By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
It’s hard to know, really – is it an art group or a chat club?
Jo Fearon laughs as she tries to explain raison d’etre for the Queenscliff arts group, 10 women who enjoy socialising as much as splashing plaint about on canvas.
“We’re just a loosely connected group of people who paint or draw on a Friday afternoon,” Jo said.
“We even have some who come along more for that chat than the art. It’s all very low key, it’s not something anyone who really wanted to join an artists’ group would consider.”
Jo conceded a “couple in the group exhibit and sell” and “some are talented” but they had “other outlets”.
One member had an idea of running an exhibition and booked the group in at Queenscliff Neighbourhood House where they were now based, she said.
“Some of the group who go to art shows got excited about it. It certainly was an interesting experience for us in organising an exhibition.
“But that’s not really what we are about. Once you understand what the group is about, and how important the social aspect is – the art is almost a by-product.”
Jo said everyone had their own equipment, new members bought “some stuff” and the group shared equipment as well.
“The neighbourhood house had a few easels built, so we use those sometimes,” she explained.
The group began in a much smaller room based on a belief that everyone could paint or draw at some level.
“Most people go on that they can’t paint or draw and they often get talked out of it in their lives,” Jo observed.
“But you see kids who all can draw – no child ever thinks they can’t draw. It’s only as we get older that we get talked out of it and people get the idea that they can’t do it.
“There are people I know personally who would say that. But it’s not about artistic perfection – it’s just about doing what you can and what you enjoy.”
As evidence of the theory, Jo said a couple who had never touched paint or brush since they were kids had come along and were now happily painting away.
“Some people have been for formal art lessons and can offer some advice but we don’t hold any lessons or do any teaching.
“Some get a bit of satisfaction from the art process and decided to go on to do serious lessons.”
Jo said the group had grown organically without advertising or promotion.
“Some come and go, people usually hear by word of mouth. To us it’s very personal and we feel there has to be a bit of chemistry there, so we don’t really look for new members as such.”
Given all that, perhaps the column this week should be renamed Don’t Join the Club.
