Slow Art Sunday - Wegmann

As the chill of a new season sets in, Slow Art Sunday brings you a cozy oil painting by Danish painter, Bertha Wegmann (1847-1926).

Known for her beautiful portraits, she also has landscapes and domestic scenes to her credit.  Wegmann received many artistic awards and was the first woman to hold a chair at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1907. The title and date of this work is unknown but has been assigned the name “A woman reading in bed by the glow of the lamp, a stack of books by her bed” (hmm, okay then!).

The snug warmth of the setting is contrasted with the pop of red on the slippers and my favourite green on the lamp. I recently saw on Instagram @goodwilllibrarian, a saying that would go perfectly with this painting… “Tomorrow is National Stay in Bed Reading Day.  I just made it up.  Tell the others.”

Take some time to snuggle up with a good book and a long look at a lovely, warm scene on a chilly night.

#slowartsunday #berthawegmann #danishpainter #awomenreadinginbed #goodwilllibrarian #redslippers #slowart #slowartflow Slow Art Sunday is delighted to

Slow Art Sunday - Wilkie

Slow Art Sunday is delighted to bring you a painting in honour of MY MOM on the occasion of her birthday which is TODAY!  “Pitlessie Fair” was painted by renowned Scottish artist Sir David Wilkie, who was born in Pitlessie yesterday (plus 238 years).

Do you know who took me to our lovely small town fall fair every year?  Who has loved going to craft fairs and markets, and who just this weekend took me to the Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market (the best and biggest I’ve ever seen)?  My very dear Mom who was born in Canada but like Mr. Wilke is Scottish through and through.

Apparently, despite being a tiny village, Pitlessie held an annual fair that was a significant social and cultural gathering for the community as well as attracting visitors from near and far. Still to this day their most notable resident, David Wilkie, painted this masterpiece of Scottish life at 19 years of age! Moving to London, he furthered his art career to great success.

Take some time today to focus on a beautiful piece of art that depicts the sweetness of a community gathering together for games, music, activities, goods for sale and just an all-round happy day.

#slowartsunday #happybirthdaymom #sirdavidwilke #scottishpainter #pitlessiefair #shoptilyoudrop #slowart #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Teichert

Today, Slow Art Sunday brings you “Queen Esther” by American painter Minerva Teichert (1888-1976).  Esther, the Biblical heroine, was orphaned and then raised as a daughter by her relative Mordecai. As our family honours National Adoption Month in November, we take a look at young Hadassah (also called Esther) who needed a new family to grow into the woman she was meant to be. 

Teichert received her first watercolours at the age of 4 and went on to study at The Art Institute of Chicago as well as other education.  Along with her art career, which is estimated to include thousands of paintings, she raised 5 children and managed the family ranch. Her delicate style perfectly combines the confidence and meekness that Queen Esther possessed.

Recorded in Esther 4:14, Mordecai emboldens his daughter with this encouragement “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

 Take some time today to consider not only this lovely painting but the message of being brave.

#slowartsunday #slowart #minervateichert #queenesther #hadassah #forsuchatimeasthis #nationaladoptionmonth #ittakesavillage

THREE THINGS Issue 11

  Christmas is coming so be sure to read THING THREE



THING ONE

Set in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC (aka The Met), All the Beauty in the World is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Patrick Bringley tells his personal story of taking a hiatus during a difficult period in his life to work in the most beautiful place he knew. Overwhelmed with the young death of his brother and his writing job at The New Yorker, the author secures a position as a museum guard and ends up spending 10 years surrounded by the beauty of art. In this engaging and brilliantly written story, Patrick conveys "the peculiar power of art" that he communed with every day on the job.

I appreciated his slow art approach as he explains "the first step in any encounter with art is to do nothing, to just watch, giving your eye a chance to absorb all that is there. Art needs time to perform its work on us". I think this book is definitely worth a read for Patrick's true story, the art stories and the impact art can have.

            
                       


QUICK KID TIP: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is an engaging novel for young readers that is also set in The Met. The story follows a sister and brother duo who run away from home to take up residence in the museum and discover a mystery in the process. A Newberry Medal winner from 1967.

                                     

                                                                    

THING TWO

      

A couple of months ago, author of All the Beauty in the World, Patrick Bringley, started a series on his Instagram he calls #myfavoritepicture. He posted an interview with yours truly (me!) in September and I thought you might be interested in reading it .  

Today we hear from Glenna Lundberg of Abbotsford, British Columbia @gigiartist  who has chosen Emily Carr’s “Church at Yuquot Village” (1929) at Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada.

Q: Who are you, in a sentence or two?
 
I’m a late blooming artist with a Social Work background. I have recently combined the two fields by teaching art to kids with special needs and advocating the practice of slow art.  I have raised 4 children and am now attempting to make a go of an art business with my paintings, teaching, and curriculum writing. I’m a creative, bleeding-heart type of person, who is a homebody with travel spurts.
 
Q: I asked you to choose any picture in the world. Why this one? 
 
First and foremost, I just love looking at this painting with it’s rich, deep greens, the motion of the forest and the contrast of the white church against it. As well, I resonate with Emily Carr as a Canadian, living on the west coast, female and being a bit quirky (although I don't own a monkey). In my own art, I love painting both trees and churches. I also admire what she accomplished a hundred years ago by making her way into a man’s world and becoming known to the “Group of Seven”.
   
Q: What significance does this subject have for you — the Mowachaht Village of Yuquot on Vancouver Island? 
 
I’m fortunate to have the beautiful old growth forests of BC within easy reach and believe in the power of time in nature to improve our health. As a spiritual person, I see the church as a symbol of this even if people choose other ways to worship.  Although I’m not familiar with the Mowachaht first nation group, I have a strong interest in the needs of our indigenous people of Canada.
  
Q: What do you find yourself involuntarily thinking or feeling as you look at the picture?
 
There is a stillness and peaceful feeling I experience when engaging with this painting. A pleasant coolness and a sense of calm take the edge off of the hectic pace of life. In general, I am a big advocate of slow art and the benefits it can bring and this painting is particularly rewarding to me in that way.
  
Q: Has this picture inspired you in some way? Or might it, moving forward?
 
I’d like to experiment in my own artwork with the somewhat abstract style of the trees Ms. Carr paints. There’s an evident freedom in her paintings that I would like to acquire.          

      
 
THING THREE

With less than 8 weeks until Christmas, I thought I'd let you know that I will be taking orders for cards if you're interested. See below for options/prices.
I will be putting in the order on   November 8   so please contact me by then if you'd like any cards.  Also, if you're interested in giving the gift of a painting this season, check out my website for options or dream up your own idea and commission me!

Well, that's it for this issue. Have an outstanding November 

 
 Artfully yours,
Glenna

Slow Art Sunday - Pippin

As Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, Slow Art Sunday brings you “Giving Thanks” by Horace Pippin, a self-taught, American folk artist.  Horace was born in 1888 and showed an aptitude for drawing at a very young age.

With no access to art supplies, he found scraps of paper and pieces of charcoal to express the pictures in he saw in his head.  Winning “real” art supplies in a children’s art contest encouraged him to start painting and experimenting more with his art.

Pippin went off to World War 1 and was unfortunately shot which took away most of the mobility in his dominant arm. He longed to get back to his art and, in his determination, eventually began to use his left arm to hold up his right allowing him to paint again.  Along with his own talent and self promotion, Pippin’s career began to take off when, in 1940, he met established artist Andrew Wyeth.

Horace Pippin is well known for his personal paintings with a moving story and “Giving Thanks” is no exception.  Take some time to enjoy all the details of this primitive work and together with your family, spend a few moments in thankfulness for all you have today.

Mr. Pippin once said, “pictures just come to my mind and I tell my heart to go ahead.” 

#slowartsunday #slowart #horacepippin #thanksgiving #thankful #selftaughtartist #folkart #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Jackson

Today for Slow Art Sunday, I thought sharing a personal story from my childhood seemed fitting as we commemorate the birthday of A.Y. Jackson, a founding member of Canada's Group of Seven. 

Alexander Young Jackson lived October 3, 1882 – April 5, 1974.

My grandma was an artist and taught me a few things about art.  At a tender age, she took me to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, ON to see the works of the Group of Seven. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. A.Y. Jackson that day who was on display along with the artwork.  It certainly seemed that way to me as a child anyways, since he sat on a big chair and we had to wait in line to meet him.  I had a program in hand and my grandma wanted me to have him sign it.  I remember not being keen on the suggestion, however, in the end I reluctantly asked, not realizing my good fortune until many years later.  I still have that brochure with an important Canadian old man’s ink scrawled across the top.  

The Group of Seven was an amazing band of artists in the early 1900s that were brave enough to pioneer a new style of art.  They resisted the more traditional, European approach of the day and committed themselves to paint Canada’s rugged landscape in their own way. 

Through the years my grandma offered her own art appreciation course to us grandkids and I for one (and maybe another cousin or two) am grateful.  One particular summer day this spunky granny and her artist friend set up their paintings right there on her front lawn and called themselves “The Group of Two”!  Am I lucky or what?!

Although I’m late coming to art as a career, I still feel the influence of both my artsy grandma and this amazing band of seven trailblazers and appreciate their collective tenacity to carve a new path for themselves.  I’d like to be that brave. 

#slowartsunday #slowart #ayjackson #ayjacksonsbirthday #groupofseven #mcmichaelcanadianartcollection

THREE THINGS Issue 10

THING ONE

Sharing a personal story from my childhood seems fitting as we commemorate the birthday of A.Y. Jackson, founding member of Canada's Group of Seven.  Alexander Young Jackson lived October 3, 1882 – April 5, 1974.
 

            
       AY Jackson, Red Maple, 1914

My grandma was an artist and taught me a few things about art.  At a tender age, she took me to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, ON to see the works of the Group of Seven. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. A.Y. Jackson that day who was on display along with the artwork.  It certainly seemed that way to me as a child anyways, since he sat on a big chair and we had to wait in line to meet him.  I had a program in hand and my grandma wanted me to have him sign it.  I remember not being keen on the suggestion, however, in the end I reluctantly asked, not realizing my good fortune until many years later.  I still have that brochure with an important Canadian old man’s ink scrawled across the top.  

                 

The Group of Seven was an amazing band of artists in the early 1900s that were brave enough to pioneer a new style of art.  They resisted the more traditional, European approach of the day and committed themselves to paint Canada’s rugged landscape in their own way. 

Through the years my grandma offered her own art appreciation course to us grandkids and I for one (and maybe another cousin or two) am grateful.  One particular summer day this spunky granny and her artist friend set up their paintings right there on her front lawn and called themselves “The Group of Two”!  Am I lucky or what?!

Although I’m late coming to art as a career, I still feel the influence of both my artsy grandma and this incredible crew of seven trailblazers and appreciate their collective tenacity to carve a new path for themselves.  I’d like to be that brave. 

              
         Lawren Harris, "Autumn Algoma", 1920            JEH MacDonald, "Falls, Montreal River", 1920
  
                                                                     

THING TWO

Always worth repeating at this time of year is Anne Shirley’s brilliant quote (from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery).

“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? Look at these maple branches”.

                 

 
THING THREE

My “A is for Apple” painting and story have a very autumn theme (even though it mentions August) so I thought I would share it here for October.

      

In late August, the appearance of apples beginning to come of age is an amazing sight.   On an agreeable, autumn afternoon, my adorable grandson and I planned a trek to a local apple farm.  Even though the affectionate lad thinks of me as ancient he was game for the adventure and off we went.

Upon our arrival, we approached the entrance where my alert four-year-old ankle-biter was actively making his way towards the acreage.  On ahead we went, scanning for above-average apples.

The ambitious farmer had an astonishing assortment of varieties.  How would we agree which apples to accept from the artistic array before us?  Anticipating our awkward decision, the attentive agriculturalist handed out samples to assist us.  We were appreciative and avidly ate many.

Appeased and absolutely content we acquired an acceptable amount of apples and set out for our respective abodes.  The awesome outing captured the angelic boy’s attention and we spent the allotment of time to arrive home making an action plan for baking.  An arrangement was made and applesauce, apple crisp, and apple pie were accomplished at the appointed time.  Such a lovely afternoon with an appetizing outcome.

(In case you're curious but don't want to count, there are 77 "A" words in the story )
 
Happy Autumn everyone
Glenna

Slow Art Sunday - MacDonald

This week Slow Art Sunday is coming to you from Montreal (because I’m here!) so it’s fitting that today’s painting is “Falls, Montreal River” by J.E.H. MacDonald.  As part of the original Group of Seven, MacDonald is celebrated for conveying a deep sense of national identity through his art.

Born in England in 1873, his Canadian father moved the family to Ontario when MacDonald was a young teen.  His first job was as a design apprentice while he took evening courses at a local art college.  

Along with fellow Group of Seven colleagues, MacDonald loved to begin his paintings on location. Travelling by train to the Ontario wilderness, a converted boxcar became their mobile studio! This plein air style of painting in the great outdoors contributed to MacDonald’s colourful and dynamic work.  In the early days of the group, art critics seemed to single out MacDonald for his “incoherent mass of colour” but his drive to pursue art pushed him on.  Besides being an accomplished landscape painter, he was also a notable graphic designer, popular art teacher, a poet, and a calligrapher.

Take some time today to soak up the beauty of this lovely autumn scene painted in 1920 (5’ X 4’).

#slowartsunday #slowart #jehmacdonald #groupofseven #fallsmontrealriver #autumn #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Matisse

Today Slow Art Sunday would like to present Henri Matisse, who famously said “creativity takes courage”.  Confidence is definitely what he had when he painted “The Open Window” in 1905.

Although trained at esteemed art schools in traditional artistic techniques, he emerged as a leader in the Fauvism (meaning wild beasts) movement. Bold, non-natural use of colour and simplified forms were the signature of this style. This view from his window on the south coast of France is bursting with creative license to do whatever he wants and leaves us with a joyful curiosity of the location.

Matisse lived to be 84 and in his later years, when illness confined him to a wheelchair or bed, he began creating with scissors and paper.  This fresh art form known as “cut-outs” became a whole new body of work for him.  Always supported in his art by family and friends, he had a strong will to continue creating despite health challenges. Matisse is celebrated for his innovation, beautiful figures and scenes, and is the perfect example of a courageous artist.

#slowartsunday #slowart #henrimatisse #fauvism #colourfulart #cutouts #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Whistler

Today Slow Art Sunday would like to bring you a painting that not only transformed the art world but led to a dramatic court battle.  In 1875, American-born artist James McNeill Whistler created “Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket”.  

This beautiful impressionist painting (in my favourite colours) captures a night scene of fireworks over London’s River Thames. Whistler’s goal was to focus more on the light, colour and atmosphere than the specific subject matter. This departure from realism as well as the practice of using art as a means of teaching, led to a widespread change where enjoying the visual experience became more the focus. 

This change was not necessarily appreciated by everyone. John Ruskin, a journalistic critic, was openly condemning of the price Whistler asked for “flinging a pot of paint in the public’s face”.  Whistler sued and won his case, however, did not come out ahead financially and in fact, declared bankruptcy due to the court costs. Oh, the drama!

The best thing about the painting is how it transports us to a mesmerizing night scene.  Take some time to look closely and imagine yourself experiencing a warm evening full of dazzling bursts of light.

#jamesmcneillwhistler #nocturneinblackandgoldthefallingrocket #slowartsunday #slowart #turquoise #slowartflow #slowartflow