Let's Explore Passion - how to express it, how to evoke it.
Passion drives people, passion is what drives artists to continue to create. Once artists have acquired a set of fundamental skills in colour and compositional theory, they are free to allow passion to guide them. Some passion projects continue for a lifetime, others can be a single piece of work. Some projects are personal, some tell a story that needs to be told, and some have tangible purposes or goals that the projects are intended to accomplish – to make societal commentary, to beautify a neighbourhood, or raise funds to build a creative space. Some are happy and uplifting, while others are deep and thought provoking.
Art in all its forms communicates with passion. Since the beginning of time, the power of art has been instrumental in recording passions of the moment – think Joni Mitchel, Gord Downey, Banksy, Emily Carr. They are precious gems.
In this module, we will meet four painters whose projects are driven by passion. Their projects come to fruition and leave a lasting mark on themselves and society. These artists are inspiring in their focus and dedication.
The hands-on exercises will explore how to use your tools – going beyond colour and shape, they will explore how your marks and surfaces express passion. Several of the exercises encourage the use of acrylic mediums such as pastes and gels to create deep surfaces that exude emotion and personality.
"The artist doesn’t necessarily communicate. The artist evokes … It actually doesn’t matter what I feel. What matters is how the art makes you feel." Margaret Atwood
Chapter 1: Daily Work
A regular practice routine can lead many different places. Meet an artist who literally thrives on her daily practice, and then explore it for yourself.
Chapter 2: Going back to school and exploring childhood
Meet an artist who is finally heading back to school, in her own way. Then practice expressing delight with an exercise in "creating like a child"
Chapter 3: Expressing the somber and mysterious
Meet an artist who used her art to record both history and her own experience. Practice creating and evoking a somber mood.
Chapter 4: EXTREME Passion
Learn about a moving artist's experience, and practice building a surface designed to express EXTREME passion.
NOTE about suggested materials:
In addition to your usual paints, surfaces, and tools, you will be encouraged to explore surface building techniques using acrylic mediums. If these products are new to you, this is a good opportunity to try them out. Consider picking up one (or two) products. Examples: molding paste, fiber paste, or gels containing course material or additives.