~ by Dorothy Jeanne Engst, The Chemainus Writers
I opened a window and a gentle breeze blew in..her name, Josie Bennett Cowan. After speaking with Josie on the phone, it was obvious she had come from England. She arrived to Canada
in the 1950s and her accent still hangs on; a dead give-away. After spending thirty plus years in Ontario, during which time she graduated from the Visual Arts Course at Seneca College, Josie packed her bags and headed to B.C.
When you ask Josie about painting it's as if you've opened
a floodgate. She's a wealth of knowledge, constantly learning
new techniques herself. When I asked her what she enjoys the
most about painting she provided an immediate response. "The
process!..and striving to capture the impression..the moment..like that perfect reflection on the water."
Her response was not as quick when I asked her what she liked
the least about painting. After a moment of concentration, the
answer dawned on her and a wide smile spread across her face,
"Being pulled away from it! You're in the moment and it's so
frustrating if you have to stop, because it can be harder to get
back into the same space again." Now that's the voice of an artist!
So what type of direction would Josie give to a beginner
artist? "Look at as much art as you can. If you're going to take a
workshop, rather then taking notes, follow along painting exactly
what the instructor is doing; then take that home as your notes!
Your picture is like a record of the workshop."
You can find Josie hanging her art at the 'Genoa Bay Gallery'
or 'Imagine That!' in Duncan. That's if you catch her between her
duties as Vice President for CVAC or when she's not training her
border collies.
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