Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour - Open Water 100
Experience a unique and milestone watercolour exhibition at Teichert Gallery September 11 to October 2
Watercolour painting is unique due to qualities like transparency, fluidity, and luminosity, allowing for subtle colour gradients and diffusion. Water is the key ingredient, enabling artists to layer, blend colours seamlessly, create textures, and evoke qualities of light that are difficult to replicate with other mediums.
Painting with watercolour is unlike any other paint medium, says Open Water 100 Co-Chair Poppy Balser. Because the paint flows and runs, it can be incredibly frustrating, but is also incredibly rewarding for the artist who learns to understand how to harness that flow. To excel in watercolour painting, a blend of technical skill, understanding of materials, and an artistic eye is necessary. “Patience and a willingness to experiment,” are also important, she says.
Materials and tools are also critical for successful results. “As a watercolourist, I need [two] things in my brushes,” says Alberta artist Rex Beanland and elected member of CSPWC since 2013. “I need a good point for detail and calligraphy, and I need brushes that hold lots of water so I can create luscious washes. I’ve never found any one brush that does both of these well, so I use [two] types of brushes.” The first are synthetic brushes, which are durable and can hold a point for long periods of time, and the second is a sable brush.
“Watercolour to me is a metaphor for life,” says CSPWC elected member and artist Wayne Bissky, from British Columbia. “I am a husband, father, grandpa, architect and artist … in that order. I studied art while in architecture school over 40 years ago. I rediscovered the respite a paintbrush provides, deeply influenced by my worldwide travels, my profession and my family.”
The paintings for the Open Water exhibition have been selected by a panel of three artists: Ron Hazell and Ann Balch of the CSPWC as well as Michael McCormack, Assistant Curator at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. When asked for words of advice regarding what the jury was looking for, Ron Hazell states the jury is always looking for the “Wow factor.” What does the artist want their viewers to feel when viewing their work? Does the painting grab our attention wanting us to come back time and time again to view the work and hopefully find something new to enjoy in the painting?
Visitors can see firsthand over 40 juried watercolour works on exhibit at Teichert Gallery at Open Water 100, September 11 to October 2. This milestone exhibition, celebrating 100 years of the CSPWC, features primarily Canadian artists, many from the Maritime provinces.
Featured image by Associate CSPWC member Brenda Heine: View at Skoki - interior