As far as research can tell us, man has always expressed himself in what we term art: a tribute, a record, a memory of something of importance to a human, like the extraordinary animal representations discovered in the Chauvet Cave in southern France, carved more than 30,000 years ago.
They are remarkable examples of deliberation in art: the subjects (some now extinct) were observed and the urge to record achieved by working with probably a flint chisel on the cave walls, adding a bit of colour from natural pigments, and artist-signed with a red palm print.
Deliberate art is fully considered, not impulsive, perhaps cautious, to achieve what the artist has in mind. One thinks of architects as being deliberate in their work, which can extend over many years, as with Christopher Wren, builder of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
There had been four churches built on this site, the highest in London, and the last, large and getting more decrepit, burned down in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Wren, a mathematical genius blessed with many intertwining talents and knowledge, was commissioned to build a new St. Paul’s, which took him and his team 37 years to complete, following nine years spent clearing the site.
The opposite to deliberation is spontaneity, and currently the film Mr. Turner shows us the magical effects achieved by this English artist, another genius whose childhood paintings were sold in his father’s barber-shop window. Early recognized, J.M.W. Turner (who also had architectural training) painted deliberately the first part of his career, then moved to explore the excitement and freedom of spontaneous painting to capture the mysticism of natural light.
In Deliberately Painted, now on show by the South Delta Artists Guild in Gallery 1710, visitors will find paintings both deliberate and spontaneous in execution.
Nancy Dean draws on city scenes for inspiration, which are gathered into a colourful cohesion through deliberation and planned decision. Birgit Coath’s work often depicts young people, which also demands deliberation.
Jacquie Dunn’s art is an outpouring of concentrated, free-flowing energetic spontaneity based on her long artistic experience and love of the natural world. In her paintings, you can walk in the forest. She dips her brush into paint and several hours later can have a finished painting to consider.
Award-winning guild member Sandra Taylor is another artist whose work seems to be inspired, free-wheeling exploration following the first mark of paint on her canvas. The colour used and the shape of the brushstroke can suggest the next move, and another, and the emerging subject matter gradually makes itself known to be completed.
In 2013, she took the top award at the guild’s juried international Oil and Water competition.
Deliberately Painted runs through March 22 at Gallery 1710, 1710-56th St., Tsawwassen. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.
Visit www.southdeltaartistsguild.com or call 604-943-3313 for more information.
