Art Fair, Seoul Korea

One of my pen, ink and white charcoal drawings, Winch, Herring Smoke Shed is being exhibited in the 5th Seoul Art Fair in South Korea, from April 27 to May 1, 2012. Work by Canadian Artists is on display in a booth sponsored by the South Korean art magazine, 미술과 비평 (Art and Criticism). The Art Fair is being held at the Seoul Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre, SETEC. The subject of my 8” x 10” drawing is a handmade, wooden winch, located in the Sardine Museum and Herring Hall of Fame, at Seal Cove, Grand Manan, New Brunswick. The museum, established by the late Michael Zimmer, preserves the traditional environment of a herring smoke house and is open for visits during the summer months. The Seal Cove Herring Sheds are designated as a Canadian National Historic Site. 

Figure Drawing

Graphite on paper 18" x 24"

Works by participants in the weekly Sketch Group are on display in the Heliconian Club at 35 Hazelton Avenue in Toronto’s Yorkville, until March 7. “Majesty,” my drawing of actress Sandi Ross, is part of the exhibit.

The Heliconian Club generously opens its hall for life-drawing sessions on Mondays for members but also welcomes non-members. The morning session features short poses from 10 a.m. until noon. From 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., the model holds a sustained pose. If you’re interested in drawing with the group, just show up with your chosen drawing materials at 9:45. Some drawing boards and a few easels are provided, but bring your own to be sure you are comfortable.  Fees are $7 for the morning and another $7 for the afternoon.

Whites

My challenge to convey whites in watercolour in Barry’s Tuesday watercolour class was to maintain the relationship between core and cast shadows, while developing the shapes of the white containers in contrast to the brightly coloured apples. As we observed, when bathed in direct light, some of the apples were lighter than the adjacent white objects. Later in the week I re-visited the exercise, using red apples, white objects and a white cloth trimmed with a red stripe. I randomly touched very pale pink, yellow and blue into the bright fabric area before I drew in the shadows. It’s virtually invisible, but does help the white cloth glow. Once again I finished up with soft charcoal pencil.

 

Watercolour with charcoal pencil

I joined a Sustained Saturday watercolour class taught by my partner Barry Coombs for the afternoon, after a space opened up at the last minute.  These studio days run from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. several times each term.  The still life subject was predominantly brass and we were encouraged to compose our image by employing a very tight crop. I admire people who work in watercolour, and even though I’ve been working at it for about 18 months, my results are very unpredictable. That’s partly what makes it fun – and terrifying!

My original idea was to spend the afternoon drawing in black and white with pen and ink. Working on hot press paper, I sketched the subject lightly with pencil. Then, inspired by the work being done by others around me, I changed my mind and used watercolour to block  in the key shapes, adding some secondary washes to form the shine and shadows. Next, returning to my comfort zone, I  added value, structure and depth with charcoal pencil. (So much for planning!) I was surprised by how the charcoal seemed to melt when it touched the still-wet paper as I worked. I liked the effect, and for a while worked back and forth between the dry and wet mediums.  If you want to see more about the class, see Barry’s blog post about the day. 

Watercolour and Charcoal Pencil study 12" x 16"

Opening Night at Core Realty

 

I’d like to thank everyone who came to the opening night of my exhibition at Core Realty and to thank Core for its generous hospitality and support. The turnout was excellent and I had a wonderful time! 

The show is open for viewing seven days a week from 11 am to 4 pm and continues until February 16.

If you’d like to make an appointment to view the exhibition with me or if you are interested in a purchase, contact me using the form below.

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Solo Show January 19 to February 16

I’m really pleased to be showing a collection of my Oil Pastels and Pen & Ink drawings, at Core Realty, 747 Queen Street East in Toronto, from January 19 to February 16.  Please drop by for the opening on Thursday January 19, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.  And keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

Salon 6: Propeller Centre

I’m happy that I  have been invited again this year to show some work at the Propeller Centre’s annual salon show. It runs from January 4-29, 2012, and the opening reception is Thursday January 5, 6-9 p.m.

Evening Chores, Percé by Aleda O'Connor Oil Pastel on wood panel. 24" x 36"

Propeller is located at 984 Queen Street West, Toronto.  Please come!

Canadian and Korean Artists’ Exhibition

I’ve been invited to show my drawing Dark Harbour Dories in an exhibition for the Korean Consulate and Dosan Gallery in Toronto.  It runs September 19 to 23.

Dark Harbour Camps: two versions

As a subject, I’ve always been drawn to the landscape and boats at gritty Dark Harbour, on the west side of Grand Manan island, where the dulse pickers keep their dories. Many also keep camps on the shore and rocky sea wall. While we were there for a two-week vacation following the workshop at the beginning of August, I worked in pen and ink as usual, and in watercolour too, after overcoming my inhibitions in Barry’s class last year.

Dark Harbour Dulse Camp

Dory and Camp

Maritime Sketches

We spent most of July and August along the St. Lawrence River and on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. I worked in my sketchbooks with pen and ink, also on toned paper with pen, ink and white charcoal. Here are a few samples:

St. Joseph de la Rive, Charlevoix

Hillside Farm Buildings, Charlevoix

Marathon Hotel, Grand Manan.

Harbour, Seal Cove, Grand Manan

Seal Cove Low Tide

Smoke Sheds, Seal Cove