Art Education

Did you know that few artists in galleries have formal academic art training?   Most of them are self-taught. However, this expression of “self-taught" may not be the most accurate as most artist have done a lot to further their education. Many artists, like me, are continually looking for ways to improve their art.

Luckily we live in an age when artistic education is widespread and accessible. Many artists take workshops or art classes outside the university system. Art lessons are often no more than a mouse-click away.

Today's world offers art education in many different mediums. Even recreational artists like me who are serious about their art strive to improve their technique and style.

A recent informal survey, conducted by J. Jason Horejs, owner of Xanadu Gallery, of several hundred artists asked them what they felt was their most important educational experience. Their responses are charted below and described in descending order of importance:

 

It’s interesting how associating with other artists ranks number one. In the past year I joined the following four local associations and have met some interesting local artists. These associations are: 

• Arteast (http://www.arteastottawa.com/)
• AOE Arts Council (http://www.artsoe.ca/en/default.aspx)
• Ottawa Art Association  (http://www.ottawaartassoc.ca/)
• Ottawa Watercolour Society (http://www.owswatercolour.com/)

In addition, I also below to an online community (https://www.arttutor.com/) which provides videos and forums for like-minded artists to exchange. In the past months I also took on the challenge of managing a blog for watercolorist on topics that weren't readily available to us. This has proven to be quite an experience since bringing “knowledge” to fellow artists requires me to carry out much research.

I must also confess that I am an avid reader of art books and magazines. Nothing has increased my knowledge of art and artists like reading a number of books from the masters and articles from new artists.

 

Here is a recent painting framed in a wonderful old window. The hint of red in the frame brings out the red from the pines. What a happy accident!

 

I'm painting a number of other scenes with lovely pines from the Muskoka area. These will be on display at two upcoming shows in August and September.

 

Danielle