The freedom of the great outdoors: Lynn Spence’s smile glows as she talks about its ability to inspire the flicks of her paintbrush, unbridled by the sterility of a studio, as she prepares to unleash swaths of watercolours across the paper perched on an easel before her near Britannia Heritage Shipyard.
“As a child I just loved painting and drawing. I could just let myself and my imagination go,” says the 73-year-old grandmother on an idyllic, late summer morning in Steveston. “I just loved to create something.”
In the background, a parade of fishing boats bob along the river, a cool breeze rustles the still-green leaves in the trees overhead, and the dappled sunlight creates shadows that scurry across boardwalk’s planks.
It’s a perfect example of the benefits of en plein air, a French expression meaning “in the open air” which is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.
It’s a scene that will be played out in 38 unique sites from Britannia Heritage Shipyard to Garry Point Park on Sept. 20 as the fifth annual Steveston Grand Prix of Art gets underway with its three-hour limit for competitors to paint a scene chosen for them by lottery, have it framed and then judged.
For Spence, the event is not only an opportunity to revel in the masterful surroundings of the historic waterfront, but be witness to the youthful endeavour of her two granddaughters who have joined her on three of the competitions over the years.
“They just get on with it,” Spence said, describing the uninhibited approach sisters, Klara, 14, and Allison Marsh, 12, take to the event which, for some artists, can be a crucible for their creative powers. “It’s great to see the girls paint. They don’t lack any confidence at all. It’s a joyful feeling all around for us.”
“I’ve never really taken any art classes, and she’s taught me a whole lot of new skills,” said Klara. “It’s nice to learn from a person who you know well,”
“It’s easier,” Allison added.
The event is also a way of re-visiting Spence’s youth growing up in Vancouver where she took to painting the streetscapes of her Kerrisdale neighbourhood.
“I chose the shops as subjects because they were right outside my windows,” she said.
Later, she’d graduate to landscapes in and around the Lower Mainland, including the picturesque locations in Steveston which serve as the perfect backdrop to the Steveston Grand Prix of Art, said organizer Mark Glavina, who runs Phoenix Art Workshop on Chatham Street.
“The history, the scenery, being right on the mouth of one of the largest estuaries in North America, what more could you ask for?” said Glavina, who brought the idea to Steveston after competing in a number of en plein air painting events in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.
“A lot of people in Qualicum had suggested we start it up here in hopes that at some point this could be the finale of a circuit of events that would crown an overall winner,” Glavina said.
Discussions have been held with groups in other communities including Ladner, Langley and South Surrey, and by as early as next year, there might be such a series in place.
But for now, as the Steveston event approaches, Glavina has been busy organizing for the 100 or so painters expected to register.
While the location is spectacular, the creative ambience palpable, the pressure of a timed format is not for everyone, he said.
“Some of the professional painters tend to shy away from it. They feel the risks are too great for them,” Glavina said. “Plus, some feel it’s just a place for amateurs and beginners to go. But we end up with some truly amazing artists every year.”
So what’s a recipe for success?
“My advice for a person to do well here will be to get their heart rate down and focus on what’s in front of them,” Glavina said. “They will be the ones who will be able to deal with the distractions, the questions they get from people as they paint.”
And are there advantages to painting outdoors?
“To me, painting outdoors is more immediate,” he said. “Art should be a reaction to your subject, and that’s not a criticism to people who paint from pictures. They are fine if you are recreating something that includes historical details that have to be exact, but photos can be very flat and static, and there’s no reason for a painting to be that way.”
It’s music to Spence’s ears as she recounts what it’s like to be surrounded by the creative energy produced by such a large gathering of artists.
“It’s a wonderful feeling. Most of the artists don’t have time to look at the other paintings, but you can sense all of this creative power.”
Also a plus is the opportunity to see the progress her granddaughters make.
“They just get started right in and usually finish before the three hours are up,” Spence said. “I usually make three or four little sketches to see what format and compositions I like the best. Then I settle down and start painting.
“But it’s fun to paint with them, watch them work and see them so proud of what they’ve been able to create.”
Spence added the experience is beneficial, especially for the youngsters, most of whom “have never entered an art show, and most have never seen their work framed.”
The painting judged as the best will net its creator a $600 prize courtesy of the Richmond Artists Guild. Second place comes with a prize of $250 from Coast Capital Savings. Once they are judged, works from the event will be displayed for a week at the seine loft at Britannia Heritage Shipyard with the public given the chance to cast their vote in the People’s Choice award category which carries a $250 prize.The works will also be posted for sale during the exhibition.
“It’s funny, but my granddaughters were wondering how to price their paintings the first year they took part,” Spence said. “They thought the higher they priced them, the more likely they’d get to keep them. But someone came along and paid the $50 one of them was asking.”
While there are prizes and sales associated with the event, Glavina said the sense of community it instills, “seeing young amateurs and adults painting side by side, is priceless.”
Most of the 100 expected to take part are adults at this point, in part due to the public school labour dispute blunting efforts to attract young artists.
To register, visit grandprixofart.ca. Cost is $20 for adults, $15 for youth and includes lunch.
Artists are required to bring along all of their own art supplies and equipment.
Photography gets into the frame at Grand Prix
While artists will be priming their brushes for a three-hour sprint to the finish line during this year’s edition of the Steveston Grand Prix of Art, photographers will be busy clicking away chronicling the event.
It’s a new angle to the fifth edition of the competition, which will be including a digital photography category for the first time.
“The event is so unique and cool. It walks that line of an art exhibit and a sporting event,” said competition organizer Mark Glavina, pictured above. “The artists feel that excitement of competition and the nervousness of getting a location that’s not that comfortable. There’s a time limit and distractions of a performance. And I’ve always had in the back of my mind to do something with photography, but was unsure how to incorporate it.”
But after sounding out the Richmond Photo Club, he came up with tasking “shooters” with compiling a photo essay of the actual painting competition as it unfolds.
A total of 24 photographers will be included and be under similar time constraints as their canvas-boud compatriots, but will be allowed to roam among all of the painting sites scattered across Steveston.
By the end of the competition, the photographers will need to submit five, unedited digital images of what they felt best represented the spirit of the event, Glavina said.
“That’s the challenge,” he added.
One local photographer who will be serving as a judge said the event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase talent.
“I’m excited that a photo challenge has been added this year to the Steveston Grand Prix of Art,” said Kerri-Jo Stewart.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for local photographers to be challenged and to develop their skill. We have some amazing local photographers and I expect there to be world-class images created and showcased during this event.”
Images from all competitors in the photography competition will be projected at the event’s exhibition in the seine loft at Britannia Heritage Shipyard.
A winner will be announced Sept. 28, the last day of the exhibition which is open daily (except on Sept. 22) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
