Joanne Thomson's December 2015 Newsletter
The best of the Christmas Season to all of you and yours, no matter what your affiliations or ages! (Does that make up for the politically incorrect mention of Christmas?) I actually haven’t had much time to think about the holidays this year, likely because they won’t be holidays for me. I’ll be setting up the 300 Mason Jars installation starting on December 27th! It is coming very soon and thank you to all of you who are supporting and encouraging me in this endeavor. It is the most ambitious show I have ever put on and with all the attention it is getting I feel double obliged to make it wonderful! The theme is so appropriate to New Years too. HERE IS THE PLAN! 300 MASON JARS: an installation of watercolours, artifacts and edibles at the Gage Gallery, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. December 29, 2015 – January 16, 2016. Artist’s reception (and talk) on New Years Eve 5-9 pm (some lovely nibbles and refreshing drinks though nothing alcoholic). If you haven’t seen the December FOCUS article here is the link. http://focusonline.ca and click on the PDF, pages 24 – 27. I think Aaren Madden did a wonderful job with the write-up handling the subject of the show with sensitivity and respect. There is one error the Kerr creek property is in BC not Saskatchewan, that was an earlier homestead. Those of you nostalgic for Saskatchewan though will find some paintings that evoke that time and place. Most are about BC and include actual and imagined memories. And I’ll be at the Gallery every Saturday during the show, some other days as well. This project is near and dear to me and many of you have asked if you can participate by bringing a jar of your own canning. The answer is yes. If you want to bring it and not pick it up, I hope you will accept an art card in exchange. Otherwise you are welcome to bring it and pick it up at the end of the show. I’ll have a surface ready to accept them and tags so you can label them. January 9, 2016 is the free artmaking “Take the Lid Off” your creativity event. I invite you to join me and some other Gage artists to start to fulfill those New Years resolutions about ‘making more art’. All materials supplied. 2-5 pm at the Gage Gallery, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. OF INTEREST: The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria will be having and exhibition of watercolours beginning at the end of January and running until May 23, 2016. It looks wonderful and is quite rare to have such a focused exhibition. http://aggv.ca/exhibitions/water-pigment-paper
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It is sunny today, welcome after the heavy rains. The colours are shining and bright. It has been a very busy fall and much has been accomplished. The Centennial Square Parkade Mural project with the youth are completed and look wonderful. The team really came through. The panels will be installed in the stairwell of the parkade this fall and there will be a formal opening. I’ll let you know about the opening in the next newsletter as it is likely to be in December. There are some preview images on my website.
Sidney Fine Arts has come and gone, courses are running, the municipal hall exhibition comes down tomorrow, so now is time to look forward to the next rush! Ohhh and another result from the Francis King Park residency: Kem Luther and his book designer at Oregon University Press have chosen my ‘tree moss’ study for the cover of his new book called ‘Boundary Layer” which is all about mosses and lichens and their role in the ecosystem! I’ll send a link when it is published. (Looks like a fascinating read.) In CaHoots opens this Friday and I think it will be a fun exhibition. Certainly the piece that April Caverhill, Dale Roberts and I created is good fun! Then on November 14th I hang the bottled series up at Discovery Coffee Oak Bay and on the 17th the group show: Conjunction at the Gage Gallery Arts Collective opens. Then it is a bit of quiet until my solo show at the Gage “300 Mason Jars”. More about that below. UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS: November 6 – 25, In Cahoots (Synergy) Exhibition at the Slide Room Gallery Vancouver Island School of Art on 2549 Quadra Street curated and organized by Efren Quiroz of Exhibit-V fame. There are about 30 invited artist groups creating things together. I am collaborating with April Caverhill and Dale Roberts (aka Dame Mailarta) to create a wonderful eclectic sculptural book about I-dentity. November 14 to January 2- Bottled at Discovery Coffee at the Oak Bay location 1962 Oak Bay Avenue- just a block from the Gage Gallery on the other side of the street. Beth has asked a couple of times for the Bottled series and since they are now out of the closet again at her last request I said yes. There will be a few new smaller pieces for accessible Christmas gifting and some of the old faithful on display. So if you missed the Many Faces of Silence exhibition at the Gage then you can see some of them there! November 17 – December 5th – with an artist reception on Thursday December 19th from 7-9 pm. Group show at the Gage Gallery on the theme of Conjunction. Expect a wide variety of interesting works! I have created a new “book” sculpture for the show! NOW THE BIG PLAN! 300 MASON JARS: an installation of paintings, artifacts and canning at Gage Gallery, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. December 29, 2015 – January 16, 2016. Artist’s reception (and talk) on New Years Eve 5-9 pm. Spoiler ALERT: I have been getting some great interest from the local media- watch for it! And I’ll be at the Gallery every Saturday during the show, some other days as well. This project is near and dear to me and many of you have asked if you can participate by bringing a jar of your own canning. The answer is yes. If you want to bring it and not pick it up, I hope you will accept an art card in exchange. Or you are welcome to bring it and pick it up at the end of the show. I’ll have a surface ready to accept them so they can become part of the exhibition. I have 141 paintings completed now. Still some waiting for this show so wish me continued energy to create them. (Last week I got the canning bug again and made quince marmalade which is fantastic. An unanticipated difficulty though is saving my preserves for the show. I had to go out and purchase canned tomatoes this week!) January 9, 2016 “Take the Lid Off” your creativity and ‘fulfill those New Years resolutions about ‘making more art’. A free event. All materials supplied. 2-5 pm at the Gage Gallery, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. Well it really feels like Fall. Equinox has passed and the days are equal light and dark. I am missing the early mornings. I watched the eclipse of the moon at Cattle Point on Sunday after teaching the weekend workshop at UVic. I was tired so managed to stay still and see the full eclipse all the way through to the return of the full moon. I had a bench and a blanket and a variety of people who came and sat beside me, some more talkative than others, an interesting evening. I am just home from hanging the Francis King Park Artist In Residence show at the Saanich Municipal Hall (the image is above).
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS: September 26 – October 10. Nature of Island Artists at the Goldstream Nature House. The painting I have for sale there is in the feature spot in this newsletter. I hope you can go and enjoy the park and the artwork during the show. September 30 – November 3 Francis King Park Artist in Residence Exhibition at Saanich Municipal Hall. I have the display wall just left of the main entrance for the month of September and will feature works created during the Spring residency. Expect bones and forest and birds and moss… October 16- 18 Sidney Fine Arts at the Mary Winspear Center in Sidney. They accepted the beautiful painting I did at Francis King Park this past spring (yes, the same one that was rejected at the Sooke Fine Arts show- go figure!). It is always and interesting show and a fundraiser for community arts programming on the Peninsula. November 6 – 25, In Cahoots (Synergy) Exhibition at the Slide Room Gallery Vancouver Island School of Art on Quadra Street. This promises to be a great exhibition curated and organized by Efren Quiroz of Exhibit-V fame. There are about 30 invited artist groups creating things together. I am collaborating with April Caverhill and Dale Roberts (aka Dame Mailarta) to create a wonderful eclectic sculptural book about identity. November 14 to January 2- Bottled at Discovery Coffee at the Oak Bay location 1962 Oak Bay Avenue- just a block from the Gage Gallery on the other side of the street. Beth has asked a couple of times for the Bottled series and since they are now out of the closet again at her last request I said yes. There will be a few new smaller pieces for accessible Christmas gifting and some of the old faithful on display. So if you missed the Many Faces of Silence exhibition at the Gage then you can see some of them there! November 17 – December 5th – Group show at the Gage Gallery on the theme of Conjunction. Expect a wide variety of interesting works! December 29, 2015 – January 16, 2016. Will be my first solo exhibition at the Gage Gallery, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. The exhibition will also be the first public showing of the Mason Jar series. I now have over 130 paintings completed. There will be jars for you to put things in, jars with things in them, canning and paintings. A visual feast of edibles and inedibles. Mark your calendars to drop by on New Years Eve between 5 and 9 pm for the opening and then on January 9, 2016 “Take the Lid Off” your creativity and‘fulfill those New Years resolutions about ‘making more art’. A free event. All materials supplied. 2-5 pm at the Gage Gallery, 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. joannedthomson@shaw.ca July 2015 Joanne Thomson’s Newsletter
Wow Canada Day Celebrations and Gorge-on-art were great this year! I didn't take a single photo, which is a good sign that I wasn't bored! I don't think there is a more family friendly event in the city. Kids and laughter all around me, red t-shirts everywhere and great conversations (and not all of them about the weather). Make sure you put it on your calendar for next year and bring your swimsuit. The water is rated the cleanest of any city park now. After loading up my car I was so hot I walked right into the water for a lovely swim! It is just one week until the opening of “Many Faces of Silence” exhibition at the Gage Gallery. Sheryl Fisher and I are showing in the main gallery and I will feature my 'Bottled" series. Sheryl's works are the wonderful mimes. Here is a link to the invitation. (I checked and you can drag them to your desktop) Feel free to send them to all your friends and relations:-). There will be a reception on the 17th and guest speakers and performers on the 25th. The show runs July 14 - August 1! It has been very interesting creating new works for this series; the first new works in a couple of years. The images come from meditations and these ones show me my progress in becoming more confident about being me. EXHIBITIONS: July 14 – August 1st. Opening reception on July 17th7 pm. Many Faces of Silence at the Gage Gallery is at 2031 Oak Bay Avenue, near Foul Bay, and is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 – 5. July 10 – August 11. Small Works Show at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria accepted three of my works from the “Bottled” series. Seems they are already making noise out there! http://aggv.ca/events/summer-small-works-show-sale Sooke Fine Arts rejected my work this year…. Sigh…. And it was a beautiful piece too. I’ll bring it to the paint-in so you can see it. SPECIAL EVENTS: July 18th Saturday Moss Street Paint-In. I’ll be between Oxford and May Streets. It looks like I’ll have great neighbours too! The paint-in runs from 11 am until 4 pm. Hope to see you. With 160 artists this year, I don’t expect any long conversations! I’ll be bringing some of the bottled women to promote the show at the Gage that opens the Friday night and some from the Mason Jar series too, to promote my December- January exhibition. The new mason jar art cards have been printed and packaged and will be available. July 25th 2-5 pm Breaking Silence at the Gage Gallery 2031 Oak Bay Avenue. Sheryl and I have invited guest speakers from She Recovers and The Umbrella Society and a performing artist Olive Jean Love who will present new works about recovery. I’ll give an artist talk about the ‘Bottled’ series and it’s evolution. Come and go as you please for the afternoon. Things will be happening. COMMUNITY PROJECT: George Jay Mural. The mural is completed and in storage for the summer. It will installed on the Cook Street Side of George Jay School once the seismic upgrades are completed. I’ll let you know when it is up and invite you if there is a public celebration too. UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS: September 30 – October 3 Francis King Park Artist in Residence Exhibition at Saanich Municipal Hall. I have the display wall just left of the main entrance for the month of October and will feature works created during the Spring residency. Expect bones and forest and birds and moss… November 6 – 25, In Cahoots (Synergy) Exhibitionat the Slide Room Gallery Vancouver Island School of Art on Quadra Street. This promises to be a great exhibition curated and organized by Efren Quiroz of Exhibit V fame. There are about 30 invited artist groups creating things together. I am collaborating with April Caverhill and Dale Roberts (aka Dame Mailarta) to create a wonderful eclectic interactive book about identity. December 29, 2015 – January 16, 2016 Mason Jars at the Gage. Will be my first solo exhibition at the Gage Gallery. The exhibition will be the first public showing of my Mason Jar series and I am happy to announce that I have painted two new works for the series this week and am now at 106 completed! Mark your calendars to join me on New Years Eve for the opening and then on January 9th for a free ‘making more art’ event. CLASSES and WORKSHOPS: October 2-4 Art and Yoga Weekend: Focus on Self With me Joanne Thomson and yoga instructor Robin Cantor This great workshop will help you move into the autumn balanced and focused. Iyengar Yoga will help to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. Art making will invite you to explore what you look like in non-photographic ways from the inside and the outside! Be prepared to play with self-portrait, gesture drawing, mandala work and more. Beginners welcome. All materials supplied. Friday evening 7-9 pm orientation to movement and mark making Saturday- yoga, art then a wonderful gluten free lunch, then more art and yoga. 8:30 - 6. Sunday starts with more yoga and a wonderful raw food lunch followed by an afternoon of art exploration. 10:00 - 5. $235.00 (limited to 8 participants). September – December 2015 classes in my home studio: Priority registration for continuing students is open. There will be some space in the Wednesday afternoon class as some of those students are travelling or moving to another teacher. Wednesday morning: September 23 – December 12, 2015, 12 weeks – NO class on November 11, 0930 – 1230. Fee $300.00 (includes GST) Wednesday afternoon: September 23 – December 12, 2015, 12 weeks – NO class on November 11, 2 pm – 5 pm. Fee $300.00 (includes GST) NEW FOR FALL- since some of you have asked for an evening class, this is what I have found I can schedule. Let me know if it suits you. When I have enough interest I’ll ask for money! Until then, expressions of interest are appreciated. A MONTH OF FRIDAYS: Beginners watercolour classes 7-9:30 pm. All materials provided. $135.00 November 6, 13, 20 and 27. 7 – 9:30 pm at my studio. (I’ll be offering beginners watercolour through UVic Continuing Studies in the Fall as well as some one day courses. More details in August. ) As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. joannedthomson@shaw.ca May 2015 Joanne Thomson’s Newsletter
So much is going on that I forgot to tell you I was refused the BC Arts Council Grant for the Mason Jar series. I got the letter in Mid March, during the CRD AIR and was upset for a couple of days, now resigned to it. I guess my work doesn’t fit their mandate. I am continuing the series and though work has been slow, the plan is to focus on the paintings in August and September (once the big projects are finished). I asked my Wednesday students to rate some of the images for printing as cards and and have selected 10 images that I’ll be printing ready for the summer events. GRAY WHALE articulation at VIU Deep Bay Marine Station: CTV reporter Gord Kermis visited the Gray whale project on April 24th my second day on the job. This short video will answer some of your questions about what is involved and you will actually see me working! CTV Video clip Diane, Nancy and Susan came up last Saturday and volunteered with painting. They are shown in the banner of the newsletter. There is still room for one volunteer on Monday May 11 and on Wednesday May 13th. If you are interested let me know and I'll send you the information! OPENING ON THURSDAY NIGHT May 7th at Cedarhill Arts Centre Gallery (Cedarhill Rec Centre) from 7-9 come and meet the (Im)Possibilities crew who have survived the censorship incident to show another day. My Bottled figures have been deemed to be ‘not nudes’ and will be in the show. The show opens on May 6th with an opening reception on Thursday May 7th and runs through until May 20th at noon. NEW GALLERY: I have decided to join the Gage Gallery Artists Collective in Oak Bay. (Well, they did have a say too). I went to my first meeting on May 4th. I have never been part of a collective before so it is going to be an adventure and will be quite a bit more exposure for me. I’ll be taking my art cards there on Friday and then I’ll be part of a small group having a show in the BackRoom Gallery from June 2 to 20th. In the summer I’ll be having an exhibition the in main gallery from July 14 – August 1st showing with Sheryl Fisher. We have titled our exhibition “Many Faces of Silence”. It will feature Sheryl’s mimes and my “Bottled” series with new works on sensitive subjects (and likely some about being part of a collective)! The theme is art that ‘talks’ about subjects that are not usually talked about. I’ll send information about special events in the next newsletter. The opening will be on Friday July 17th 7-9. Gage Gallery is at 2031 Oak Bay Avenue, near Foul Bay, and is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 – 5. NEW PAINTINGS AT SOUTH SHORE GALLERY: I took out 5 new small watercolour on canvas paintings, four of them from the Francis King AIR. Jessie now has 85 BC artists exhibiting with her and it makes a wonderful display of art and jewelry. GEORGE JAY MURAL: We will be starting the layout for painting the mural on May 20th. Fundraising has been wonderful with most of the money being raised and some new sponsors coming forward. George Jay School is on Princess Avenue, but the walls that will have the murals mounted on them will face Cook Street. There will be four murals in all, two on the gym and two on the main school building. They won’t be up until the fall when the seismic upgrades are finished. t. Thanks to those of you who indicated interest in being volunteers. Those opportunities will be during the weeks of May 25th and June 1st. If you also want to help out by wielding a brush, let me know. Art and Yoga Retreat: July13, 14, 15. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Join Robin Cantor and myself for a Mini art and yoga retreat in town. Art lessons will be in the morning and one on one mentoring in the afternoons. We will walk through the park to Robins for Iyengar yoga practice. The art studio will be open from 9 am to 9 pm so you can focus on your work. Limited to 8 participants. Gluten and dairy free lunches provided (one of them a delicious raw food lunch!). $265.00 September – December 2015 classes in my home studio: Priority registration for continuing students is open. There will be some space in the Wednesday afternoon class as some of those students are travelling or moving to another teacher. Wednesday morning: September 23 – December 12, 2015, 12 weeks – NO class on November 11, 0930 – 1230. Fee $300.00 (includes GST) Wednesday afternoon: September 23 – December 12, 2015, 12 weeks – NO class on November 11, 2 pm – 5 pm. Fee $300.00 (includes GST) NEW FOR FALL- since some of you have asked for an evening class, this is what I have found I can schedule. Let me know if it suits you. When I have enough interest I’ll ask for money! Until then, expressions of interest are appreciated. A MONTH OF FRIDAYS: Beginners watercolour classes 7-9:30 pm. All materials provided. $135.00 November 6, 13, 20 and 27. 7 – 9:30 pm at my studio. (I’ll be offering beginners watercolour through UVic Continuing Studies in the Fall as well as some one day courses. More details in August. ) As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. joannedthomson@shaw.ca. I have started the residency at Francis King and it has been busy! Today is going to be very busy as it is the Love a Slug or Snail program and there are 40 registered in three sessions. Yesterday I took a Moss workshop and it was great. Then I did a moss study and this painting of the old Maple Tree outside the Nature house. I have decided to post one image a day- usually a sketch- so that you'll be inspired to come out to the park. The finished works I leave for the open house and my show at Saanich Municipal Hall in the fall.
Rain is falling and the greens are glowing. The violets are blooming and the skunk cabbage are spearing up through the mud at Francis King Park! Saturday February 7th is the start of my artist in residence and I am excited! CTV news did a great little piece on the Love a Slug or Snail program I’ll be offering on Family Day. My little cousin Tallulah is the star of the piece. We had great fun and did find slugs in the park even though we had gone with some found in a garden and didn’t expect to see any. Great because now I can confidently send kids and parents out to find slugs while their clay ones bake in the toaster oven. Here is the link: http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=544974&binId=1.1180928&playlistPageNum=1 I also did a short shoot with Shaw about the artist in residence program (in which I'll be the star) and will post that link on my facebook and website once it is up. Such a media swirl! Current Exhibition: January 1- Feb 15: Discover Coffee on Discovery Avenue. Featuring works about Francis King Park in anticipation of my Artist in Residence there. Great reaction to the show so far and it is up for another 10 days. Upcoming Artist Residency: February 7- March 21, 2015 I’ll be CRD Artist in Residence at Francis King Park. I’ll be hosting three formal open houses during the residency and will have open studio times too. Most of the time I’ll be watchable, but you may have to find me in the park. I’ll post times on the door and on my website. Open House at Forester's Cabin: Saturday March 7 10:00 – 16:00 Friday March 20 10:00 – 16:00 And Saturday March 21 10:00 – 16:00 Winter Classes: The weekly classes at CB55+ and at my home studio are now full. I’ll be offering more classes in September, and in special weekends before that. Though Royal Roads University: Art as Spiritual Practice: a weekend retreat at the Hawthorn. Thursday April 2- Sunday April 5 Art making is uniquely human. Why do we do it? We’ll explore one possible motivation: that art making moves us closer to the divine. Through a mix of hands-on art making activities and lectures that include excerpts from writers, scientists and artists you’ll experience the creative process in a sacred new way. No previous experience in art making is required. $675.00 includes accommodation, meals and tuition. http://cstudies.royalroads.ca/courses/TATE3925-Y14.htm There is still room in this offering. It is a good renewal type of weekend, great food, contemplative art making and wonderful surroundings too. Art and Nature Retreats: I am considering offering another Art and Nature Retreat in the summer of this year. It could also be a combination of yoga and art, or singing and art… My vision is a Monday to Friday get-a-way. If this interests you let me know. It would be a residential retreat at a location near Shawnigan Lake. It would likely include some shared meal making to keep the cost accessible. As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. joannedthomson@shaw.ca Best wishes from me to you as we near the end of another eventful year. It has been challenging some days to continue my mantra of ‘life is good’, but it really is. All I need to do some to remember is to pick up a brush and turn off the news. Spending time painting and watching paint dry is enormously pleasurable, especially when the paint has responded to my touch and done something that meets or exceeds my desire! At the top of this newsletter is a detail of a mandarin orange painting that I did as a demonstration during the Contemplative Watercolour Course at UVic last weekend. It is always a relief and a reward when a demo turns out better than expected. Mandarin oranges wrapped in green paper always remind me of Christmas too. So please accept my wishes for a wonderful holiday season and at least two evenings spent doing only what you want to do! Brief update on the Mason Jar Series: I have posted some more images on my website. The grant application has been sent in to the BCArts Council along with two wonderful letters of support. Two exhibition applications have gone out. AND I am have now completed 101 images! Upcoming Exhibition: January 1- Feb 15: Discover Coffee on Discovery Avenue. Featuring works about Francis King Park and the Artist in Residence there. Upcoming Artist Residency: February 7- March 21, 2015 I’ll be artist in residence at Francis King Park. Planning is well underway for the residency. I’ll be offering some courses for the public (adults, youth and children), painting on site in the rangers cabin and sketching outdoors. I’ll have the loan of some stuffed critters, some bones and access to all sorts of wonderful trees, lichens, mosses etc. I’ll post my times in the park closer to the dates and update on my website if changes are made. Winter Classes: In My Home Studio: January 7th – March 25th – 12 weeks These classes are for students of all levels, the program develop with student input at the first class and two project days for those subjects passionately wanted by one and not others. Technique, colour, encouragement, critiques etc. Priority given to continuing students. Wednesday mornings: 0930 – 1230 Wednesday afternoons: 2 pm – 5 pm 12 weeks. $270.00 Class size limit 6 students. To confirm your space contactme to be sure there is space and then send me a cheque dated the first day of class or arrange to pay by VISA or MC. Supply list and map sent out upon registration or before is requested. CB55+ Expressive watercolour: exploration, splashing, dripping, experimenting and generally playing with watercolour in a free way with a bit of composition and colour theory thrown in for structure. Suitable for beginners or those who are ’stuck’ in a rut. Come prepared to move about as you paint and wear an apron! 4 Monday afternoons in January. January 5, 12, 19 and 26. $100.00 for the 4 sessions- all supplies included. must have a CB55+ membership and register through CB55+ call in the mornings: 250-658-5558 UVic: Beginners Watercolour Weekend- a great way to jump into Watercolour painting. January 23 – 25th. Register through UVic Continuing Studies. $150.00 https://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/Course/Watercolour-for-Beginners/ASVA019/ Though Royal Roads University: Art as Spiritual Practice: a weekend retreat at the Hawthorn. Art making is uniquely human. Why do we do it? We’ll explore one possible motivation: that art making moves us closer to the divine. Through a mix of hands-on art making activities and lectures that include excerpts from writers, scientists and artists you’ll experience the creative process in a sacred new way. No previous experience in art making is required. $675.00 includes accommodation, meals and tuition. http://cstudies.royalroads.ca/courses/TATE3925-Y14.htm Gallery Representation: I now have only one local gallery- The South Shore Gallery in Sooke. Jessie has a great selection of my paintings and a wonderful selection of art and jewelry by Vancouver Island artists. There are also some really good restaurants in Sooke, so it makes a good day trip. November 2014 Joanne Thomson’s Newsletter
Thank you to everyone who came out to my open house. It was gratifying to hear your comments on my new works. This past month has been busy I have been teaching at my home, the HCP and at CB55+ and doing some more illustration work. The first book is being so well received that we are already moving forward on the next for other health care providers and the first is being translated into “American” spelling. I have also been hard at work on another grant application for the Mason Jar series and moving forward with visualizing that body of work. Events this Month: HAT and LTABC fundraiser and art auction: Green Christmas Party, Art Show and Auction! Habitat Acquisition Trust fundraiser with Land Trust Alliance of BC. Mon., Nov. 24, 5-7pm. Royal Bank Building, 1501 Douglas St. Tickets $20/$40 available at Eventbrite.ca, hatmail@hat.bc.ca or 250-995-2428. I’ll be there with a small painting (T for Painted Turtle and Towee) in the silent auction and am painting on a ‘bat box’ that will be auctioned off. Great organizations and a fun event I hope to see you there. Holiday Art and Craft Market on November 29th from 11 am – 4 pm. Cedar Hill Rec Centre Arts Centre. I’ll have a table set up at this Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria sponsored event. I’ll have art cards, multi-faith calendars, information about the CRD Francis King Artist in Residence I’ll be doing early in 2015, some small works and some give a ways too. Drop by. Upcoming Exhibition: January 1- Feb 15: Discover Coffee on Discovery Avenue. Featuring works about Francis King Park, and the Artist in Residence there. Upcoming Artist Residency: February 7- March 21, 2015 I’ll be artist in residence at Francis King Park. Planning is well underway for the residency. I’ll be offering some courses for the public (adults, youth and children), painting on site in the rangers cabin and sketching outdoors. I’ll have the loan of some stuffed critters, some bones and access to all sorts of wonderful trees, lichens, mosses etc. I’ll post my times in the park closer to the dates and update on my website if changes are made. The class times are set and will be coming out in the CRD brochure soon. Classes this Fall: November 15th Painting watercolour miniatures at the HCP- Autumn Harvest theme - a great gift and way to try out watercolour and see if you like it. http://hcp.ca/events/watercolor-workshop-2/ It is $80.00 for one class 10 – 4pm there is still a bit of room. UVic Continuing Studies Courses: This is a great course for those wanting to explore personal style and the motivation to paint. Basic knowledge of watercolour is needed (at least the beginners course). Contemplative Watercolour December 5- 7 $150.00 plus GST and supplies. 12 hours of instruction. There will also be a couple of half day workshops in Sidney with UVic November 18th 1230- 4 pm Drawing for Painters- almost full November 25th 1230- 4 pm Contemplative Watercolour- room for you. Details on UVic’s Continuing studies website. http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/arts/courses/ Then it is time to look at Next YEAR! Winter Classes: In My Home Studio: January 7th – March 25th – 12 weeks These classes are for students of all levels, the subject of each class decided at the first class with project days for those subjects passionately wanted by one and not others. Technique, colour, encouragement, critiques etc. Priority given to continuing students. Wednesday mornings: 0930 – 1230 Wednesday afternoons: 2 pm – 5 pm 12 weeks. $270.00 Class size limit 6 students. To confirm your space please send me a cheque dated the first day of class or arrange to pay by VISA or MC. Supply list and map sent out on request. At CB55+ Expressive watercolour: 4 Monday afternoons January 5, 12, 19 and 26. Exploration, splashing, dripping, experimenting and generally playing with watercolour in a free way with a bit of composition and colour theory thrown in for structure. Suitable for beginners or those who are ’stuck’ in a rut. Come prepared to move about as you paint and wear an apron! $100.00 for the 4 sessions- all supplies included. Must have a CB55+ membership and register through CB55+ call in the mornings: 250-658-5558 Through UVic: Beginners Watercolour January 23 – 25th. This weekend intensive in watercolour is 12 hours of practice and instruction and a good way to jumpstart your explorations of watercolour painting. We’ll use a limited palette, still life and projects. Details soon on UVic’s Continuing studies website. http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/arts/courses/ In the January Newsletter I’ll put details of the Artist in Residence courses and about the Royal Roads courses coming up in April 2015. Gallery Representation: I now have only one local gallery- The South Shore Gallery in Sooke. Jessie has a great selection of my paintings and a wonderful selection of art and jewelry by Vancouver Island artists. There are also some really good restaurants in Sooke now, so it makes a good day trip. As always email me if you want more information about any of the above. joannedthomson@shaw.ca |
Joanne ThomsonJoanne Thomson is a full time visual artist dividing her time between creating, teaching and mentoring art. She is known for her images of BC inner forests and wild places and her ,now completed, Mason Jar Series. These strong images are created with a gentle spiritual approach to art making. Joanne has a Masters of Adult Education and brings enthusiasm and wisdom to her lessons and workshops encouraging students to explore the creative process through research and experimentation. www.joannethomson.com. Archives
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