pretty painting and consider the fruits of your labour today.

#slowartsunday #slowart #annaancher #danishpainter #skagenpainters #slowartflow

THREE THINGS Issue 09

THING ONE

I have a keen interest (trying not to say obsession) with a new-to-me form of art - Gelli Plate printing! There is much to explore and learn but so far what I’ve found to be the easiest and most fun is to make leaf prints.  I’ve tried a few with students who also had a blast. These photos show a simple step by step process that anyone can do. Really!  Please, please let me know if you'd like more detailed info or instructions.
 
On September 16th, I’ll be part of a “Go Play Outside” event in my city where I'll be leading participants in collecting autumn leaves, painting, and gelli printing to our hearts content.

                                                                     

If you're around, feel free to drop by the Ware Street entrance of Mill Lake Park, Abbotsford, BC, between 12 noon and 4 pm.

                              

THING TWO

  One day this summer I listened to author Michael Finkel being interviewed on the podcast “Art Curious”.  He told of a crazy, stranger than fiction, true story of a young art thief in Europe.  Intrigued, I checked the book out of my local library and really enjoyed this unbelievable tale.

Stephane Breitwieser, with the help of his girlfriend as lookout, swiped art from over 200 museums and galleries in Europe between the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s.  He stole in broad daylight without being lowered from skylights or jumping lasers!  Breitwieser claimed he didn’t steal for money but desired to possess the art because of his great love of it’s beauty.  It was this idea that kept him from considering himself a thief.  He studied the art and the artist in great depth and saw himself as a "borrower" (although he hadn’t yet determined when he would return it!). He kept all of the art in the attic apartment of his mother's house.

His very “un-thief-like” techniques worked well for many years; talking up ticket agents and guards, having coffee in the museum café while security scattered and always walking, not running to his car were a few of Breitwieser’s strategies.

If you fancy a true crime story and you like art, this might be the next fun read you’re looking for.
      

 
THING THREE


Goldenrod and asters,
All your hands can hold,
September wears a party dress
Of lavender and gold.

 
Children’s song – author unknown
 


As a thank you for reading my arty notes, I have a small September gift for you to enjoy. If interested, please reply to this email and I will send you this autumn wreath print painted by yours truly.

                           
 
As always, I am artfully yours,
Glenna

Slow Art Sunday - Raphael

Today, Slow Art Sunday brings you a painting from an era that celebrated a spirit of artistic exploration and curiosity.  Raphael’s “St. George and the Dragon” exemplifies the Renaissance focus on beauty and storytelling and was chosen to be featured today by the grandest boy as he looked through my Renaissance Go Fish cards 😊.

The painting was part of a larger altarpiece commissioned for the Chapel of St. George in Italy in approximately 1504.  As a saint, George represented virtue and, in this scene, the triumph of good over evil (characterized by the dragon). 

Raphael would have been chosen for the job for his extensive artistic training.  His accomplishments were numerous and far reaching and he had remarkable career as an artist. Despite his life being cut short at the age of 37 from illness, Raphael was one of the great masters of the Renaissance and his legacy endures through his many works of art.  This particular painting is housed at the National Gallery in Washington, DC.

Take some time to look closely and perhaps be inspired by Raphael to have the courage to explore and master your craft (whatever it is!).

#slowartsunday #slowart #raphael #stgeorgeandthedragon #renaissanceart #dragons #masteryourcraft #nationalgallerywashingtondc #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Larsson

On the birthday of my favourite Swede (my husband), Slow Art Sunday brings you Carl Larsson, one of Sweden’s most loved artists.  Known for his watercolours of idyllic family life, “Flowers on the Windowsill”, 1894, hung in my husband’s family home as a nod to their roots and the gentle family scenes Larsson enjoyed painting.

Larsson and his wife Karin transformed their home into one of the most well-known artist’s residences as they thoughtfully designed and decorated for their family of 10. By masterfully capturing the inviting environment of his home and children, Larsson created a mood that was very heartwarming to viewers. You can still tour their home today in Sundborn, Sweden as well as see this painting in Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.

Additionally, Larsson painted monumental frescoes (murals painted on wet plaster) in museums, schools and other buildings which he considered some of his most important work. He emerged as a prominent figure in The Arts and Crafts movement helping to keep handmade, traditional art alive to counter the industrialization of the late 1800’s.  

Take some time today to enjoy the intricate details Larsson was so good at. God dag (good day)!

Swipe to see “Breakfast Under the Big Birch”, 1896 and “Lazy Nook”, 1897.

#happybirthdaykurt #slowartsunday #slowart #carllarsson #swedishartist #heartwarminghome #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Villers

Today, Slow Art Sunday brings you a painting with a bit of mystery and some real detective work required to credit the correct artist!  This beautiful portrait of Charlotte du Val’Ognes was painted by Marie Denise Villers although originally it had been attributed to a prominent French painter named Jacques-Louis David.  In 1947 (almost 150 years later), an astute curator found documentation that this artwork had been in the 1801 Paris Salon Exhibition and confirmed that David had not submitted anything that year.   

After much investigation into the hairstyle, the era of the dress and maps confirming the view was from studios in the Louvre reserved only for women, David was officially removed as artist. Other academic analysis was undertaken but I thought that deciding from the hair and dress were the most interesting!

With Charlotte looking straight into our eyes and the beautiful lighting, a special, personal feel draws us in.  Take some time to look closely and see if it brings up questions for you: why is the window cracked, who are the couple in the distance, was Charlotte herself an artist (there is a wee bit of speculation that this could be a self portrait but fairly firmly decided it was done by Villers).  Enjoy this exquisite artwork.

 #slowartsunday #slowart #charlotteduvalognes #youngwomandrawing #mariedenisevillers #notdavid #portrait #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Bruegel

Today Slow Art Sunday looks back almost 500 years to bring you “The Harvesters” by Pieter Bruegel.

In this work, the viewer is transported to a hot summer day in the Netherlands. This lovely, detailed work belongs to a series that was commissioned by a Belgian banker and art collector for his country home. The set originally included six paintings showing different seasons.  “The Harvesters”, representing July–August, has survived through the ages along with four others.

Not much is known about Breugel, however, this series shows his interest in accurately representing nature and human activities.  This popular move during the Renaissance also meant a departure from mainly religious or aristocratic subjects that had been common. 

The painting is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (I gotta get there!).

Take some time to revel in the fine details.  From the foreground and fields, over the hills and way into the distance, we see a community coming together to sustain life.  Thank you Breugel for a glimpse into the past.

 #slowartsunday #slowart #theharvesters #pieterbruegel #summerharvest #slowartflow

THREE THINGS Issue 08

* LOOK * FOR * A * CHRISTMAS * OFFER * IN * THING THREE * 


THING ONE

Home.  Our comfort place, headquarters, homebase and there’s no place like it.  When summer hits, however, many of us enjoy leaving home behind in search of adventure!  Recently I spent a couple of days in the charming small town of Nelson, BC.  This picture-perfect spot is surrounded by beautiful mountains and set on the shores of the pristine Kootenay Lake. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is also known for having over 350 restored heritage buildings and I must say, I love the beauty that many layers of life brings to a home.

Here are a few shots I managed to take while hoping no one was looking out their windows at me.

There were many colourful facades, but I just now noticed that my pics are all of houses basically the same colour. Very interesting! 
 

For those of you that were watching romantic comedies in the 80’s, “Roxanne”, starring Steve Martin, was filmed in this house just a couple of blocks from where we stayed:

THING TWO

One of my favourite painters of houses is Lawren Harris of “Group of Seven” fame. He was not only a master of landscapes but his charming way of bringing homes to life really captured the neighbourhoods in the heart of Toronto. So nostalgic!

     
Houses, Richmond Street  1911

 
Winter Afternoon, City Street, Toronto  1918


Houses, St Patrick Street  1925


Red House, Winter  1925


THING THREE
 

I’ve painted a few buildings in my time and some of the most special were commissions done for people that delight in their homes.  You may not feel like CHRISTMAS shopping quite yet, but I thought I'd let you know that now is the time to consider a special and unique gift for someone you love . 

I have several spots to take on commissions that deliver by mid December and am offering a 12” X 12” painting for $200 on either watercolour paper or canvas.  A painting of a meaningful home, cottage, church, favourite structure or location is such a lovely keepsake. I’m happy to discuss your ideas and answer any questions (with no obligation to proceed).

Enjoy the rest of your summer and as Madeleine L’Engle once said, “Maybe that’s the best part of going away for a vacation — coming home again.”  See you in September.

Artfully yours,
Glenna
 

Slow Art Sunday - Hopper

Slow Art Sunday is pleased to present renowned American realist painter, Edward Hopper (1882-1967), and his work “Second Story Sunlight”.  Hopper was born and raised in New York state and travelled often to rural east coast and seaside locations for inspiration. 

His wife Virginia was also an artist and often modelled for the figures in Edward’s paintings. She apparently she sat for both of the women in this one.  In the 1930’s they bought a summer home in Cape Cod and spent the next three decades enjoying the area which strongly influenced Edward’s art.

Hopper is well known for his use of light and stated that painting sunlight on the side of a house was his favourite thing.  Architecture and a sense of isolation also feature as strong themes in his art.  He is possibly most famous for “Nighthawks” (second picture), the iconic scene of a downtown New York City diner in the 1940’s.

Upon Edward’s death, Virginia bequeathed their joint collection of more than 3,000 works to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City which still hold the majority of Hopper’s work today.

I hope you can take some time on this sunny summer day to relax for a few moments with this restful scene.

 #slowartsunday #edwardhopper #secondstorysunlight #capecodsummer #arthistory #artappreciation #slowart

Slow Art Sunday - Clark

Today, Slow Art Sunday presents Paraskeva Clark with her self-portrait titled “Myself”.  This painting along with the work of other artisans are currently being exhibited at the National Gallery of Canada until August 20th.  “Uninvited” features creative women from a century ago that opened doors for female artists.

Paraskeva was born in 1898 in Russia, married at 22, had a son the following year and then lost her husband in an accident.  She decided to move to France with her in-laws and several years later met accomplished pianist, Canadian Philip Clark who became her second husband. Now in Toronto, Philip introduced her to the art scene and well-known painters.

Painting constantly was her passion, however, at times she stepped away to devote time to caring for her adult son who had poor health. Paraskeva was known for the strong socialist statement in many of her paintings which she acknowledged was a passion from her upbringing in Russia.   

I like the solid way she has portrayed herself and the use of a door frame to form the composition (not to mention her very elegant hat!).  I hope you can take some time today to enjoy this lovely self portrait of a resilient woman.

Slow Art Sunday - Dunn

This week Slow Art Sunday brings you American artist Harvey Dunn, renowned painter of “The Prairie is my Garden” (1950).  Born in 1884, Dunn’s deep connection with the Midwest shaped his artistic style and set him apart as an adept interpreter of rural life.

He began his career as an illustrator and subsequently opened a school for illustration.  An influential teacher, he later stated that teaching was the most worthwhile thing he had done. During World War 1 he became an artist correspondent and spent time on the front lines (second picture). Upon returning, he threw himself into painting intensely and produced an extraordinary amount of artwork.

Dunn had a remarkable ability to capture the essence of the prairie and his paintings show great respect for the land and its resilient people.  No doubt if those wide-open spaces were your first home, you appreciate the simpler, harsh and wholesome life that Dunn was communicating through his art.

Take a moment today to bask in the beauty of this mother and her children on the prairie.

#slowartsunday #slowart #harveydunn #prairielife #slowartflow #thepraireismygarden