Pink Rain and Figure Drawing

Has been a while since I focused on figures but for participation in the upcoming November show, Element - Water at Todmorden Mills Papermill Art Gallery (opening November 14, 6 - 9 p.m. 67 Pottery Road, Toronto), I felt a different approach was necessary.  My artist statement for the show summarizes my thoughts:

Element - Water, felt like a comfortable fit for me as many of my previous paintings use the ebb and flow of water for their inspiration.  After giving my painting approach some thought, I felt I wanted to push myself further and explore my highly personal relationship with water.  And so, I felt compelled to portray a female form in these paintings.

Some of the work featured at this show includes the above painting titled, Reflection and Pink Rain (below).  Each work focusing on a different aspect of the female form as it relates to the water around us.

This combination of female and organic form has helped me rediscover my love of life drawing.  I have been participating in several open classes and will continue to develop this connection in my work. As much as I have enjoyed adding figures, I am still drawn to just experimenting with paint and organic shapes, as seen in Pond Patterns (below).  I think for me, it is the play with paint that is most consuming.   Hope you enjoy these new images and may they bring colour into your fall!

Reno and Decor - August/September 2012

 
Painting titled, Winter's Fading Path (oil on canvas, 30 X 80 inches) was recently featured in Reno and Decor.  Thanks to Canvas Gallery and renovator and HGTV star Bryan Baeumlber.
 
Bryan Baeumler is a Gemini-award-winning host and has been educating and entertaining viewers across Canada and the U.S. for over six years on hit HGTV shows, such as Disaster DIY, House of Bryan, as a judge on Canada’s Handyman Challenge, most recently Leave It To Bryan, as well as appearances on Deck Wars.

New Work to Canvas Gallery this week

Several new pieces are making their way to
Canvas Gallery this week!  The above work titled, Clouds for Tom I will be included in the delivery.  This painting is close to my heart and a tribute Tom Thomson, a Canadian painting icon.  It is my way of acknowledging the influence he has had on my painting career.  Some of my earliest recollections of art appreciation eloved out of the story of Thomson.  Travelling to Algonquin Park in those days, must have been a remarkable experience.  So here's to you Tom.  Always in my painting heart!









Clouds for Tom I  60 X 48 inches

The Release of Artspin

Very pleased to announce that Artspin has been released for iPad users and my work is featured in Volume 1.  Included in this volume are images of a variety of paintings and an interview.  As well, there are 14 other great artists included in the first volume such as Stewart Jones (one of my personal favourites!)

So, what is this ArtSpin thing?

ArtSpin is a way for art lovers to discover exciting new art via their iPad and connect directly with the artists who make it. ArtSpin was created with one goal in mind—to showcase great art. We want to ensure that a global audience of tech-savvy art lovers are introduced to art they never would have seen otherwise. (courtesty of Artspin website).

Download asap, as volume II will include twelve more exceptional artists such as Donna Andreychuck and Meredith Bingham.

Visit www.artspin.com for more details.

P.S.  Is this not the most beautiful spring....ever!?

Pattern and Yoga

Been thinking about my work through the lens of pattern and realizing that this "theme" could take me a lifetime to explore. My mind goes wild at the possibilities! Pattern in water, plants and even human pattern! But truly, painting for me was always about pattern, but my newest pieces are simplified or "stripped down", to pattern's basic elements. Limited in colour, they send a sense of peace and meditation to the viewer. I have always felt this peace when working on my paintings, but sometimes detail in a work, can distract the eye and the senses. With this search for simplicity in mind, I ventured off to a yoga retreat in the Bahamas for the month of February. At Sivananda Yoga Centre in the Bahamas, I followed a busy routine of rising at 5:30 a.m. meditation, chanting, yoga, work in the kitchen for 5 hours a day, then evening sat sang.

It is my hope as an artist, that this process has helped me strip away the unnecessary "details" in my life and in my work. The painting above, Fruitful Multiplication speaks of this simplicity I long for but still references the organic energy that drives my desire to paint.

I think I would like to refer to my newest paintings as "zen like fun". They can be seen in person at Canvas Gallery in Toronto. (above Pollination 48 X 48 and Blue Sky Day 40 X 40)

The Artist's Tools

I am often asked about the tools that I use in my creative process. I have a friend, that loves to look at my paints and brushes. She loves the colours, mess and often crazed look of their organization. I think she thinks I am an adult kindergarten student who just like to mess about with colour and finger paint. As a child, I remember my mother taking me to the art store and to me that was as good as going to a candy store...artists' eye candy! I must admit, I am still addicted to art stores and two of my favourites are Woolfits on Queen West and any DeSerres Art Store. My most valuable drawing and paintings tools would include charcoal, pens, markers, oil and chalk pastels, oil paint sticks, acrylic paints, and of course, oil paints. Brushes are my most prized possession as an artist, and I treat them with great respect and they usually last me several years!
I would also have to include my many sketchbooks and camera as invaluable artist tools. I have maintained sketchbooks for many years, often quickly sketching line and movement or recording a memorable quote or phrase. My camera, although my work is not photo based, helps me record and digest the lines and images of organic matter and pattern, as seen in this beautiful rose in early January. Lastly, I would have to include books I read as "tools" as their imagery and stories often start creative wheels churning. I am currently reading, An Object of Beauty, by Steve Martin. If you love art and the art world, I highly recommend this novel. Martin's writing style is filled with the wit he is famous for. I also must mention my huge collection of art history books, which I continually refer to and draw inspiration from, Van Gogh, Diebenkorn, Klimt, Monet, Schiele, Trombly to name just a few!

Dog Walking and Painting Inspiration

Many times, as I walk along the boardwalk in my Beach neighbourhood, I marvel at the beauty of the great lakes. I suppose we are very lucky to have this wonder as a setting for Toronto, but although many Torontonians enjoy Lake Ontario often, I think that we easily forget and take these "inland seas" for granted.
I would be also guilty of that myself, if it was not for my golden doodle, Harley, who forces me out in the most inclement weather imaginable. He seem totally unaffected by the icy blasts of wind off the lake, enjoying the moment in all kinds of weather. So lucky for me, I guess, I am constantly inspired by Lake Ontario's mastery as Harley cannot go without his daily walks! Every day, it's mood changes. Some days ultramarine, other days teal....and still others soaked with drips and wild waves. So it was after one of these blustery, rainy day walks, I tried to capture it's beauty on a large canvas. Hard to photograph and see the strong brush strokes and heavy layers of paint and drips, but I feel Rainy Day Walk (pictured above on left, 48 X 55 inches), captures a small part of Lake Ontario's massive strength. By the way, that's Harley on the right, enjoying a canoe ride on Lake Joseph this fall!

Salon 6 - Propeller Centre

I was recently invited to be a guest artist at the upcoming salon show at Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts. This show will include many members of the Queen West artist-run centre, as well as some participating guest artists, such as myself. I was honoured by the opportunity and will be showing the large oil on canvas painting below, Earth Sea Sky. I feel Earth Sea Sky is a pivotal work of mine, as it unites themes that run through many of my paintings. Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts is celebrating it's 15 year and is proud to be the last artist run centre remaining in the Queen West gallery district.

"Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts is a professional, independent, artist-run non-profit organization with a dynamic approach to programming, exhibitions and community-based activities. Propeller provides a supportive community which generates innovative ideas, experiences, and a greater awareness and appreciation for the arts."

(Mission Statement, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts)

The show opens on Thursday, January 5 from 6 - 9 p.m. and runs until January 29,,2012. Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts is located at 954 Queen Street West. Drop by to see the incredible talent the gallery has to offer.

New Website Design by Gareth Bate

I am pleased to announce that my new website is almost complete! It has been designed by Gareth Bate who is a freelance designer and artist living in Toronto. I think I noticed Gareth's clean approach to web design when admiring the work of Margaret Glew. Always loved Margaret's large, bold, abstract approach to painting. Gareth is very professional and his designs are always creatively responsive to the artistic style of his clients. Gareth can be reached through his website or at contact@garethbate.com.
On the new site, www.sharonbarr.ca, my work is divided into three categories: Light, Earth, and Water. Enjoy browsing through a wide variety of work. Currently, I am drawing artistic inspiration from pattern in organic life and the urban sprawl that surrounds me.
"...artist have been affected by patterns in nature since day one. Every line we lay to paper and every move we make is part of the magical sequence...and the line goes where it needs to go....: Kristi Bridgeman
It is through these repeating patterns that I hope to achieve a closer union with the natural rhythms of our remarkable planet. I hope the viewer of my work achieves that same sense of peace.

Painting Finds New Home at Mount Sinai Hospital

Last week, I rented a U-Haul and took one of my largest paintings to brighten the walls of Mount Sinai Hospital. They were ever grateful and promised to find it a suitable spot where it might lighten the walls of a sometimes very somber place.

The painting Ebb and Flow is one of the largest single pieces I have painted. Measuring 60 X 60 inches, it is difficult, if not impossible to carry up many stair cases or to transport unless you have an over sized van!

This is not the first of my work that has found it's way to Mount Sinai. When I was working on large figurative pieces, several years ago, I donated the pieces below, Hope and Kara. At the time, I often drew inspiration from the many beautiful friends my daughters had that would visit our home frequently. Their remarkable energy and positive enthusiasm always was a fascination.

I often think about painting figures again and probably will someday, maybe sometime soon. But there are many figurative artists I admire and do figurative so well. For example, Linda Christensen. Her work takes a figure and moves it so seamlessly into abstraction. Or how about Geoff Farnsworth's dreamlike use of colour in his work? Quite remarkable! For now, figurative paintings are still in the creative "brewing" stage.