Ann Gruchy — Painting Outside the Petals
by Sally Hansen
When I entered Ann Gruchy’s studio at her home in North Gower, I was immediately attracted to an exquisite, formal, floral watercolour composition displayed high up on a wall covered with paintings of various styles and sizes. A second later I was admiring a large, vibrant, sculpted, mixed-media abstract. As I moved around the spacious, well-lit studio and gallery, I realized with growing surprise that her works cover the full range from beautifully detailed realism to bold, textured abstracts.
Not knowing quite where to begin, I commented on the beauty of the floral watercolour. Gruchy modestly admitted that it was probably the “most complex” composition she has done. She then pointed out that it was a print. Some of her gorgeous watercolours are so popular that she finally yielded to demand and now offers prints of several paintings at the numerous venues where she regularly shows her works.
The Attraction of Abstraction
As someone who has consumed many hours attempting to achieve a recognizable portrait, I am always curious about what attracts superb representational artists to lay aside their exceptional drawing talents and venture forth into the largely uncharted waters of pure abstraction. In a way, it’s like Yo-Yo Ma playing jazz — because he can. In another sense, it’s like climbing Mt. Everest — because it’s there. The attempt to evoke an intense emotional response in the absence of recognizable symbols is quite a challenge.
Perhaps the simplest explanation is that abstract art offers total creative freedom. Ann Gruchy’s evolving adventure into abstraction over the past decade includes the invention of her own new medium. She “sculpts” many of her new abstract paintings by applying and texturing plaster onto canvas, wood or paper, and then painting with acrylics. Some works include collaged elements as well. “I really find abstracts more difficult,” she tells me. “I find it more creative because the composition and the texture and the light are more critical. It also sometimes surprises and pleases me who it is that buys them.” Some of her textured works are more graphic; she etches images into the clay and then enhances them with colour, collage and calligraphy, producing striking three-dimensional images.
Born in Montreal, Gruchy remembers drawing from an early age, always sketching portraits of models and ballerinas. Both her grandmothers were painters. She studied biology at Mt. Allison in New Brunswick, and took a job at the Museum of Nature in Ottawa where she worked with marine algae, which she found “much more interesting than other freshwater plants.” She did some scientific illustrations, but she always wanted to be able to paint more freely. She began to experiment with watercolour, and took courses in the visual arts program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville and at the Ottawa School of Art, studying etching and printmaking as well as painting.
Eventually she bought a painting from a member of the Manotick Art Association, and began attending their meetings. She found the Association very supportive, and the first time she exhibited her work at one of their shows, she sold four watercolour paintings. She has dedicated herself to her art full time since 1989, and in 1990 she was judged best of the MAA juried show and received 2nd place in 1993. She has taken juror’s awards at the Ottawa Watercolour Society in 2000, and from the Nepean Fine Arts League in 2005. She teaches art classes to both children and adults, and over the summer she will be offering her “Open Studio” class that former students frequently attend to work on projects with her guidance.
Mississippi Lakes and More
There are many opportunities to see the full range of Ann Gruchy’s artistic talents this summer. Her works will be on display at the first-ever Mississippi Lakes Fine Art Festival in Carleton Place May 5 (from 6PM) and May 6 (10–5) at the Neelin Street Arena. More information is available by calling organizer Dale Scott at 623–1530 or 257–1927, and proceeds from the show will benefit the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The following weekend, May 12–14, Gruchy is participating in the Manotick Art Association Art Show & Sale.
In July and August her works are being featured at Francesco’s Coffee Co. at 383 Winona St. in Ottawa, and from August 25–27, she is participating in the Rideau Valley Art Festival in Westport. During the North Gower/Kars Discovery Tour September 16 & 17, the Gruchy home will be stop #4 at 6657 Old Forest Drive in North Gower. In addition to Ann’s paintings, custom-built furniture by her husband Charles will be on display, and they are hosting Riverlights Stained Glassworks. You can also find her at the North Gower Farmers’ Market most Saturday mornings (8:30–12:30) from mid-June through Thanksgiving. You can also call her at 489–3748 or email her to make an appointment to visit her studio. I’d be curious to know whether you prefer her sculpted abstracts or her realistic watercolours.