Notes
Painting just got a whole lot more fun in Canmore with the startup of a new painting class and workshop.
Artist and teacher Melissa Woodcock wants to put the “fun” in fundamentals with her new painting classes out of Loosey Goosey Art Studios. Woodcock is definitely onto something with the public filling up her first session well before last Wednesday’s (Sept. 3) class.
Woodcock made a name for herself as an artist and teacher in Jasper, but felt it was time for a change in scenery and challenges.
“First I finished a teaching degree and then last year I finished at Emily Carr (University of Art & Design). Art school is something you get a lot out of after it’s done – you can reflect and I think it takes a couple of years to see the results popping up,” Woodcock said.
“I had an art diploma and then finished the education degree and taught in Jasper, and then went over to Bangkok for a couple of years – I was an artist in residence there and then came back to Jasper and then Emily Carr.”
The time in Asia is what she believes flipped the switch for her from teacher to artist, but still wants to contribute to the Canmore art scene by offering classes, camaraderie and a new social hub in the arts community.
“I love teaching, it helps my practice too – teaching balances it out so you’re not isolated and you learn a lot from your students,” Woodcock said. “Some artists isolate themselves and that’s how they work; a lot of artists need that flow of creativity to keep their own practice going and that’s the school I fall into, so I need to be around other artists.”
Even if you’re an emerging beginner artist Woodcock says she knows you have something to offer. “Teaching fills my cup – it kind of grounds me and then I can come back into my studio and do what I’m doing and it’s just a lot of fun.
“The one I’m starting with is really accessible and is already full,” Woodcock said on the positive beginning. “The hope is to start with this one and get my feet wet, and in fall I’ll be running weekend sessions so people can sign up for a three-day oil painting workshop (Friday to Sunday).”
Planned for the second week of October, those interested are encouraged to join the Canmore Art Nights Facebook page, where future dates, themes and times will be continually updated.
“Friday evening would involve prepping the canvas and blocking, Saturday involving warm up with smaller panel sketches with Sunday devoted to finishing your larger piece and a critique,” Woodcock said on class structure. “It’s meant to be a social group, so the instruction will be light and each week I’ll have a simple subject to try oil painting and if people continue they can set their own challenges – if they want something more complicated they can try it.”
The first couple of weeks are planned to get people to try the paint and get used to the material, with participants gradually building up confidence so they may start challenging themselves as class progresses.
“I think when you’re a practicing painter you forget the basics, so that’s the other thing teaching does, it reminds me that there’s this colour balance, that there’s this esthetic to painting, so it’s great explaining those and clarifying them,” Woodcock said.
“One of my favourite things to paint is shoes, they’re interesting and you can take an army boot or a high heel and they always have this character to them; so just really simple still lifes to set people up for success.”
Canmore Art Nights is based on a first-come, first-served basis due to class space, with Wednesdays planned to offer a larger class size for drop-in with light instruction offered.
“I’m supplying basic materials and then I’ll offer extra materials. If people want to work on a larger piece, I’m supplying small panels, so there will be the option of other materials people can buy,” Woodcock said of supplies. “I like to have materials included because with oil painting, I’m particular about using as many natural products as possible.
“Hopefully in November, I can start a Monday drop-in and I think it will be called Layered Acrylics and Collage, and a new session of Wednesday oil painting is being planned to run mid-November to mid-December, focusing on how to use acrylics and collage and mixed media.”
Visit Canmore Art Nights on Facebook for membership, upcoming class dates, pricing, and information. Visit Woodcock’s website at: www.lovethatpainting.com to view her personal work.
