Makers Making: Jennifer Gordon – Painting

We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Gordon to this years tour!  Painting is her life’s passion, taking her to a calm place where trees are rich shades of green and blue lakes sparkle in the warm sunlight.  Find out more about Jennifer with a Q and A below:

Why do you do what you do? 

I have painted my whole life. It is my stability and my being. I am most happiest when I am painting. I like to think that through my art I am making people see what I see, the joy, the wonderful cottage time we spend with our family and friends. I hope I make people feel happy through my paintings. 

What about this area inspires you? 

I have been enjoying Chandos Lake since I was 7 years old. I feel very fortunate and I am very attached to the lake. For me the lake holds so much wonderful memories. The beauty of the area is overwhelming to me, especially the peaceful, sparkling lake in the summer and vibrant colours in the fall. I love the little bays and islands on the miles of shoreline on Chandos Lake. A boat ride is amazing. 

What is your most memorable experience with art? 

When I was 9 years old my parents had distant cousins come to visit from England and to repay my parents they noticed that I was painting in my bedroom every day, paint by numbers, so when they left they gave me my first oil painting set in a wooden box. It was so amazing. 

Please describe one of the qualities of one of the materials you work with? 

I work with mainly acrylic paint now. I used to paint in oils but when I went to university and majored in art at the University of Western I learned to paint in acrylics. From then on I realized that acrylics are the best. They dry fast and you can layer them to create thick strokes if that is what you want to create. It gives you variety and control of your medium. 

Give us a fun fact about you not directly related to your art. 

I like to paddle my canoe around the beautiful lake taking pictures while I fish. The canoe I am talking about came with the cottage 65 years ago when my parents bought it so it has been in my life forever. It is a Peterborough Cedar Strip canoe and has sailing rig, my beloved canoe, featured in many of my paintings. On a slightly breezy day you may see me sailing across the bay like a relic which must look very funny. 

Studio D: Jennifer Gordon

Apsley Studio Tour – September 18 – 19, 10 am – 5pm