First Published
Aug 7, 2013 9:09 AM

Whenever I get an opportunity to visit a used book store I always take it. I'm currently in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island taking in the wonderful art galleries and crafts shops. The work here is exceptional and second to none. I highly recommend a visit to the island. While walking down Queen Street I found a wonderful used book store called The Book Emporium. My focus is on old out of print books, especially ones on techniques that offer lost insights. One such bit of information is as true today as it was when the old masters created their exceptional art. This method was taught to me while I was in art school and I felt it was worth repeating.  We often forget our earliest lessons.

1. Always use the simplest ingredients possible. Use the best quality and make sure the purity is beyond doubt.
2. Use as little dryer as possible.
3. Begin a picture 'lean' and finish 'fat'. Less oil in the first layer, the less danger of cracking.
4. Two thin coats are usually better than one thick.
5. Be sure your paint is completely dry before painting over it. The under coat will contract as the drying process occurs and crack the top coat.
6. If the paint does not take or stick well, rub the surface with a fine sandpaper or other substance to roughen it to create a tooth.
7. Never use more medium or liquid than is necessary. The colors will stay fresh and luminous when left alone. When fully dry, protect the colors with a quality varnish.

First Published
May 22, 2013 4:58 PM

A technique artists use for creating a broken or mottled effect with water paint or ink, often revealing traces of the paper or underpainting. The technique is accomplished by holding the brush at such an angle that its side lies almost flat against the paper, or by drawing it rapidly across the surface, as one might a pen stroke. In oil painting, a similar broken effect is called a dragging stroke or scuffing.

First Published
Apr 26, 2013 12:19 PM

Over the decades working as a graphic designer, illustrator and a fine artist, I am often asked "What is the difference between illustration and fine art?"

First lets look at the dictionary tells us. 
Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Illustrate has it origin in the early 16th century and means to illuminate or shed light on. An illustration is used to explain or make something clear or to serve as an example.

All artists pursue their own conceptual goals through expressing their creative skills in their own artwork. An illustrator is usually under a commission to produce a creative piece of art, use their creative skills as requested by the client. Many see this as a hindrance to the artists creativity, but this is not always the case. The Artist is usually hired for their creativity not just in the execution of the art work but in the concept development, or the artists own take on the idea, as well as compositional skills to create the artwork.

Sometimes an illustrators creativity can be stifled by the client, by over directing the project, including conceptualization and composition, and not allowing the highly trained artist do what they were hired to do. This can hinder the artist as the client may not actually be able to communicate their ideas easily.

On some occasions, the client has done the research and has a correct feel for their audience. The conceptual ideas they offer to the artist to follow can work perfectly and gives the artist a firm foundation to apply their creative ability to the project and can produce a very successful piece of artwork.

The difference between Fine Art and Illustration is blurred, and it is only the intentions that seem to separate the two.

For example, Michelangelo was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. In essence, the client (the church), gave Michelangelo a brief, outlining the direction of the artwork and the subject matter, which was limited to the Old and New Testament. Michelangelo still had the creative freedom to conceptualize, interpret, and create using his own imagination and creative skills. Taking over four years to complete, this artwork was a commissioned job and therefore is actually Commercial Art or Illustration. But it is considered one of the artists finest pieces of artwork and one of the world’s greatest and most famous fine art achievements.

Whether we agree or disagree that the line between Illustration and Fine Art is very defined or not, we must agree any artwork produced has part of the artists emotions, creativity and feelings amongst the colours and visuals.

Ultimately the viewer, or the buyer of the art is the one who decides. Marcel Duchamp (1887–1968) considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century, believed that anything perceived as art, is art. It's how we perceive it, and have we "created a new thought for that object.”

“Art is not about itself but the attention we bring to it.” Marcel Duchamp

First published
May 25, 2013 2:26 PM

A clay containing iron silicate; a permanent pigment occurring in a limited range of color medium-pale willow or celadon shades. Green earth comes from various parts of the world, the best commercial grades are found in small deposits in central Europe and Cyprus, called Tyrolean and Verona (bluish), Bohemian (clear middle-green), Cyprian (yellowish).

Green earth has been a favourite pigment for watercolor and other water based media since the time of Byzantine and early Italian tempera painting.

First Published
Apr 24, 2013 11:20 AM

So you just purchased your first condo, a space that is just big enough to stay sane. Buying a piece of art for your condo can feel like a daunting task, and all of sudden you may become keenly aware of interior design, textiles, furniture and all the elements that enhance your living space. It can be an intimidating world. Here are some tips to help you navigate the art of buying art.

1) Pick art that you actually like!
 
Sounds simple, but it is very important. Don't worry about trends, or what's in fashion, they fade. Go your own way when it comes to your art purchases. You want something that speaks to you. After all, you are the one who has to live with it.


2) Grace & Style

Go with something that fits into your urban surrounding or theme of your decor and furniture. If your furniture says art deco, then you may want art deco paintings as well. But you can consider contrasts, such as traditional native or aboriginal art which is also highly designed and stylized.

3) Location, Location, Location

Each room will call for a different feel and different style of art. For your bedroom you would want to select art that is more calming or “seductive”. Your living or dinning area is a great place to get wild and explore with stronger colour’s and themes.

4) Pick Art That Suits The Room

Small spaces don't offer the same options as large spaces for moving furniture around to make the art work, so choosing can be a daunting task. You may want to consider several small works of art vs one large dominating piece. If you choose this route, try hanging the art in clusters, grouping the works of art and balancing them by the colors or weight. This can be as bold a statement as one large piece, and is more budget friendly, by adding art to your collection as you can afford it.


5) The Right Light

Take measures to protect your art from too much direct sunlight as almost all art will fade if placed in this type of environment. Acrylic and oils seems to have passed the test of time, but with all others caution should be applied.

6) Death by Hanging

There is nothing worse than a poorly hung piece of art. As simple as it may be there is a right way to hang art. The general rule of thumb is paintings should be hung so that the centre of the painting is at eye level. If two occupy the living space, one at 5' and one at 6'6" then try a compromise by meeting in the middle. 


7) The Right “Frame” of Mind

It isn’t essential to have a frame around your art. Giclee fine art prints on canvas finished with a simple black edge is all you need and will blend with most rooms. If you do select a frame, tie it in to the location where the artwork is to be hung, as well as in to the artwork itself. The frame should be a continuation of the picture rather than a contrast.

8) Colors

When selecting a painting to match color, select one or two of the boldest colors in your room and look for art that has those colors in it. You’re not looking for an exact match here. Picking up one or two of the same colors will send a message that the painting belongs in this environment. When purchasing online, view the art on a couple of different monitors before you decide. 


First Published
Apr 23, 2013 1:00 PM

There are many styles in art, some of which became very popular while others faded into obscurity. In the 19th Century there were styles such as Art Nouveau, 1890-1910, Arts and Crafts Movement, founded in 1860 in addition to the ones already mentioned. In the 20th century we saw cubism, impressionism, art deco and pop art on the long list. In the 21st century we are seeing digital art, computer art, re-modernism, virtual art and graffiti art, which is also sometimes referred to as urban art. Artist still produce art in traditional ways and many work is similar to the styles in history. They might best be described by putting the word contemporary first when describing them: contemporary realism, contemporary abstract, and so on.

What is the difference between Modern & Contemporary Art?
People often get confused as we use the word modern to describe something which is new and exciting. In the art world "Modern" refers specifically to the time period, and "contemporary" is the correct term to use when describing new artworks.

Modern Art is a term used to define Modernism; which included movements such as: Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism; Cubism; Expressionism; Dada, Surrealism, and Pop Art, spanning a time from about 1890 to 1960. These movements were all influenced by a variety of factors such as light, color, asian art, and african art. Artists such as Picasso, Munch, Matisse, Renoir, Mondrian, and Kandinsky would be therefore considered "Modernist Masters".

Contemporary Art is generally used to describe recently made artworks in particular, made in the last 10 to 20 years. If you are a contemporary artist, then you are an artist who is creating artworks now, but you may be heavily influenced by the past. Contemporary artworks use a variety of materials and techniques and often use new technologies such as computers.

First Published
Jun 4, 2013 10:42 AM

A recent article published by the Associated Press about New York City artist Arne Svenson talks about a controversy the exhibition has stirred with the occupants of the building across the street.

The photographic exhibition shows images taken from the artists second-floor apartment of some of the occupants. The residents of this glass-walled luxury building had no idea they were being photographed and they never consent to being the subjects for the works of art, feel a line has been crossed. The artist writes; "they are performing behind a transparent scrim on a stage of their own creation with the curtain raised high".

The artist did not show the faces, so the subjects could be anyone. In one photo, a woman is on all fours, presumably picking something up, her posterior pressed against a glass window. Another photo shows a couple in bathrobes, their feet touching beneath a table. And there is one of a man, in jeans and a T-shirt, lying on his side as he takes a nap.

When you move into an all glass building, and don't close the window coverings, or even have them, what right to privacy do you have? If you believe no one will look in, think again. You have extended an invitation.

We are now in a society of living in public, all your private thoughts and actions are out there for anyone to see, and engage with. There are cameras on every corner, in public and private buildings, subways and buses, and toll booths. Digital technology, social media, and world wide internet access controls our day to day activities. We are constantly being monitored, photographed and watched.

If you want and expect privacy then close your drapes, throw away your cell phone, dump the internet, and move to an isolated location in the woods by yourself, and then only the wild animals can watch you. And what are they saying? Perhaps, "Dinner at the waters edge."

First Published
Apr 30, 2013 12:28 PM

Arts collective Doodle Plate has set itself the admirable task of sharing experiences around food, stories and cultures. For its first project, it’s the food and culture of Mexico that’s under the microscope – through illustration exhibition Nixtamal.

For Nixtamal three illustrators – Adam Bletchly and Livi Gosling from the UK and Oliver Flores from Mexico – focused specifically on the process of making tortillas. 
Nixtamal is an Aztec word which describes corn that has undergone a lime-treating process, crucial in the making of tortillas.

All three illustrators were asked to develop creative responses to this process.Stephanie Odu, who curated the Nixtamal show, says, ‘Researching this process presented the opportunity for our illustrators to delve into another culture, or their own – with work produced by one Mexican illustrator and two British illustrators.

‘Their work, inspired by this process, provides an accessible learning process. And we aim to inform people’s experiences, and engage them with the traditions of other cultures.’

Nixtamal is at the Hundred Years Gallery, 13 Pearson Street, London E2, from 22-26 May.
Original article can be found at http://www.designweek.co.uk/

First Published
May 21, 2013 5:08 PM

It was my sculpture professor who first told me about NASCAD while I was doing my undergraduate studies in a university in the United States. He asked why I didn't attend that school instead of the one I was at. I had to admit that I had never heard of it. He replied by telling me that this was the top art schools in North America, if not beyond. Over the years, I followed NSCAD University, and even visited on occasion, and it was not only keeping up its reputation, but expanding it. When it was my daughters turn to choose a school to study at I mentioned NASCAD and she too had never heard of it. I started to wonder if this was the best kept secret in the art world.

Once she saw the information, she was sold and off to study she went. Over the weekend she graduated, making the deans list with a BFA with a major in Textiles, and a BA in Art History. I had an opportunity to visit the graduation exhibition and was really impressed with the quality of the work on display. These are our future teachers, artists, and thinkers. We are in good hands as our society moves forward.

Over the past few months I've taken in several graduate shows from various schools, and until I visited the Sheridan College Illustration graduation exhibition and now the NASCAD University exhibition I was starting to wonder what the schools were up to. Cranking out graduates for the piece of paper, instead of the quality of work, the conceptual abilities, and critical thinking. Part of the function of universities is to teach students how to think, and how to expand on their thoughts, without which we would be doomed to a dreary existence that never evolves.

After visiting NASCAD and speaking with the students and instructors I have faith in the future, and the evolution that is inevitable. I was blown away at the quality of work on display, and the outstanding supportive environment that exists at NSCAD. Above Art piece by Samantha Merritt.

Artist: Audrey Turner

A big shout out for the exceptional work all around by the students and professors, and a thank you.