Having fun while you paint is one of the most important keys to artistic success.
That's one lesson 91大黄鸭-based artist Jonn Einerssen always tries to impart upon his fellow artists whenever he teaches a workshop. At the Parkside Art Gallery from Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Wednesday, Aug. 20, that's exactly what he did for a dozen local Cariboo artists as he taught them tips and tricks on how to paint breathtaking landscapes.
"I quite enjoy sharing the various techniques I've learned over time and watching how people take those and start applying them to their own (work)," Einerssen said. "The biggest thing with my workshops is that I don't want to teach people how to paint like me. I want to teach them how to paint and use the colours scientifically so that they have a good base to work on. Everyone has a different thing they want to paint, and I think if you look at the workshop, everybody paints something different."
Einerssen's artistic journey began over 54 years ago when he first began pursuing painting professionally. He noted that he is largely self-taught outside of attending other artists' workshops.
Originally from Saskatchewan, he recalled being inspired to paint by all the big open sky he spent afternoons watching as a boy. After leaving home, he spent several years as an artist in Vancouver, owning a studio on Granville Island before moving to the Shuswap in the 80s and painting at Lake Louise for 12 years. Einerssen finally settled in 91大黄鸭 37 years ago, where he has owned various galleries.
"One of the most important things to do when you're painting is to get out of your own way. Let the painting be the magic that it is, and when you do that, that's enjoyable to watch how you're putting colour on and you identify when to leave it alone," Einerssen said. "I have an artist friend of mine who says painting is the closest you can get to God, because you're actually creating something. All the arts are the same, but I would say painting is just music made visible. You're creating something from nothing, so that part is pretty exciting."
Einerssen said he came to 100 Mile House this summer in part because of his friendship with 100 Mile House artist Vance Theoret, a soapstone carver who owns the Stone Bear Gallery. Theoret talked to South Cariboo Artist Guild member Bobbie Crane about Einerssen running a workshop, and when she agreed to help facilitate it, Einerssen jumped at the chance.
He said he felt his workshop went well, noting that a good group of artists came out to learn. Einerssen said he felt that they all learned something and created some beautiful pieces of art. During the workshop, he made sure to remind them all to have fun.
"If you're not having fun, don't do it. Don't be so hard on yourself... You can just enjoy and keep going along. The most important piece of advice is to get out of your own way. Let the painting happen and let yourself come through," Einerssen said.
One of the local artists who attended the workshop was 108 Mile Ranch resident Michelle Spence. She attended on the invitation of Crane, her mentor, who knew that Spence had been looking to try her hand at oil painting. Spence noted she typically would have to travel down to the Coast to take a course from a high-calibre artist like Einerssen.
"I've been a photographer for most of my life, but I never went into drawing or painting until just about two years ago, so I'm always looking for something new," Spence said. "Oil is one of the best mediums for doing portraits, and my favourite type of photography is portraits. I wanted to be able to try it in painting as well. I wanted to learn how to use oils, and he is a master at oils."
During the workshop, Spence said Einerssen took away her fear of using oil paints and demonstrated how versatile the paints are. She explained that the paint produces a beautiful, soft and blurred texture that takes on an almost three-dimensional appearance.
"He described it really well. For acrylics, you have to put paint on paint and with oil, you put paint into paint. When you do that, it creates a translucent effect and has more depth to it," Spence explained, comparing the difference to the difference between a store-bought pasta sauce versus one made from scratch. While they look the same, Spence said they have an entirely different flavour profile.
Spence said she felt that everyone in the room, even the experienced artists, learned something new from the class. As a facilitator herself, she noted that she knows that is the mark of a successful workshop.
"Everybody did something different. They took what they needed from his teachings and translated them into their own styles," Spence remarked.
One side effect of painting nature that Einerssen has noticed in his students is that it changes how they view and interact with the natural world. He said he's had people who will come and paint something as simple as a tree and then tell him that it was the first time they've really seen a tree.
"I think it binds people a little more to the planet. They're a little more respectful of it because they actually start to look and see the different colours. I like that part of it as well. It's a nice gift to pass on," Einerssen mused.
