Working in a Series

Water

 "Rocky Beach"      Watercolour by Ruth Hayes      15"x 21"

 Working in a series is not something that was planned or even thought about a great deal but it seems to be the way I have recently found myself working. Many artists have their phases or periods such as Picasso's "Blue Period" or "Cubism".  For me it has been about living so close to a large body of water and being entranced by it's many variations. One painting won't allow me to express all that I see thus I find myself challenged again and again. The colour, the movement, the light, and the mood are all elements of a series of recent paintings inspired by water. I have tried to go beyond the landscape aspect and find the simplicity of calm, the luminosity of grey sky over grey water, or the joy in kids on a beach. On any particular day noticing new aspects inspires me once again.

    This new series inspired by water and other new works can be seen at the upcoming Beach Studio Tour. The dates are May 3rd, 4th and 5th. The tour is a great way to see a variety of artisans and their studios in the Beach and I would love to see you drop by my location at 17 Fernwood Park Ave. The opening is Friday evening 6-9 pm and runs Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 11 am-6 pm.

Embracing it All

Playing with Mixed Media 

Ruth Hayes   "New Growth"  Mixed media   $500.

     Working with watercolour over many years it has felt important to learn the  rules and different ways of working with it. There are many ways but watercolour is a transparent medium and it has taught me many lessons and perhaps the greatest has been patience and acceptance.  First washes must be allowed to dry before second washes and glazes are added.  The medium often seems to have a will of its own and I have learned to appreciate the flowing and spontaneous surprises it offers.  However there are many wonderful mediums and what happens when they come together?

     Pastel has always been a love. There are some amazing pens and markers on the market today that add exciting line and marks.  Acyrlic or gouache can cover up mistakes or provide dynamic splashes of colour and intensity. What I have found the most fun is collage.  Some cut up pieces of old paintings create interesting juxtapositions of texture and colour.  Then the challenge is to pull it all  together. These works might be on paper, canvas or board.

 It has been fun embracing all the media and some of these efforts will be in the upcoming Beach Studio Tour May 3rd, 4th and 5th this spring.

In love with colour

Love of Colour

"Evening Light"    Watercolour     R. Hayes   13"x20"   

I love to apply colour like words that shape poems like notes that shape music.

                                                                                              Joan Miro

It's often colour in a painting that will evoke an emotional response to a painting.

Rothko made use of the concept  in his beautiful abstract colour work. The Impressionists used colour and light as a basis for many of their paintings.  It is February and close to Valentine's day and red seems to be the colour of the month. 

 Red or any colour can hold varied meanings for each painting and individual.

Having a training in art therapy I often come across studies or will be asked the meaning of a particular colour. That is so unfair to the colour! To focus on red in honour of valentine's day it is obviously associated with love, romance, and  passion. 

From there it is also life giving, fun, and if you are five a favorite colour.

If I am five I might want the red balloon, the red lollipop and love the red paint.

At thirty five dripping red paint across a painting could find me accused of hidden rage and anger.

Is it in the painter or a projection of the viewer? Red is only red.

As a painter all the colours are unique and the response evoked in each viewer can be different and complex. The painter might put forth one particular meaning but the viewer might find another.

It's time get back to splashing my cadmium red across a white canvas.

I'll let the red speak to me and see what colour it might like next.

Perhaps that's mad or just being an intuitive painter.

Ending and beginning

Ending and Beginning

      At one point in my life winter was to be endured and hated. There are still moments when it is like that do but it helped a lot when I started finding the beauty in it. That can be said of almost anything in life. It helps to find the hidden blessings.  As artists it can be difficult to start a new painting, spoil that white with first marks and also hard to let it go and call it finished. There are jokes that a painting is never finished as long as it is still in the possession of the painter.
    That seems to be what this Holiday season is all about as it celebrates the end of a year, end of the shortest day but welcomes the rebirth of hope and creating anew. May this season bring joy and creative renewal to all aspects of your coming year.

January is when I offer  new classes and workshops. Although it is easy to hibernate for the winter months it is also a time to brave the cold and be awed by the exquisite light on the lake or the beauty of snow. It's fun to just play with colour and paint trusting that something will emerge. My classes are fun, but informative and students are encouraged to explore their own expression using the medium of watercolour and some mixed media. This winter  two morning classes are offered and one Thursday evening session.
Monday morning six week session starts  January 14th at 10 am
Tuesday morning session starts January 15 at 10 am
Thursday Evening six week session starts January 17th at 7:15 pm.

Check my class page for more details.

Check my Gallery page  for paintings for sale. Please contact me any time with questions about paintings or classes  ....shamanstree@gmail.com

My wish is that the New Year is happy and creative and full of happiness for you!

Fall Exhibit of paintings at Essentia

 Painting Exhibition at Essentia

INSPIRED by COLOUR

 Warm vibrant colours in loose, contemporary abstractions and landscapes.

A warm invitation is extended to view recent watercolours and acrylics during the month of November. 

location: Essentia - 2180 Queen St. E. 

An opening reception will be November 8th 

6-8 pm It would be great to see you. 

Essentia is located  on Queen St. East (east of MacLean)

open seven days a week

phone 647-348-0321

email toronto@myessentia.com

website  www,myessentia.com

For more information phone Ruth Hayes 416-699-8609

shamanstree@gmail.com

Fall Painting classes

New Beginnings, New painting Classes

September for many is seen as the start of a new year and if nothing else it heralds a cycle of new learning and a return to familiar routines. With the arrival of Fall new morning watercolour classes on Monday mornings and Tuesday mornings will be offered. as well as Thursday evenings. I have been asked for more day classes and this Fall I am trying it. The classes are six week sessions that are small, relaxed but informative, and with an approach that encourages your own expression and creativity. It's a joy to see returning students and I welcome new ones. No experience is needed.

    Classes Start Monday mornings September 17th, Tuesday September18th at 10 am and a Thursday evening September 20th at 7:15 pm.  Check out my classes page.

Watercolour is a special love of mine but experimenting with other media and incorporating them with watercolour has been a theme this summer. I totally enjoyed watching the wonderful results emerge from students in my summer art camp. Art is a journey and staying open to the creative insights that come is a gift. 

Summer Painting Classes

Ways to enjoy Summer Painting

At last the pleasant weather is here, flowers are blooming and everything is bursting with colour.

Perhaps your summer plans will take you out of Toronto but if  you are here and would like to experience the beach, the lake and a  creative painting get away  two one
 one day Saturday workshops are being offered  in June and Art Camp for Grown-ups will take place in July and August.

"Blues" Mixed media collage  Ruth Hayes

Saturday June 16th      One day workshop  10 am- 2:30 pm

Watercolour  combined with inks, graphite, and a variety of different media to create
playful, lively results.

Saturday  June 24th    One Day Workshop- Mixed Media but adding collage.

Check classes page for more details or call for more information.
416-699-8609

Summer Art Camp for Grown-Ups

This is a week of painting, play, experimentation or just sketching at the beach. My home studio backs onto a park and Lake Ontario. Urban Escape!
July 9th-13th
August 13th-17th
10 am-1 pm   Monday -Friday
limited space - reserve early

Have a Creative Summer!