Art Adventures - by Patricia Banks©
Published March 2017 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
Published March 2017 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
Imagination is limitless. As I write, the rains pour down, so I close my eyes and I am reminded of what Leigh Hunt said: “Colours are the smiles of nature.” That sounds delightful and I couldn’t agree more. Today’s art expedition took me to a local flower shop to purchase some joy in the form of spring tulips – these always put a smile on my face! The exciting variety of hues stimulate different emotions and I’m in the mood for the full gamut of cheery yellow, romantic red, exotic purple, energetic orange, and cool green. It doesn’t take much to lift the grey clouds and usher in some sunshine.
Victoria Finlay, in her book titled “Colour,” transported me on a wild journey of discovery to distant lands. I visited places where the first artist pigments originated: red and yellow ochre from the soils of Australia, indigo from plants in India, sky blue lapis lazuli from rocks in Afghanistan, and violet from snails in Central America, to name just a few. I learned a rich history from centuries of the art materials trade. The expensive business of gathering ingredients throughout the known world and supplying them to the studios of Master Artists, was fascinating. I experienced a whirlwind adventure into ancient times, mysterious customs and dangerous travels. Many of these same places continue to source the raw materials used in today’s modern paints. I comfortably visited them all on my armchair journey around the world. And I am ever more grateful for the ease at which I can bring colour’s vitality into my daily work for my viewers and collectors to enjoy.
With dazzling floral specimens for subjects and a new appreciation for the history of my creative tools, I passionately apply my brush to canvas. Today’s art adventure began with a short walk to the florist, carried me worlds away on a quest to find colour, and brought me back with a song in my heart. You should add some colour to your life too – it’s fun!
Victoria Finlay, in her book titled “Colour,” transported me on a wild journey of discovery to distant lands. I visited places where the first artist pigments originated: red and yellow ochre from the soils of Australia, indigo from plants in India, sky blue lapis lazuli from rocks in Afghanistan, and violet from snails in Central America, to name just a few. I learned a rich history from centuries of the art materials trade. The expensive business of gathering ingredients throughout the known world and supplying them to the studios of Master Artists, was fascinating. I experienced a whirlwind adventure into ancient times, mysterious customs and dangerous travels. Many of these same places continue to source the raw materials used in today’s modern paints. I comfortably visited them all on my armchair journey around the world. And I am ever more grateful for the ease at which I can bring colour’s vitality into my daily work for my viewers and collectors to enjoy.
With dazzling floral specimens for subjects and a new appreciation for the history of my creative tools, I passionately apply my brush to canvas. Today’s art adventure began with a short walk to the florist, carried me worlds away on a quest to find colour, and brought me back with a song in my heart. You should add some colour to your life too – it’s fun!
