Have you ever wanted to just take a week off by yourself or with a partner to go paint, or draw – away from the pressures of children, dirty dishes, garden weeds or what ever stresses your life? Every year artist Jim Davies of Edmonton holds a week of art, geology, and inspiration for the amateur artist in Drumheller, Alberta, home of the Badlands.

I have attended this program twice and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it both times. It was wonderful to be able to spend time just doing your own art.

Of course this doesn’t mean you are left on your own to do this. Au contraire, Jim makes sure that each participant learns new techniques to further their painting skills – regardless of material – oils, pastel, watercolour, or pen and ink.

Jim Davies is a well known landscape artist whose work is found in many prestigious public and private collections. One of his paintings was recently acquired by the Government House Foundation. This is what was written in their annual newsletter:

“The Government House Foundation’s mandate for its art collection is “to enhance the house by collecting works of art that represent the province of Alberta or have significant historical context for the house”.

They went on to say this about Jim’s work: “As part of the 2013 celebration of Government House’s Centenary, we are pleased to announce the purchase of an artwork by James Davies entitled “Magic Spell” an acrylic painting inspired by the Caribou Mountain Range west of Wood Buffalo National Park. Through his artwork, Davies creates a narrative that places the Alberta and Canadian landscape in a mysterious and intriguing context, demonstrating elements of curiosity, symbolism, fantasy imagination and harmony. His work challenges the landscape genre while simultaneously depicting it as a space for the imagination to rest and flourish”. 

I tried to scan a photo of the painting they bought from the pamphlet that was produced but my scanner is acting up so instead I included another painting he did of the Badlands (where this event is held every year.)

Jim also invites different speakers to round off the week. Robert Sinclair, watercolorist extraordinaire and RCA member will be back this year. Last year I found his exercises that were meant to free our creativity and loosen us up very useful and the work that I produced was satisfying – even to me.

2012 was my first year as a speaker for this event. I spoke about the evolution of landscape art into what we see today. I’ll be back this year talking about landscape art and the way certain artists have used light in their work.

The area around Drumheller offers a large diversity in subject matter – so you’re likely to find something that excites your artist’s soul.

For more information about this year’s event which takes place from August 18 to the 23rd or to request a brochure about the event please email Jim at jamesydavies@shaw.ca.