Although Feature Artist of the Chestermere Fine Art Guild Art Show and Sale, Maxine McKellar found her passion for watercolor accidently, expressing her creativity has always been important to her.
“It’s learning. It’s colour coordination, hand-eye coordination, and confidence,” McKellar said.
Throughout her life, McKellar has expressed her creativity through photography, interior decorating, and welding scrap metal into furniture, but found watercolour when preparing for a trip to Mexico.
“I needed something easy to take with me to Mexico, and watercolour was the answer,” McKellar said.
“Once I did watercolour it changed everything. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it,” she said.
McKellar enjoys how she doesn’t have to be as structured while working with watercolour as opposed to working with acrylic paint.
“I can be a little “loosey-goosey,” but I still have quite a bit of control which I didn’t think I would have,” she added. The process of watching how the paint and water interact is very therapeutic and relaxing.
“It’s way more fun than I thought,” she said.
Currently, McKellar gravitates towards painting birds, dragon fly’s, underwater scenes, and flowers.
“I don’t think I’ve found a niche yet, but I’m just starting to expand outside the box,” she said.
When McKellar is preparing to paint, she first begins by going through images she has taken and deciding what she wants to recreate.
Once McKellar decides on an image she wants to paint, she sits down and sketches.
“Many times, I’ll draw five or six pictures because I love to draw,” McKellar said.
When it comes time to paint, McKellar decides where the texture and shadows should be, and what colours she wants to use.
Mixing paints to get the desired colour has been one of McKellar’s most significant challenges while growing as an artist.
“I used to look at a picture I drew and think I don’t want to paint it because I’m going to screw it up,” McKellar said.
“Now when I look at a picture, I know how to make shadows, grooves, shading, and details. As I’m growing, I’m more confident in myself,” she added.
Although McKellar has had to learn how to be more confident in her artistic abilities, having the opportunity to bring joy to people through her art makes all of the growing pains she has experienced worth it.
“When I walk into my friend’s house, and I see my art on their wall, it makes me feel very special,” McKellar said.
She added, “I still feel like I have a long way to grow, but I’m confident that I will grow. For me, painting is a hobby, and it’s something fun to do.”
Currently, McKellar is working on a surprise piece for the Chestermere Fine Art Guild Art Show and Sale.
“It’s way beyond what I thought I could do. I’m excited about it, whereas before I would be apprehensive,” she said.
“I’m very honoured that the Chestermere Fine Art Guild is confident enough in me to make me the featured artist. It’s an honour to be a part of this group,” she added.
For more information on the Chestermere Fine Art Guild Art Show and Sale on May 4, please visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Chestermere-Fine-Art-Guild-196157077070870/.
