Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley: Summer Workshops for Kids

Artist Statement

I love nature and I love to try to capture it on canvas. Everything I paint means something special to me, whether it’s a scene I’ve tried to capture before it disappears, a view that holds special memories, or a glimpse of a part of our valley that I want to share with others who might not otherwise have access to it. The places I paint are real and as I paint I am ‘there’ be it perched on a mountain ridge, sitting by a lakeshore or standing upon a tussock of grass in the wetlands.
I generally work from photos, however, for me, capturing the images in paint on canvas gives them an importance, value, and even permanence that I feel photography can not.
I begin a piece by drawing key shapes on the canvas then washing a thin layer of paint on to block in the major features. I then start working from the background making my way forward envisioning what is behind and hidden by each slope, tree, etc. before I paint it. For me this working in layers gives each scene its veracity and depth.
Sunlight and its effects fascinate me. I have always admired the stained glass of medieval Europe and I love the way the sun illuminates it and shares the coloured glow with the world below. It is a man-made tribute to God and the world He created. However, His work cannot be surpassed as sunlight gives life and purpose to the colours of the real world giving them an “unearthly” glow.
When my work is going well, I feel a sense of awe and wonder and a thankfulness that I have been allowed to capture and recreate our beautiful world. Having said that, I am not certain how it happens and feel that I’ve been witness to magic as the work paints itself having merely allowed me to mix the colours and hold the paintbrush.
As I work, in my mind I see the birds and insects, feel the warmth of the sun, the caress of a breeze, and hear the rustle of leaves, the buzz of insects, the chirp and call of birds. I am transported to whatever scene I am trying to capture.
I have come to realize that my art represents who I am: passionate, realistic, yet orderly and a stickler for detail, and very ‘down-to-earth’.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Summer Workshops for Kids

They are happening!!! I will be offering two different workshops for young artists-to-be this summer. However, this summer they will be hosted at the College of the Rockies campus adjacent to David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere in lovely air conditioned comfort.

Drawing Basics for Doodlers

Learn to draw basic shapes in 3D and then use those skills in drawing a variety compositions. This workshop is designed for children who have strong fine motor skills. Participants will take home drawing pencils and their sketch book so they may continue to explore the world of drawing.

Thursday August 9th 1-4 pm

Ages 8-14
# of participants: Min. 6 Max. 15

Cost: $40 incl. materials

Awesome Acrylics

This popular workshop is being offered again this summer. Children will be introduced to painting with acrylics on canvas through an introduction to the Group of Seven and their artwork. Even if they have done this workshop before, children will continue to develop their skill and creativity. Participants will complete a small painting to take home.

Wednesday August 15th 1-4 pm
Ages 7-14

# of participants: Min. 5 Max. 10

Cost: $40 incl. materials

Sign up for workshops by calling me at home 250-347-9558 or on my cell 250-409-4370. I will also be at the Invermere Farmer's Market Saturdays through to Aug. 11th exluding the weekend of the Tour of the Arts (Aug. 4-6th)) to take registration and payment (Sorry - cash or cheque only). Enrollment is on a first-come/first paid basis and refunds will be given in the unlikelihood of minimum enrollment not be met. Sign up early to avoid disappointment!

Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Summer Workshops for Kids

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