France

Just spent the month of August in Copenhagen, France and Frankfurt. Some time as a tourist, some visiting family and two weeks painting in the south of France(Limoux) with a group of fellow painters from London, On.

New Show

I have a show opening on October 8 called Paint, Paper, Cloth and Glue at the Arts Project, 203 Dundas Street, London, On. Check artsproject.ca for more information. Lots of collage and paintings!

What's been happening!

It's been awhile since I posted but things have been busy here. Several months of caring for Mom, plus lots of local art shows and the Visual Fringe here in London. Then a gathering of the Simpson Clan just this past week. Fourteen for dinner Wednesday to Saturday!  So what's new ?? Well I am participating in the Art Exchange Square Foot Show , opening Friday ,  July 12 , 2913 at the Westland Gallery in Whortley Village. Check the Art Exchange website for details.

Lambeth Art Show

Well the Lambeth Art Association Art Show is all done for another year. I was very pleased to receive an honourable mention award from our judge, James Patten , Director of the McIntosh Gallery at UWO. And also to sell a small collage. Lots of visitors came through and enjoyed the show.  Next up--the Visual Fringe at the Arts Project starting June 5-15.

Something new

Here is something new for me--lots of pouring and manipulating of fluid acrylics. Think I will title this one Paris at Night.

Georgian Bay

This is a collage I created using paper that I first painted with acrylics and then tore into pieces and rebuilt into a representation of Georgian Bay. I like how this method really gives the feeling of the rocky shoreline and choppy waters of the Bruce area near Tobermory..

Brush and Palette show

This work titled The Horse(full sheet watercolour paper, framed) is one of several I will be showing at the Brush and Palette Show, Thursday April 4-Saturday April6 at St. Paul's Cathedral, on Richmond Street in London, Ontario. Show opens at 5 pm on Thursday and closes at 7 pm on Saturday. Hope you can come, will be a great show!

The China Trade

This is a collage from a few years ago when I was creating collages based on history. In this example I was thinking about the development of bone china as well as other goods from the East, and the colonies of the British Isles.

The Corn Field

This work was inspired by a paint out at a local farm surrounded by corn fields. I had been told that the corn "speaks" but this was the first time I heard the creaks, snaps, sighs and groans for myself. Kind of eerie. So I painted the corn stalks large and up close, and added papers, material, and pictures from an old calender.  I think this is about 16x20 on canvas.

Its all about the trees...

These works are created with two different techniques, one acrylic paint, the other collage with paper and scraps of cloth.... but the subject matter always seems to have something to do with trees. In fact, a lot of my art seems to be about trees. Perhaps it is a result of spending my childhood on a mostly tree covered property?

Docklands

Here is something new I am trying--collage using material, found papers and tissue paper stained and stamped by me.  This work is a little like a quilt. Am I crossing a line here? Is this the beginning of mixing craft and Art? or is that a discussion that is over?

Busy Times

Haven't posted for a while--been busy, not so much with Christmas stuff as art stuff. I did a two day workshop for Ingersol Creative Centre and a team retreat for Financial Services UWO. Both were fun and both were collage. Upcoming for winter are two sessions at the Arts Project, one on collage and the other titled Large and Loose which is working abstractly with larger brushes and large supports. Check the web site artsproject.ca for courses and registering.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Tuscany!

Above are the fields outside our rooms and some of the buildings in the complex where we were staying. Some of the buildings were as old as 15th c.

Painting in Italy

Just back from 18 days in Italy, 5 in Rome touring about and 11 with "Walk the Arts"painting in Tuscany. Above are a couple of the results. This was an excellent trip, teaching was great and the food was fabulous.

What's new?

Having a quiet time these days, just working on some new stuff and trying out some new processes for upcoming classes and workshops. As always, I will be teaching at The Arts Project , starting on October 23 - Working Large and Loose with Acrylics class and later with a new class titled The Sketch Book:Creative Ideas for Sketch Books, travel journals art journals etc.   (Nov20-Dec11).  Go to artsproject.ca to sign up. I also am planning workshops with the Ingersol Creative Centre and others.  Looks like fall will get busy as October comes!

The Running Shoes

This is titled "The Running Shoes" and is part of my series I am presently working on about Marathon Races. Funny thing, I don't run and am not really interested in sports or sweating. Mostly, I am interested in why humans choose to do activities such as marathons in large groups, what does that do for us, do we work harder or feel more comfortable together? I am also including pictures of Canada Geese, as geese mate for life as humans ideally do and geese gather in groups as well. All of these will make up part of an exhibition I have planned for October of 2013 at the Arts Project, more details to follow.

Art show at Aeolian Hall, London

Opening August 1,2012 at the Aeolian Hall I will be participating in a group exhibit at the Aeolian Hall 6.30-8.00 pm. Come down and have a look, show runs till Sept 8. Check the Aeolian Hall web site for more information.

The Square Foot Show

Opening tonight at The Art Exchange, the Square Foot Show has really taken off. Over 300 works of art, all 12x12inches are on display. All kinds of media and styles, it is very exciting to see. Hope you can come! Opening starts at 7 pm and should be very busy. I have 3 collages on view myself.

Summer days

Hi it's been a while since the last post. It is really summer now with very hot days and lots of sun. Oh Canada, land of extreme weather! Mostly I am trying to get outside to paint with the Gallery Painting Group and friends. I am participating in the Square Foot Show at the Art Exchange on Wortley Road, opening on Friday, July 6 at 7pm. The show continues until July 28 and will display the work of more than 125 artists, more than 300 pieces of art! Hope you can come!

Example of accordion book

One of my accordion style books, often taught in my classes on collage. The theme of this one is travel.

New Classes

May 22 is the first class of a 4 week session of "Large and Loose" at the Arts Project. If you are interested in learning some ways to work more abstractly or in a non-objective manner, or just wanting to loosen up your style please visit the Arts Project on Dundas Street in London, On. or go to the web site--  artsproject.ca for more information. The class has only a few spots left!

"Night"

The Lambeth Annual Art Show and Sale last weekend was very successful (lots of visitors and sales were brisk). I sold 3 and the piece featured above, "Night", won an Honors award.  "Night" is from a series of work using poured acrylics, such a fun process and a great way to practice letting go and allowing the paint to discover its own way around the canvas.

The Marathon

Here is a preview of the work I am submitting this year to Artprize in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This piece which is one of 4 panels is 30X60 inches and the other panels will be 30X30(2) and another 30X60. The topic is a road race and other subjects that are part of a race. I was thinking about why people like to be in groups and for some reason running and marathons caught my interest. Oddly, I am do not run!

Workshops and art classes

I will be teaching a 4 week session May 22, 29 and June 5, and 12 at the Arts Project, London, On. The title of the course is Large and Loose--painting abstractly with 4 inch brushes and full sheets of watercolor paper. In addition, please contact me by email ( sacowling@gmail.com) if you or your group are interested in workshops or presentations of collage or abstract painting with acrylics.

Lambeth Art Association Show and Sale

These works will be part of the Lambeth Art Association Show and Sale on April 26, 7-10pm; April 27, 10am-9pm and April 28, 10am-4pm at Lambeth United Church, Colonel Talbot and Main Street. The Brush and Palette Show at St. Paul's in London is wrapping up at 4pm today and I think it has been a successful event. Lots of visitors and sales. The space looks great and showcased the work very well. April is shaping up as always to be a very busy arts month ( check out the London Studio Tour on April 13, 14, 15. I will be out there roaming around myself.). I am back teaching on Tues. evenings at the Arts Project, this time a collage class. I will be offering Large and Loose again May22 for 4 weeks. Lots of fun working large and expressively. Give them a call or check the website, artsproject.ca for details.

Check out theBeat Magazine

The March issue of the Beat Magazine has a wonderful article about the Brush and Palette clubs upcoming 40th anniversary show and sale. A piece of my collage work is featured in the article.
http://www.thebeatmagazine.ca

Last night was the beginning of the 3rd session of Large and Loose--seems to be really popular!
Looks like it is going to be a fun group to work with. Check out Artsproject.ca for more classes if you are looking for art lessons in London, On. Happy painting to all.

"Fishing Boat at Port Stanley"

This is one of my pieces that will be on view at the Brush and Palette Club's 40th Annual Show and Sale, March 29,30, and 31, 2012 at our new venue St. Paul's Cathedral. Check the Brush and Palette Club web site for more details.

"Flying Free"

I call this piece "Flying Free". It was painted last summer during an attempt at non-objective painting, although I always seem to have something objective happening. Interesting that the bird shape is still tethered even while flying( wonder why I did that). Working hard on art for Artprize submissions and busy with upcoming shows for the Brush and Palette Club and Lambeth Art Association, not to mention teaching for the Arts Project. Spring is the busy time for art shows, studio tours etc. in London, On.

Something New

This is one of the new ways I am creating art--these are each about 12inx3in, and are made using fusible webbing, scraps of paper and material, and are backed with paper or mounted on wood.

"Red Drip on Black"

This piece was on view at the Awol Gallery's Square Foot Show this past August. Not sure how it was received as I was in Australia at that time. Also the Art Garage Sale that I held two Sundays ago was a huge success--I cleared out about 25 works that no longer represent my style and some neighbours and young people went home very happy with their affordable art.

Art Garage Sale

Tomorrow, Sun. Oct 23 I am trying something new. I am hosting an Art Garage Sale--selling some of my "work from an earlier period" to make some room in the studio and to enable collectors to buy art at very reasonable prices. Come over to 180 Timber Drive, London from noon to 4pm and lets bargain!

Watermelon

The first painting I ever had accepted in a juried show! It was at the London Arts Council Market Show held in the new Covent Garden Market.

A Tree in Australia

A strange tree in Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne

Open Concept Gallery, and Artprize

This is a nice view of Open Concept Gallery. Artprize runs until Oct 8 and you can vote until Oct 6 for your favourite art and artists. If you are in Michigan or thinking about a couple of days away, consider Artprize for some fantastic art.

Heffalump at Artprize

Here is a shot of my piece "Heffalump" on display in Open Concept Gallery, Grand Rapids, Mich. for the Artprize 2011 . the exhibits continue until Oct8 so if you are looking for a little road trip consider dropping by. Grand Rapids is a fabulous city and with all the Artprize exhibits there is lots to see and do.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne

This is a photo I took of an unusual tree in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne. What a great city! And the National gallery of Victoria is fabulous, both for collection and buildings.

Cliffs in Australia

Just back from a month in Australia--the ocean and cliffs down the coast between Adelaide and Melbourne were awesome and the art galleries were fascinating. Off this Wednesday Sept. 21 to Artprize in Grand Rapids Mich. for opening, etc. if you go to Artprize, look for my work at Open Concept Gallery.

Art Classes

Thinking about taking an art class? The Arts Project will be offering classes again this fall and winter. My "Acrylics for Beginners to Intermediate Artists" starts Sept 24-Nov 12, Sat, 10-1 pm. New this fall is "Large and Loose with Acrylics" Tues Oct. 4-Oct. 25, 6.30-9.30pm. The winter session starts mid Jan. on Sat. and will focus on Collage. Check out artsproject.ca or visit/call the Arts Project on Dundas Street, London

"Joy"

Here is one of the pieces I completed at Steve Rose's course at OCAD this June. What a great experience! The other big news is that I have been accepted for Artprize in Grand Rapids, Mich this Sept. 20-Oct10, 2011. Please go to www.artprize.org/artists/list to see all the artists and their art.

Night

This one of the paintings titled "Night" that is presently showing at Apocalypse on Talbot Street, London, On. I will be taking this show down on June 30, 2011 so if you haven't dropped by, please do so soon. The shop is open Mon-Sat 10-5pm. There are quite a few different and some brand new works to view.

New show in June

Here is one of the pieces I will be exhibiting at my June show at Apocalypse, 355 Talbot Street, London. The show runs from June 1- June 30, 2011, Mon-Sat 10-6. This gallery is located in a shop that sells goods for skate boarders and lovers of the sport. The exhibition will include some older works and some brand new things and thus is titled "A Little of Everything". June 2 from 6-8pm will be the Opening Night--hope everyone will come.

Johannesburg SA Art Gallery

In this photo, you can see a piece of political art from the Art Gallery in Johannesburg. It is a mixed media work by Willie Bester titled "1948" and completed in 1993. Again great use is made of the materials that are "found" but the purpose has changed from decoration to expression. The contemporary art in SA was raw, and explosive.

South Africa

Lesedi Cultural Village in South Africa an interesting introduction to five different tribes of SA. A good way to see a snipet of a way of life that is rapidly changing. For an artist the use of colour and materials was fascinating and inspiring, and for all a bit of "culture shock".

6th Annual Miniature show at The Art Exchange

The 6th Annual Miniature Show at the Art Exchange in Wortley Village opened last Friday with a full house attending. I had submitted 2 pieces and discovered upon arriving at the Opening that one had already sold. You can check out beatmagazine.ca for a nice review and google the Art Exchange in London, Ontario for pictures of all the miniatures on display. If you can, plan a visit to the gallery as it is a fine show.

New Show!!

Be sure to check out this new show and do try to drop in on Feb 27th, 3-5pm for a viewing and for refreshments.

New Venue

You've seen "The Horse" before on my blog but now you can see it in "real life" at a gallery called Unique on Central Ave. just west of Richmond. This is a great new gallery carrying original art, jewelry, and art designed clothing. Also on view are 4 other works of mine including the piece I identified in my last post as "Push me Pull you" but is actually titled "Seeing Double".

Ooops! Do try to visit, its a great new spot, with a Starbucks close by if you require a hot chocolate on these cold January days.

Push Me, Pull You

Here is an image of a recent work that was in my show at the Arts Project in September. I call it the "Push Me, Pull You" after the Dr. Doolittle story about the animal with a head at either end that can't decide which way to go---hmmmm sounds kind of like how sometimes life can be! I have a couple of new collages on view at the Christmas Show at the Art Exchange on Wortly Road, on view until Dec 24. Also the Arts Project is now taking registrations for the Winter classes---I am concentrating on Collage this session and have many great new ideas. Visit the Arts Project or check their web site for information.

Summer!

Try to keep days like this in mind as we head into the midst of winter.

The Confrontation

As promised here is a photo of the painting I had entered into the Gallery Painting Group Show--this won a ribbon!! "This is an evocative and atmospheric image, with a unique composition that includes both intruding and partly obscured industrial shapes" (Charles Vincent, juror)

Interlude 1

This is one of my new Interlude Series. It can be viewed, purchased or rented at Museum London Art Rental in London, Ontario. The Gallery Painting Show was a successful weekend and I received a ribbon from juror Charles Vincent for my piece titled "Confrontation". I will try to take a photo soon and put it on the blog. Upcoming are classes at the Arts Project for Collage starting in Jan. 2011 and running for 8 weeks. Please check the Arts Project web site for more information.

Gallery Painting Group Show

The Gallery Painting Group Show opened this evening--looks great and there is lots of art to view. Hope everyone gets a chance to attend. One of my pieces was juried "out' but another won a Juror's Choice ribbon. Juror Charles Vincent did a great job and topped it off with interesting comments about the show and the artists.

Erin and Kyle are Engaged!!

The Show

Here is a shot of visitors to my show at the Arts Project. We have been away the last ten days, enjoying the art museums in New York and Washington and also a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water as well as the Pitsburgh Penguins opening night.

Show's over--what's next?

My show came down at the Arts Project on Monday. One piece was sold and there seems to have been a number of visitors and good comments so I think it was a success. Next week on Friday Sept. 24 I will have the work titled "Tree House of Dreams" on view at the Reforest London Celebration at Museum London from 4-6pm. This is a silent auction so if something from the Amazing Tree Quest caught your eye, this is your opportunity to purchase ! There will also be hors d'oeuvres and an awards presentation. Go to http://www.reforestlondon.ca/celebrate-trees for more information

Prairie Storm

Here is a sample of what I am showing in my exhibit at the Arts Project on Dundas Street in London. The show continues until 5pm on Sat. Sept 11 so you have a few more days to get down town to see 25 exciting works of art. Hope you can come and that you will enjoy what you see.