December at the Art School

Recap:

December has been a wonderful month. Our Student Exhibition has attracted more and more fans who marveled at the quality of artwork...they keep telling me they can't believe their eyes! Each year we expand the gallery and each year we are CROWDED!

This year the exhibition had a few surprizes- paintings went out on approval! Alex from Tu Gallery came by and was excited by the art!, and I sold Rendezvous, the large french restaurant painting!

It is apparent that there is an expectation that this fantastic art should be for sale as well as for show.We will definately remember this next year!

Thanks to all that invited our guests, brought goodies, help man the tables, clean up after the exhibiton, and for all the lovely and thoughtful gifts. The excitement, enthusiasm and dedication of the Hidden Talent students is what I live for! It is so fullfilling to see these wonderful student/artists blossom. I have the best job in the world!

                  

A Special Offer for the Girls! Dress Party time!

A DRESS PARTY, not a party dress! Let's get serious...shopping can be a chore! My friend Marta has found a way to put the girl's night out into shopping for clothing...but in a unique way. She Matters, a fun and famliy run clothing store is booking PRIVATE SHOPPING PARTIES!!
 The focus is on holiday wear but the store is filled with terrific tops, pants and skirts for everyday wear, scarves, hats, purses and jewellry. To have your PRIVATE SHOPPING PARTY  a minimum of 4 people, can book a party any night of the week, or Sunday afternoon. The owners will be at your beck and call and they are experienced in picking out the perfect piece to suit your body type. They supply refreshments (wine and a little something to nibble on) and just ask that you come and enjoy the store. Now, that`s shopping! Just mention you heard this from me or Marta.
SHE MATTERS located at 12234-107 Ave., phone #780-488-4043, or call Marta, 780-451-2286 to book private shopping parties.

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More Paintings from December Student of the Month

More of Wendy Pfeifer Art!

“Entrepreneur”

“At Day’s End”

" Friends Forever"

“The Golf Bum”

“A Father’s Wisdom”

“Reflections”

Read all about Wendy Pfeifer in the last post! Enjoy her wonderful paintings! All images copyright of artist.

Student of the Month DEC 09- Wendy Pfeifer

The honor of being Hidden Talent's first Student of the Month goes to Wendy Pfeifer!
I've known Wendy for many years. We have been friends almost since I began teaching over 15 yrs ago. It helped that we were each mothers of three sons...we had lots in common! We've even golfed together in Ladies League ( I'm not sure if what I did could actually be called golfing, but Wendy has a great shot and doesn't seem to mind me exhausting myself with those 'worm burners' We were jealous of her- she actually got the darn ball in the air! ) Wendy is very active-yoga, exercising, golfing, travelling to exotic places, and that includes visiting every curling venue in the world!
Wendy is one of the few students who took lessons in my home as well as in my present location in Campbell Park. She was a great support and encouraged me to take the leap to a commercial space!
It is hard to believe, but it took some coaxing to get Wendy to switch from watercolor to oils! She is an amazing talent and has an instinct

for a great composition. You can find Wendy at Hidden Talent most Tuesday afternoons!

Wendy Pfeifer Interview
How did you start art at Hidden Talent?
My mother painted when I was a teenager. She did wonderful watercolor paintings. She sparked an interest in me. I saw an ad in the St. Albert Further Education Brochure for a painting class at “Little White House”. The first lessons I took were Dye on Rice Paper when Laura was giving lessons in the basement of her home. I took watercolor lessons off and on while my sons were growing up. When Laura opened Hidden Talent, I was still working with watercolor but after a few sessions she encouraged me to try oil.

What is your favorite subject to paint?
I didn’t think I really had a favorite subject until I looked back at the paintings I have done. Most of them are of nature or people, some of which I know and some of which I took photos of while on vacation.

What was the reaction of family and friends to your oil paintings?
Their reaction has been one of surprise (they wondered where this passion came from and how long it had been hiding within me) and of support. They are strongly encouraging me to paint more.

What will you paint for your next painting?
My next painting will be one of a Thai lady. I took this photo at a river market while on a meditation retreat in Thailand.
What is your favorite color or tool?
My favorite color has always been green. I think it is because I love the outdoors so much. But, I just finished two water lily paintings with lots of green in them; so I am ready for a change. I have not found a favorite paint brush yet. I am still trying different ones. In the New Year, I have made a commitment to myself to purchase a few new brushes and try them. Also, I would like to try a painting on a larger canvas.
What is your most important tip to pass on?
If I was to pass on a tip to a beginner painting, I would tell them not to be too critical of themselves (although my husband tells me I am I own worst critic), relax and enjoy the learning process. I wish I would have started painting when I was younger because I might have learned more. However, at this time in my life; I have more time to paint. I can relax more easily and am more patient with myself. A 3 hr class goes by and I wonder where the time went. It leaves me wanting more.

Special Gallery Seminar- What Galleries Want!

I had a great meeting this morning with Alex Patterson from Tu Gallery 10718-124 st in Edmonton. He and his wife Lorna operate a welcoming, casual gallery that features art of all kinds- the display of furniture and wood working is remarkable. No where else in Edmonton area can you find as large a collection of artisan work of superior quality! Photography and art adorn the walls, statues, jewelery. Alex and Lorna have themed show each year, the lastest being the Ukrainian Show, the next one Yardly Jones ( Dec 14) .
Alex picked four of my paintings to hang on the walls until Dec 14- he selects what appeals to him and he is more than interested in Hidden Talent Fine Art School students! Drop by and see the gallery, get a feel for how they operate. Is this a gallery you would feel comfortable showing in and bringing all you relatives to? Both Alex and Lorna are very approachable and would welcome any questions.
Alex and I have so many ideas- including a JURIED STUDENT show ( MAY?), and painting in front of Tu Gallery on 124 st Saturdays in June, July and August. Alex gave me the nod for a show of my work in his gallery. We are brainstorming the best ways to promote my wine/dessert painting...any ideas? TBA
So, what is expected of an artists if they show in a gallery? I know for some of you this may be the first time you will be juried, price your art and 'put it out there'!
I am happy to announce that I've made arrangements for Alex to come to Hidden Talent Art School to discuss the finer points of gallery representation SUNDAY FEB 21 at 1:30!! This free seminar will be available for current HT students ONLY! Do Not miss this opportunity!!

Hidden Talent Christmas Exhibition Nov 29

Officially it is the 16th Annual Christmas Art Exhibition! Six of those years have been in Campbell Park , the others in my home is Akinsdale. Sixteen years of teaching has gone by with incredible speed!
My favorite time is the Christmas show when loads of relatives and friends get to see what the students have been up to. I get quite a kick out of the famous phrase " You did that?!!!"
The gallery is currently showing the Mon/Thurs/Sat Painters and starting the 16th will feature the Tues Painters. Tues group can keep their artwork up until the end of the Annual Exhibition on Sunday Nov 29th, Mon/Thurs/Sat Painters please drop off your paintings by Thurs Nov 26th. Takedown is at 4:00 Nov 29 or you can pick up your art on Mon ( Nov 30)or Wed ( Dec 02).
Invites will be ready this week-please handout as many as you can, friends, relatives, neighbours,teachers. Please bring a small plate of goodies to share with our guests; I will have coffee, punch and Cider!
Annual Student Exhibition
Sunday Nov 29th
1:00-4:00

Half way done!

Hard to believe that the term is half done! This has been a great fall and there are so many different subject being painted! For the next two weeks we will have some of the Mon/Thus/ Sat painters display their works of art in our front gallery.
I am SO PLEASED with the drawing lessons! Some of the students were very afraid to start, and first of all, hats off to you for signing up and jumping into the deep end! and much to their surprise and my relief they are producing great drawings and understanding the concepts of structure in drawing. The two hours goes soooo fast and they are exhausted from the intense concentration! I am strongly considering having more drawing classes in Jan. I will figure out a time schedule and let you know.
There are a few house keeping reminders.
1. Please throw away your dirty rags and used up palette papers. WE NEED MORE CUT UP RAGS!
2. Dance on the mop once the snow comes. We don't want anyone to slip on a wet floor.
3. Make sure your brushes are CLEAN when you put them away. Clean up your area before you leave.
4. When you are making up a class, please let me know what one you will be attending. Please DO NOT ask me to confirm. I will only phone you if THERE IS NO ROOM.
5. Please use the hand sanitizer.
6. Night Classes- Mon 6:30-9:30, Tues 7:00-10:00, Thurs 6:30-9:30
7. I have more brushes available and am on the look out for more sticky tak.
All make ups must be done in this session. There is no carry over of missed lessons.
I can hardly wait to see what paintings get done in the next month. Get ready for our Christmas exhibition that you can invite friends and relatives to!

Laura's Next Art Show

Bonjour
Some exciting news- A good friend of mine, Marta, had a wonderful lunch and invited Kim from the Blue Pear- a chef-run intimate restaurant on 124 th St. Kim is a sommelier- a food/wine pairing expert and we talked art/food and wine! What could be better! Kim steered me in the right direction...certain things go better with certain food and wine so that I can be very accurate in my wine/food paintings. I can hardly wait to get to dine at the Blue Pear-Kim promised the food is the fantastic and she'll make you feel like royalty! Don't miss out on dining at a chef's table, it 's a unique and must-do experience!
Speaking of dessert and wine paintings-I am excited to be showing some of my more recent works at Centre d'arts Visuel de l'Alberta ( CAVA ) Nov. 13 to Nov 24 in a group show that will feature a bit of everything!
I am a member of the French Association and when we have group shows, it can be anything! The gallery is a renoed old fashioned grocery store and has jewelry, woodwork, pottery, quilting and of course paintings. This time of year it is chock full of hand crafted gifts for Christmas! This is a great example of a casual venue/gallery. Gisele runs a tight ship and has an opening night to meet and greet the artists and artisan complete with refreshment ( wine). Sharon Lynn Williams, Emma Cayer, Therese Bourassa and Luc Josh will also be showing. Mark it on your calander...it will be well worth the drive.
CAVA
Reception- Nov 13th 7:00-8:30
9103-95 Ave. 461-3427
Mon-Fri 10:00-6:00 Sat 10:00-5:00

And the Lucky Winner is...

The winner of the 100 Free postcards is....Pearl Der! Thanks so much for all of you that commented online! More giveaways before Christmas!