A painting by Canaletto titled “The Grand Canal Near the Rialto Bridge, Venice.”

By Darla McCammon

We wrote about places to go this summer. Venice was not on our list.  Let’s make another stop. Try the Kosciusko County Fair. Be sure you walk through the first building on your right as you enter. This is where you will see the open competition and a great deal of creativity in the various competitions (83 different categories). If you have ever wondered if I am all talk and no show, you can check out the two paintings (one watercolor and one oil) I entered on a whim this year. I won a first, and a third ribbon on them. You will see a great variety of art, craft, flowers, knitting, quilts, (sign up to win one) carving, mouth-watering baked goods and the list goes on. The fair runs from July 7 to the 13. Free admission if you enter before 1 p.m. daily. The price for admission after 1 p.m. is very low, ranging from free to $5. Seniors are $3. Good entertainment-little cost. Now, about Venice; let’s visit.

Still recovering from our watery damage this spring, I came across a print I own.  It is a work of art called “The Grand Canal Near the Rialto Bridge, Venice.”. The artist of this lovely piece was Giovanni Antonio Canal. He was later to be known simply as Canaletto.  He was born not far from this very scene and it is no coincidence the word “canal” is in his name.

Born Oct. 18, 1697, to a wealthy, titled family, he sometimes used their coat of arms in place of his signature. His father was Bernardo Canal who had a successful career painting scenery for various theatrical productions. Both of his sons also became adept at creating excellent backgrounds for operas and other productions. Canaletto wound up working in Rome and became disenchanted with scenery and began developing his talent with real life and natural scenes. He was successful almost instantly and developed an international following for the detail and realism in his work. One of his first commissions was for four large pieces he painted for the Prince of Liechtenstein. This propelled him into a very busy season of painting. His exacting and thorough work appealed to a great many people and his work was in high demand. Plein Air Painting was not popular or well-known at this time, but Canaletto defied “old” methods and steadfastly worked outdoors, giving him an exceptional ability to portray sunlight, clouds, nature and shadows. If you study this print you will easily see how magnificently he achieved the realism and lights and darks that gave so much life to his work.

 As he became more popular, he developed a camera device to help him get quick sketches. He also relied on other mechanical methods to speed up his work. Throughout his lifetime, he created an enormous number of original paintings of Venice. He was successful to the day he died in April 1768. Landscape artists still try to emulate his ability to portray Venice so exquisitely. 

Because of that water damage and saved items I mentioned, I will be having a big sale including many of my original art works along with vintage items and normal garage sale “stuff.” I am planning July 20, weather providing, or July 27 as a rain date. Email me for times and address please.  

Upcoming Events:

*Bondar and Waters live demo and free drawing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  July 26, Warsaw City Hall Gallery. Enjoy watching two master pastel artists try to outdo each other. You might take home a painting. Their exhibit is up through August.

Gallery at Rua, Warsaw. Warsaw High Students and Christi Ziebarth through July 21.

Lakeland Art Gallery featuring Mahaja, Richcreek and Dubois. Reception from 2-4 p.m. July 14. 

Clark Gallery in Honeywell Center. Themed Art Competition on seasons. July 12-August 19

If you would like to exhibit at Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery or Lakeland Art Gallery, please contact Darla McCammon at [email protected] or (574) 527-4044 (leave a message) or the web at www.darlamc.com.