Earls Court Gallery hosted an "Artist Meet & Greet" with all artists from ENCOUNTER on Saturday, October 23, 2021. We had a great showing of art lovers come and ask all kinds of questions to artists Christopher Cape, Jodi Kitto-Ward, Patricia Moore, and John Richer.
We do acknowledge that some of you might of had greater plans or simply aren’t ready for gatherings inside. So we asked the artists to share a bit of inspiration through a blog to take home with you.
For those of you who were here for the ‘Meet & Greet’, hope you gain greater insight to the artists you met.
"Visitors at Artist Meet & Greet- October 23, 2021"
Any given day we can use a bit of inspiration. Often the words of another can spur creativity. So, two questions have been proposed to our artists from the current Encounter exhibition to help you get inspired.
1) What must you do to get your ready to begin in the studio? Or how do you get past the “blank page”?
2) What gets your creative juices flowing?
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CHRISTOPHER CAPE“Getting past the “blank page” is just a symptom of the problem. If I step up to a panel, in front of the most idyllic scene, and I struggle with what to put on the panel it means that I need to take a step back and look at my thumbnails, look at my mission statement, and the “reason I am doing this” clause. The more decisions I make at the foundation, the easier it is at the peak; from ideas to paints. Thus, I already have figured out the why and how. I want to have the heavy lifting done before I even step up to the panel. Although, there is something to be said about going out on a stormy day setting up and seeing what happens”“Lindsey | Eternal Light -Free Nationals and Chronixx | New Paint, tools, and Panels | Being outside | The Light”
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JODI KITTO-WARD"I prepare by taking photos and choosing the ones that visually interest me. Then I have an art journal that I use to write about the image/s and explore further the meaning of the compositions and what they say to me. Finally in preparation I decide how I want to convey this meaning through my painting. I draw everything out first before even touching the canvas, so by the time I’m ready to start the painting, the blank canvas is no longer blank in my mind.""Being in nature, looking at art, reading... I try to remain open to catching ideas. I love photographing houses and street scenes, the Bruce Trail, gardens I walk by and just everyday ordinary moments. I walk around pretty much inspired by all the sights around me. It’s just a matter of taking the time to really look, beauty is everywhere." |
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PATRICIA MOORE"Thinking about how I paint, where I paint, what informs and affects my creativity and productivity. Photos of works in studio and studio etc. Thinking back, it has always been important to have a place to paint.""One thing very important to me is the music I play during my studio times. I can remember certain CDs which played throughout periods of time, again and again and became an important part of the series I was working on. Pat Metheny’s Secret Story was a favourite."“But always being a painter what I need is: A place to work | Time to concentrate | To be alone | Music my choices | To work | To sit, look, think | Another zone – that is my method”
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JOHN RICHER“An abundance of green tea and music are essential components of my studio practice! I usually don’t experience the “blank page” syndrome in the studio, as I tend to plan out my paintings ahead of time. However, it can happen as I initially try and think about new concepts for works. I find the best way to combat an artist's block is to think or do something other than art. Ideas or inspiration will usually strike when I least expect it. Activities like hiking or splitting wood usually work wonders, helping my conscious thoughts to fade away and allowing the subconscious mind to eventually take over.”
"Inspiration can come from so many sources! A big one for me is being outside in Nature - just taking in everything, engaging with it, and letting it influence my imagination. Seeing old masters paintings, art podcasts, as well as all of the amazing artists that can be found on social media these days. Music is huge - it has the ability to conjure up visions and emotions, so there’s always a wide variety of styles playing as I’m painting."
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