Ron Unruh Online Gallery

I had an opportunity to talk with Jack on BC Day during agarden art show at the Birthplaceof B.C. Gallery.

Jack Turpin enjoyed a career as a school teacher. In describing his artpassion his style of prose, a sample of which I have selected from his websitebio material, tantalizes the reader so much, you want to sign up for lessons,no matter what he is teaching.

From an early age I was attracted to various painting media,but the immediate and direct qualities of drawing commanded my greatestattention from that time to the present. However, the undeniable tradition ofimpressionist and realist painters of the Canadian landscape has exerted thegreatest influence in my painting. Having been brought up in a province wherethe built environment is usually dominated by the overwhelming beauty of itsnatural setting, I tend to direct my gaze to the literal edges of humanactivity - where man and Nature overlap, but Nature predominates. As such, theappearance and influence of man?s presence usually assumes a subtle role in thesubject matter of my paintings. Recurring themes in my art are soft light andsummoning shapes, which hint of a story untold or a destination not fullyrevealed. I see my role as an artist not unlike that of a storyteller. I invitethe viewer to pause, look more closely into lengthening afternoon shadows orfollow a beckoning, overgrown path.

It makes you want to see his work doesn?t it? Give yourself a treat and check his website. He is an exemplarypractitioner of journaling and his is an art journal. He often displays thisdelightful book along with his art pieces. It is a veritable collector?s item.What a painter he is! He renders wonderful landscapes but he also has animagination which requires expression in scenes he creates.

He has received deserved and welcome coverage in area news and the Federationof Canadian Artists magazine. Enjoy a video "Twofor the Road" displaying his work and that of his close friend PerryHaddock. Both were teachers at H.D. Stafford Secondary. They paint and showtogether frequently (photo of Perry and Jack together). Another close amigo isDarren Perkins, and all three meet weekly to sip, chat and paint.

Jack Turpin's breathtaking website

Acknowledgements:

* Roxanne Hooper, wrote 'Two for the Road' in the Langley Advance, posted on 20Mar 2009

* Art Avenue magazine, A Federation of Canadian Artists Publication Vol.8 -No.6 November/December 2008, cover feature is "A painting in the lifeof... Jack Turpin"

* Brenda Anderson, 'Journeys in a Journal' in the Times Reporter, Aug 3, 2007,

GPS Application

Artistic expressions have the ability to influenceindividuals and cultures in powerful ways. The arts give an experience thatimpacts the whole person. When moved by a story we want to enter into its actionand meaning.

The arts have had an important role in the Church at certain times inhistory. Arts have also at other times been abandoned. In over fortyyears of church work I didn’t consider the need for a biblicalunderstanding of the arts by the Church. Since I have stepped back fromactive Church ministry, I have become concerned and objective about thearts in Church.

Christine and I visited numerous churches andcathedrals during our two months in France this spring. In most ofthese historic settings religious art is one of the attractions as ithas always been. The wing of the church in which my life has been spentis cautious if not uninterested in the Arts within the Church. Ofcourse many church goers love the arts in their private lives and homesbut it stays outside the Church. The reasoning is that there are moreimportant life and death issues with which one should occupy time andthought. Many gifted people have not been encouraged to develop thiscreativity or been validated by the Church. Not until recent years inevangelicalism has the door been opened to embrace the arts. Forartists and artisans this is liberating. It is also right.

Earlyin the Old Testament story of ancient worship God called a person namedBezalel to make ‘artistic designs.’ That identifies artistic expressionas a spiritual calling and creativity as a gift from God. Those whohave such a calling and gift show their obedience and appreciation toGod by using them, not exclusively outside the church but inside to besure. The arts should be incorporated into the life of the Church inits worship and service. We humans with a relationship with deity arecommissioned to form the culture in which we live rather than be formedby it.

GPS Application

Exodus31:1-6 “Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son ofUri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him withthe Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds ofcrafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds ofcraftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, ofthe tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all thecraftsmen to make everything I have commanded you”.

Gerry Thompson isan award winning painter living nearby. I wish I could say that we know eachother. We are email acquaintances at this point. The connection began while Iworked on the campus of Trinity Western Universityand admired some of her original watercolours that have been gifted to theuniversity. I made contact via email and she was kind enough to respond and wehave occasionally written to one another. The invitation was extended and Ihave yet to visit her studio but I know that I could learn so much from herabout developing my art life both as a painter and a marketer of the work. Shegraduated from the Fraser Valley Collegemajoring in painting and printmaking and she also taught for several years atthe same College in the Continuing Education Department. In fact, some yearsago, a group of her students founded The Fraser ValleyWatercolour Society. She has received many awards for her paintings many ofwhich are located in collections throughout the world. She is a Signature Member of the Federationof Canadian Artists and the CanadianSociety of Painters in Water Colour. She does not need my brief blog postbut you deserve to enjoy a glance at her work in her attractive website.

Visual art is one facet of this gifted woman?s arts enthusiasm. Prior to her firstpainting she pursued music. From her childhood she gained musical skills inpiano, violin, accordion, organ and synthesizer ultimately acquiring anAssociate degree from the Royal Conservatory ofMusic in solo piano performance. For some time she was a college musicinstructor and for years she taught individual music lessons in her studio.

She has focused her energies upon her painting during these recent years, tothe extent that she momentarily questioned whether she should get a life andconcluded ?this is my life!? Her bio material contains this information(borrowed here without her permission but used with great respect.) I am in aweof her watercolour skill.

(Quoted from her bio) ?Teaching is also one of my loves. Tosee a budding artist or musician grow and excel gives me great joy. I don?tbelieve in the philosophy of ?I don?t have any talent?. If a person has thedesire, the tenacity, a positive open mind, and a good work ethic, one canbecome accomplished in his or her chosen field of interest. I believe that wedo our best creating in a positive and relaxed atmosphere.

For the past weeks I have been working on somepaintings reflective of some of my most appreciated memories. I love the peopleof Franceengaged in varied activities as you can see. I am hoping to produce many morebefore I hold a Studio Open House Show during the week following CanadianThanksgiving in October. I will be sure to inform you of the exact dates andtimes. My Franceportfolio contains a collection of visual art images including the two imagesmentioned here.

Beggars are everywhere. Some are disgusting with their abrasive andmanipulative approaches. Others, like this mother, who sits outside an historicchurch in the city of Arles,are genuinely needy people. One looks for an opportunity to help with a smallgift. She was neat and clean and sat all day and evening on a small green matas she leaned against the ancient church walls with plastic cup in hand.       "MotherBegging in Arles,"20X24 in., acrylic on canvas.

Of course French patrons love, perhaps even live for their food and theirexquisite wines, and everywhere music serenades and delights. Buskers aretalented musicians and these three positioned themselves in late afternoons ata corner in Lourmarin where folk sat outside two bar/cafes enjoying the warmair and the music.   "Buskers atHappy Hour in Lourmarin", 20X24 in., acrylic on canvas.

MICHEL SEMENTZEFF, an extraordinary painter

Michel Sementzeff's considered one of the greatest contemporary figurative artists. I could not believe my good fortune when I stayed in his son Didier's guest home. Throughout the home were these exquisitely executed paintings. He paints landscapes and portraits that are colourful, playful, dreamlike, romantic and he does it using a knife to paint heavy oil passages that accent the creativity of his themes and style. While this genre is not my customary choice I couldn't resist appreciating this good, good art. Didier presented me with a book of his father's paintings which I realize is an advertising piece but I treasure it. That's as close as I will get to owning one of Sementzeff's expensive originals.

Of Russian origin, Michel Sementzeff was born in Boulogne-sur-Seine. He entered the École Supérieure des Arts Modernes at the age of 15, and has subsequently forged a highly successful career as an artist, exhibiting in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, United States and Canada. With his well chosen palette of colours, his light strokes as well as his heavy impasto touches he emits light and happiness and nostalgia. He has chosen to paint faces that always reflect a childish innocence and surprise and anticipation.

His son Didier, the retired professional photographer that I mentioned yesterday,  captures his father?s images so clearly to make every book of art a masterpiece collector's cache.

I am enamoured by Michel's success and jealous of his signature. Michel's work makes the viewer happy.

here is Michel's website. The best site for viewing the quality and luminosity and brush strokes is Galerie Internationale

Consideration is being given to incorporating an existing art blog to this format.

In the meantime, my blog is accessed at Ron Unruh Art Blog