Author Archives: Linda Denis

A few weeks have past since the cold sunny days of the spring paint out at Les Éboulements. Since this outing I have thought often about the artistic works of Marc-Aurèle Fortin (1888-1970). My first encounter with his works was a painting of sail boats painted on a card board poster which I thought of as good way to use up readily available material. I progressed quickly to looking at his other works; oil, watercolour, engraving and his innovative use of artist’s tools. Fortin painted the Charlevoix region landscape with bold exaggerated strokes showing the beauty of trees, mountains and skies. It is well worth a visit to look at his works.

Allison Robichaud sends me three paintings from the recent outing. Always true to his style he finds the spirit of Charlevoix.

Allison Robichaud, Back country of Charlevoix, oil, 2015

Allison Robichaud, Along the River, oil, 2015

Allison Robichaud, Freighter, oil, 2015

Another watercolour sketch painted from the steep hill into Saint-Irénée, Qc

Linda Denis, Top Tier, watercolour, 2015

The usual and other hardy souls arrive to spend four days of outdoor painting in Charlevoix, Qc. There is plenty of subject matter for all taste; villages, woodlots, cattle or horses, the waters of St. Lawrence, and the mountainous terrain near Les Grands Jardins. Home base is the Auberge de Nos Aïeux in Les Éboulements where we are welcomed with great food, a view of L’Isle -aux-Coudre, le Massif and the ferry crossing at Saint Joseph-de-la-Rive.

Stuart Main, Catching the Warm Sun, oil, 2015

Stuart Main, Allison Robichaud and Catherine Young Bates have for years outsmarted us. They know the best places to paint, how to prevent frostbite and very important where to park our cars so as not to be wiped out by logging trucks.

Catherine Young Bates, oil, www.cybates.com

No Venezia sketchbook this time. I bring my easel, a wide mouthed thermos for water, watercolour sheets, a metal palette and a few brushes. After setting up, I leave most of my gear in the warm car except a mechanical pencil and paper. The sketching precedes fast and I fetch the other essential tools. Then I put my first wash on to see jack frost playing on my paper so a higher angle catches the hot sun rays. Then granular ice particles start forming on my palette but the sketch is finished.

Linda Denis, Baie-Saint-Paul the Three Spirals, watercolour, 2015

A special thanks to Daniel Brunet, who works at the desk of the Auberge. He is a local artist who keeps his studio open year round and enjoys the company of other artists. Juan Cristobal, another full time Charlevoix artist and teacher takes time out to paint with us. We appreciate his reminder to pay attention to where we park. Knock on the door, if you wish to paint close to a farm yard or residence and a 99% warm welcome is a certainty.

Some more watercolours from my paint out in Charlevoix, Qc

View down hill to Saint-Iréneé,Qc

Municipalité Saint-Hilarion, Qc

Quai at St. Iréneé, Qc

Where to go to find a sanctuary in a foreign place? In Guayabitos the Catholic Church is open to the public on extended hours, no admission fees, beautiful and comfortable. I go there to sketch and remember my loved ones with a lighted candle. It not the simple act of lighting a candle and giving a donation. You need to cross the street and buy your candle at one of the local depanneurs or 7-11 stores. There is a good selection of votive candles; hot pink, red or lime green or religious icons for about 30 pesos. The offering box is near the main alter. You give what you want. The church is named, The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The icon of Mary and Child associated with this church harks back to the Byzantine era of the 15th century.

Linda Denis, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, watercolour, Venezia Sketchbook, 2015

There are other places of tranquility but not of the same quality. Beyond the maleçon in La Peñita the fishermen beach their boats when not out in the bay.

Linda Denis, Parked until the next Sea Journey, watercolour, Venezia Sketchbook, 2015

Linda Denis, Beached Fishing Boat, La Peñita, watercolour, Venezia Sketchbook, 2015

I return to the building site on the maleçon for my final look at progress.

Linda Denis, Progress on the Construction Site, La Peñita, watercolour, Venezia Sketchbook, 2015

Then, I take out my sketchbook to do a watercolour of suburbia Guyabitos. Here quiet persists except for the barking guard dogs and a few pedestrians out for a leisurely walk or a quick walk to the swing bridge to look at the crocodiles.

Linda Denis, Storm maybe Today, watercolour, Venezia Sketchbook, 2015

I continue to sketch daily in my Venezia Sketchbook. The construction workers in La Peñita are exceptional models: very reliable, quick to change a pose or disappear. They do not care who is watching, photographing or sketching them. You cannot ask for more. Lagom är bäst.

Linda Denis, Worker finishing tile window ledge, watercolour

Linda Denis, Finishing touches to cement ledge, watercolour

Linda Denis, Workers applying their skills, watercolour

Linda Denis, Another day with a shady spot to work, watercolour

This Swedish proverb means the right amount is best – no more, no less. In Viking times, this is how the proverb was applied.

How much mead one should drink from a horn as it is passed around in order for everyone to receive a fair share?

Still it applies in modern days for how much is needed when less will do. Oddly, I am applying this thought to my watercolour sketching. How much water to mix with the pigment? How damp or dry is my paper? How many figures, building, trees or sky is needed? How light might the sky be or dark ?

As an artist,  I look towards a master watercolourist for answers. Swedish watercolour artist, Lars Lerin shows the way. Dawn Treadler’s blog covers three of his exhibitions with her photographs. Another site worth visiting to see Lerin’s paintings is Art Investment RU.

Lars Lerin, watercolour, via www.forum.artinvestment.ru

Lars Lerin , watercolour, via www.tradera.com

Lars Lerin, Light in the East, watercolour,102×142 cm, 2002-2012

So, I continue sketching daily in my Venezia sketchbook, with my newly acquired Holbein 500 palette, the Escoda brushes recommended by Joseph Zbukvic and plently of water.

I visit the Guayabitos beach daily to sketch figures and eat. I particular enjoy sketching the area where several vendors cluster to sell their ready to eat food and drinks from Friday to Sunday. Brochetas Cora Costend, Luisa, Kande offer white fish or shrimp. A refreshment of Agua Fresca and Tejuino will finish the snack and costs 10 pesos. A brochette of white fish and shrimp cooked over coals is 25 to 30 pesos. Great value, nutritious and good.

Time to rest

Pineapples, Mangoes to go and Fish Brochettes

Sunday Brunch on Guayabitos Beach

Construction work in La Pentia