Nov 25, 2010


Sharbot Lake resident Geoffrey Murray loves to draw and wanted to share his enthusiasm with the community, so last spring he started a drawing group for those looking for an opportunity to hone their skills, practise the art or just give it a try.

The sessions began at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn last winter and have since moved to the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, where drawing enthusiasts at any skill level can sit and draw on Tuesdays, 3 to 5PM.

It was while teaching at Sharbot Lake High School that Geoff realized a need for high school students who were looking to “go on in the art world and who wanted more studio time than what was offered at the school.“ He continued, “It started off as an extra curricular school activity for any students in the area and then it kind of mutated to what it is now, a kind of collective for all members of the community of any age and skill level who just want to come out, perhaps improve their skills or just have some fun.”

Participants bring their own drawing supplies and paper and can make suggestions for subject matter, which changes from week to week. Past subject matter for the sessions has included still life, and participants are encouraged to offer other suggestions. One week a couple in the group assembled a collection of various furs, skulls, bones and leather and called the collection “Beauty and Death”.

Once a month the group will contribute a small fee and collectively pay for a live model to come and sit for a session. During my visit on November 2, Milosh, a former art student who has past experience working as a live model, was sitting for the group. He began with a series of dynamic 60-second poses, allowing participants to warm up with some quick gesture drawings, and then gradually lengthened his poses, offering the students a chance to concentrate on a longer, more in-depth work.

Milosh explained, “A good live model can really help to inspire the class.” Geoff agreed, “Certain models can really rev people up and the beauty of drawing from life is that the drawer has the rare chance of seeing the subject in a non-pixilated way, which these days is not very common.”

The group is ideal for people who like to draw but who also might require that extra push and motivation that a regular weekly group session offers. Mike Steeves, a regular participant, explained, “Being part of a group helps to push us beyond our own comfort zone and observing what other people are doing can give you new ideas and the chance to learn some new skills and approaches.”

For those who may be shy or hesitant to attend, Geoff encourages them to “come out and give it a shot.”

The last winter session for 2010 took place Tuesday, November 23 in the community room at the medical centre from and offered a live model, Yvonne, a belly dancer who posed in costume.

Geoff informed me that as long as interest continues, sessions will begin again on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 and he is hoping that live models will become a regular feature of the class.

For more information contact Geoff Murray at 613-279-3692

 

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