Sunday, September 14, 2008

Tone, and regret

This is another of my favourite watercolourists:
John Knapp-Fischer, who painted mostly in Wales but also in the Cape (South Africa). I use his work often to demonstrate the importance of tone in the composition and drama of a work.

I had the chance to buy a triptych of his small sketches in Cape Town years ago but didn't, and have been regretting it ever since. Now when I am drawn to a piece of work, if I have the money, I buy it.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Preparing for the show

Members of the English painting group were adding last touches and matts to their works last night, getting ready for the show in the gallery on Friday night. I took a few candid shots.


Monday, September 01, 2008

Old friends

Wonderful how old friends resurface in one's life. I knew Petra when I was an art student almost 35 years ago and we reconnected in England last year. Every year towards the end of summer, Petra and her group of acolytes travel to Spain, Greece or Morocco to paint together. This year she brought them to Rignac for two weeks. Twelve people are painting the village inside out: houses, church, alleys, cows, goats, chickens, ducks, Rignacois, pots, gardens, trees, electrical boxes, dumpsters: everything is fodder to their relentless scribbling pencils and swishing brushes.
In the evening, the group convenes for wine and the days oevres are analysed, discussed and crited before dinner. Locals will be invited to the group show on Friday and have their chance to throw in their two cents.