Picture 10 acres of gorgeous South Langley countryside, complete with rustic barns, grazing horses, a quaint rowboat nestled in a pond and a large turtle occasionally poking up its head at the waterline. In the eyes of artist Susan Falk, this is the ideal place for inspiration, and one that she wants to share with others.
Falk’s picturesque country home at 2208 232 St., will once again serve as host to the annual Art Farm fundraiser on Aug. 12 for the Fort Gallery, a non-profit artists’ collective. Dozens of artists will gather for five hands-on workshops exploring different creative techniques. It is as much a day of artistic discovery as it is a fundraiser for the gallery cooperative, Falk said.
“What’s wonderful about it for me, even to host it, is the energy,” she said. “People are so enthusiastic because we are all there for the common good, to learn and to share.
“Every year I always learn something new or share ideas with others.”
The morning workshops are open to artists of all levels, whether they are seasoned professionals or just starting out. New this year are classes from Kathleen Menges and Shari Pratt. Menges will demonstrate how to paint with pigmented molten bees wax, using heat guns, propane torches and irons. Techniques include scraping, insizing, transfers, building texture and glazing. Pratt will share her secrets to using mixed media and collage, image transfers and altered images and printing without a press.
As in years before, Falk will return with a lesson in plein air landscape paintings using oil paints, focusing on mixing colours and taking advantage of the richness of oil paint. Dorthe Eisenhardt will give tips on acrylic non-objective abstract painting and Kristin Krimmel will demonstrate rural landscapes using pastel or watercolour.
The afternoon will then be wrapped up with an open life drawing session with a live model.
All of the artists conducting workshops are donating their time to help raise money for the gallery, and they encourage artists to try their hand at new techniques, Falk said.
“The work from the artists are so diversified and they leave (the classes) open for artists to explore their inner pretensions,” she said. “It’s a joyous atmosphere. There’s no one there to lay down the law, they give us much more freedom.”
To sign up for a workshop, contact the Fort Gallery in person, 9048 Glover Rd., by phone 604-888-7411, or by email info@fortgallery.ca. Cost is $90. The event will be held rain or shine. For more info visit www.fortgallery.ca.
