Childhood art creation opened a world that I happily took on as my personal identity. My parents lovingly encouraged my early efforts. Then it was my husband and children who supported and cheered my every advance. Each chapter of my life has brought renewed and abundant painterly richness for me as an artist.
At times we are fortunate enough to have a profound influence come into our lives at pivotal moments. For me, that authority was the masterful American artist, David A. Leffel whose philosophy about art and life has been a significant force in my artistic journey. Leffel’s profound words, “you learn about life as you learn to paint and you learn to paint as you learn about life” have long resonated with me.
Ultimately, painting is about life and how uniquely one sees it. It’s about “the pursuit of knowledge” … not about technique or formulas.
I believe that it is about beauty and when one looks for beauty, it will be clearly observed. Each time I begin a new painting, I look for innate beauty.
“Processes” have always fascinated me … how they intrinsically connect my work. As I have matured as an artist, this idea has become increasingly more important: the quality of the surfaces I choose to paint on, often hand-made; the lovely marks my brushes make; the luscious quality of the paint as I sculpt with my brush. All of these are processes that connect me more deeply to my work and bring a joy to my daily practice of painting.
I have been drawn to and inspired by the methods of the masters before me … the biggest influences being Rembrandt, Mancini, Sargent, Zorn, Repin, and Fechin to name a few.
Unwaveringly, the Glory of my Creator has always been the main driver in my work and gives me vital balance. It’s to this spirituality that I am so grateful and that I owe every insight and breakthrough I am inspired to enjoy in my studio.
Bobbi’s EXPERTISE
Listed below are this Mentor’s specialty skills. Join this group if you want to grow in these areas.
Specialty: ✔ Generalist
Technical:
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Colour and Composition
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Technique Demos
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Supplies and Tools – what to use, where to save, and where to spend
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Studio Setup for Art Production
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Providing Art Critiques
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Teaching How to Self Critique
MARKETING & BRANDING:
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Marketing & Branding
Business:
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Pricing Artwork
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Approaching Galleries
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Running your art business the day-to-day
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Studio Time Management
Bobbi always gives very helpful feedback on homework.
I love how Bobbi breaks down her demo and makes it easy to apply to your own subject. And as always, the critiques are invaluable. She is such a positive and supportive master.
I appreciate that Bobbi plans ahead and I appreciate her critiques. They are so thoughtful and make lots of sense.
“Mastrius has done wonders for my confidence. I have managed to step way outside of my comfort zone which has in turn given rise to so many more opportunities to further my art career.”
Deb Nicolaisen, Emerging Artist
Bobbi is a very supportive mentor.
Bobbi is so generous with her time and knowledge.
I am so grateful to Bobbi’s mentorship and kindness. She is a very patient and generous mentor. She very insightful and I love how she has taught us to keep things simple by suggesting and to mass our ideas in. It has changed how I view painting.
Love Bobbi and all the time she gives the group …she always goes above and beyond
JOIN NOW
select your mentorship group
If the group you're interested in has a waitlist, you have the option to join another group to get started. When your group opens we can transfer you over.
Emerging
Mentorship Membership
$ USD87/Monthly Membership
Focus on painting the figure
Next session: December 13, 2023
On the 2nd Wednesday of every month 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM MST Wed
GROUP IS FULL Join the waitlist to receive an email when a spot becomes available.
MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST
A passion of pursuing painting has channelled Bobbi Dunlop's unique inner vision, experience and life wisdom into an avenue for expressing her truest reactions on canvas. Challenge, personal growth, the pursuit of greater knowledge and especially, the Glory of her Creator, have always been the main drivers of Bobbi's work.
In a traditional approach which draws upon many years of experience, Dunlop paints from life. The subject could be spontaneous, certainly simple and sometimes personal. She approaches each painting on its own merit and not by formula but based upon her innate response to her subject and how she sees it.
This sensitivity and pure joy of painting, regardless of subject, results in a beautiful synergy, often evoking a symbolic meaning or undertone. Always, the intent is to consider the aesthetic quality of the painting and to honour beauty in its message.
Dunlop began her foray into teaching in 1994 and matured that side of her artist life to become a much in demand instructor. She resides in Calgary, where she paints from life, surrounded by memorabilia and works-in- progress. Dunlop's work is enjoyed in numerous corporate and private collections in Canada, the U.S. and the UK.
