Karin Richter Fine Art

Newsletter
Spring 2016

With spring officially here and having enjoyed unusual spring-like

conditions for a while already, we feel renewed energy, eager to come out
of hibernation! The longer hours and the lovely light makes you want to go
out and smell the fresh air. You might get more accomplished while the
snow flies but it is ever so invigorating to finally enjoy spring again. Not
every artist is a plein air painter, setting up an easel and painting on
location but many of us like to do sketches while we are out and about,
simply to record in a few strokes what is in front of us. This could be in your
home town sitting on a park bench or in your car or while travelling the
world. Those of you who have been on my painting holidays know what it is
like and how easy and fun it is! Observing from nature is an absolutely
necessary activity for an artist. Eric Fischl, prominent US artist once
commented that Photographs slice life so thinly, however life is in constant
motion. Sitting out there and studying nature gives you an opportunity to
observe that motion.
Your sketches could be done with different means, either just a simple
sketch done with a black ink marker or an assortment of soluble
watercolour pencils or crayons. A sketch with a permanent marker can also

be enhanced with watercolour (small sets including a travel brush are

easily available and very portable):

Europe, our own Rockies or the Coast in either ink or watercolour sketches

Some of these may just be a wonderful reminder of a place in

time, others may be developed into a more developed painting
later on.
Spring and fall are of course the seasons where all things artsy
are happening, lots of shows by many community art clubs and a
great offering of art educational opportunities to take part in. A
professional development session or a workshop might just be the
catalyst needed to get you excited about new possibilities. I have
a busy season ahead, offering several workshops and travel
opportunities. Do check my website to see if there is anything of
interest to you. I have workshops nearby here in Calgary and am

teaching at the ICAN Pastel Conference in Aurora, ON as well as

a 5-day workshop in Gibsons on the beautiful Sunshine Coast :

The welcoming and interesting harbour of Gibsons, BC

Due to France being cancelled this year, my only painting trip this
year is onboard the historic tugboat MS Svell to experience the
wonderful autumn in the Gulf Islands Nov. 1-6, 2016.
Registrations and reservations are being taken now so dont think
about it too long. Life is forever interesting if we make it so! In this
changing world I feel lucky to be an artist in pursuit of the beautiful
and meaningful!
While working on location in one way or another is highly
recommended, photography is often the first step. Serving as a
second set of eyes, the camera zeros in on something interesting,
its format helping us to identify a good composition for further use.
In some cases, what you see might not even make it onto a
canvas or paper but will make an arresting photograph.
Photography is more and more becoming recognized among the
great art mediums. The foundation is the same: seeing - one

has to be able to keenly observe and find something special or

unusual in the often ordinary.

These are slices of life, from the amusing to the sobering, and
sometimes disturbing.
I hope youll be inspired this spring by what nature has to offer.
We do have some incredible scenery close-by here in Alberta. A
quick trip to Banff and the Rocky Mountains close at hand
reinvigorates. There is still a bit of snow to be found on the sunny
peaks but water is melting in rivers and creeks to be captured with
our cameras or sketchbooks. There are always interesting shows
at Canada House and Willocks & Sax galleries:

Enjoy natures renewal!

All the best in life and in art!

Karin
karinrichter@shaw.ca

(403)272-1471

www.karinrichter.com

www.karinrichterfineart.blogspot.com
www.workshopinabag.com
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