What's in a Painting?

Arts Explorer #3: Fine Art Critique

A field trip in University? I thought I was never going to see the day! I have never been to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) before. I didn’t know what I was going to see or feel. Typically, I am not the one who can pick out what is “art” or not. When strolling through the different exhibits, I was looking for something that I could relate to, something familiar. There were countless intricately designed sculptures and paintings, but I believe that when picking an art piece, it should have some degree of meaning to you and your life.

               

Picking Flowers (1912)

The painting that caught my eye was called “Picking Flowers” by Helen McNicholl. This particular painting, is located in the AGO’s Canadian Collection, and illustrates a desire for innocence among humanity. It sparks my attention because today many people, including myself get caught up in our daily lives becoming so stressed that we forget about what is important – our family and friends. This painting depicts children (I’m guessing, two sisters), picking flowers. When looking at this painting it triggers my memory to when I was a little girl, my family and I used to go for a walk after dinner every day in the summer. Along the way I would pick the flowers in the grass and give them to my mom. When I think back to this experience, it brings a sense of innocence and calmness over me, for those few minutes I am able to forget about my long to-do list.

Portrait of Helen McNicholl, by Robert Harris, 1910

Helen McNicholl’s painting is done on a canvas with oil paints. The detail of the stone steps, flowing white dresses and delicate flowers helps represent her message of the painting. The texture of the painting made it come to life for me, brining me back to when I was the little girl picking the flowers. According to Schirrmacher and Fox (2009), texture is the distinct characteristic of a surface which defines the quality of a piece of art. The term texture refers to how the layers of paint dried on the canvas; smooth, rough, sticky or sharp. McNicholl’s mastery was shown in the details of this painting. The stone steps appeared to be raised and pebbled, as the flowers appeared to be soft, just as if someone was in that exact setting. “Implied texture involves technical proficiency in skilfully using the medium to suggest wood grain or peeling rust that does not actually exist on the canvas” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 144). I believe McNicholl’s use of texture stimulated the senses of any observer.  Texture evokes the senses of sight and touch. The textures in her painting made things appear to be real when really it did not appear on the canvas.

Child Z from my practicum applying texture
to a piece of art work

As a future educator, it is important to consider texture. Children work with textures in their masterpieces through actual textures, such as adding layers of paint or fabric collages to make something seem hard or fuzzy(Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009).  Texture transforms a 2D piece of work into something that appears 3D.

Fun Fact 1: Helen McNicholl’s painting was a gift of R. Fraser Elliott, in memory of Betty Ann Elliott, 1992.

Fun Fact 2: Helen McNicholl was born in Toronto, On, 1879

Fun Fact 3: Helen McNicholl died in Swanage, England, 1915

Visit the AGO's website for other unique paintings...
http://www.ago.net/

References

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J. E. (2009). Art & Creative Development for Young Children (6 ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar.