LOOK AT THESE TEENS!

This is one of our first videos! We love to show you the amazing art work from the teens at Hidden Talent. The HT program works for scared stiff adults too!
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SEXY ART TALK!

This week I thought it would be fun to have a handful of SEXY ART WORDS to casually drop when you are at an art event...OCCLUSION SHADOW,  TERMINATOR, UMBRA AND  PENUMBRA!

Take a look at the lowly egg- shine a bright light and viola! we have an art lesson!
As you can see the beginning of the shadow is  the TERMINATOR- where the light terminates or where the dark terminates ( same place).

The triangular shape of the darkest shadow is the CORE SHADOW. Yes, the shadow is darkest there because there is no reflected light from the surface hitting the egg that high. The shape changes with the object.

The crevice shadow is called the OCCULUSION and that is where NO LIGHT ( not even reflected light) is found. Save your darkest value for here!

The UMBRA is the cast shadow- the PENUMBRA is the soft light edge of the shadow furthest from the object.

SOUND SEXY- USE YOUR ART WORDS!

" The transparency of the penumbra is only eclipsed by the richness of the core shadow!... and that OCCLUSION is amazing!"

WESTERN CANADIAN IMAGO MUNDI ARTISTS!

Cathy Freisen

Sylvie Fergusson

Bernie Nuemann

The newest members of the Imago Mundi Project!

Judy Schafers

Ian Sheldon

Linda Aleksa

Betty Dupuis   

Laura wAtmough

Pearl Der

Sandy Dewar

The DARK SIDE......

Doorway in Venice

ADVANCED TIP:
One of the important concepts of painting is that the tones and colors in the shadows are not ever found in the light... seems quite obvious, doesn't it? BUT... it is the #1 challenge! The blue door has a very sharp division of both light and shade and the various blues. The blue colors in the shadows will NEVER, EVER appear in the light side- they will ALWAYS BE DARKER. The blues in the light will never appear in the shadows. It is the same for the rocks....

• When we look at anything in a serious way- our eyes adjust and what is in the dark side appears to be lighter than it really is. Yes, another occasion not to trust what you think you see!
• This is true when looking at photographs or from life.
• Glancing at your reference, instead of starring at it, will keep you eye from overcompensating for this effect.
• Step back and squint- most values that are out of place will pop out at you.
• Use red cellophane to look through and compare the values of both your painting and your reference at the same time.
• When applying color, separate them on your palette- have a dark side and a light side and premix your colors. 
• Hold your brush up to your reference for a quick way of color matching.

" The lightest dark in the shadow side is always darker then the darkest light on the light side"

WHEN THE DOOR OPENS....Italy and Imago Mundi

Who would have thought all these amazing adventures started with a message on the answering machine at Hidden Talent!?
Jennifer Karch from Verona Italy left a message that at first I thought was a hoax-
 " Hi, I'm a curator working for Benetton in Italy and I would like you and the Hidden Talent artists to be part of a world wide art project! Please call me back!"

Needless to say, she had to leave another message before I took her seriously...

And I am so glad that I responded!

Jennifer was traveling across western Canada in order to visit with artists, see their studios and collect art works. 240 artists would be selected to exhibit in Venice during the Bienniale and there would be a high quality book produced to feature their contribution to the Western Canadian art scene as it is today. The grand vision on Luciano Benetton was to collect small works ( 6x8) from the artists of every country to provide a 'snap shoot' of the art of the world.

I did my research and...yes, it certainly looked legit! so I committed the works of 10 from our school. The small canvasses came in the mail and we followed directions and produced works that represented us individually.



 Jennifer and her husband Guiseppe were collecting art and meeting artists everywhere- including the High Arctic. I offered my place as a base for their Edmonton/ St. Albert stop and they took me up on it.

Hidden Talent Imagomundi

Jennifer interviewed us at Hidden Talent School to record our views of art. That was perhaps the most stressful time!

 Jennifer is an art curator and she documented everything! She will write about Western Canadian art and all images that are selected will be published in a book by the Benetton Foundation and each artist will receive a copy.

Her husband Guiseppie was there to take photographs, and some will be included in the final book.

 Pearl Der, Cathy Friesen, Sandy Dewar, Sylvie Fergusson, Betty Dupuis, Bernie Neumann , Wendy Pfeifer, Linda Aleksa, Michele Sawatzky and Cindy Sorley and myself participated. Cindy has broken her leg and her wonderful hubby came to St. Albert with her in order to get her artwork to Jennifer.

 Now, we couldn't just let them leave without experiencing the renown hospitality of western Canadians could we?????


Next blog post is all about our cultural cuisine exchange!!

Art Projects II

 Did you see yourself? Did we miss you or one of your paintings?We hope to have a collection of all the artists/ art work from Hidden talent- send me a photo of your missing artwork so we can have a complete this project!



Art Projects II

Award Winning Florals

 One of the most popular subjects Hidden Talent students choose to paint is...florals! Their fleeting beauty captures the heart of many artists!

Please feel free to share these videos!

Award Winning Florals

Finished Works

 I have recently opened up the archives and found photos of Hidden Talent students, some over 15 years ago, and their amazing progress. Together with my trusty sidekick, Robyn, we have made videos and will share them here, on YouTube ( artschoolsecrets) and on the revamped website ( www.hiddentalentartschool.com). 

ENJOY!





Finished Works