John Mlacak Fine Art

32 people braved the threat of a fierce winter storm on March 9 to attend my demonstration for the Kanata Art Club at March Central School in Dunrobin…a very good turnout indeed. After a brief business meeting, Mary Stewart introduced me and I got to work. I gave the audience a choice between 2 pencil sketches on 24 x 30 stretched canvases: one of buildings based on some I’ve seen in Montreal and the Toronto Spadina Chinatown area backyards , or the other of woods, rocks, snow and trees. They chose the buildings. I proceeded to show how I go over my sketch with India Ink, how I clean my brushes, the various colours I use, the use of transparent paints, my disposable paper palette, my favouring of Windsor Newton oil paints, and my choice of technicolour fences. I mentioned preferring synthetic brushes for their strength as I find sable too soft for me. I used Barriere Art Guard on my hands. I told them about my final coat of medium to make the entire reflection the same. I provided 3 handouts, a list of my 2011 exhibitions, an article on the Lucille Broadbent Award for Artistic Achievement I received in October 2010 and an article about my solo show at the Gallery on the Lake last September with two colour images of paintings. Colour photos of finished paintings of houses were passed around. Questions were asked as we went along.

After a break, the group decided they wanted me to carry on with my other sketch of woods. It was said that I looked like Pope John with my flat black circular hat on. I also wore my haute couture home-sewn painting apron. Everyone, including me, seemed to have a good time. Beth and I packed up, loaded the car, brushed a lot of snow off and drove home very slowly in the heavy snow.

Photo credit: Yvan Delisle

Longer drive than usual to attend the grand opening of the Sienna Gallery in Rockland, Ontario, 7 to 10 pm. Curator Karen Charlebois and her husband Denis have done a superb job getting this new locale for art up and running. The lighting is great. The walls are on casters so they can be relocated. They have really made maximum use of the space without creating a cluttered appearance. A few comfortable chairs are scattered throughout. The refreshments were wonderful and beautifully arranged and served by many friends. I have my own wall with 7 oils presented as well as several smaller pieces on easels in other locations. In all, Sienna has 18 of my oils. The vivid colours I use show up well under the lights. The event was well attended in spite of a snow warning. Rockland is growing so let’s hope this brand new showcase for art will be a huge success. Visit Unit 2 at 2865 Chamberland St.  Hey, there’s a new coffee shop right next door.

I participated in “Art for the Heart”, an exhibition of art and a fundraiser for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute on Sunday, February 20, 2011 in Barrhaven. Approximately 250 people visited the show. The Heart Institute was very pleased with the amount they received in donations, and the commission from the 9 artists. This may become an annual event. Beth and I got first class assistance from our son, Bill, his wife, Joanna and our granddaughters, Sophia and Helena who were visiting us for Winterlude from New Hampshire. This was the first time the family were with us for the setting up of an exhibition. The girls demonstrated great skills as art installers and were able to make solid suggestions for improvements in the overall appearance of my booth. It was a fun day and we enjoyed meeting the many visitors.

These 3 oil painting were in the “Little Gems Show” at Galerie Ouest in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, on the West Island of Montreal from Dec. 1-13, 2010. The show was an exhibition of small works by elected members of the Society of Canadian Artists. Pre Christmas is a good time to exhibit small works of art as they are more affordable. My paintings ranged in price from $450 to $800. The Galerie is at 37 rue St. Thomas, Montreal.

South March Highlands

I donated this 36″ x 48″ oil on canvas painting to help the efforts to save the South March Highlands.  The painting was auctioned on eBay from Dec. 5 to 15, and the $4,000 raised was contributed to the cause.

You can see the auction link here.

You can learn more about the efforts of this group of citizens and the status of the project at their website southmarch.wordpress.com.