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Introduction ~ About the Instructors ~ Schedule ~ Booking Policy ~ Retreat
Gordon MacKenzie
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Gordon MacKenzie is a native of New Liskeard, Ontario. Even though the northern remoteness of this community precluded early formal art instruction that same remoteness became the inspiration and driving force behind his work. His paintings reflect the emotional bond he has made with the natural world. His current residence in Sault Ste .Marie, heart of Algoma country, allows him to maintain his closeness to the outdoors. "The experience of the north through all seasons is something not easily forgotten. Here the Spirit of remote lakes, rivers and hills speak in breathtaking images for the eye and timeless silence for the soul. For an honest interpretation of this pristine ruggedness the artist must let the land teach the lessons of rebirth both physical and spiritual“. |
Gordon received his first formal art training at the Ontario College of Art while certifying as a visual Arts Specialist in education. Years of work in a wide variety of media followed but none were able to capture the transient and ethereal nature of the land as he saw it until the early 70's when he switched to watercolours. “"The lively atmospherics and delicate transparencies of watercolours combined to present a whole new vision for me. "Although my source is nature I am usually more interested in capturing a mood or essence of an experience there than simply making a literal reproduction of a specific scene. |
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Gordon MacKenzie is a native of New Liskeard, Ontario. Even though the northern remoteness of this community precluded early formal art instruction that same remoteness became the inspiration and driving force behind his work. His paintings reflect the emotional bond he has made with the natural world. His current residence in Sault Ste .Marie, heart of Algoma country, allows him to maintain his closeness to the outdoors. "The experience of the north through all seasons is something not easily forgotten. Here the Spirit of remote lakes, rivers and hills speak in breathtaking images for the eye and timeless silence for the soul. For an honest interpretation of this pristine ruggedness the artist must let the land teach the lessons of rebirth both physical and spiritual“. |
Nature therefore, is more a setting or stage on which I recall and play out my visions. In the process, memories from the heart get hidden in the paint for those of kindred spirit and eye to experience“. “With watercolours one is constantly faced with options and opportunities and one of the best options is to let the water and the pigments have their say in the painting process. It is hard to play stage hand when you want to be director but that is what watercolours demand - partnership not domination. A good watercolour should look as is “water” had something to do with its creation.” |
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With an Arts education background and over twenty-five years of adult watercolour workshops to his credit Gordon has earned a solid reputation as a first class artist and adult instructor. Gordon MacKenzie resides in Sault Ste. Marie where he has retired after 33 years as teacher and Art Specialist /Consultant for the public Board of Education. During his career he also taught numerous Ministry of Education and Nipissing University Art Education courses for teachers as well as adult art classes for many Ontario community colleges.. He has sat on his share of Arts boards and advisory committees for local groups and associations. |
Gordon has mounted 25 one-man watercolour shows in Canada and the U.S.A. and his work hangs in many private and corporate collections throughout Canada, U.S.A., Europe, Africa and the Far East. He has found honors in several American shows, including that of the Detroit Institute of Art and the American Artist magazine annual competition. He has been a successful participant in 18 Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festivals and his work has been on the cover of Readers' Digest in Canada, Kuwait, Finland, Australia and the U.S.A. |
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He is the author of the best selling painting instruction book, “Watercolorists Essential Notebook” , and currently released, “Watercolorists Essential Notebook- ”, both published by North Light Books of Cincinnati. Landscapes Artist, Instructor, Author “With watercolours one is constantly faced with options and opportunities and one of the best options is to let the water and the pigments have their say in the painting process. It is hard to play stage hand when you want to be director but that is what watercolours demand - partnership not domination. A good watercolour should look as is “water” had something to do with its creation.” Gordon MacKenzie About the artist and his work |
