If you haven’t got your tickets yet, now is the time to do it! Get them HERE
or visit the box office at the theatre:
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts,
10268 Yonge Street
Richmond Hill, ON – Canada
Over 150 of our finalists’ watercolours from over 80 countries around the world have been selected from both our ‘A Symphony in Watercolour’ and our ‘150 Ways to Celebrate’ Exhibitions and will be projected on a huge screen behind the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra as they play a selection of music inspired by art and nature, which embraces cultural diversity. We will also have two master artists Andy Sookrah and Bonnie Steinberg interpreting the music live as we listen and watch. It is an evening not to be missed!
Art and music bring people together regardless of race, religion, culture, or distance. Let’s embrace that together!
This Saturday night, at the Symphonic Watercolours performance by the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, we will have two master watercolour artists painting, live, during the performance! These two painters, Bonnie Steinberg and Andrew Sookrah, were both personally invited by the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC/SCPA) president Rayne Tunley, to demonstrate at this event. They are both elected members of the CSPWC as well as other prominent societies, as you will see in their biographies below.
Artists’ Statements:
Bonnie Steinberg SCA, CSPWC, TWS
My watercolours encompass a variety of subject matter, with architectural detail, being my latest achievement. Ordinary “slices of life” are other choices for subject matter. My use of high-keyed colour and dramatic light are the trademarks of my work.
A recent exhibit of my work covered paintings ranging in a variety of subject matter, from Architecture, to landscape, to still life. The “passion” that I hope to convey through colour, design and light are the essence of my work. My objective could be summarized by the following passage:
“My visions encompass my views of the world and will aim to give the viewer a glimpse into this world. If this relationship occurs then the painting has been successful.”
Andrew Cheddie Sookrah CSPWC, OSA, SCA, PSC
All of my work is the result of an intense interview between my existence and that of my subject.
I would hope that the result be informed more by knowledge rather than mere belief.
Below are examples of Bonnie’s and Andrew’s recent work:
A Lawren Harris Mystery House. Watercolour by Bonnie Steinberg.Clogher. Waves. Dingle. Watercolour by Andrew Sookrah.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew and Bonnie very much for their unique contributions to this multimedia presentation, which will be the closing event of our month-long exhibition. We are in for a treat! This event takes place at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.
If you would like more information about Andrew and Bonnie, they have graciously provided their bios below, or you can go to their websites (Andrew’s website ; Bonnie’s website):
ANDREW CHEDDIE SOOKRAH CSPWC, OSA, SCA, PSC
Andrew Sookrah
Andrew Cheddie Sookrah is a Canadian professional artist living and working in Toronto. He is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, Society of Canadian Artists (Lifetime, Mentor), Ontario Society of Artists, Portrait Society Of Canada.
Sookrah is a raw colourist whose free brushwork is confident and powerful. His strengths can be seen in his strong sense of design, exquisite use of effective composition, and confident presentation of bold colours.
His is a masterful expression of the unity of nature.
He has shown his Artist Project 2017, 2018, presenting work from painting trips to Sable Island, Killarney, Algonquin, the Canadian Arctic.
His body of work includes landscape, portraiture, figurative paintings, ceramic sculpture as well as conceptual / multimedia including “Can Religious Beliefs be Identified From Examining DNA?” Nuit Blanche 2012.
Sookrah’s work is in Corporate and Private Collections in Canada, the US and China.
TEACHING:
Andrew teaches painting in watercolour, acrylic, oil and at The McMichael Art Gallery (Kleinberg), the Richmond Hill Art School (Markham), Loyalist College (Belleville), The Town Of Richmond Hill, Luc Sculpture Art School (Toronto) and ARTiculations, (Toronto)
WORKSHOPS:
Andrew conducts 1-day, 2-day and 4-day painting workshops periodically.
CURRENT AND RECENT EXHIBITIONS:
CSPWC / FWS, Avignon, France
Open Water, Aird Gallery, Toronto (Winsor Newton / Currys Award)
The Artist Project 2018, Aird Gallery, Toronto
The Artist Project 2017, Toronto
The 3Rd International Art Festival, Nanjing, China
Current Connections, Toronto, Buckhorn
Opening of Wang Jianhua Museum, Suzhou, China
BONNIE STEINBERG CSPWC, SCA, TWS
Bonnie Steinberg
THORNHILL, ONTARIO watercolours@rogers.com
ARTS EDUCATION
York University, Toronto, Ontario. (Hon Bachelor of Fine Arts.)
Selected courses at:
Seneca College:
Atkinson College (York University): Ontario College of Art and Design1972-82
Margaret Roseman, Jack Reid, Jane Champagne: Brent Heighton, Stephen Quiller,
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (partial list)
Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre, Unionville, Ontario
2007 Roselawn Theatre and Art Centre, Port Colbourne,Ontario
2007-04 Thornhill Visual Artists’ Studio Tour, Thornhill, Ontario
2002 Illuminary Gallery,Toronto, Ontario
2001, 1999, 97
Daruma Gallery,New York , New York
1993 Delta Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
Gallery Beaux Arts, Toronto, Ontario
JURIED EXHIBITIONS (partial list)
2018 SCA 50th Juried International Open Juried Exhibition at the Papermill Gallery.
2018 IWS Canada /CSPWC (A Symphony in Watercolour) Exhibition
2018-1990 Toronto Watercolour Society – Aquavision Spring and Fall
2009, 01 Haliburton School Of Art, Faculty Show, Rails End Gallery
2007-01
2000 Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour – Open Water – John B. Aird Gallery
2000 Fourth Annual Members Show / Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo, N.Y., Western New York Artists’ Group
1999
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour – 75th Anniversary Exhibition at the Roberts Gallery, Toronto
Society of Canadian Artists – Fall Show – John B. Aird Gallery
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour – 75th Anniversary Exhibition at The Arts and Letters Club, Toronto
AWARDS(partial list)
2016-platinum level of distinction for 50 juried shows for fall and spring TWS(Toronto Watercolour society)
2016-25 year membership award for the Toronto Watercolour Society
2015-spring watercolour show: Aquavision 2015 for Toronto Watercolour Society
2014-Award for excellence in transparent watercolour _the Bruce Snell Award for The Toronto Watercolour Society
2010-silver Medal for Toronto Watercolour Society
2010 Award of distinction for the Toronto Watercolour Society(Gold, silver and bronze)
2002 -1997 Toronto Watercolour Society-Award of Merit, Best Architectural, Best Still Life, Jururor’s choice and Artists’ choice awards.
COLLECTIONS(partial list)
Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Cedars Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles
Pettle Foods Canada
IBM Canada
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
M. Tan Associates, Toronto
Colm (Phantom of the Opera) Wilkinson
Mr. Justice Howard Wetston (Federal Court of Canada), Ottawa
Delta Gallery
Lotus Corporation
Permanent Collection – Heintzman House, Markham Ontario
Italy: Painting tour of Venice, Tuscany, and Florence2011
Italy: Painting tour of Florence, and the Amlfi coast-2013
Sedona Arizona-September 2012
PEI School of the Arts, North Rustico, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Dundas Valley School of Art Dundas,Ontario
Loyalist College, Belleville,Ontario
St. Lawrence College: 100 Islands Summer School for the Arts, Kingston,Ontario
Cornell University, Ithica, New York
Halliburton school of the Arts, Haliburton,Ont.
Visual Arts Mississauga,Ontario
Thornhill Seniors Centre, Thornhill,Ontario
Sunbury Shores St. Andrews by the Sea,: New Brunswick
Burlington Centre for the Arts ,Burlington :Ontario
Southampton Art School: Southampton, Ontario
Wellington County Museum and Archives: Elora Ontario
Williamsburg Watercolour Society: Amherst New York
Pumphouse Gallery,: Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario
Mc Conoughy Seniors” Centre, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Seneca College,King Campus, King City, Ontario
Victoria, British Columbia
Two weeks ago during the opening celebrations of our A Symphony in Watercolour Exhibit, the awards given by the jurors Peter Marsh CSPWC, OSA, SCA, TWS, Anne McCartney CSPWC, AWS, TWSA and Rainbow Ze (youth juror) were announced. We are so grateful for all ofour sponsors and the numerous prizesthat we were able to give out!
They are listed below – keep scrolling for a gallery of the winning images:
The CSPWC Grand Prize for Best in Show – Lana Privitera USA Some Wrinkles to Iron The IWS Canada Youth Award – Yong-Ching , Jhang Taiwan Smile at the age of 19
Rockwell Art Supplies/Eureka Award 1 – Roy Tibbits Canada Winter Sentinels Rockwell Art Supplies/Eureka Award 2 -Moe Win Myanmar Padaung Old Woman Rockwell Art Supplies/Eureka Award 3 – Conny Jager Canada Under the L
Daniel Smith Colors of Inspiration Award – William Rogers Canada Matinee Duel Daniel Smith Designers Award – Kashinath Das India View of Chandni Chowk, Delhi Daniel Smith New Colors Award – Anna Ivanova Russia Bayaders
The DeSerres Award -Anthony Saldutto Canada Rays QoR Modern Watercolor by GOLDEN Award – Corinne Izquierdo France Pecheur du Sud Rosemary & Co Brush Award – Richard Tiejun Chao Australia A Thinker
Da Vinci Paint Co Awards:
1. Jacques Villares Spain Madrid 70’s
2. Jansen Chow Malaysia Night Market
3. Jose Apaza Mexico Cantera (quarry)
4. Mykhailo Rychkov Ukraine Evening in Quebec
5. Yelena Iokton Kazakhstan Hunter
Escoda Brushes Awards:
1. Barbara Eguchi Canada Rhythms of Kensington
2. Sun Jiangang China The stone beach under the sun
3. Shan raza amrohvi Pakistan Buzkashi game 2
Richmond Hill Creative Eye Love and Peace Awards:
1. Mohammad ali Yazdchi Iran White Flowers
2. Barbara Farren Canada Sleeping at the Airport
3. Gail Sutherland Canada D’Aubins Cove
4. Shirin Nematzadeh Iran Pink flowers
To view images as a slideshow, click on one and then use arrow cursor keys.
Lana Privitera – USA.
Some Wrinkles to Iron. 15×22″.
Yong-Ching , Jhang – Taiwan Youth.
Smile at the age of 19. 14×21″.
Roy Tibbits – Canada.
Winter Sentinels. 15×22″.
Moe Win – Myanmar.
Padaung old woman. 15×22″.
Conny Jager – Canada.
Under the L. 17.5×13.5″.
William Rogers – Canada.
Matinee Duel. 11×15″.
Kashinath Das – India.
View of Chandni Chowk ,Delhi. 11×15″.
Anna Ivanova – Russia.
Bayaders. 22×15″.
Anthony Saldutto – Canada.
Rays. 11×15″.
Corinne Izquierdo – France.
Pecheur du Sud. 19×11″.
Richard Tiejun Chao – Australia.
A Thinker. 15×22″.
Jacques Villares – Spain.
Madrid 70’s. 15×22″.
Jansen Chow – Malaysia.
Night Market. 15×22″.
Jose Apaza – Mexico.
Cantera (quarry). 15×22″.
Mykhailo Rychkov – Ukraine.
Evening in Quebec. 11×15″.
Yelena Iokton – Kazakhstan.
Hunter. 11×15″.
Barbara Eguchi – Canada.
Rhythms of Kensington. 11×15″.
Sun Jiangang – China.
The stone beach under the sun. 15×22″.
Shan raza amrohvi – Pakistan.
Buzkashi game 2. 12×15″.
Mohammad ali Yazdchi – Iran.
white flowers. 15×22″.
Barbara Farren – Canada.
Sleeping at the Airport. 15×22″.
Our last evening together, on October 2, will be spent enjoying a celebratory meal in the revolving restaurant of the CN tower. Dine while watching the sunset over Lake Ontario and the city of Toronto.
Those who are planning to join us at this meal need to contact Ona Kingdon at iwscanada@gmail.com today or tomorrow (Sept 19 or 20) as we need to make reservations by Friday morning (Sept 21) at the latest.
This concludes our blog posts about the places we’ll visit during the Five Day Celebration Event to open ‘A Symphony in Watercolour’, an international watercolour exhibition. If you are just now hearing about the whole event, please visit our Home page for all of the information you will need.
FYI for the restaurant: $65.00+, includes the $36.00 general admission price to CN Tower. Wine is $20 + per glass.
The Toronto Islands are in Lake Ontario, a 13-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto. We will be visiting them on Tuesday October 2. Boats to the Island leave from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at
the foot of Bay St. and Queen’s Quay. The ‘Island’ is a group of 15 islands inter-connected by pathways and bridges. You can walk from one end of the Island to the other.
The island is approximately 5 kms long from Ward’s Island to Hanlan’s Point. The view of the city is gorgeous and the island itself is just as beautiful – it’s a photographer’s paradise indeed.
Enjoy the tranquility of Toronto Islands. There are plenty of opportunities to paint, sketch or take photos.
If you would like more information, please view our Five Day Event pdf, or the further detailed information on the ‘Home‘ or ‘A Symphony in Watercolour‘ pages if you’ve decided to go with us.
DANIEL SMITH: Artists’ Materials have very kindly donated 3 awards for our Symphony in Watercolour Exhibition. The awards will be announced at our opening event on September 28th at Boynton House on Richmond Green. Katherine Taylor will also be there to demo Daniel Smith products to our visitors.
Awards for specially selected ‘A Symphony in Watercolour’ finalists
Thank you Daniel Smith from all of us at IWS Canada and CSPWC/SCPA.
For more information about our 5 day event please navigate to the link by clicking on the picture below.
The painting in this graphic, Colour of Music, is by one of our jurors, Anne McCartney CSPWC, AWS, TWSA
Our jurors Peter Marsh CSPWC, OSA, SCA, TWS, Anne McCartney CSPWC, AWS, TWSA and Rainbow Ze (youth juror) have completed their task in choosing the paintings that will be exhibited during our ‘A Symphony in Watercolour’ exhibition this fall, September 28th to October 27th, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. A huge thank you to them – it must have been really hard to choose from all of the great entries we had – a total of 320 from 32 countries!
Also listed are paintings by the invited artists such as those who won our ‘150 Ways to Celebrate’ online contest last year, and the jurors and the presidents of our cooperating societies.
In addition to finalist paintings, there were many the jurors felt merited special mention. These will not be physically exhibited, but will also be posted on the website during the exhibition. They are listed below the finalist paintings.
Thank you to everyone around the world who entered our exhibition! Your enthusiasm and talent for watercolour, and your contributions to our understanding of your perspective through art, are why we exist. We couldn’t do this without you.
“I was born in England and worked as a newspaper reporter before serving in the Royal Artillery for my national service. I wanted to go to Korea with my unit – I mean, free travel and all – but wiser heads prevailed and I was given a War Office job testing new recruits. I emigrated to Canada in 1956 and entered the photographic business, intending to make a career out of my hobby. Surprisingly, I spent the following 40 years in the photographic and audiovisual industry in various senior marketing positions. Eventually tiring of the corporate environment, and foolishly forgoing the satisfaction of a regular paycheque, I started my own digital imaging and creative production house in Toronto, where I still live. I am married with three lovely daughters and three grandchildren.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed working in various art forms, in addition to photography and computer graphics. In the late 1970s, I expanded a childhood love of scratching initials on school desks and assorted trees, and began wood carving. I joined the Ontario Wood Carvers Association (OWCA), studied with famed carving teachers Joe Dampf, Benoit Deschenes and Wayne Barton, and somehow developed my own style of interpretive carving. I probably wasn’t paying attention. I was President of the OWCA during the 1980s, and edited their newsletter and website for several years. I showed my carvings in OWCA competitions and at the Canadian National Exhibition, and was completely ignored by the jurors.
I studied drawing at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2004 and subsequently took up watercolour painting. Being a Brit, I figured this was the proper medium for me. I credit teacher Ruth Hayes with giving me assurance that I could handle this medium and Barry Coombs for introducing me to the finer points of brush handling, design and simplification. I have tried to pay attention. I have enjoyed workshops with Art Cunanan, Hi-Sook Barker, Doug Mays and Marc Gagnon, each of whom has been very patient.
More recently, I have begun to work with Acrylics, studying with Lila Lewis Irving and DiDi Gadjanski.
I am very fortunate to have discovered a friendly and supportive environment within the art clubs that have accepted me as a member.”
Below is an example of Tony’s work – “A Winter Walk”. For more about Tony Cook, please visit his website.
Thank you so much to those who have completed their entries to our exhibition, A Symphony in Watercolour, taking place this fall in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
For those of you who still intend to enter, and are feverishly painting, and photographing your paintings, and wishing you had just a little more time…. we have good news for you.
We also need a little more time. We’ve had such a volume of entries these past few days, it has been a challenge to keep up. Added to that are some frustrating technical difficulties with payments, etc. As a result, we’ve realized we need just a little more time for processing. So, we have extended the deadline for the entry emails to 6 pm EDT on March 21, instead of March 20.
So, for those last minute people out there, you have 24 more hours!
IWS Canada 