Watercolours by Cynthia Keith

Artist Statement:

Greetings,

Thank-you for taking time from your busy schedule to view my paintings.

I am Cynthia Keith who loves art and participate as a hobby painter for many years. I started painting in acrylics doing folk art. I look back and that time and smile…. I could not follow the instructor’s patterns, as wonderful as they were…my project always had to have different features to everyone else’s.

My work was beautiful, I have to admit, and I did enjoy teaching others the joy of acrylic painting…but as nervous as I was, I was drawn to water colour painting. As time happens, our family moved to Edmonton. Knowing no one, I decided that I would take water painting classes by a well known Edmontonian artist named Willie Wong. My love of painting in water colours grew from that point. Do I still have my acrylic paints and tools – certainly - and they are used when I see a painting that needs the acrylic look. I have been fortunate to take acrylic classes with Lee Beaton, a well-known Portage artist over the years the years at this gallery. I learned, had a wonderful time and can you believe it, my paintings always looked different from everyone else’s!

Water colour gives me the freedom to use colour, mixes, textures as I see fit. A couple years back, in my ongoing water colour journey I saw a You Tube tutorial by Louise de Masi, a professional artist from Australia. It is through her talent, love of water colour, gift of teaching that my skills have grown. I have two paintings on exhibit, the Mushroom, and the Single White Daisy, from her program. Yes my paintings do sway from her instruction but in a positive way. I use her techniques learned and adventure on my way. Do I toss out some of my paintings – certainly – it is part of the growing in the beautiful art of water colour. Do I keep most definitely. Do I share my skills with others, most definitely – it is a joy to pass on the love of water colour painting.  

I have participated in two Jury Exhibitions at this Gallery. My first year a painting submitted was gifted as a tour painting to other rural art galleries and to the Assiniboine Park Art Gallery. In the following year, I submitted paintings and was blessed to have one painting on tour of the rural art galleries.

Life became busy and my hobby took a rest. I then focused on original cards – most with watercolour, some just fun use of paper. Now in my semi retirement, watercolour is once again a privilege to participate in. Again thank-you for visiting this beautiful art gallery and seeing the outcome of the pleasure I have in using this beautiful art medium….water colours.

Please note, the cost of the paintings on exhibit are for the paintings only; the frames used are second hand. The frames are used to highlight features of the paintings only. I enjoy supporting our local thrift shops in looking for and buying the second hand frames. I experience joy and the thrift shops sell the frames for benefit to others….a double joy.

Thank-you.

Cynthia Keith