Welcome!! I hope there’s still some room left for you!

WOW! After the longest hiatus I’ve had in 30 years I’m back in the studio and it feels great. I’ve got a whole new idea for a great series that will take me deeper into my practice – so I’m really happy about that. Can’t say too much more about it yet because its so new – I want to dive in and stay submersed in it for awhile before I actually have anything else to say about it. Just know – I’m really excited about painting again!! And since my teaching schedule is extremely minimal this summer – I have plenty of time to get painting. So wish me luck!! [ the painting - Inner Light/Night Bunny -  that I've used in this post is from my last series - Common Whimsies - because the new ones aren't made yet!] The new series will be entirely different.

I often hear this in the first class of a new beginners session and I can only feel happy for these folks who have finally come to fulfill this goal. They come hoping that they have ” talent” and are afraid  to find out that they don’t. They are somewhat fragile – but hopeful. As a long time teacher of new artists it falls to me to introduce them to some of the realities of beginning. There are many myths and misunderstandings  about artmaking that are rampant in our culture and many are quite destructive – as supports to both the individual artist and to the whole idea of art.  And there are many practicing artists who will disagree with what I have to say, just as there are many who will agree. That – to me – is a big part of the attraction of art. There is room for most everyone.

My first word of advice to any newcomer is this:  find a good teacher who can teach you basic fundamentals. Things like how to actually use your medium of choice, how to use the tools of painting, colour theory, colour mixing and composition. You are a beginner – you’re not supposed to know this stuff yet. These things take time to learn – just like anything worth doing well. These are far more important to your progress as an authentic artist in your own right than having someone show you how to copy what they do – or what someone else does.  More important and more satisfying. Which – at least for me is the point of making art. You want to be satisfied with your own journey – because thats where the real juice is – in the discovery of your own artistic voice. And next time I write here I will write about the Myth of Talent – a big part of the crux of the matter.

Inviting EVERYONE to join us for the closing reception for Luke Lukasewich’s sculpture exhibit – REnewal.

First Thursday, June 2, from 5 – 8pm at AXIS contemporary art gallery in Art Central.

The show has drawn many in to see a vibrant eclectic mix of everything from exuberant playfulness and quirkiness to calm and elegant beauty. Please come down and help us celebrate its success. We look forward to your company.

Well – its finally time – Luke’s big sculpture show at AXIS is almost here – May 14, 2011 is the date to remember. The amazing work Luke has done over the last year and a half will be out there for the public to see, and it is exciting stuff. He is calling the show RENEWAL which fits so well his recycling of …well – whatever he can get his hands on. I hope everyone can come out and celebrate with us. Cool cool work. I’ll put the invitation up as soon as we get it from the gallery. Exciting times!

Happy New Year to All! And there are some exciting new additions to my teaching schedule this year.

ANNOUNCING! A new studio class at Swinton’s on Saturday afternoons from 1 – 4 pm starting Saturday January 15. AND I will be moderating a Monday Night Life Drawing session beginning Monday, February 7 and running weekly until Feb 28, 6 – 8:30pm. If people are enthusiastic we can easily extend the sessions.These are in addition to the ongoing Wednesday classes that take place from 9:30am – 12:30pm, 1pm – 4pm. If you are interested in any of these classes please contact  Swinton’s at 403-258-3500. Or check out their website at:

http://www.swintonsart.com/

These weekly art and painting classes are for all levels of experience. Join us and make some art! We have a lot of fun.

As well – it looks like I’ll be at Wildflower Arts Centre on Sunday afternoons from 1 – 3:30 for Drawing for the Completely Intimidated. This is a great opportunity to learn drawing fundamentals. If you can write your name – you can learn to draw. And now there will be Drawing & Beyond on Tuesday nights from 7 – 9:30pm . This one is all about using different drawing media. Pretty fun – and best taken after you’ve done Drawing for the Completely Intimidated. For more info and to register, contact the City of Calgary through this link :
www.calgary.ca/recreation/recguide/#/Details/Arts%20-%20Visual/Wildflower%20Arts%20Centre%20(%20SW%20)/Adult/1/false

Lets not forget ACAD – Beginning January 15 on Saturday morning’s from 9:30 – 12 I’ll be teaching Acrylics 1 , CANCELLED!! Perfect for learning the ins and outs of a very versatile medium. And Children’s Book Illustration is coming up again beginning Thursday, February 10 from 6:30 to 9pm and running 12 weeks. This is a very interesting, fun and in depth course. For more info check out:

http://www.acad.ab.ca/es_adult_creditfree.html

Looks like a great start to a year full of art learning and creativity. Please join me. It WILL be fun.

There are more details on all classes in the TEACHING section of my site – in the right column.

Announcing the relaunching of my children’s book, The Night Fire, as well as an exhibit of the original watercolour paintings from the book. Now that I have them out of the box I’m more in love with them than ever – I’d forgotten how much richer they are than the book – although the book looks great.

Opening – Saturday, November 27, 1 – 4pm

Exhibit runs until December 24 - in the Whitaker Salon at Arts on Atlantic Gallery – http://www.artsonatlantic.com

1312A – 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0T3 403-264-6627

Originally published in 2001 and now represented by Fitzhenry & Whiteside, this gentle rhyme tells the story of a house fire in the middle of the night.   I have referenced the old #1 Firehall as well as numerous locations in the Sunnyside neighborhood  - where I spent a good part of my childhood –  for the illustrations.

For the very first time I will be offering the original watercolour paintings for sale.

Come and meet me – the author and illustrator of this little book. I will be giving readings and signing books all afternoon.

Children are most welcome.

Books will be available for sale at the gallery. And if you can’t make it down to the gallery, books are also available from Swinton’s Art Supplies and Instruction.

Just in time for Christmas I’ve finally got three great new print galleries up on Imagekind. Whimsy, Delicious, and Natura. I’ve put up 6 of my favorite paintings into each of the galleries. You can get to Imagekind by clicking on the above button. Or go to my Reproductions section in the right hand column. Or – even better – here:

http://LoriLukasewich.Imagekind.com/

Whimsy is particularly well suited for children’s rooms I think – the images would make great baby shower gifts.

And please check back later this week as I intend to begin writing about some of the most common issues that I meet in those who come to me to learn how to paint or to improve their painting skills.

Tomorrow my Common Whimsey’s comes down at Axis and as is usual for me after a show – I feel somewhat melancholic.  Like that a bit. The response to the exhibit has been great, but more sales would have made me much happier. And after the long intense period of making all that work  I’m having that post show adjustment  ( and deflation ) that slowly results in a re-orientation to a new body of thought and work. One needs to be philosophic about these things. Now – having said that I’m still really happy with the show and am looking forward to putting a bunch of the paintings up on Imagekind to offer as prints. I think these paintings really work as art for a child’s room – so we’ll see how that goes. I’ll send out email to announce when I get that happening.

I’m also getting excited about using the possibilities of the internet to really get some kind of communication about my work – and art in general – happening with the broader world. I am very enthused about the idea of interacting with people from all over the world in a direct and personal way. The world is a huge and various place – to say the least –  and I’m excited to throw my work out there into it.  So – you will see more involvement in the online world from me and my art in the near future. I’m expecting a bit of a learning curve – so please bear with me as I figure it all out. So – now I’m back at my desk to start getting it all figured out. Onward.