'Free Up Your Brush' with Mel Williamson

April 20 2024 2:00 to 4:00 Mansons Hall (Pioneer Rm) By Donation Mel  Williamson lives and paints on Salt Spring Island, BC, where she  creates work in a variety of genres, including the human figure,  landscape, and still life. Her work has been described as  “impressionistic, fresh and honest” and has a unique expressive quality,  through bravura brushwork. Mel will start by giving us a brief  slideshow of great painters, to discuss their influence on her. See how  their loosest strokes provide clarity, both of sight and feeling.  Following will be a painting demonstration where we can watch Mel work  in an “alla prima” method. This approach works no matter the subject,  and whether working from life or from a photograph. From general to  specific, from dark to light, and from thin to thick, Mel will showcase  some of the best properties of oil paint. And it is fun to watch!  Starting with only abstract shapes (no tracing!) and ending with a  representational painting, Mel's fresh brushmarks gradually come  together to make a realistic image. Cafe-style setting, refreshments and goodies provided