Paintings are artificial, two dimensional worlds. Yes, as a painter, it is tough to admit that, but the fact remains that they are illusions of the real, or at best, metaphors of the unreal, and they have no actual substance of their own. So it was with great pleasure that I participated in a Land Art event in Mt St Hilaire, Quebec, and experienced the joy of creating art with unrefined and unrestrained materials, outside of the comforts of the studio.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, land art involves using site specific materials to create an art work, often within a short time span. For this event, we had five days (one of which was really the vernissage, so it didn't count) to complete the project. It was very hard work, and wonderfully inspiring to take cues from the environment to inform the work. We kept the idea simple, exploring the possibilities of portals, windows, and evoking the spirits of the forest with small elf figures. OK, maybe a bit goofy, but oh! So much fun!
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, land art involves using site specific materials to create an art work, often within a short time span. For this event, we had five days (one of which was really the vernissage, so it didn't count) to complete the project. It was very hard work, and wonderfully inspiring to take cues from the environment to inform the work. We kept the idea simple, exploring the possibilities of portals, windows, and evoking the spirits of the forest with small elf figures. OK, maybe a bit goofy, but oh! So much fun!
So as far as I am concerned this is the best of both worlds. I get to be outside someplace green (and yellow and red) and beautiful, and to make art! How cool is that!