ARTIST’S STATEMENT
“My art is primarily an expressive reaction to and association with the wild landscape informed by much study of 1) the natural world 2) the human form and 3) the art of masters past and present.” ~ Rick Cepella
Join us for an illustrated artist talk with Rick Cepella from Powell River, BC ~ October’s Fresh! AiR Artist
Tuesday, October 29, 7 – 9 pm at the Okanagan Regional Library, Vernon.
About the Artist
You may have already seen works by Rick Cepella and not even realized it. That’s because Rick is known nationally as a political cartoonist as well as an accomplished painter.
Decades of outdoor activities, twelve years of work as a biological surveyor, and countless hours of field drawing and painting in the rugged backcountry of western Canada continue to shape the work of October Fresh! AiR artist Rick Cepella, from Powell River, BC. Cepella is working from a studio at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre and living at the Caetani Cultural Centre. As part of the Fresh! AiR program, Rick Cepella has been producing multi-sheet works on paper and large canvas, working in response to the inspirational landscape of the North Okaganan.
The drawings and paintings are done in a direct manner, and exhibit a power and freshness in their liberal use of paint and materials.
Senior Canadian artist Gordon Smith has compared Rick Cepella’s works to that of contemporary expressionist painters Cecily Brown and Peter Doig, in their sheer love of the medium and exuberance of expression.
“This artist draws and paints directly from nature … the subject starts with the mountains and forest but the act of painting takes over. The brush marks and the colour become the subject.” ~ artist Gordon Smith on Rick Cepella
Expansive in scale and scope, the works are also intensely focussed and Cepella’s travels through the Canadian wilderness have given him a keen eye for detail. One has the sense of the artist being immersed in his subject on both a spiritual and visceral level. Observes Ontario artist John Hartman:
“I am particularly impressed with his on-site pencil drawings of the mountains, which are closely observed and carefully rendered. The subsequent large paintings are very convincing to me. While they are full of bravado painting and strong colour, they are fully realized and seem to me to be very true to experience.”
Cepella’s works have been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Canada, including faculty shows for the Kootenay School of Art, Victoria College of Art, Red Deer College of Art and others. His work is in collections across North America.
He studied drawing and design at the University of British Columbia, The University of Ottawa, and Emily Carr College of Art and Design and has attended a number of artist residencies in British Columbia, twice receiving full scholarship to the Tony Onley artists project in Wells, BC.
In addition, Rick is an award-winning cartoonist/illustrator published in many major Canadian newspapers and magazines. His cartoon and illustration work has garnered several national and international awards and is in the permanent collection of the National Archives of Canada.
Rick has taught art to thousands of students for over 25 years at numerous art schools, public art galleries and in the public school system. He has taught at the Okanagan School of the Arts, Selkirk College and the Kootenay School of Art among others. He currently lives and works in Powell River, British Columbia.
He will be staying at the Caetani House, and can be found most days in his studio provided by the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
Expressing Landscape
Campbell River Public Art Gallery, BC, 2010
Grand Forks Public Art Gallery, BC, 2011
Two Rivers Public Art Gallery, Prince George, BC, 2012
Lake Country Art Gallery ART HOUSE WORKSHOP, Winfield
Direct Expressive Painting in Acrylic – Two day workshop
Sat & Sun, November 2 & 3, 2013
Paintings done in a direct manner, especially by an artist with a solid understanding of painting fundamentals, have a power and freshness difficult to attain otherwise. Modern acrylics are an ideal tool for those wishing to explore this method.
Join artist Rick Cepella, who paints with great expressiveness in his wild landscape works, in a two day weekend course that will delve into the tools and techniques available to artists wishing a freer means of expression while honoring the traditions of solid drawing and design. Participants will explore various acrylic mediums, painting tools and surfaces as well as the work of artists, both representational and abstract, who have excelled at this method. Come prepared to use a lot of paint and to fill many surfaces. Some painting experience is an asset .
Rick Cepella is a painter, art instructor and cartoonish / illustrator living in Powell River, BC. Rick has taught art to thousands of students for over 25 years at numerous art schools, public art galleries, including The Okanagan School of the Arts, Selkirk College and the Kootenay School of the Arts (now Selkirk College). He will be the Caetani Centre (Vernon) artist is residence in October.
Supplies:
Bring your customary supplies but jars of paint and medium ( as opposed to small tubes) are recommended, as are larger brushes. Cheap but sturdy canvas, paper or board in sizes that will challenge you are recommended.
Acrylic medi
um will be provided with the course.
Please bring samples of your work and examples of artwork you admire.
Two day workshop
$225 members / $250 for non-members – includes a new membership to LCAG – please contact the gallery to register – [email protected] / 250-766-1299
THE FINE ART OF CARTOONING with Rick Cepella (2 classes)
- Join the Fine Art of Cartooning with Rick Cepella at VCAC
Spend the weekend focusing on the tools and techniques of cartooning taught by a nationally published, award- winning artist. Participants will explore a wide variety of approaches to the cartoon medium–from the simplest line drawing to the more elaborate piece of cartoon art. Using a wide variety of exercises, the study of other cartoonists’ work and many demonstrations, this class will take your cartooning to the next level whether you are a novice or experienced artist, whatever style you are currently working in. Bring samples of your work and come prepared to draw!!
Saturday & Sunday, October 5 & 6 10:00pm-4:00pm
VCAC Members $205 Non Members $215
TOOLS & TECHNIQUES OF ACRYLIC PAINTING with Rick Cepella (2 classes)
- Acrylic Painting with Rick Cepella
Acrylic Paint is an incredibly versatile medium with a wide variety of applications. This course is for those who wish to develop or improve their understanding of acrylic techniques whether in representational or more expressive style. After discussing a variety of materials and their many uses, we will progress to painting exercises leading students on to their own paintings. Examples of the instructor’s art and the work of other painters will be discussed. This is a hands-on, technique driven exploration of the painting process by a teacher who can explain and demonstrate tight, controlled rendering as well as a broader, more painterly approach. All subject matters are welcome but painters of the landscape will find this particularly invaluable. Some painting experience an asset, please bring samples of your work/influences.
Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20 10:00pm-4:00pm
VCAC Members $205 Non Members $215