Category Archives: Uncategorized

Two Drawings

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Two of my mixed media drawings were recently included in the Grand Manan Art Gallery’s first ever Square Foot Art Show, a new fundraising event.  I am very happy to be able to contribute to the operation of this gallery, located on Cedar Street on the Island of Grand Manan in the Bay of Fundy, that “welcomes and exhibits the work of resident artists, seasonal island artists, regional artists and some from further away.”

Dulse is a sea vegetable, rich in minerals and vitamins, that is a popular snack food and as a flavor enhancer. It is picked from the rocks at low tide and is usually eaten raw, after being cleaned and dried on nets that are spread across beds of chipped rocks. Roland’s Dulse Grounds are located at 174 Hill Road in Grand Manan.

Please Do Not Drive: Mixed Media on Wood Panel 12" x 12"

Please Do Not Drive: Mixed Media on Wood Panel 12″ x 12″

Mackerel: Mixed Media on Wood Panel 12" x 12"

Mackerel: Mixed Media on Wood Panel 12″ x 12″

A Rocha – reviewed

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I’m pleased to be quoted and to see a photo of my work included in a review in the Hamilton Spectator by Regina Haggo.  Down to earth artists explore ecology theme focuses on the exhibition at the Carnegie Gallery in Dundas Ontario. It continues until March 30, 2014.

Merging Art and Ecology

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On the Rock: Merging Art and Ecology opens Friday March  7:00 pm. at the Carnegie Gallery 10 King Street West, Dundas Ontario. It runs until March 30. 

Each artist’s contribution was inspired by the landscape at Cedar Haven Farm, north of Hamilton. The exhibition is a project of the Hamilton Chapter of A Rocha, an international organization dedicated to environmental stewardship. Across Canada its volunteers act locally to carry out community based conservation work. On-the-Rock-Invitation

A chat with the Markham Group of Artists

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I'm with Karen Grimshaw, president of the MGA following my presentation and brief demonstration.

I’m with Karen Grimshaw, president of the MGA following my presentation and demonstration.

I recently visited the Markham Group of Artists (MGA) to talk about the joy of working in oil pastel.  Many people tell me that they have oil pastels in their kit but never use them because they’re not quite sure what support to use or how to preserve them. I’m always happy to talk about my process. Oil pastels are a very simple medium to use, require no special techniques, yet can be manipulated in many ways, have no smell, create no dust, are portable and can be applied to any surface. I concluded the morning by showing them the first steps I take to start a painting in oil pastel. Many thanks to Maureen Thompson for the invitation.

Ireland in January

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Goat Island Ardmore, by Aleda O'Connor 8 1/2" x 11" Pen and Ink

Goat Island Ardmore, by Aleda O’Connor 8 1/2″ x 11″ Pen and Ink

It would be hard not to be inspired by the light and landscape in the south of Ireland at any time of the year. 

Gate, Lismore Castle, by Aleda O'Connor 3" x 4" Pen and Ink

Gate, Lismore Castle, by Aleda O’Connor 3″ x 4″ Pen and Ink

My Irish friends and family thought I was a bit odd choosing to visit in January and urged me to come when the weather was “better,” but I haven’t regretted my timing for a moment.

Middle Glanmire Road, Cork by Aleda O'Connor 8 1/2 " x 11" Pen and Ink

Middle Glanmire Road, Cork by Aleda O’Connor 8 1/2 ” x 11″ Pen and Ink

While I was admiring the palm trees, primroses, daffodils and gorse in bloom, my family was confronting blizzards at home in Ontario.

Blackwater River Near Villierstown County Waterford, by Aleda O'Connor 8 1/2" x 11"

Blackwater River Near Villierstown County Waterford, by Aleda O’Connor 8 1/2″ x 11″

Above the Pier, Ardmore, by Aleda O'Connor3" x 4" Pen and Ink

Above the Pier, Ardmore, by Aleda O’Connor
3″ x 4″ Pen and Ink

This trip was a bit of a sentimental journey to say hello to family, friends and visit a landscape I hadn’t seen for a while, so I especially appreciated finding some of my old haunts in Waterford and Cork Counties empty of tourists.

Without leaves on the trees and hedges, it was much easier to see the landscape.
My sketchbook was a great companion, especially for someone travelling alone. 

The magic of soft pastel

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Sheep, hillside, by Aleda O’Connor. Soft pastel on board. 16″ x 20″

Though I’ve been using oil pastel for almost 20 years, soft pastels aren’t part of my regular kit. So when I noticed a six-class session at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) taught by pastel artist Clarence Porter, I jumped at the opportunity to experiment. I first saw his exquisite cityscapes of the Hamilton skyline in the spring of 2012 and loved them.

The class was as much fun as Clarence’s colourful paintings. He led us through a variety of techniques and concepts: using sponges to apply and blend colour; the effect of alcohol as a blending/fixing medium; the differences between hard, soft and pan pastels; tips on using a variety of tools from pencils and erasers to palette knives. We experimented with several different surfaces, including paper and board prepared with Golden Pastel Ground, which I also use as a base for oil pastel.

My painting, Sheep, hillside was completed during the class.  Clarence Porter will be teaching another pastel class from March 24 to May 5 2013, at the AGH.

Burlington Fine Arts Association – Oil Pastel demo step-by-step

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In September, I made a very abbreviated start on an oil pastel demonstration at the end of my presentation to the Burlington Fine Arts Association at the Burlington Art Centre. I didn’t have time to show the group much about how I work in the allotted time, but I promised I’d post it when it was finished. Here’s what it looked like in progress: 

I began by drawing in the major shapes and blocking in patches of colour.  

Wheat field and Willows Step 1

At step two, below, I emphasized the orange/pink glow where the sun shines on and through the wheat stalks.

Wheat field and Willows Step 2

By the third stage, I have worked into the shapes with more colour – building layers with my Sennelier Oil Pastel sticks and Sakura Cray-Pas Specialist Oil Pastel sticks, while also scratching into the surface with a palette knife and a bamboo skewer. I find that by using different brands of pastel I can manipulate the texture and colour better. I also use oil pastels made by Holbein and Caran D’Ache.

Wheat field and Willows Step 3

Finally, I refined the surface, added more colour in the sky, defined the shapes and shadows of the willows and added additional contrasting complimentary marks throughout, but especially in the foreground wheatfield. Notice the distant roadway as well – a last-minute addition.

Wheat field and Willows by Aleda O’Connor Oil Pastel on Wood Panel 18″ x 24″

337 Sketch Gallery – Miniatures!

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Plant Shadow 3″ x 4″
Pen, Ink and White Charcoal

Bicycle, 3″ x 4″
Pen, Ink and White Charcoal

The opening Gala for the 2nd annual 337 Sketch Gallery Miniature Show is tomorrow, Thursday October 11 2012, from 7 to 9 p.m. Work by fifty local and international artists is on display, including some of my smallest drawings in pen, ink and white charcoal on toned paper. This is a great opportunity to find a little work of art for less than $200.  You will find the gallery at 337 Ottawa Street in Hamilton (905-966-2892).  I understand that the $10 admission charge goes towards artist awards. The show runs until October 29.

Art Gallery of Hamilton Super Auction

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Black Spruce, by Aleda O’Connor Oil Pastel, 20″ x 28″

My oil pastel landscape painting “Black Spruce” is up for sale in the first of three online art auctions in the 2012 Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) Super Auction.  Funds raised through this event are being used to establish an art acquisition fund for AGH .

 

My first presentation on oil pastels

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I was the guest speaker for the Burlington Fine Arts Association this week – an exciting first for me. I am so grateful to Victoria Pearce for inviting me to talk about this rewarding medium and to the Association members for their warm response to my work. I briefly discussed the origin and history of oil pastels, the artists who have inspired and influenced my work, and demonstrated my set-up and materials. As you can see I started a new pastel painting and I’ll post the finished work when it’s done.  The event was held at the Burlington Art Centre, a wonderful facility not far from our new home in Hamilton.

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