Local Involvement | Global Involvement |  Art Group
The art group meets every other Saturday morning from 10am-12pm in the Macbeath Hall at the back of the church. Each week we try out a different medium – for example, pastels, oils, watercolour or charcoal.
Click HERE to see our latest programme.
One of the great things about our Saturday meetings is that we are such a diverse group of around 12-15 people. Around half are from Haven Green and ages range from 6 to 80 (I am guessing – someone's children come for part of the time, some of us are more middle aged and there are m ore senior members). We all enjoy art but none of us are great experts – we just like to have fun and challenge ourselves a little. The room is getting crowded but we can always fit more in (or move to a bigger room) if you would like to come and join us.
In some ways the art group is a bit like a big old fishing boat. We climb in, set our course and see where the journey will take us. We encourage one another and embark, each time, on a journey of discovery.
Using another metaphor, art is a window into another way of thinking, of seeing the world. We can spend far too much time on the computer, in the car, even reading – all fine but somehow ‘driven’. However, when we pick up a pencil or a paintbrush and concentrate hard on what we are trying to create, all the other concerns seem to slip away. There is a different way of seeing that comes into play. If you concentrate hard on drawing an apple, you see it so differently. If you try and represent on a flat piece of paper a hill, or a person, or a flower you get lost in the challenge of it. Shape, colour, line, tone, all become important. And however frustrating one’s lack of ability may be at times, the act of creating something is marvellous. Doing art is about the process – the honesty, grappling with reality, integrity: it is not really about the finished piece. Doing art can teach you more about yourself and more about God.
At a recent exhibition of paintings by the Art group, we asked members to write about what the practice of art means to them.
Here are some insights:
- Paint bigger: be bold. Use more paint – don’t be scared.
-Use strong and vibrant colours, and relax and slow down while painting.
- Art is about looking, and really seeing. It brings forth hidden artistic talent; putting objects in perspective, drawing with greater accuracy and letting the brush dance freely with the splash of paint.
- Looking with new eyes on the ‘grandeur of God’. Seeing more beauty around.
- “The carefree pattern just happened to break out from the original space it was given and remains an unfinished and exciting possibility!”
One of our members wrote: “So do not leave it if you want to draw and paint, as it does take time, but you will love it.”
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