Recent work at DAG

by admin on March 3, 2024

My piece “Five Hindrances Dissolving” appears in the current “Euphoria” juried exhibit at Durham Art Gallery, on display until April 13, 2024. It was awarded Best 3D Artwork! 

My idea to paint on reclaimed shipping pallets carries on naturally from an initiative to use the wood for frames. I love the look and feel of these often mangled and worn constructions, coming to me having traversed thousands of kilometres; in short, they have a history. 

I had the idea for this piece about a year ago, but the half-finished artwork sat undisturbed during the busy December season. When I heard about the juried show “Euphoria”, I wanted to apply, and this was the little nudge I needed. 

But first there were the holidays, with family visiting, and doing annual store inventory. And the promise of a bit of time carved out in January was why I planned to go away on a Vipassana* meditation retreat both this year and last. 

So my application to the show was made with the fixative still drying. 

The work is done with pastel on wood, with parts of it carved like a woodblock used for printing. The different slats show portions of images, some connected, some disjointed, with the aim of recalling the way our minds serve up a jumble of memories and desires. The “five hindrances” refers to a subject the Buddha talked about: the things that keep us from working (meditating) and walking on the Noble Path, symbolized by the hands in repose.

My thanks go out to the jury for their work in sifting through mountains of applications from far and wide; the show is truly amazing. Congratulations to gallery director Jennifer Norman for mounting a challenging but exciting collection of artwork, in a freshly-painted space.

*Vipassana meditation is an ancient method of training the mind in concentration and awareness, with the aim of calming and purifying the mind. The courses are taught free-of-charge at centres around the world (the closest centre is outside of Alliston, Ontario). I attended my first course about 20 years ago, and have developed a daily practice which helps me in many ways to stay more balanced and content. This year I was serving (volunteering) in the kitchen. While we prepared meals and washed dishes, we also had plenty of time for meditation with the 100-or-so other students. I highly recommend taking the 10-day course!

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Age-perfect art giving

by admin on December 6, 2023

I remember opening my first set of portable watercolours; I was 16 years old. My parents had realized that my love of art wasn’t going away, and they bought me a really expensive set. Growing up in rural Manitoba, they must have driven the hour-and-a-half to Winnipeg to buy it.

All that year, I experimented with different styles I had seen in books (this was the 80s), combining it with my own sensibilities. During the summer holidays, I went on a medieval tangent and, in my mind’s eye, became a monkish manuscript illuminator, creating gaudily-coloured images of knights and battles and burning towers.

Whether my parents knew it or not, this was the perfect art gift for me at the time. But choosing the right gift of art supplies for the right age can be tricky, so I’ll outline below some of the more common age brackets and possible gift ideas that we have in stock.

A note: many of these suggestions for children are more fully adopted if they see adults using them! As a caregiver or relative, you will know the recipient best, but I will be happy to advise based on my experience.

Early childhood (approx. ages 2-6)

As soon as children have stopped automatically putting objects in their mouths, they can experiment with making things. They will love the feeling of mark-making for its own sake. Natural products and materials might take precedence over plastic ones (eg. markers) to encourage a connection to the natural world and avoid toxicity and waste. Some ideas:

Beeswax crayons: These natural and non-toxic crayons are full of bold colour and will easily handle rough treatment. They can be used directly on paper.

Beeswax modelling tablets: These can be warmed in the hands and easily formed into whatever you imagine. Use them at storytime or bedtime to help kids relax.

Wool yarn: simple skills like finger-knitting or corking can be learned by the very young. Knit a whole animal farm!

Coloured felt sheets: can be stitched together to make ornaments or stuffed shapes.

Later childhood: (ages 5-9)

The next stage is usually connected to an interest in letter-forms, and forms in general. A growing dexterity will allow manipulation of more typical art tools:

Pencil crayons: Large-diameter crayons (like Lyra Colour Giants) are easy to hold and less liable to break.

Wet-on-wet watercolour painting: a collection of moist watercolours, some jars, larger brushes, and good quality paper will allow children to experience colour for its own sake. This takes some set-up and adult accompaniment, but it is worth the effort! The colours need to be partially diluted with water so they flow nicely, and the paper needs to be sponged wet to make the colours bleed. By avoiding the tendency toward “control” of the details, this process allows the focus to be on letting the colour do the talking, so to speak. Tim can explain more details, or check out sites like: https://simplehomeschool.net/painting-wet-on-wet-waldorf-watercolors-for-children/

Teens:

This age is marked by an interest in more precision and accurate representation in visual art. The variety of media possibilities keeps expanding.

Pencils, pens, rulers, markers: These tools can be used for drawing from life, or from imagination, and also for geometry and comics.

Paints like oils, watercolours and acrylics: Watercolours are all-natural, and, with sets in “pans”, are very portable. Sets are available in all three.

Printmaking: a more technically challenging discipline, but with great prospects for anyone so inclined. This is one of my specialties, and I can describe the various forms.

Calligraphy: a great discipline for anyone with literary interests.

Sculpture: natural or synthetic clays, and we also have some wax-based modelling material and soapstone.

Adults:

Many of the supplies listed above for teens are applicable to adults, especially for those who have never had the opportunity to explore the visual arts. Some might want to start an ongoing hobby, others might just want to create a one-off masterpiece! Check what classes are available (either here or in the area), and you might want to give a gift certificate. For those who are sick in bed, or have physical challenges, consideration should be given to whether they have a table-like surface to work on, the “messiness” of a particular medium, and hand dexterity. In this last case, larger pencils are good for easier holding. Colouring books are a good option for people not wanting to get into anything too intensively. 

Have fun thinking about your recipient, and maybe you will be “drawn” into the process! 

In most cases, we can offer store credit for unused purchases, if needed. We will be open December 28 and 29, 10-4. Happy holidays!

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The overshoot plan, part 2

March 21, 2023

My hands are still shivering from the strike of the hammer on the pry bar. I’ve been taking apart wooden skids to use as material for making frames. It’s hard, good wood; but it’s difficult to take apart.  The purpose behind this experiment is to see if I can decrease my reliance on purchased frame […]

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Back to basics

April 23, 2022

It’s ironic to say “new” when it’s really OLD. Old as the hills, actually. Pigments made from rocks. Nothing is more basic than natural earth! We’re taking a new approach to supplying art materials this year, moving towards long-term integrity. We hope you will join us on the journey! Our first step is to offer […]

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Art resources online (various)

January 5, 2022

If you need some inspiration, Unison Colour (pastels) is offering a free live pastel demo online for beginners Wednesday Jan 12 at 2pm EDT. To register, go to https://www.unisoncolour.com/free-beginners-live-demo-with-sue-kerrigan-harris/ Also, the Art Gallery of Ontario has a large selection of videos with art talks and activities to inspire some aesthetic thoughts: ago.ca You’ll find it […]

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Two shows for artists

September 30, 2021

In order to curb any tendency to watch too much tv, I don’t subscribe to a paid streaming service. But I do watch shows from our public broadcaster, CBC, and recently discovered two shows of interest to artists: Landscape Artist of the Year Canada, and Maudie. The first one, Landscape Artist, is a multi-episode show […]

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A mini-holiday

August 22, 2021

It’s been a busy summer with all our fabulous customers coming back! So we are going to take a short break, visiting our daughter: we’ll be closed Friday and Saturday, September 3 and 4. (This also means there will be no Art on first Friday this month! Second Saturday is still on the 11th.) Be […]

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Open for shoppers

June 12, 2021

Hi art-friends! As part of Stage 2 re-opening, we are now able to welcome up to 7 customers at a time, so come on over to see what has been happening since the shutdown. New supplies have continued to arrive, from specialty rulers to main-stay paints. Highlights include Unison pastel sets and easels, colouring books […]

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Thanks, Rhonda

May 19, 2021

Durham is saying goodbye to a great artist and teacher, Rhonda Abrams, who is moving away. She taught dozens of students in Durham for the last thirteen-or-so years, first at The Colour Jar, and then in her own space, Durham Art School. In her approach to teaching, Rhonda was rare. She wouldn’t do her students’ […]

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Curbside & colouring books

April 17, 2021

New items are still coming into the store, even though we are back to curbside service. Framing orders are still welcome, although it may be advisable to drop off your projects and schedule a virtual meeting, or photos can be sent. Highlights of new supplies include (full list under Art supplies tab): Quirky and fun […]

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