Watercolours by Anne Hudec

Commemorating Laszlo Hudec's 130th birthday today, January 8th. A remarkable man, in remarkable times in 1930's Shanghai. He remains one of the few foreigners to be considered a cultural treasure of the city.

In honour of this anniversary, I thought I would re-post a painting I did that gives tribute to "The Grand Theatre" in Shanghai.

The Grand Theatre was designed and built by Laszlo Hudec (Architect) and completed in 1933 in an Art Deco design.

During my most recent visit to the theatre, I was inspired by Laszlo’s creativity, and so I created a painting with that in mind.

Each of the four tiles of the Quadriptych* represent the marble flooring laid in the central lobby. Throughout this floor, one can sporadically see a design embedded in an alternate dark-speckled stone with brass filigree. These designs were known as the “Hudec Code”, which were the stylized initials of Laszlo Hudec’s name, which I have captured in three of the tiles.

Surrounding the “Hudec Code”, I recreated another of his signature elements, which are the Art Deco brass designs that embellish the wooden double-entry doors leading to each of the theatres. Note that the bottom two tiles show the design to be offset (the horizontal brass lines do not connect), true to LEH’s creation. And finally, in the bottom left tile, I have painted The Grand Theatre as it appeared in 1933.

It was enjoyable to be inspired by such a talented man, and the fact that the Grand Theatre is still in use today and considered a significant architectural landmark in Shanghai shows Laszlo Hudec’s enduring brilliance, and one of the many reasons he was recognized as a “Cultural Treasure” by the City of Shanghai.

*Quadriptych: A picture or series of pictures painted on four panels

In celebration of Laszlo Hudec's 129th anniversary of the year of his birth, I wanted to re-post the watercolour I painted of him in Commemoration of the 120th Anniversary of Laszlo Hudec's Birth that encompassed his most recognizable symbols:
• a portrait of Laszlo Hudec in his 40's (his age at the time of the construction of the Park Hotel - his most famous architectural achievement)
• The Park Hotel as shown in his architectural drawings
• a portion of his name "chop" (seal) that was stamped on his architectural plans
• Laszlo's signature, which I chose to feature prominently, as Laszlo was very aware - as well as successful - at branding his name and his work.
Happy "Birth Day" LEH!

"L.E. Hudec: Visionary"
An Original Watercolour by Anne Hudec, SFCA

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! May 2022 bring in a brighter world.

Very pleased to see that 15 painted pears have been sold
pre-auction for the Victoria Women's Transition House fundraiser.
I was honoured to be included in such a worthwhile event.
http://redartgallery.faso.com/?keyvalue=73900&page=viewcollection&subkeyvalue=165059&startrec=1&displayperpage=9999&displayhorz=1

red art gallery - Portfolio of Works: Painted Pear Fundraiser Thank you for joining our Fundraiser for Victoria Women's Transition House. Each of these "one of a kind" pears will be auctioned to raise funds in support of women of all ages, with and without children, fleeing intimate partner violence and abuse.

Wishing you Peace this Holiday Season,
and Health and Happiness in the New Year

I had so much fun painting the little hermit crab in "Wait for Me!", I thought I would share a short BBC Video about their "house exchange program". It makes one feel sorry for the littlest guy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1dnocPQXDQ

Amazing Crabs Shell Exchange | Life Story | BBC Earth As a hermit crab grows its shell becomes a tighter fit so eventually the crabs need to move into a bigger one, leading to an amazing exchange. Taken from Lif...

A big thank you to the Sidney Fine Art Show team for selling my painting "Wait for Me!" this afternoon. It was a fabulous show!

My painting is packed, and the new biographies are written. All is ready for the drop off tomorrow for the Sidney Fine Art Show.

So I thought it was time I had better post an image of my painting...

It is titled: "Wait for Me!"
Oil on Board
9" x 12"

Hope you have a chance to see the show!

Keeping “on theme” with the “Finding Hudec” Exhibition being presented by the Hudec Cultural Foundation Budapest, which opens on October 8th, I thought I would share (for the first time) a watercolour I painted based on The Grand Theatre, Shanghai.
The Grand Theatre was designed and built by Laszlo Hudec (Architect) and completed in 1933 in an Art Deco design. During my most recent visit to the theatre, I was inspired by Laszlo’s creativity, and so I created a painting with that in mind.
Each of the four tiles of the Quadriptych* represent the marble flooring laid in the central lobby. Throughout this floor, one can sporadically see a design embedded in an alternate dark-speckled stone with brass filigree. These designs were known as the “Hudec Code”, which were the stylized initials of Laszlo Hudec’s name, which I have captured in three of the tiles. Surrounding the “Hudec Code”, I recreated another of his signature elements, which are the Art Deco brass designs that embellish the wooden double-entry doors leading to each of the theatres. Note that the bottom two tiles show the design to be offset (the horizontal brass lines do not connect), true to LEH’s creation. And finally, in the bottom left tile, I have painted The Grand Theatre as it appeared in 1933.
It was enjoyable to be inspired by such a talented man, and the fact that the Grand Theatre is still in use today and considered a significant architectural landmark in Shanghai shows Laszlo Hudec’s enduring brilliance, and one of the many reasons he was recognized as a “Cultural Treasure” by the City of Shanghai.
*Quadriptych: A picture or series of pictures painted on four panels

"Hudec's Grand Theatre" ~ Watercolour
Quadriptych by Anne Hudec

Very pleased to be part of the FCA Victoria Chapter Spring Show being held at the Massey Gallery at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, among many other talented artists like Claire Christinel, Kathy Cameron and Kristi Bridgeman. There are many artists involved in the show, so if you are participating, please add your name to the post so I may share it!

My watercolour "Aphrodite" will be in the show, but unfortunately I will be unable to attend. However, please come out and enjoy meeting the many artists, see some beautiful art and enjoy the live jazz guitar and refreshments that will be served at our Opening Reception on March 7th, from 6:00 - 8:30pm. Entrance into the Massey Gallery is free by checking with reception upon arrival. Enjoy the show!

Wishing you and those you love a
fabulous Holiday Season!

I took this year's Christmas photo in our area, and include a little story to go along with it.

All the best in the New Year!
Anne Hudec

The Story about the Chairs at McMicking Point

It started with a guy, who had a blue chair that he had made, that was left over from a relationship. Then he got married, but his wife didn't want the chair. So he hauled it out to McMicking Point, at the east end of McNeill Bay, thinking someone would take it. But no one did. Instead it became the “go-to” place to sit and have a think.

One day a storm blew the chair away. Another fellow in the neighbourhood realized that this was a big loss, so he replaced it with another blue chair.

But the first guy's new wife said to him, "Well, honey, clearly the chair was important; I think you need to replace it." So he built the red chair.

At the same time, a woman for whom the blue chair was her special thinking spot - found the remains of the original blue chair at the other end of McNeill Bay. She hauled all the pieces up to the road, and accosted an electrician just finishing off a job across the way. "Do you have 10 minutes and 4 feet in your truck?" So he took all the “bits and bobs” to her uncle's house, and she and her uncle rebuilt the chair, becoming close to each other in the process.

Now the chairs continue to move around, and get taken away for repair, so that anyone desiring it has a “go-to” place to sit and have a think.

~Unknown Author

Very pleased to learn that my painting: "Awakened One" has been accepted into the SFCA Medal Exhibition at the FCA Gallery in Vancouver. It is an honour to be included in a show surrounded by such outstanding artists!

The show outline states:
"Senior Signature Members are offered their very own, two-week-long exhibition and competition. Signature Status with the FCA stands for excellence achieved by the individual artists, and an exhibition of Senior members will display some of the strongest artwork in the organization. The coveted FCA medals will be awarded in bronze, silver and gold".

I was delighted to be able to photograph some of my paintings hanging in a Patron's beautiful home.
Feeling honoured!

Painting: "Porcelain" (Watercolour)
(Available as a Giclee Print)

Very pleased to receive an Honourable Mention for my painting "Aphrodite" at the Sidney Fine Art Show. The show is on tonight until 9pm, and all day tomorrow until 5pm. It is an amazing show with wonderful talent. Hope you have a chance to see it!

Looking forward to another fabulous show! It was an honour to help out with the hanging and placement of so much talent. Kudos to the show designer, Sandy Bligh, and all of the volunteers for their hard work and creativity!

I am very pleased that both of my entries for the Sidney Fine Art Show have been accepted! Come see the fabulous art produced by the very talented artists of our area.
The show information is as follows:
Sidney Fine Art Show
Mary Winspear Centre
2243 Beacon Avenue
Sidney, BC

Opening Night: Thursday, Oct 11th @ 7pm (for Patrons and Artists)
Friday, October 12th, 10-7
Saturday, October 13th, 10-9
Sunday, October 14th, 10-5

I look forward to seeing you there!

Been volunteering at the Sidney Fine Art Show yesterday, and today. So much talent and fabulous art! It will be an amazing show!

Honour and Pleasure to have many friends and art lovers visit my table at the Moss Street Paint-In, including the bubbly and vibrant Dame Mailarta!

I couldn't have participated in the TD Art Gallery Paint In if it weren't for the help of a great team!
Thank you for all your support!

Thank you to everyone who came out in support of the TD Art Gallery Paint In yesterday! It couldn't be done without great organization, a large pool of volunteers, art lovers, family and friends. Thank you for coming by and saying Hi!

Would love to see you at the TD Art Gallery Paint-In on Friday! Time is from 11-4.

I will be set-up at Fairfield Road and Moss Street (in front of 444 Moss Street), right across from the Moss Street Market @ Sir James Douglas School.

I will have some original watercolours for sale, as well as framed and unframed Giclees, Cards, and Sympathy Cards.

Swing by and say hello!

TD Art Gallery Paint-In is right around the corner!
Saturday 11-4

The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is fast approaching, and I am delighted to be a part of it! It will take place next Saturday, July 21st. Will post my location and more details when I have a chance. Hope to see you there!

Well, only 2 days after I took down my own show at the Ministry of Health, I was back helping hang a show from the
"Federation of Canadian Artists - Victoria Chapter".

And in the process, a couple of my watercolours were hung back up on a familiar wall :)

The four attached photos are of 38 paintings created by 16 talented artists of our chapter.

Saying goodbye to the Ministry of Health after a two month solo show of my watercolours in their lovely venue.
Thank you for your kind invitation, and I hope to be back again!

I am very pleased to be invited to extend my Solo Show of Watercolours at the Ministry of Health on Blanshard Street, Victoria for another month, ending on April 29th, 2018.

Here are a few photographs of the space before and after the hanging of the show.

I am honoured to have been invited to show my watercolours at the Ministry of Health in Victoria for the month of March!

Looking forward to the FCA Victoria Chapter Show @ Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood. Show Dates: Feb 28 - Mar 11. Opening Reception: March 1st from 6:00-8:00pm (come meet the artists!)

Wishing you Joy this Holiday Season!
(Photo: Anne Hudec ~ Ghent, Belgium)

Celebrating a special friend's birthday with her.
Maureen - aged 94.
Friends for almost 30 years.
How lucky I am to have such a friend!

Portrait of a long-time friend
"Maureen", Oil on Canvas, 20" x 16"

This little fellow was quirky, and appealed to my sense of humour.
He was great fun to paint!
"Elf", Watercolour by Anne Hudec

Wishing everyone a fabulous Holiday Season!
May it be filled with Love, Laughter, and Creativity,
and may 2017 bring Peace and Stability to our World!

Update on the Sidney Fine Art Show

On February 24th I wrote a letter to artists asking for support of the Sidney Fine Art Show over concerns that the show would be cancelled for 2016, and changed from the format that has made the show such a success in the past.

I would like to thank all the artists who stepped forward and wrote to the Community Arts Council of Saanich (CACSP) supporting the Sidney Fine Art Show (SFAS) Committee and their vision – both past and present.

Through the artists’ overwhelming response in support of the SFA show, the situation was brought to a head, and a resolution was quickly reached between CACSP and the Sidney Fine Art Show Committee, in time for the committee to get the 2016 show organization underway.

Because of your support and involvement, the Sidney Fine Art Show “Call to Artists” announcement will be released on April 15th.

Thank you for your help, and see you at the Sidney Fine Art Show 2016!

Anne Hudec
SFCA