paint the town! 2019
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Visit the Window Art Gallery in January for a look at the work "done or begun" during Paint the Town! in Sept. 2019. This is our largest and most beautiful Paint the Town show yet! Meet the artists at a reception on Jan. 19, 2 - 4 p.m.
For a sneak peek at some of the work, visit the Window Art Gallery website. Check out comments from a regular PTT participant here!
awardsMany thanks to this year's juror, Michele LaRose, for her careful viewing of the show and for her insightful remarks. (below)
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Juror Notes (Michèle LaRose)
January 17, 2020
Paint the Town 2019 show, Window Art Gallery, Kingston School of Art
GENERAL COMMENTS:
Congratulations on your exhibition of artwork done during the Paint the Town 2019. It is a fine reflection of Barriefield and no doubt the residents of that part of Kingston are pleased with the results. I commend many of you for conquering what I call the ‘tyranny of green’, meaning the challenge of making interesting paintings during the summer when there is SO MUCH GREEN everywhere! Green is nice but sometimes there is just too much. I found much to admire in this show. As a former plein-air painter myself I understand the challenges of quickly picking a subject, making something interesting with it, and coping with the elements at the same time. Well done to all of you.
Although I have chosen what I consider to be best in show and honourable mentions, I trust you will understand that these are the opinion of just one juror and you should not be discouraged if your work is not named. Those of us in the art field have many more rejections than notes of approval, so know that you are in good company when your work is unmentioned. Just carry on for all the right reasons…mostly because you love to do it. So here is my selection:
BEST OF SHOW (in reverse alphabetical order)
Rebecca Spaulding : George Street Yard
Rebecca made excellent use of an intense coloured background that brings to life what could be a dark and uninteresting shady scene. The energetic brushstrokes match the electric play of colour. It has a tapestry-like feel and she paints with a very light touch. This painting breathes! This is no mean feat. And there was no fiddling…well done!
Pierre Séguin : The Bird House
This gem has a marvelous composition heightened by a striking use of colour. Its geometric bones are softened by the flower shapes and the colour of the birdhouse. It is an arresting image and one that will linger in my mind…always something to strive for…a memorable image. It was hard to choose between this drawing and The Mail Box, which was also impressive, especially the exquisite foliage in the foreground. Pierre is obviously a master with the coloured pencil. But this one tipped the scale with its well-considered colour.
Phil Chadwick: Barriefield White Door
This little jewel has made an unassuming subject quite special indeed. Phil has taken the ordinary and made it extraordinary through effective cropping and a fine overall composition. It also feels like a pure abstraction to me, an important element in any style of art. It has a wonderful use of colour and pattern, a strong use of contrast in colour and value, and a lightness of touch that is commendable.
Honourable Mentions (in reverse alphabetical order)
Mari Brown Virtanen: Among the Hostas
This ink and watercolour shows a delectable summer afternoon when green is in full flight and the air is warm. The airy dappled light surrounds a mysterious structure in the back wood and makes us wonder about its past and current use. The painting is done with a lovely light touch and captures a summer day perfectly.
Zan Jewell: Apples on George Street
This ink and watercolour painting conveys a joyful bountiful harvest through an effective use of arresting colour. Zan also makes good use of dappled shadows to create movement and depth. A combination of line and a light watercolour touch work well together.
Natasha Jabre: Doorway
I liked this wonky composition that reflects the out-of-square nature of the subject. This painting is a fine marriage of different media. The interesting use of jewel-like colour brings to life a rather well-used and ordinary building. As a result this small painting conveys an intense scene that causes me to linger.
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Congratulations to all and thank you for the opportunity to see all this fine work.
Michèle LaRose
January 17, 2020
Paint the Town 2019 show, Window Art Gallery, Kingston School of Art
GENERAL COMMENTS:
Congratulations on your exhibition of artwork done during the Paint the Town 2019. It is a fine reflection of Barriefield and no doubt the residents of that part of Kingston are pleased with the results. I commend many of you for conquering what I call the ‘tyranny of green’, meaning the challenge of making interesting paintings during the summer when there is SO MUCH GREEN everywhere! Green is nice but sometimes there is just too much. I found much to admire in this show. As a former plein-air painter myself I understand the challenges of quickly picking a subject, making something interesting with it, and coping with the elements at the same time. Well done to all of you.
Although I have chosen what I consider to be best in show and honourable mentions, I trust you will understand that these are the opinion of just one juror and you should not be discouraged if your work is not named. Those of us in the art field have many more rejections than notes of approval, so know that you are in good company when your work is unmentioned. Just carry on for all the right reasons…mostly because you love to do it. So here is my selection:
BEST OF SHOW (in reverse alphabetical order)
Rebecca Spaulding : George Street Yard
Rebecca made excellent use of an intense coloured background that brings to life what could be a dark and uninteresting shady scene. The energetic brushstrokes match the electric play of colour. It has a tapestry-like feel and she paints with a very light touch. This painting breathes! This is no mean feat. And there was no fiddling…well done!
Pierre Séguin : The Bird House
This gem has a marvelous composition heightened by a striking use of colour. Its geometric bones are softened by the flower shapes and the colour of the birdhouse. It is an arresting image and one that will linger in my mind…always something to strive for…a memorable image. It was hard to choose between this drawing and The Mail Box, which was also impressive, especially the exquisite foliage in the foreground. Pierre is obviously a master with the coloured pencil. But this one tipped the scale with its well-considered colour.
Phil Chadwick: Barriefield White Door
This little jewel has made an unassuming subject quite special indeed. Phil has taken the ordinary and made it extraordinary through effective cropping and a fine overall composition. It also feels like a pure abstraction to me, an important element in any style of art. It has a wonderful use of colour and pattern, a strong use of contrast in colour and value, and a lightness of touch that is commendable.
Honourable Mentions (in reverse alphabetical order)
Mari Brown Virtanen: Among the Hostas
This ink and watercolour shows a delectable summer afternoon when green is in full flight and the air is warm. The airy dappled light surrounds a mysterious structure in the back wood and makes us wonder about its past and current use. The painting is done with a lovely light touch and captures a summer day perfectly.
Zan Jewell: Apples on George Street
This ink and watercolour painting conveys a joyful bountiful harvest through an effective use of arresting colour. Zan also makes good use of dappled shadows to create movement and depth. A combination of line and a light watercolour touch work well together.
Natasha Jabre: Doorway
I liked this wonky composition that reflects the out-of-square nature of the subject. This painting is a fine marriage of different media. The interesting use of jewel-like colour brings to life a rather well-used and ordinary building. As a result this small painting conveys an intense scene that causes me to linger.
***
Congratulations to all and thank you for the opportunity to see all this fine work.
Michèle LaRose
Paint the Town! 2019 was wonderful! Our premier plein air event took place on Sept. 6, 7 and 8 in Barriefield Village, always a favourite spot for artists. Our home base was the church hall at St. Mark's Anglican Church, and over 50 artists spread out through the village, painting and sketching the historical houses, gardens, streetscapes and waterfront.
Here's a look at 2018's PTT, courtesy of Ken Fuller:
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