There are certain people in the world who have the knack for inspiring me to be a better person (and I use the term BETTER as it expresses itself in humility, kindness, empathy and plain hard work and creativity) and one of those people, for me, has been Katie Ohe. I don’t know that she knows that she has that influence with me, but this is how some one who is truly remarkable can be laying down seeds in other people’s hearts.
A few weeks ago, I knew that the exhibit of Katie’s work at the Esker Foundation, was drawing closer. As would be the case, I thought that Katie might be surrounded by many people…important people…at the opening. I couldn’t imagine myself getting anywhere near her. When I saw that the Herringer Kiss Gallery was hosting an exhibit of early works by both Katie Ohe and Harry Kiyooka, I thought that I would take the chance to visit her at that opening, so that I might make contact and wish her blessings for the big event.
It turns out that I had a lovely chat with both Katie and Harry in the peace of the gallery. She looked into my face and her eyes looked that remarkable blue and as she held one of my hands in both of hers, she said, “You are the painter.”
These words were/are transformative words. I am changed in the way that I think of myself, in the way that I feel and in the way that I am processing the events of my life, even the simple every day events. I can’t explain it.
Included here, a few of the images from the opening at the Esker Foundation. I got no where near Katie. It was such a mighty celebration of her art and her life, I felt it was just marvelous to witness her with friends, former students, well-wishers. As I was negotiating my way from the bar and past the steps to the nest, at one point, she looked up and literally our gazes met in the big hubbub and we smiled at one another. That was enough.
(I know…i sound like a blithering goofball here, but, Katie is a hero for me, as she is for so many others.)
Mr. Carlin, or, David (as he has told me to address him) is continuing to create. He is humourous and original and inspiring. I was blessed to have reconnected with him some years ago. While he wasn’t the first teacher to inspire me as those would have included Mrs. Penner, Mrs. Souter and Mr. Mackay, he taught me and directed me to think and expand into the world of meaning. He rooted his students in ideas. The sketch featured in the banner above was the start to an idea that led to my very first oil painting 4′ x 4′ of Adam, in grade nine. He was my art teacher in North Bay, Ontario and then my father’s work took us to Great Falls, Montana. Thank you, David, for everything you’ve done for me.
Well, I learned that my beloved art teacher, always supportive and genuinely creative, died in 2018. As I poured over this tribute, I cried for Mr. Winenger’s greatness and for the absolute blessing that he treasured and encouraged my art… his belief in me, in part, would direct the rest of my life.
ARGOS – Argos native, residing in Desert Hot Springs, Calif. Dwight Winenger, 81, passed away March 16 in hospice care in California.
He was born June 6, 1936 in Argos to Alfred J. and Mary Hope Winenger. He was a graduate of Argos High School in 1954. He then attended Indiana State Teachers College in Terre Haute for six years with honors. His major was Art and minor was Music.
He played four different instruments including the piano. He wrote and directed an Orchestration of the college class graduation exercises.
During Dwight’s summers between college days, he ran the projector for the Law family at the Argos Cozy Theatre. He also did art work for many people in the community.
In the late 50’s he met and married Eva Lund Hansen from Denmark. She also attended Terre Haute State Teacher’s College. They had two girls, Robin Kim and Kirsten Marie and they eventually moved from the Argos area. They lived in Colorado, Montana and then settled in Desert Hot Springs, Calif. While living in California, he owned a business called the Miniscule University, where he taught art to retired senior citizens.
Dwight had many awards in National Design and Broadcast Music Awards. He had an honor, the Governor’s Commission for the Fine Arts in Indiana 1962-1965. He was Knighted by Robert Holmberg (Knight of Nannebrag-Denmark), 1982; International Man of the Year, International Biographical Centre, 1992; World Intellectual, 1993. He also was in the International Who’s Who in Music. He was in the Biographical listings of Men of Achievement; Community Leaders of America; 5000 Personalities of the World; International Book of Honor; International Leaders of Achievement. He was in the Directory of Distinguished Americans; International Who’s Who of Intellectuals and one of 2000 Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century, 2000. He had many achievements in his busy life, his family is very proud of him.
Dwight is survived by his wife, Eva; daughter Robin and her daughter Britni; their other grandchildren, Katie, Joseph, and young Eva; Kirsten passed away a few yeas ago with cancer. Dwight is also survived by two sisters remaining in Argos area: Mary (Winenger) Becker and Bonnie (Winenger) Rice.
Dwight’s parents and brother, Jim, are deceased.
Funeral services will be held in California.
Published in The Pilot News on Mar. 20, 2018
Mr. Winenger created this poster calendar on silkscreen in 1973, when I was his student. He was big into printmaking and taught woodblock, silkscreen and various forms of Intaglio. While in his classes, I created many silkscreens, a single wood block as well as a single intaglio etching. I don’t have the plate OR a print from the etching, but remember the image. I still have this calendar in my portfolio.
As I headed down the rabbit hole, I shed a few tears…and then my feet got cold, so I got up to find some slippers.
Emerging Artist, Art Therapist, University Instructor and Yoga Teacher, Allan Rosales announced this evening that he took the step to ‘BE’ an artist in 2015. This evening, on the fourth floor of the new Central Branch of the Calgary Public Library, a lovely group of supportive friends and family members gathered to enjoy the second Solo Exhibit of Allan’s Mosaic Portraits, four mothers.
For those of you who work in the core, this is an exhibit that you might wish to take in before it’s Friday close. The four portraits are large in scale and their palette brings in a sense of connection with nurturing, growth and birth. Using an interesting process of layering multiple images, Allan creates a sense of continuity and evolution. In my mind, the work elevates the mother figure to a place of importance, if not celebrity, and while each mother is rooted in Allan’s own narrative, we can all relate.
Tonight, Allan provided a time of reflection and exchange. He reminded me very much of our friend and mentor, Mark Vazquez-Mackay in his generous manner. Through his talk he evoked, in us, warm remembrances of our own mothers, I enjoyed Allan’s recollections of his own mother’s lemon meringue pie-making and the description of every feast table enjoyed in the traditions of his home.
Thank you, CPL and thank you to Allan Rosales for a lovely reception…sharing food, based on Canadian/Filipino culture.
Thanks to James, my son, for staying with Max. Thanks to Linda and Wendy for sharing the event.
If I look exhausted, it is because I am!! But this hug made me feel a lot better! Allan Rosales is one of the kindest people you could ever meet.
Below, my friend, Wendy Lees took the Central Branch’s first year anniversary by storm and created the transparent and delightful window segments you see displayed below, with some where around 200 Calgarians.
The Beltline Urban Murals Project provided several offerings over the past few days. My friend, Pat, and I participated in a tour that introduced us to the murals in east locations of the Beltline. We will have to see the murals to the west on our own. The weather was cooperative at the outset, but then we just got really hit with rain. It’s interesting though, Pat and I never really get hung up about things when we are taking in an event of interest. We just have fun.
Click on the blue links for artist biographies. This is the third annual BUMP event to be held in Calgary.
Pat can be seen jay walking in the next photograph. She is going to let me know (again) that she doesn’t like her photo taken.
This mural was a new addition to the line up and it was a really fun stop as two artists were working on this alley mural as we approached. I believe the gentleman is RUNT. It can’t be easy painting that rough stucco surface with brushes. I’m also guessing that this wall was in bad shape upon the outset!
As we left, I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the old ad. art work on the adjacent building.
This piece is going to be amazing and will cover the expanse of this wall. It is based on a study done of buffalo hides and is connected with research at Blackfoot Crossing. Typically, Guido Van Helten produces works that include large monochrome portraits, so this is a little different. I’m excited to see this one finished.
The work of FATS is about freedom. I like the vertical format of this one. By this time, I was getting wet. My umbrella was sitting in the back seat of my car, quite some distance away by this time.
Mateusz Naperialski created a mural in close proximity to several others. This little section was absolutely beautiful and the art was like eye candy. I was really feeling for the organizers and events folks, as well as the DJs who were closing out the event. What a time to have so much rain!
Labrona’s work created a beautiful welcome into the celebration area, fixed with fire pits, strung lights and spray paint demonstrations and participation. So fun! Food trucks are down there and I’m sure that the music is still playing.
Reza Nik’s bright yellow created a brilliant conclusion to our BUMP experience. This is an event that is now on my radar and I will be attending in future. Congratulations to all participants. I’m thrilled that our city is energizing the visual. It’s so important to all of us.
Reading and then meeting Kyo MacLear affirmed, for me, everything that’s been formulating inside me the past several years…about birding, art, nature and life. Many things have formed me into this person who shows up at the Bow River around 10 on a winter’s morning, taking pause above the river and observing wildlife.
My friends and family wonder and ask…mostly not asking anymore, “What are you painting? Why don’t you paint?” and at those questions, I can only sit with who I am and be grateful for the grace of anything and everything that led me to this place where I find myself. As I drove up from the parking spot this morning, I just kept saying, aloud, “I love my life. I love my life.”
I will paint again. But, the truth is…painting was a lot about ego. It was a lot about around-the-clock commitment. It was about trying to balance full time work, raising children and keeping it all together. My stomach sometimes hurt as deadlines for shows approached. I was terrified in front of blank canvases. I couldn’t assert myself with dealers, set boundaries or say what I needed. I didn’t have money to buy those outfits that seem to be required if you are an artist, especially a female artist. Painting had lost its magic and so, when I paint again, it will be profound because it will be for all the right reasons, not for all the wrong reasons.
Doris McCarthy said, “Paint every day.” I think more about her as days go by, without painting, than anyone. She explained how those muscles work. She explained how time also rushes by. Doris was my friend and she gave me a lot of strength. I think about Doris when I know that I will physically paint again.
Now…did the painting really stop? I argue, “No”. I have been intensely researching my next body of work for years now…having painted about 15 panels related to a Covenant series, I then began to connect again with the landscape. It just happened. It happened at the reading of two poems, the first, The Wolf Between the Trees by George Bowering. I used his poem, with permission, embedded in the poem along with a cup full of ash…remains of personal papers I had burned in the studio. This is the painting…
and secondly, a tribute poem written by Paulette Dube for the Caribou. I’m including her words, here. I hope you will read them.
In the new days, magic was on the surface of things, the shine of it all, quick and bright and fast as new rivers.
Now Rivers winds Under Earth, has to be convinced, to play her deep song, entreated , to show herself.
The Celts call these « thin places », where the other side is so close, the veil shivers your arms as you reach through.
The First People travelled (sic) these sacred pieces of earth, to think on things in the presence of Creator.
I know them as mountains. I see them with my spirit eyes, walk them with blood and bone legs. They teach, as clear as bird song or scolding squirrel lesson, bracing as clean water through moss.
This alpine terrain is grey onion paper, thin as ash. Feet must be wide to avoid lace-like flower and moss, spider web and lichen. Be mindful.
The Creator’s ear is earth as we do not see it. Make joyous noise if you want to be herd. Get yourself a song and string from bone to bone, a home of light and wind.
She moves. She feels her calf, inside, taking nourishment from her own bones and teeth. The calf moves (as my son once did) deep in the dreaming place. The cow’s thickening body keeps the Small one warm, keeps him from hunger, keeps her moving.
Born where the dark forest gives way to lake, loon’s perfect call – silver sharp tremolo – traces the surface of this morning sky : clear as mountain water scythes the earth.
Loon calls from the lake face, that voice – shapes my form- coming through the trees.
The land reacts to our presence when we belong
Noise of a sow grizzly and her two cubs. To each a place, to each, a means of prayer and play. To each, the necessary silence.
Sacred whorl of grey and brown, blow open the gate. Allow a wild glimpse of self.
When you descend to leaf litter, feathered legs and all, you are an angel – touching Earth.
The engine that is me, hears the song that is you…
…coming together is a song I cannot bear for long. Satiated by my own irregular rythmes.
Promises shape who we are, what we will become –
we pray.
His brow is unfurrowed. Streamlined, he walks the wind, easily.
Healing is water over stones, wind over grass, gaits – fearless.
Feral hearts wander – oblivious to fences of human design.
Survival embodies existence but – does not define it.
He moves through sunlight to scrub, deliberate – elemental – muscle.
Hummingbird hears colour – Coyote knows crack in a leaf is direction – Bear walks trail made of wind.
If Humans could once again divine the essential – would we find home ?
A candle in a church is a thing of beauty – a flame in the wilderness is a miracle.
Find something big to pit against – to throw loneliness into – Amid bone, snow and stone – caribou. The precious, the delicate of design – we live here.
Fire and earth – water and air – there is no room for anger.
Memories permit us to speak of things –
our heart tends to in the night.
The resulting painting, upon hearing this poem is posted below. The words to the poem are written into the painting. It was at this punctuation mark in my life, at this painting and the other, that I realized my painting would always be about ‘place’.
So, as an artist, what I’ve been doing ever since is sorting that out….the surface, the paint, collage, text, subject matter. It might take a lifetime to make sense of it. I don’t know. But, in the meantime, I am energized and interested and creative and LOOK! I write!
Everything I’ve been doing, in the sorting, has made for this wondrous life of mine. It’s taken me out into the landscape. It’s caused me to notice more. It’s manufactured poems, paintings, photographs and connected me with videographer, Liam of Beam Media and the photographer, Jack Breakfast.
And this morning, I met Doug Newman. It was after two cups of coffee at home and after two posts about books that I have read that I headed out into the cold with Max man. The roads were bad, so I decided to get us down to a parking lot that edges the Bow River and to explore the first wintry day on the river. There was only one other car in the lot…a man speaking on his telephone. Max and I headed out.
This is what I wrote once back inside the car…and after snapping four photos on my cell phone…and after turning up the heat and settling in with CKUA.
I didn’t bring a camera with me, but hiked the edge of the Bow River this morning. I watched a Bald Eagle fish, its wings, so powerful. Three times, it landed on tree tops to the left of me, by 200 meters. The geese, exhausted and resting, lifted off of the dark water, along with the cacophony of gulls each time the eagle dove toward the water. Two deer swam, gracefully, from this side and shook off like wet dogs, once arriving on the shore across from me. A perfect morning.
From an interview with Kyo MacLear, writer of Birds, Art, Life… this…
While typing that paragraph, I saw the gentleman leave his car, carrying a camera and sporting a huge lens. I watched, discreetly, as he took photographs. I saw him pan as geese took flight. I saw him quietly observe for quite a long time. Finally, as he turned to get back into his vehicle, I rolled down my window and we began to chat.
It turns out that Doug also posts photographs to Alberta Birds. We introduced ourselves to one another and I began to ask him questions about photography, equipment and we shared some of our ‘bird’ moments. It is such a pleasure to discover another birder along the quiet pathways of my every day. It was nice to experience his enthusiasm and his excitement. He opened up his photograph of a goose taking flight and I was in awe of the detail and the strength captured in that single image.
Winter! Beyond November, it seemed that Calgary would not suffer winter…no snow fell and the temperatures were surprisingly moderate. But what came to crush us was the current run of sub zero temperatures, -22 with windchill sitting at -37 some days, for example. We are into our second week of this.
I don’t take my camera out to take photographs on my walks with Max because of the frigid air. Instead, I perused the images saved to my computer, things I haven’t written about and came to this collection of images from a Paul Kuhn exhibit in April of this year. Such colour wakes us up from our winter sleep! Art makes me happy.
My friend, Ed Bader, was featured in the White Project Room, with his exhibit, North Country Dreaming, but first, I enjoyed the bold colour of John Eisler’s (the cast), in the upstairs gallery.
Ed and I attended the University of Lethbridge in a very creative and high-energy period of its development from 1973 to 1977. I include documentation of Ed’s conversation in the following series of photographs because I was intrigued by his large hand gestures. I’m also including an early photograph of Ed, in conversation with our former drawing professor, Pauline McGeorge. It appears that he has remained animated!
I remember that day not being able to really connect with Ed. Openings are like that. However, stepping back, I enjoyed watching him make other connections. I felt very proud of him. It was a big day.
When winter has you shivering, bring life to your experience by perusing the galleries. On my list…Glenbow’s Beaver Hall Group exhibit and Otto Rogers at Paul Kuhn.
I strongly recommend your attendance at the Nickle Galleries for Generations; 50 Years of Art at the University and Beyond. Today, I decided to attend Nickle at Noon, a wander through the exhibit in the company of Mary-Beth Laviolette. I made my way to the campus early enough to consume the most wonderful Reuben sandwich made by the peeps of the Red Wagon Diner food truck. There was still a bite to the air, but now the sun is out and it is a magical autumn day.
Curated by Mary-Beth Laviolette, the exhibit began with a variety of work from the Founders of the University Art Department, spanning every decade up to the present day. An extensive body of work gives a very positive sense of the production and the mentoring within this powerhouse visual arts community of ours. It all made me feel so proud.
Mary-Beth was funny and smart and shared with a few more than 20 attendees, the interesting narratives behind most of the work that included sculpture, paintings, drawings, fabric arts, mixed media and print making. I’ve documented a few of the things that really amused or intrigued me. The tour was beautifully paced, educational and thorough.
Our city is loaded with the most wonderful opportunities. I hope my readers will get out to take advantage of this one. DaveandJen’s A Natural History of Islands opens tonight, from 5 until 8, in the upstairs gallery. I will be holding off on this one until the Artists’ tour on November 24. There are a ton of events going on in the city right now and through Saturday. Don’t spread yourself too thin, but it is definitely not a Netflix weekend. (oh…do what you want!)
Work by Nicholas Roukes, writer of Design and Art Synectics…two books that greatly influenced my teaching.
Peter Deacon and Marcia Perkins
Amy Gogarty…this one just captivated me!
Joane Cardinal-Schubert
Mary Scott and Jed Irwin
Mary Scott
John Will
Beautiful portrait of John Will in Ballpoint Pen and Sharpie Marker by Aurora Landin
Rita McKeough Mitten Series
Bill Laing
Dang…something is on my lens!
Artist, Bev Tosh, speaks a little about her War Bride series.
I was fortunate to attend the National Gallery of Canada while the recipients of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts 2016, were on exhibit. When I attend such a large collection as is available at our national gallery, it is typical that I feel particularly drawn to some work. Sometimes, it is because I have followed particular artists over my years…sometimes, it is because the work is new to me, but visually, very exciting.
One woman’s work that has been of great interest to me all of these years is that of Jane Kidd. She is original and a technical-sensory genius when it comes to tapestry. I’ve picked up brochures about the artist, read what I could and viewed a few excellent short films about her process. Her work, for me, is always organic and, typically, elements of nature are embedded. I relate with this work. I was so excited to see that she was acknowledged so beautifully in the gallery this past summer.
Edward Burtynsky’s photographs have been represented very well in Calgary. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with them in the Glenbow Art Gallery and in several exhibits that feature the best of Canada. My own interest in environment and the exposure of the human mark on the landscape has always drawn me to Burtynsky’s work. While I am involved in the rather sad practice of picking other people’s litter from the ground of a single pond ecosystem, Edward Burtynsky uses his images to speak to the collective about the impact of their choices. His works have a lot to do with consumption and my favourite documentary has to be Manufactured Landscapes.
Wanda Koop’s work, in its minimalist sense, always feels fresh and eloquent. I’ve been blessed to have great space on her canvases in several instances. I’ve always left feeling very blessed by time spent standing in front of her work. This opportunity was no different. Her painting speaks about the collective conscience. Many paintings, for me, talk about the consumption of land. They are atmospheric in their nature.
Bill Vazan was new to me. This piece was a very potent image and I simply had to engage it and feel awed by it. By connecting with it, I became fully aware that there was, inherent to the piece, depth of thought and energy and travel. The culminating piece is complex and intriguing.
Some years ago, I read Verna Reid’s book, Women Between: Contruction of Self in The Work of Sharon Butala, Aganetha Dyck, Mary Meigs and Mary Pratt.
Sharon Butala’s writing is some of my favourite writing. And, I’ve enjoyed reading about Mary Pratt and her practice as I tried to find my own way, making art and raising a family at the same time. But, what really intrigued me was, discovering through this book and a single lecture at ACAD, the interesting practice of Aganetha Dyck. To encounter her work at the National Gallery of Canada, gave me chills. A wonderful moment for me! What a joy to share this viewing with two of my nieces.
Beyond Canada…other pieces were in the gallery, to adore. A progression of work in the exhibit, A Solitary Mexican Modernist: artist, Rufino Tamayo‘s (1899-1981) exotic use of colour mirrors, I think, the climate and texture of Mexico. I really enjoyed this work and liked the experience of seeing how, over years, the work progressed. This exhibit marks 25 years since the artist’s death. It was an honour to see this and in some ways, a visual relief at that point.
I enjoyed interacting with the dynamics of the Ai Weiwei’s tree.
There are so many fabulous documentaries and things written about Ai Weiwei’s practice and the intolerance he has endured as an artist, a person, and a mind. I was blown away that I had the opportunity to celebrate a piece of his work in our national gallery. I recommend my reader’s further investigation.
Perhaps one of the most potent sculptures that I encountered was this one, by Brian Jungen. Strong social commentary, Brian Jungen’s found object sculpture do not fail to impact. Lots to read about Brian on line. Enjoy.
If you have the chance to get out to the ‘big’ galleries…you will never be disappointed. Canada…a prosperous and blessed Nation! We need to celebrate our opportunities as artists and as citizens. Never take the arts for granted!
The September long weekend was filled to the brim with family, football, food and adventuring. My nieces, Ainslie and Eliane, and I caught a drive down to the gallery on a perfect sky blue day in Ottawa. I was giddy, as I had been anticipating the exhibit of Chris Cran’s work for some time. I am so darned proud! I’ve always assumed that Chris was so much younger than me. We are closer in age than I had imagined.
Back in the late 1980s, Chris opened his studio up to me and my then-spouse and generously shared, in his witty fashion, his bigger-than-life pinhole camera and the work that he was exploring at the time. I’ve never forgotten his generosity that day and it remains evident, in so many ways, that he is an active and contributing community member where all of the arts are concerned in Calgary. Through Chris, I met another awesome dude out of Salmon Arm, Herald Nix, and have become a big fan of his music, as well as his art. For many reasons, I was so excited to have the chance to enjoy the retrospective of Chris Cran’s work, elegantly and historically displayed in one of my favourite art galleries.
This post will contain just a few images, all Chris’s work. I’ll share about other works that I enjoyed in separate posts.
One of the security guards, Thomas, gave us many insights on our tour of Chris Cran’s work. He took in every word of Chris’s tour offered during the exhibit’s opening days. He was so generous to pass short narratives on to us. He could not give permission for us to photograph him while he was wearing his uniform, but I guess I had nabbed this one before that conversation. When I went on the studio visit, Chris was working on the Stripe and Halftone Paintings. I saw something very gestural in this piece and so the girls humoured me by becoming the forms in the piece. Love them so much!
These are a mere smattering of images from the exhibit. I really was swept up in the experience of being in such an aesthetically pleasing space wandering in and out of gallery spaces, in awe. Later, I will post the few Instagram shots I took, as well.
I feel so grateful when magic like this takes flight and lands in my heart. I love you, Eliane and Ainslie, for being with me.
My ‘Connectors’ (read Malcolm Gladwell’s work) here in Belleville are Lisa Morris and Peter Paylor. The other night they brought me into a circle of live music and friendship at ‘the ol’ boy’s club’ in Belleville. How cool is that? I met some very friendly and lovely creatives during this live mic session, a night demonstrating the variety of music and energy that weaves through this beautiful city, edging on the Bay of Quinte. The photographs pretty much say it all…just want to make sure that I document things as they unfold during my stay.
I’m trying to balance socializing a bit…engaging the landscape…and painting, while visiting Dad. It’s a different sort of trip this time around because I brought a good part of my studio with me. I’ll eventually get around to writing about that experience as well, but shortly, I’ve got to head back to the easel, so here is a representation of the images I collected during the music and the fun. Thanks to Larraine Milligan, an awesome figurative artist, for showing me the upstairs rooms in the club.
Lisa, finished rehearsal with her theater production for the night, brings a little Steampunk into the mix…love this lady! Talking Micro Breweries with Bill. Looking for something special to bring home to Patrick. I didn’t get a photo of Peter…more to come!
