25 Years in Canada - The Year 2015 Part I

 

Evening Glow, acrylic, 18" x 24", CAN $550

Blog 17

I started the year 2015 with a Creativity Challenge. I enjoyed the possibilities of sharing my passion and continuously learned something new when I prepared my classes. However, I was not happy with the low number of artworks of the previous year. With the additional work of writing my blogs and newsletters, advertising for events and courses, I had created most of my paintings during my two great painting trips. I decided to challenge myself to create art every day during January to establish a new creative routine. 

Creativity Challenge 2015

By mid-January, my painting and drawing classes for the City of Ottawa started again. I also continued to work with private German and art students. I also taught Creativity & Me workshops from my studio to help clients experiment with different mediums and techniques.


February did not start too well. While doing some work on my website, I realized that all the blogs I had published between January and September 2014 were gone. In a panic, I asked my husband, who created all our backups, for help. He could retrieve all the blogs from mid-April to the last backup but all the blogs from the first quarter were gone - swallowed by a software bug that just cut off any content after a certain length. Luckily, I still had the text for them on my computer. I was frustrated and set up a new blog site at http://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.ca/ with the help of my son, Dominic, who helped me with the layout. 

Breaking The Ice, acrylic, 14" x 18" NFS

 

On the positive side, my painting “Breaking The Ice” was accepted into the Arteast juried show “Mosaic” at the Trinity Gallery at the Shenkman Fine Arts Centre from February to March. Out of 165 paintings, the jurors picked less than 60 for the exhibition.


In March, I took the opportunity to exhibit some of my art at the beautiful Bean Town Ranch that offered weekend brunches during the sugar shack season. Unfortunately, the visitors were only interested in the fabulous food and not in the art. 

Invitation 25 Years Plein Air Ensemble

For months, my friend Helene and I prepared the silver jubilee of the Plein Air Ensemble. The most important event was the 25 Year Plein Air Ensemble exhibition at Wall Space Gallery in Orleans at the end of March. This exhibition celebrated the accomplishments of the artists of the group during the last quarter of a century. We were fortunate that two of the founders were among the participants of the exhibition. As Helene got sick, I had to hold the opening speech in front of a big crowd of visitors, which made me very nervous. Among them were MP Royal Galipeau, MPP Marie-France Lalonde, Councillor Jody Mitic, and Councillor Bob Monette. We received certificates from Premier Stephen Harper, MPP Galipeau, MPP Lalonde, and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson commemorating the Plein Air Ensemble’s 25th anniversary.

Parc des Amoureux, oil, 8" x 10" CAN $250

 

At the beginning of April was the next Plein Air Ensemble trip. This time, we went to Val David, which was my first spring trip with the group in years. I had never been to Val David and could hardly wait to get together with the group to paint.


Shortly after the trip, I took part in the Navan Fine Art Exhibition and Sale. I enjoy exhibiting with this group of artists because we all work together to plan and organize the event. It is a smaller group which makes the shows much more personal than any other weekend show I joined. 

The Buseater, oil, 11" x 14", CAN $375

In the middle of May, my friend Janis and I enjoyed a week at the cottage without family obligations. While we had a lot of rain, we still managed to paint. In the evenings, we sat on the beach watching the light ripples of the moving water, listened to the birds and watched the occasional squirrel or chipmunk rush past our chairs. We also used the opportunity to scout out new accommodations for the Plein Air Ensemble in the beautiful areas of Clear Lake and Golden Lake. It was the perfect break ahead of two crazy months of soccer games, dance recitals, and graduation celebrations. 

Spring Greens, oil, 10" x 8", CAN $250

 

My daughter’s health had finally improved after a specialist at the children’s hospital asked her to take some high-dose vitamins instead of additional pain medications. Even though she was already full-time in high school since February, she officially graduated from grade 8 in the second half of June. We were all happy that the transition had worked so well. It was quite an accomplishment to finish grade 8 and 9 in one year!


The following day, we had the big garden party before Dominic’s prom. The custom of elaborate celebrations in formal wear has a long tradition in Canada and the US. However, in Germany, the “Abiball” is relatively new.


It is customary for young people in their mid-teens to go to a dance school to learn at least basic ballroom dancing. At the end of the course, the dancers go to a ball, but having a prom at school is a recent trend that came from America. I could not find information about the first prom-like celebration in Germany. However, the photos that I found online were from after 2010. My Abitur celebration in the eighties was only very low-key. In the morning, we received our certificates in the school auditorium in front of our parents and siblings. Most students wore business casual for the occasion. In the evening, the students and teachers got together for a barbeque-style event with food from the cafeteria. Everyone, including the teachers, wore casual clothes.


The German school system is a topic in itself. The Abitur is the highest German school certificate for students who pass their exams after 12/13 years of school to study at universities.


For my parents, Christine and I, the prom was a new experience. My husband and I even met with the other parents and young adults of my son’s group of friends before the actual garden party to take photos in the park. Most of them had a date for the party. The colour of the dresses and ties matched for each pair. It was quite the production. I have to admit that it was a feast for the eyes.

 

Two days later followed the Commencement Ceremony. We were all so proud of my son’s graduation and his path that lead him to university and a move away from home. First, however, we would enjoy one last summer together.


As my children spread their wings, it looked promising for my career activities. Join me next week to read the sequence of my journey.

25 Years in Canada - The Year 2014 Part I

Ottawa River, Whitewater Region, 12" x 16", CAN $400

Blog 15


So far, I have written most of my journey with the help of my journals, but my 2014 entries are often months apart and incomplete, even on the days when I found some time to write. Luckily, I wrote some short remarks into my daily calendar. Otherwise, it would be almost impossible to distinguish the events of the years ahead.

My daughter’s medical problems continued into the year 2014. She still suffered from headaches multiple times a week. She took a lot of pain medication. In the fall of the previous year, she had told us that she was sad without any visible reason. All the alarm bells went off. Luckily, her teachers and health professionals worked with us to stabilize her mood.

I was happy that I found a distraction from the unanswered health questions with art and German courses. I taught some private students, worked at two City of Ottawa recreation facilities and the local art store Wallack’s.

I loved teaching, but some weeks, it was challenging to find enough time to work on my paintings. I spent a lot of time preparing for the art classes. However, I squeezed as much studio time into my schedule as possible. I was full of excitement during weeks when I painted for four or more hours. 

Winter in Quebec, acrylic, 12" x 24", CAN $425

 I was very creative in February when I worked on five different painting. I finished four of them by the end of March. Two were winter scenes, but my yearning for spring and summer were evident in Magic Sunset and Ottawa River(above).

At the end of February, I participated with three other artists in the Arteast Exhibition Artmix at the St. Laurent Complex.

Hay Fields in Nauheim Germany, acrylic, 18" x 24", SOLD

In March, I finally finished the painting Hay Fields in Nauheim, Germany. The painting had been standing in my studio for quite some time. While I liked the composition, the execution was not exciting enough until I added knife work to the foreground. I experienced the same struggle with the painting from an outing to Victoria Island in Ottawa. Using a knife for the final layer made all the difference in the energy of the artwork.

As if I did not already have enough on my plate, I took over as the editor of the Arteast email communication in the spring.

As part of the Arteast volunteers, I was one of seven artists who were the first to exhibit their art in the new space at the François Dupuis Centre in early April.

Green Waters, St. Laurence River, oil, 12" x 24", SOLD

Until the weather was nice enough for plein air painting, I finished some Kamouraska paintings from the previous year. I also created a scene from the 2011 Plein Air Ensemble trip to Sutton. Finally, meeting with my friends, the Ottawa Tulip Festival, Petrie Island and Mer Bleue were the beloved locations for our painting outings. 

At the end of May, I experienced the fun of printing with acrylic paints in an exciting workshop offered by Arteast in collaboration with Golden Paints. I wish I had more time for experimenting.

 

Despite lots of preparations and a house full of guests for my daughter’s confirmation and my father’s 80th birthday, I was one of the exhibitors at the Navan Art Exhibition and Sale in early June. When I finally dropped off my painting Fall Splendour at the Shenkman Art Centre at the end of the month, I was looking forward to a relaxing holiday month. However, my bliss did not last long. My vacation did not turn out the way I had anticipated.

If you want to know the event that shook my world only a few days later, join me again next week.

25 Years in Canada - The Year 2013 Part I

Fall Splendor, acrylic, 18" x 24, CAN $600

Blog 13


I started 2013 with a visit to the Frida and Diego exhibition a the Art Gallery of Ontario. I could relate to Frida Kahlo’s way of expressing her pain and feelings in her art. I could feel the rawness and strength of her emotions. Diego’s paintings, on the other hand, did not touch me at all.

My passionate response to Frida's art was possibly related to my worries about our daughter. She developed persisting headaches and dizziness followed by stomach problems that resulted in several trips to the children’s hospital. The doctors did not know what was wrong, as her test results did not show any abnormalities. We were extremely anxious.


We also worried that she would fall behind in school. On most days, Christine was in too much pain to go to school. Luckily, she had a great teacher who prepared material for her that she worked through whenever she felt well enough to concentrate.


While I worried about my daughter and our upcoming trip to Germany, I experienced an exciting success in my business: a former client bought four larger paintings at once.

Gentleman Smoking His Pipe, acrylic, 20" x 16", CAN $400

I needed the good news. I was disappointed about a recent commission. I had spent a lot of time creating a portrait for another client. I should have realized from the start that the project was doomed. The client had commissioned a painting of his late father using a reference photo of another artist’s black and white drawing. The drawing showed only the face and a hand with a pipe.


Creating a portrait is tricky. The image we have of a person might not at all be a reflection of the way someone sees himself or a loved one. In this particular case, I had not even seen the person or a photograph. I should have realized that this drawing was already an interpretation of the father’s image. Therefore, my painting was an interpretation of that drawing. The whole process was like whispering a message from one person to the next. Usually, the information deviates more and more from the original.

My client did not recognize his father in the portrait. I was disappointed but at least sold another painting to him. The failed artwork was a good exercise, but it is probably not a painting that I will ever sell.


Fortunately, I found lots of enjoyment in working with my private students. My adult painting student was very talented and hardly wanted to stop at the end of each class. My two German students and I shared lots of laughter.


At the beginning of March, my children and I finally sat on a plane to Germany, where we visited my relatives and friends. We also went on a short trip to Paris with my mother and sister, which left us with many unforgettable moments.


While I was in Germany, I received news that I had passed the first level for being accepted as a member of another gallery. I had to deliver samples of my work for further jurying. In the end, the jury rejected my application with devastating remarks. For weeks, I was so depressed that I wanted to stop painting forever. There were only two facts that saved me: another friend received similar remarks, and my urge to paint reappeared after the first shock had passed.


Back at home, Christine’s medical appointments continued. Despite all the pain and missed school and dance classes, she was still determined to finish her school year with high grades and participate in her dance competitions. She succeeded.

Cold Sunny Day, acrylic, 20″ x 26″, CAN $770

 At the end of April, I was one of the seven members of our plein air group exhibiting “Seven Artistic Visions” at the Wall Space Gallery in Orleans. It was exciting to be part of the group with fellow artists Janis Fulton, Hélène Martin, Lucie Leclerc, Malcolm Cowell, Robert Murrell, and one of my former teachers, John Alexander Day. 

Less than a months later, Janis and I went to paint at the Tulip Festival to warm up for our painting trip in the Whitewater region with Hélène. The three of us spent a couple of days at our cottage, where we went out every day to paint the spring landscape with our friend Bill. 

I Can Smell the Lilac, oil, 8" x 10", CAN $250

These days were my last retreat before a couple of hectic weeks of soccer tournaments, dance recitals and exhibitions. I had a solo show at Lunasole Restaurant in Orleans. Two of my paintings were on display at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans during the Arteast exhibition “Cumberland Museum – En Plein Air”. Then, I participated in the Navan Art Exhibition and Sale, where I sold three paintings.

The Vegetable Garden, oil, 11" x 14, CAN $375

To re-energize, I spent a day with members of Arteast Ottawa in Montreal, where we visited the breathtaking Chihuly exhibition. I could not get enough from the bright colours and shapes of the fantastic installations. What exceptional art!

 

Soon, a new opportunity arose: The Plein Air Ensemble organizers wanted to pass on the torch. My friend Hélène asked me whether I was interested in working with her. The prospect of scouting out new venues and organizing the trips for the group was as tempting as the prospect of cheaper trips. At the end of June, we made our first discovery trip to the Maniwaki area. It was fun to spend time together and also a good practice of my French skills.


Next week, I will let you look at the exciting second half of 2013. If you like my stories, please share my blog with family and friends.

My April Art Projects

Blog 17

I hope you had a lovely Easter weekend. For my family and I, it was very busy as we were cleaning out our vacation home that was mainly used by our visitors from Germany. Even though it was a small house, it was a lot of work. It is amazing how much stuff was accumulated over the years. On the other hand, we created many beautiful memories in this house. I also started a new contract as a German instructor and I am again teaching two Cartooning and Comics courses at François Dupuis Recreation Centre in Orleans. As April was also tax month, I did not have a lot of time for painting.

During the two “Felted Easter Egg” workshops, I had the pleasure of sharing the craft of felting with a group of people. Everyone left at least with one beautiful and unique Easter egg. I created four eggs.

I got my sketch out of my purse during a networking event, on the bus, and before the KISS concert, when I sketched the members of the group from a poster on a big screen. I sketched a lady on the bus on my way to the National Art Centre, and during the intermission of the Giselle ballet, I created a sketch a ballet dancer from memory.

"Bouquet of Joy", unfinished

I continued my work on the 20” x 16” acrylic painting of the tulip bouquet “Bouquet of Joy”.

For my Cartooning and Comics classes, I created drawings of a realistic and cartoon bunny, followed by a drawing of Bugs Bunny. Inspired by the children’s suggestion, I also attempted to create a cartoon version of myself. We also drew Batman from “The Lego Movie 2” and Toothless from the movie “How to Train a Dragon”.

still lots to colour

We were a small group for the very first Art Cafe, but we had a great time doodling flowers. If you would like to read more about the event, please go to my blog post “Making Art More Accessible”: https://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/making-art-more-accessible.html. If you would like to be part of the next Art Cafe, please join me on June 9, 2019.

unfinished

 

 During the Celebrating Spring with Flowers workshop, I demonstrated painting flowers after studying Vincent van Gogh’s painting “Irises”. During the demonstration, it is not my intention to concentrate on my painting. Therefore, I still need to finish the painting that is a mixture of van Gogh’s and the Irises that I photographed last spring at the Ornamental Gardens in Ottawa.

This weekend, April 27 and 28, 2019, I will be participating in the Navan Fine Arts Exhibition and Sale in the Navan Memorial Centre Arena, ​1295 Colonial Road, Navan. For more information about the show and the participating artists and artisans please go to www.navanarts.com. We would love to see you and talk to you about our art.