\nOthers have lasting careers, with awe- inspiring work outliving the creator<\/a>.
\nAmong these greats, there are those who touch the lives of thousands, with outstanding generosity to the field. <\/p>\n
Twice weekly a letter arrives in my inbox, bringing wonderment of discovery.
\n\u2018Dear Dawn,\u2019 it begins, as does my education.
\nThe free newsletter may include painting tips, art history, or industry insight.
\nIt may have a hint of the philosophical, threaded with humour, be profound, lighthearted or practical.
\nAlways engaging, never disappointing.
\nIt begins. <\/p>\n
Years ago, I was inspired to thank him personally. I made him fudge. We share clients. It had me wondering about the longevity of the work, if our paintings will hang together for generations to come.<\/p>\n Robert Genn traveled the world painting, hosting workshops, with dedicated fervor prolifically producing incredible work. He inspired a global network of Artist\u2019s, reaching beyond borders to communicate, discover and learn with his guidance and mentorship. Today loved ones gather to celebrate the life of Canadian landscape painter Robert Genn<\/a>. \u201cAs we lose the fading palette of the past, something lives on in the colours that will last.\u201d~ Darin Larson ~Our thoughts are with his wife Carol,his three children, Dave (Tamara), James (Shawna) and Sara (Peter), three grandchildren, Beckett, Zo\u00eb and Poppy.
\nDo all famous artists answer their phone?
\nMr. Genn? I asked in amazement.
\nHe knew I was a stranger, by how I addressed him.
\n\u201cFriends call me \u2018Bob\u2019\u201d he explained.
\nHe was soft spoken, laughed easily, pulling me into talking about work.
\nI faced a new dilemma discovering my work on \u2018The Keys<\/a>\u2019 later.
\nNow how do I thank him?
\n![\"050608_dawn-banning\"](\"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/050608_dawn-banning-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>
\nMay 2008 Emerald Forest as published on the Painter’s Keys.<\/p>\n
\nOver the years, there were more emails, more fudge parcels, and much more advice.
\nWith a call one day, “Hey Dawn, Bob Genn here\u201d, suddenly we were no longer strangers.
\nHe joked after watching my first sport video “She cycles and she makes fudge!\u201d
\n“If my art career tanks, I would have a back-up making fudge,” I said.
\n\u201cThat would be fudging\u201d he quipped.
\nWaiting for critique from my EBook draft, he simply wrote
\n\u201cGood Stuff Dawn!\u201d and agreed to include his quote.<\/p>\n
\nHe published 5 books.
\nI wondered why he kept up with the newsletters. He didn\u2019t need the exposure, and had a full plate.
\nIt came up in conversation one day. He said something similar to his humble explanation on the Painter’s Keys welcome letter<\/a>,
\n\u201c I like the idea of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Artists, a worldwide community of creative folks with a lot of the same concerns. While ours seems a simple business, there’s just so much worth knowing.”<\/p>\n
\nMost artists lead a solitary work life.
\nWhat can be a lonely plight, thousands found solace in the community he formed, and will continue to do so.
\nHe was right, there is so much worth knowing.<\/p>\n
\nWith heavy heart, I say goodbye.
\nRecently I told him his legacy is not just in his amazing art & teachings,
\nbut also in the magnitude of his kind generosity,and the love he expressed for his family.
\nHe told me he was philosophical about it, focusing on them.
\n\u201cDawn I have such great kids\u201d.
\nLove being at the very core of who he was.
\nThanks Bob, you will be greatly missed.
\n~dawn<\/p>\n
\n![\"DSC02065\"](\"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/DSC020651-300x172.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe Painter’s Keys letters continue. Robert\u2019s daughter Sara, now writes one of the twice weekly letters,the second is a republished letter of Robert’s.
\nSara is an artist and musician in her own right, her writing, insightful and inspiring.
\nThis video by Peter Segnitz of Bob & Sara at Hollyhock is one of my favourites.
\n