JEANETTE DUNAGAN | at Expressions, 15 November 2007
Young At Art: A Review
The Okanagan Institute at Mosaic Books recently presented Young at Art and showcased Karen Close, Sara Lige and Lee Claremont. These artists demonstrated their unique prespective on art as a living experience.
Karen Close recently founded ABC Experiencing- a program designed to help people of all ages engage in nature and from there find their artistic voice. She introduced a young student and brought examples of her work.....the drawings featured the shapes of trees with images of faces in the lines. In my limited teaching experience, students will choose a landscape over still life or figurative shapes when first learning to draw and paint. Karen Close personified enthusiasm with her animated face and hands regarding the journey into self-expression and has written on the subject, as if it is the most exciting concept in the world.
Her young student demonstrated a maturity and confidence rarely seen in 8 or 10 year olds. She has me looking at nature and "seeing" again.
Sara Lige holds monthly workshops on themes ranging from printmaking to rock carving for people with developmental disabilities. I worked in the past with the Mental Health Association and share her interest in enabling would-be artists get past the fear of "doing things right". My own inspiration came from a study I made in the Pacific Grove of Southern California in the 1990s with the theme "From The Source". My classes were designed to inspire from within the artists and did not focus on materials or technique. This approach requires constant affirmation, as the fear of failure is so highly engrained in most of us that support and encouragement are the essential key to confidence and persistence. "Look at that great line, and oh, your circles".
I have followed the Cool Arts in the Central Okanagan for the past several years and applaud the work this non-profit organization. San Francisco, Vancouver, now Kelowna is home to an increasing number of passionate teacher-artists who inspire everyday students to see art in the ordinary, to see art in their daily lives, to become everyday artists. Victoria, by the way, is home to a highly accredited School of Art Therapy.
Lee Claremont announced she felt "scatterred" after time with several hundred children in an afternoon class and the drive from Penticton and over the bridge to Kelowna. This on-the-go teacher is considered one of the best known Okanagan artists in the country. Her strong, colourful work has dominated the local scene since she began studies at Okanagan College in the late 1980s.
While I took time off to look at the lake and drink beer, Lee has remained focused on exhibits and workshops. Her body of work is extensive and her recent Meadowlark painting is my all time favourite. So finished in technique and so endearing in vision.
I was totally intimidated by these three drop-dead gorgeous women. They have accomplished what most of us wanna-be painters only dream about. They have published books, seen prints of their work sold at competive prices and have accomplished the skills to hold an audience captive on the subject of yet another creative exploration.
Their passion inspired me, too. Karen Close spoke of faith, urgings, hearts, and important lessons. All subjects relating to the spiritual aspect of life and art.
Sarah Lige encouraged personal connections and reminded me once again the importance of patience and kindness ... not only to other artists, but to ourselves.
Lee Claremont challenges her students to remember the joy they experience during the drawing, painting exercise. We may not all achieve recognition or awards but we can all partake of the joy of self-expression and the realization that our visions are of the same forms as the Old Masters and these New.
I nominate Karin Wilson moderator of the year. A smart, tailored jacket and grooming appropriate to the afternoon. I loved her stylish hair and her confident introductions of the Young At Art presenters. Her introductions set a tone for the comfortable yet professional presentations that were to come. She suggested information and entertainment, and all the Young At Art came through with personal revelations of trial and errors. Karin's well-rehearsed comments demonstrated the results, and importance of ,preparation and homework. And she writes with style, too.
Copyright © 2007 Jeanette Dunagan. All rights reserved.
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