Blog – Page 22 – Symeon van Donkelaar

Arthur: Rabbit Pelts

January 16th, 2023April 7th, 2008 by Symeon

When I proposed the 100 mile ART project I was all too aware that my experience in using entirely locally collected materials had a few holes in it; glue making is one of them. Glue shows up in many areas of painting an icon: The woodworking, gilding and gesso work all rely on a good … Read more

Mastodon Black: Firing

April 4th, 2008 by Symeon

Firing eleven-thousand year old ivory is a bit of a nerve wracking experience. During this process I began to rehearse in my mind what I would say to Peter Russel if something went wrong; and if I would ask for more to make a second attempt … Early on in my attempts to make ivory … Read more

Conestoga: Sunday-walk Treasures

March 29th, 2008 by Symeon

This afternoon my two oldest children and I went out for a walk in the old Mill’s run in Conestogao. This area is beautiful and something we treasure. It was just above freezing, so the snow still covered the ground, but we could hear the water was running well. As we followed different paths we … Read more

Mastodon Black

March 15th, 2008 by Symeon

In the beginning of my search for a good black I knew that I would be burning something. There are a couple of minerals that can be used to create black, but usually the black on an artist’s pallet is made from the carbon left over after something has been subjected to the fire. And, … Read more

Conestoga: Bog-Iron

January 16th, 2023March 3rd, 2008 by Symeon

Four and a half years ago my family and I moved to Conestoga; it is a very lovely village, and little by little we’ve begun to discover a little of it’s history, too. One evening as I was reading a publication of the Geological Survey of Canada by C.W. Willimott (which was published in 1906 … Read more

Cambridge Centre for the Arts: Introduction

March 3rd, 2008 by Symeon

The Cambridge Centre for the Arts, a community arts centre, was opened in May 2001. It is owned by the City of Cambridge who is responsible for its management and operation. The City works co-operatively with the Cambridge Arts Guild. Ratified by City Council in January 1998, the Cambridge Arts Guild acted as the guiding … Read more

Vivianite

December 8th, 2007 by Symeon

My favourite blue pigment is made from vivianite. Not that I wish to imply that I see a lesser beauty in azure blue or ultramarine blue – both of which I enjoy immensely – but there is something in the tone of this blue to I am really drawn to. As a rock, it is … Read more

Family Project Help

January 16th, 2023November 17th, 2007 by Symeon

The wonderful English iconographer, Aidan Hart, once commented that my children, were my best work—and I believe this to be true both theologically and in my heart. So, here is my best art creating art of their own …

The Craftsman’s Studio: CAFKA

September 23rd, 2007 by Symeon

Tonights studio tour went well. In opening my working space to the public for Cafka’s Haptic Festival I hope that their theme of touch & craftsmanship was met and that their week long event was enlivened a little in this event. Getting ready involved more than just myself; as you can see from the photo of Andrea (the host) and Michael (the flower-bringer) above. Forty people attended my evening function and they seemed to enjoy the wine, selected to represent the regions some of my fine pigments have come from; the wonderful Canadian cheeses; and the conversation.

A few notes of thanks: To my wife for her support and help in this event; to my friends who spread the word, brought people along, or showed their support by coming out; lastly, thanks to Jennifer Wood, of the Homer Watson Gallery, who was a great help in planning and also during the evening.

Haptic: Studio Preparation

September 22nd, 2007 by Symeon

Tomorrow I am participating in CAFKA.07 by presenting, “The Craftman’s Studio” so today was spent tidying up. There were a number of little things that I wanted to get done before tomorrow’s event and one of them you can see in the photo to the left: A map of Canada which has the colours I’ve … Read more