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GO TO YOUR ROOM !

I borrowed this phrase from the recently deceased Canadian painter Robert Genn who believed that there is only so much we can learn about how to paint from the many fine instructors and resources available today. The true learning comes from going off on our own and just doing it - Go to your room!

I have had the good fortune to take instruction from outstanding artists in Canada and the USA. I continue to work on my own development ( Going to MY room!) . I share, through this blog and workshops, what I have learned and what others have shared with me.

I created this blog primarily for those attending my workshops to keep in touch and to further share as we grow together. If others are interested in following that would be great.

Enjoy the journey.

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Workshop with the Art Group of the Comox Valley



Finished a two day Preparing for Plein Air workshop with members of the Art Group of the Comox Valley. Great group and very well organized. The venue was the beautiful ocean-front home and gardens of Kate Brown.

The workshop focused on planning, preliminary sketching, value plans and getting ones head in the right place for the challenges of painting on location. The group took to it like ducks to water. Great fun for me.

For anyone interested in this group contact artgroup.cv@gmail.com

















New Plein Air set up for our RV


Last year Cathy and I changed from a truck with a fifth wheel trailer to a class C motorhome. Suits us in most respects but , without our truck, it means we need to unplug and move every time I want to paint in the area.

So I modified my older mountain bike and added a Bionx Peddle Assist battery system and a Burley Travoy bike trailer .  I dug out an old large back pack that fit my ArtBox plein air system and all supplies and a new duffle bag for a simplified acrylic set up.

So now I have a mobile plein air system for both oil and acrylic that gives me full freedom from the RV.

The Bionx system is terrific. I can use the bike without the assist for workouts or add the power that responds to the gear and torque applied. I am booked for a knee replacement in a few months so it enables me to pull the added gear without problems.

The Travoy bike cart is also a great addition. Even if I didn't use it behind a bike it is a great system for toting gear and it folds up to almost nothing. Great investment.

Of course it did mean we had to get Cathy a Bionx for her bike as well.



A few recent sketches done on RV trips using my new set up.

Acrylic 11x14

Oil on MDF board 8x10

Oil on linen board 8x10

Oil on Linen board 11x14