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For the last couple months, I've been plein air painting with the Men in Hats group of men and women.  The group has been around for many years and meet every monday or tuesday depending on the weather, at a different location somewhere around Vancouver BC. Could be any where on the lower mainland.  

It's great to paint outdoors for about 4 hours every week with like minded people, there to have some fun, talk, discuss things etc but mainly to paint. I think the time spent surveying the new location and deciding what it is I want to paint and then setting up my easel and blank canvas is all very exciting.  Then I look at the blank and start making marks.   I have been watching the pros get set up and get started so I'm getting a little better at it now.   My main objective is to come home with a painting that resembles the spot I picked and is maybe even recognizable.  Sometimes I have to touch up or finish off the painting at home.  Sometimes I have to correct it and actually do some more work but in the end, it is my plein air painting and my wife generally likes them.

I have an older french box easel which is very heavy but it does the trick as long as I can arrive by car to my location.  I also have a backpack with all the extra things I think I might need and a folding chair for comfort when I sit down.  I try to stand to paint though, as I have learned from others that it gives a much better perspective of the scene I'm painting.    Some of the plein airists can travel very lightly with a pochade box and easel which has everything they need plus a chair and lunch of course. they can travel light and often they'll take this gear travelling around the world.

I've set up a gallery on my website   rodwinning.com  called  Men In Hats and have 10 paintings there already. hope you like them.  I've shown Venables at Lakewood  Vancouver BC  above.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, most people are finding themselves with free time like they've never had before.  Make good use of this time. Don't let it get away from you with all the bad news happening in the world.

Artists can help in several ways.  First by doing your artwork you will be self isolating and helping in the spread of the virus.  The second benefit, you can help others to do the same thing by your nspiration.  Third, you can help people with the actual art you produce, showing it on any or all social media sites. This may not be the best time to expect a rash of sales due to the turmoil we are facing but you can make people feel better just by showing your artist inspiration.  Staying creative and hopefully happy in these tough times.  Here's a couple of examples.

I called these Champagne Poppies when I painted them with my palette knife a while ago. I think they evoke happy thoughts.  It was popular at shows and now it's happily hanging in a clients home making people happy still.  

Or maybe they'd just like a good old landscape scene reminding them of a happy place they'd like to be now. 

This is a scene from Oles Cove Resort by Secret Cove BC looking out to Thormanby Islands and sunset.  The resort sold many years ago and changed to Lord Jim's Lodge and is now The Rockwater Lodge. Always will be a favourite place on the Sunshine Coast.

Whatever you paint, just get it done, post it somewhere, ask for comments, make people happy.  

Do it, you'll like it.

Running from Nov 1st to Dec 31   my little #LadnerLibrary art show will be seen by many, although I will get very few comments except from my friends, which is okay.   I feel proud to be able to show off some of my paintings for others to enjoy without making them feel they have to make nice comments or even have to buy something.  Art is very personal and not everyone likes every thing.

I think some friends don't want to make the comment, good or bad, to avoid hurting feelings and also to avoid the thought that I would expect them to buy it if they like it.   Art doesn't work that way.  I've sold many paintings and am grateful to my buyers.  They all have different reasons for the purchase,  a memory, a colour or maybe they just like the painting for some other reason.   

I want to continue painting and showing wherever.  The #southdeltaartistsguild is a great place with a new member show every month.  Nice people, good art and good fun.

Talksoon,  enjoy the art.  here's a sample painting.  Rod Winning

"Less busy, More focus, Less news, More art, Less complaint, More appreciation, Less noise, More peace, Less hate, More love." Robin Sharma tweet May 28, 2016.

"Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end, or almost to the end of the day". Winston Churchill 1920 published in the Strand magazine.

So each of these recitations about life written almost 100 years apart are important to the artist. Why do we paint? Are we thinking about peace and hope? Are we focusing on the art to distract us from what's really happening in our lives? Are we trying to improve the world around us or trying to impress? Are we complaining less and being more appreciative, less noisy, less busy, less hateful and more loving, peaceful and focused.

I'm a relative newcomer to art but it has changed the way I see things and hopefully the way I feel and act. Every scene, flower, tree, barn, seascape, boats that I see, I want to paint. I just can't do all that but I see the hues, colours, contrasts, shapes, atmosphere and all the things that make a good painting work. Now I can't do all this but I'd like to and often try. I think it's the anticipation and the trying that makes it all come together. Yes, I see things differently and don't get caught up in all the details that seem to change even as the sun moves across the sky. A good metaphor for life too. Light and Colour , Peace and Hope will keep you company 'til the end of the day.

Of course it's creative and there are many benefits credited to the craze of adult colouring books. The creativity comes in the form of choosing the colour combinations and performing the act of colouring. Just doing it is a positive calming step for many who have problems such as boredom, depression, stresses, grieving, health issues etc. BUT in the end they have a book full of their efforts and really nothing more to show for it. Is it mindless? Is it time wasting? I'd have to say NO, but on the otherhand with a very little more effort on the colourer's part they could actually be creating their own drawings and colouring them and actually be an artist with creations of their own bringing pride of accomplishment into the act of colouring.

Art is in the eye of the beholder, and the artist is the first eye to see it and behold it. Many times an art piece doesn't turn out the way the artist had intended and the artist is then not happy with the work BUT someone else will come along and just love the piece. The same goes for a random sketch which has been coloured and produced by a beginner adult colourist. It could bring happiness to them and to their friends and family.

Just do it. Draw something, Colour it, Don't show anybody, show somebody, post it on facebook, put it in a drawer, Who cares, It's all yours and you can do whatever you like with your creation.

Do you feel better now??

Rod Winning

Jan 27th, from 2 to 4 pm at Gallery 1710, South Delta Artists Guilds premier Art Gallery Myself and Dennis will be hosting Tea and Art as part of our ART SHOW SNL149 ROD WINNING which opens Jan 25 to Jan 31. The tea party is opened to local invited senior homes as we really enjoy them coming out to our shows as a group, have a little Tea and Cookies, comment on the art and generally have a nice day out. We'll even have some prizes for them.

Our Show Reception will be Jan 28 thursday 7 to 10 pm and is open of course to all who wish to come and see what we do in the name of art.

Check out my new Wisdom Series of thoughtful pen & ink coloured drawings.

Gallery 1710 is at 1710 56th St Tsawwassen right on the bus route too.

Although our art is always for sale, we do appreciate your looking and talking as well.

Com and see us at the Reception, for Tea and Cookies or any time from Monday to Sunday

from 11 am to 8pm ( wed to 7pm, sun to 4pm )

Comments always appreciated.

It's always a big decision buying just the right gift for your wife or husband and once that part is done it's still a concern to have just the right wrapping to show it off and make it extra special. It's another decision as to just the right time to present the gift for just the right maximum effect. Then, what do you say at that actual presentation time? So many things to think of and even then you have your fingers crossed that you did all the right things at just the right time.

Come to think about it, gift giving can be quite stressful.

WORDS DON'T NEED WRAPPING!

Just talking can sometimes be the greatest gift of all. Of course you have to have a conversation and say the right words but how tough can that be.

At this Christmas time, especially, and throughout the year, keep in mind the importance of YOUR WORDS to others. Sometimes that's all you'll need. Be there for your friends and loved ones and talk to them and the right words will be there for you, and remember

Words don't need wrapping to give them away.

Rod Winning

Because I love painting it has become my hobby. I like to paint, my wife likes my paintings as do my friends. I've sold several paintings even to people I don't know, which is a real thrill each time.

I paint usually at my home studio but was encouraged to join the South Delta Artists Guild 3 years ago and found it to be valuable as a great place to paint in the workshop and to hang paintings to show off and possibly even sell for the lowest price of all $3.00 to hang and 15% commission to the SDAG. The friends I have met and the information I derive from those friendships is invaluable. There is all the advice one could hope to get, available just for the talking. I haven't even mentioned the wonderful Workshops and Seminars that are brought to us almost monthly. Each one is an opportunity to hone the skills and learn new ideas.

When I belong to an organization and I feel I get real value, I also feel that I should contribute back. Some people like to just contribute money, but usually I will offer my time and talents and try to make it a better place for all and to ensure the organizations success.

Why is it then that the Peter Principle seems to be always with us. That's the 80/20 principle where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. Our Board of Directors is 14 people out of 140 total membership. They do most of the work along with another dozen people that do lots as well. The rest of the membership just use the facility and although they appreciate what they have, there is no consideration for who makes it work. I often think that if our rates were higher, there would be more appreciation of the value of our guild. It's like the Perceived Value theory that if something is cheap, it can't be worth much. Vice Versa, if it is expensive then it must be valuable. But then is free advice worth what you pay for it?

What is really needed, at every organization, is a feeling of belonging and a need to contribute. Time is usually worth more than money but both are needed. Some people have the time and not the funds. Some have the funds and not the time. That's how it works.

The moral is, Whichever organization you belong to, do your part to change the Peter Prinicple to at least 50/50 and increase the Perceived Value belonging and contributing.

Rod Winning

Lines and Colours is a showing of the artworks of Rod Winning and SNL149 at Gallery 1710, South Delta Artists Guilds premium art gallery at 1710 56th Street Tsawwassen BC. Hanging Nov 24 2014 to Nov 30, open all day every day 10am to 5pm or later by appointment. Thursday evening 7 to 9:30 the musical reception will be welcoming friends or the artists, family, clients and guests. Food and refreshments being served and painting for kids and adults alike to make this a fun family affair.

Rod Winning has been painting landscapes etc in Watercolour and Acrylic since 2009 and SNL149 (Dennis) has a unique style of line drawing / painting. The show is definitely worth the stop by to see and possibly even buy something for the house or for Christmas.

The South Delta Artists Guild is about to celebrate it's 40th anniversary 2015 and with a membership of over 130 is a strong advocate for artists in the community. Members can paint ( in the guild's workshop ) and hang paintings ( in the guild's own first class art gallery) and eat and cook ( in the guild's own kitchen ). Yes, the Kiwanis Longhouse in Tsawwassen is our building for all of our activities. 3 week Member Shows and Sales every month and 1 week private member or guest shows every month.

The SDAG is wholly volunteer and runs very well with an active membership. www.southdeltaartistsguild.com

Come out to see the Lines and Colours show any day. Monday Nov 24 to Sun Nov 30th.

Rod Winning 604-340-8279 rod.winning@gmail.com

Difficult to name a show with such variety. One photographer Lorne Turner, an accomplished photographer from Richmond BC. One artist from the DTES area of Vancouver BCm Ken Foster known as a street artist. Dennis Walsh (aka SNL149) a line artist from Tsawwassen BC and myself Rod Winning a relative newbie watercolour and acrylic artist from Ladner BC.

The show hangs Aug 25 and runs to Sept 1, 2014 at GALLERY 1710 The South Delta Artist Guilds beautiful fine art gallery at 1710 56ths Street Tsawwassen BC. A reception will be held Aug 26 630 - 9pm but the coffee will be on throughout the show.

This show will be a little different with a wide selection of art and pics as well as a few sculptures by SNL149.

We produced a poster which has been plastered everywhere and a handout personal invitation card which seem to be well received by all. If nothing else, those who got a card will probably keep it whether they show up or not.

We've been announced in the Delta Optimist Newspaper on Aug 22 and in the South Delta Leader online an have interest from many areas to visit with us.

Did we do enough to get people to come out? Always hard to tell. I find it's hardest to get friends to come as I think they have some feeling of obligation to buy their friends paintings. It's easier to just not show up for any reason than to come our and not buy. I try to let them know that I always appreciate praise and or criticism and never expect people to buy my art. When it does happen, I am thrilled and excited but I generally paint for myself and just love it that my family and friends like my art.

The show is just that, a place to show off my work in one place, sharing with other like minded artists. Sales are welcome but visitors and art lovers are more welcomed. I'll try and get some of my newer work onto my web page www.rodwinning.com This website is done by th Artsites people Rochelle and Geof who have really helped me.

SeeYou at the show.