Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Cowichan News Leader Pictorial A17
Seniors Good Life
Glenn Hawkins: Cowichan painter mounts first local show in 30 years Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
G
lenn Hawkins is no Picasso but his lifetime of art output is impressive. Daughter Kathy Hawkins Thomas counted 375 works her dad produced, along with various woodcarvings, in his 78 years. More than two-dozen of Hawkins’ tranquil land- and marine-scapes surface in the Duncan Garage Showroom this weekend, marking his ¿rst exhibit since showing work in downtown Duncan’s former Rainbow Gallery (now Bistro 161) almost 30 years ago. His Showroom display could be a nostalgic walk for Hawkins who hasn’t painted since around the time of the death of his second wife, Diane, in 2001. But before then, he was proli¿c, doing a watercolour every day or two. “It got easier with time,” he said. “I really got into it; nothing else existed when I was painting.” Concentration by the retired staffer with the B.C. government’s Surveys and Mapping Branch (“They called me a computer”) is apparent in his delicately mechanical renderings of ¿shing boats, rivers, and forest paths. He also completed various portraits over the years including one of himself
Local senior displays lifetime of art
— slated for weekend display — using mirrors. In some ways Hawkins liked the human form, even if it wasn’t his forte. He remembered recreating some nude models during classes back when he owned an arts-supply and framing store in Victoria. “If you take it too seriously, it’s tough, but you can do it quite Àuidly. “I used watercolour and did some very loosely,” the Vancouver Canucks’ fans said, noting a mix of blue, yellow ochre and crimson makes good skin tone. Most of his natural subjects were based on photos. “I used those as a guide, then went my own way on it.” One way involved painting tips from watercolour master Brian Johnson. “He’s considered the best watercolour painter in the world,” said Hawkins who was friends with the late brush master Harry Heine. “I started with boats but don’t want to be known as only a boat painter, so I just painted whatever appealed to me.” The Saskatchewan-born artist started painting in 1951, initially working in oil until daughter, Andrea, used a ruler to scrape the gooey stuff from one of his canvases. “I switched to acrylic because it dries quickly, then began using watercolour after lessons from Brian,” he said. “I loved watercolour instantly and never looked back.” The lover of blue hues mounted
Glenn Hawkins with watercolour Sidney Repairs headed to this weekend’s art show at the Duncan Garage Showroom. many solo shows and entered juried exhibits on the island. He joined the Federation of Canadian Artists in 1977, helping found the FCA’s island branch in 1977. Painting didn’t stop Hawkins from penning poetry and earning woodcarv-
ing awards too. But painting has remained the passion he hopes to share during his Showroom debut. “I hope some people say, ‘I’ve got to buy that one because I like it so much.’”
Peter W. Rusland
Your ticket What: Glenn Hawkins’ art show When: April 28 and 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; April 28 opening reception, 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Duncan Garage Showroom, 330 Duncan St. Call 250-748-7246.
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