Category: Painting

Getting to know Judith Baxter

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Judith Baxter, Painting, Studios on theTourLeave a comment

Judith had a lot of fun answering our questions.  Hope you enjoy really through and getting to know her!

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Who are you and what do you do?
Judith Baxter, retired, paint in watercolour & oil 
Why do you do what you do?
It’s what I do with some confidence and I enjoy doing it!
How do you work?
With some procrastination!
What’s your background?
I have always enjoyed some sort of artistic, have been an artist/illustrator, store in-house/window design, theatre set design, editor/writer….. Jane-of-all-trades
What is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?
Good light…. good, sharp pencils
What role does the artist have in society?
Huge, whether that artist is in fashion, architecture, social space design, sculpture, music or fine art.….. an active artistic community is as important as sport or business for a living/thriving community
Best and worst thing about your profession?
The people and the people. I’mcoming to this as a fish out of water…. when one works in a commercial field, one works primarily alone, producing what the buyer wants (hopefully) ….. finding acceptance in show/sale art world after seventy means my generational support is non existent and I’m out of my depth regarding new product/styles and pricing. And when it comes to the culture of galleries ….. I have no idea! 
What or who inspires you in your career?
I’m inspired at the present with the dedication and quality of the artists in our community.
What work do you most enjoying doing?
Whatever I’m doing at the moment….
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
Probably one that surfaces is when I was 12….. Bill Martel taught children art in the basement of the NBM on Douglas Ave. Joe Kashetsky and I were picked to be in an international children art travelling exhibition. There’s more to the story, but it illustrates my interest and ability.
What themes do you pursue
I guess I like to express the world I see, Sky, water, earth…..
Why art?
Why not!
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
For a set I did for ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf’ a national critic raved about the set and did not mention the acting crew….. never knew how to take it…. insult because the actors were so bad he had to say something or he really liked it….. tears and laughter in the green room.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
I’ve spent a lifetime volunteering in museums. They have always been my comfort zone, whereas art galleries terrify me !!
Should art be funded?
Now this is a big subject….. I totally believe art should be funded in the school system, from K-12….. I believe legislation regarding public art should be in place for all new builds and not just public founded construction….. 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t talk to the press.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
To keep painting, maybe try sculpture…… print making….. 

Judith is stop #9 on the tour

Learn more about Judith here 
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Getting to know Jill Higgins

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Jill Higgins, Painting, Studios on theTourLeave a comment

cropped-jill-higgins-pic.jpgInspired by nature in all its beauty, I live and paint from her home in Rothesay, NB. Trained and registered as an Architect (Reg. AANB), painting has always been my passion.

I’m working with the award-winning firm Acre Architects in Saint John, we are working on some very amazing projects at this time and have recently been awarded the “Prix de Rome” in architecture. We have a lot of exciting things coming up in the future.

I work mostly in oils but also in both watercolour and acrylics. I enjoy painting a variety of subjects including, landscapes, boats, seascapes and florals.

RED SKY

Why do you do what you do?

I use painting as a relation tool. When I sit down at my easel I can tune out everything else in my life that is going on at that moment. I love painting landscapes since it is very different from my work in architecture, less strict and more fluid.

What is your most important artist tool?

For me I would have to say oil paints. I keep trying different brands and types of acrylic paints, but I haven’t been happy with the vibrancy of the colours. As you can see from my paintings I love vibrant colours. I will keep playing around with acrylics, but they aren’t my favourite.

TROUBLED WATERS

Name three artists that inspire you?

Gordon Harrison, Tom Thomson and Emily Carr, their art really shows off the beauty of our Canadian landscape.

How long have you been painting?

I’ve been painting all my life, I even stole my mother’s tole paints and painted everything in sight. I then discovered an old set of oil paints of my grandfathers and that was the
end of tole painting.

What themes do you pursue? 

I paint mostly our maritime landscapes. It’s so beautiful here that there is always something that I see that is inspiring. Lately I’ve been painting a lot of sunsets, I love that time of day when the colours are in the sky and it’s so quiet and peaceful. It’s almost as if a hush comes on the world because of the beauty

After the Race

Jill is Number 1 on the tour

VIsit her page 

Getting to know Donna Berry

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Donna Berry, Getting to know, PaintingLeave a comment

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Who am I and what do I do?

I am Donna Berry a visual artist and I produce realistic works of art using water mixable oil paints. Nautical scenes of the beautiful Bay of Fundy are often my inspiration. I enjoy the contrast in tonal values from the deepest blues of the Bay to the sparkling of highlights on the surface of the water produced with a mixture of yellow ochre, raw umber and white among other colors.

Is there an element of art I enjoy most?

The element of art I most enjoy is the period when objects in the painting start coming together. This happens as I work through the details by adding paints and blending various area together. At this point I will stand back and view my work. Although the painting is yet to be complete it will hold a degree of positivity and will soon be ready for public showing.

Best and worst part of  profession?

The best part of being an artist is having the ability to take an abstract idea through a creative process and with paints, brushes and canvas am able to transform the idea into a painting.

The worst part of my chosen profession is the uncertainty over whether a painting is sellable. Evenwith this factor I still paint subjects that inspire me rather then choose to paint what is popular at the time.

What is integral to my work?

An integral part of my work is producing paintings that reflect the beauty displayed in scenes around me.

Beauty is everywhere and my challenge is to capture this on canvas.

The most important artist’s tool

The most important tool for an artists in my opinion is the brush. The brush is the connection between the creative process and the canvas. As color is applied with the brush the creative process begins and with many necessary strokes applied a new painting begins.

Why do I do what I do

I choose to do this type of work because it is an important part of who I am. I express myself on canvas especially with my surreal paintings such as the works I produced after the implosion of the old General Hospital in 1995.

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Donna’s page

Getting to know Krista Hasson

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Krista Hasson, Painting, Studios on theTour1 Comment

How did you first get into painting?

I have been making art ever since I can remember. My mother always encouraged me to draw and paint. It has always been a part of who I am.

Describe your creative process. Does experimentation come into play?

This method is a very non-traditional method of painting, it uses wax in a similar fashion to batik but I use rice paper and watercolour instead of fabric and dye. This process is very exciting to me with the many alternating layers of colour and wax. Normally you would watch your painting come to life as you paint it, but with this method of painting I have to trust my creative instincts until the end when I remove all of the wax and see the final result. I am constantly experimenting and trying new mediums and techniques; as an artist I believe you never stop learning.

What draws you to paint natural forms and landscapes?

Growing up in the country gave me a lasting connection with nature. The vast array of colourful flowers, beautiful landscapes and peaceful trails through the woods kept me captivated. These qualities of nature are what fuel my creative spirit and are reflected in my art.

Colour seems to play an integral role in your pieces. Can you talk about your approach to colour?

I have always been drawn to bold rich colours. With the watercolour batik I do not mix colours. I layer one colour and after it is dry, I layer another one on top of it to make the next colour I need. This gives the colours a variegation and glow that is not possible when you use a mixed colour.

What current projects are you working on?

I have recently started painting flowers in oil; I love the vibrant colours and texture that can be achieved with this medium.

Krista is location #4 on the Tour