Watercolour Classes in Sunny Bermuda

Karen Phillips Curran has been painting on the island of Bermuda since 1985. Come share the joy of the light, the air, the vision! In January, you can join Karen in Bermuda for watercolour classes. Karen Phillips Curran has a year round residence in Burnstown, Ontario where she works at her studio "Riverstones". She is represented by Tay River Gallery in Perth. See watercolour paintings and image transfer work on Karen's artist page on the website or visit the gallery to view a selection of her work.

Take a Peak! Holiday Smalls Show at Tay River Gallery

For your viewing pleasure... a sampling of the festive smalls offered this month. Plenty more available. We welcome you to visit the holiday show. Only 8 more days for this show! We don't want to disappoint you so please note our holiday business hours. Before Christmas, the gallery will be open Sat. Dec 19, Mon. Dec 21, Tues. Dec 22, and Wed. Dec. 23. Gallery will be closed from Dec 24 to 27th and reopens on Mon. Dec. 28, Tues. Dec 29, Wed. Dec. 30, and Thurs. Dec. 31st. Check the website home page for January Hours as we have reduced winter hours.
Have a safe and happy holiday! All the best from Lisa, Dave and Paul at Tay River Gallery.

Extended Holiday Business Hours at Tay River Gallery

Tay River Gallery will have extended business hours during the holiday season in December.

The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10 - 6 p.m. Closed Sunday.

The gallery will be closed Thursday December 24th to Sunday December 27th.

Gallery reopens on Monday December 28 to Thursday December 31st.

Closed January 1st.

Small is Beautiful at Tay River Gallery

"Small is Beautiful" - Holiday Gift Show at Tay River Gallery

Tay River Gallery will present a holiday art show, "Small is Beautiful" beginning next week on Thursday November 26 until December 31, 2009. You will find plenty of exquisite artwork in this show that demonstrate that "small is indeed beautiful", with art created in smaller sizes and priced specially for gift giving this season. Works on paper, canvas, mixed media, jewelry and textiles will delight all ages.

Give a gift of art this season to people who are special to you. Original art is a unique and special gift that lasts for generations and is created with soul rather than technology. Original art can enhance our mindful living, and connect us with the essence of human soul through the artist's creation. A single piece of wall art in the intimate surroundings of the place we call home can offer to please, calm, excite, amuse, remind or inspire us as we go about our daily lives.

Featured artists for this show include Shirley Mancino, Monika Seidenbusch, Paulette Sauve,Anne Barkley, Heather Assaf, Hennie Marsh, Kathy Haycock, Tony Cresswell Jones, J. Allison Robichaud, Tricia Savoie, Karen Goetzinger, Cathy Law, Erika Ferarin, Tara Heft,and David Zimmerly. At the gallery apart from our feature show, you will also find new work in larger sizes from many of your favourite artists, including new work from John Alexander Day, John Stevenson and Martha Markowsky.

The theme of this show is influenced by E.F. Schumacher’s well known book ‘Small is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered’. Schumacher was one of the first economists to question the appropriateness of using GNP to measure well being, and emphasized that “the aim ought to be to obtain the maximum amount of well being with the minimum amount of consumption.” Schumacher's work was published in the 1970's and coincided with the growth of ecological concerns. Artwork featured in this show offers an array of wonderful small works of beauty that we can gift ourselves or others with in a heartfelt way.

The awareness and appreciation of original art has grown dramatically in recent years. Countless media reports in popular magazines and local newspapers the past few years have provided helpful information to the public to demystify the art buying process and help it grow as a mainstream activity. Original Art, large or small, can not only be affordable, and accessible to the average person but also can provide countless benefits of every day enjoyment and inspiration. There is nothing really complicated to buying original art for personal enjoyment and art can be found everywhere - galleries, local art shows and even the internet. Visit many galleries and ask many questions about the art on display if you are just starting to buy art. Gallery staff are happy to answer questions about the art and the artist. Take the time to discover what you truly like, art that moves you on a personal level and also suits your budget, and it will reward every day. Art is truly for everyone. Live artfully!

Image above is Miniature painting by Monika Seidenbusch "Musical Bull".

Free Shipping Anywhere in Canada

Special Holiday Offer at Tay River Gallery.

Take advantage of our free shipping offer at Tay River Gallery valid until November 30th,2009 on painting purchases over $400 to anywhere in Canada. Some conditions apply. Contact the gallery for further details. Purchase a painting in November and receive free shipping to anywhere in Canada. Give a gift of art this year - a gift that lasts for generations!

Martha Markowsky in the News

Martha Markowsky recently won 2nd Grand Prize for Figurative Reality at the 26th International Gala Contest of Visual Arts, given by le Cercle des Artistes Peintres et Sculpteurs du Quebec on Sunday, November 15th, 2009. The prize was awarded for her painting titled, "Performers on Stage". Pictured above is Martha with her award certificate.

Martha Markowsky is an accomplished artist well known for her impressionistic paintings of orchestral musical ensembles with tuxeoded musicians. Other popular painting subjects include her nostalgic cityscapes of children at play in old Quebec neighbourhoods. Pictured below are a few examples of orchestral paintings in oil by Martha Markowsky. See Tay River Gallery's website for paintings by Martha currently on exhibit at the gallery.

Strange Delights!

A picture paints a thousand words. Strange and Beautiful art show at Tay River Gallery until November 21st.

Reception for Strange & Beautiful this Saturday!

Do remember to mark Saturday the 17th of October on your calendar with Tay River Gallery as one of your fun filled weekend destinations. The opening reception for the spectacular fall group show "Strange & Beautiful" will be held between 2 and 4 p.m. Many of the artists of the show will be in attendance. Strange & Beautiful, the last show of 2009 at Tay River Gallery offers the viewer a unusual mix of " the eccentric, unfamiliar, peculiar, fantastic, mystifying, perplexing, and arresting" while "sublimely entrancing and beautiful" in this wonderful exhibition of art.

Take advantage of our TAX savings day on Saturday October 17th. We offer this savings day only once yearly with 10% of the tax paid by the gallery. Don't miss it! .

Sobey Art Award Winner to be Announced later this week

The winner of the 2009 Sobey Art Award will be announced during a gala event at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on October 15, 2009. Competing for the 2009 prize are Graeme Patterson, representing the Atlantic region, David Almejd for Québec, Shary Boyle for Ontario and, representing the Prairies and The North and the West Coast and Yukon respectively, Marcel Dzama and Luanne Martineau. The winner of the award receives $50000 and the 4 runners-up $5000 each. The members of the 2009 Curatorial Panel developed this shortlist from a longlist of 25 of the country’s best artists, five from each of five regions in Canada. For more info on the Sobey art award, check the website www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca or www.sobeyartaward.ca
Who is your favorite for the grand prize? Care to share your pick with us? Let us know! We welcome your comments

"Strange & Beautiful" Art Exhibit at Tay River Gallery

"Strange & Beautiful" opens today at Tay River Gallery. The fall art show features an unusual mix of intriguing works by 9 talented area artists. Alanna Baird, Dawn Code, Hennie Marsh, John Graham, John Hiscock, Renate Hulley, Deborah Saulnier, Monika Seidenbusch and Katrin Smith are the presenting artists.

The reception for Strange & Beautiful will be held on Saturday October 17, from 2 - 4 p.m. at 28 Wilson St. W. in Perth. Join us for this event and meet the artists!

The show will run from October 6 - November 21, 2009. Six weeks of viewing opportunity for this spectacular show!

For further information call Lisa Brown at 613-264-5449.
(Click on Flyer image to see enlarged view).

September Highlights

Until October 3rd, we have on display some wonderful figurative work in oil, watercolour and bronze.
We are pleased to introduce striking figurative paintings in oil by Jay Li, Kanata area artist. Jay Li was born in 1962 in Guangzhou, in southern China. He completed his B.F.A at the Guangzhou Fine Arts Academy and then taught at the Fine Arts College of Canton, China for five years. Jay Li continued his studies first in Melbourne, Australia and then Europe developing his technique in oil painting. He has been living in Canada since 1998. Jay Li uses symmetry as well as warm and cool colours to create his compositions. He uses variations of the same themes to obtain new perspectives and pictorial space. He says of his philosophy, the painting is an impenetrable surface that seeks to establish balance between objects, space, colours and surface.


Shirley Mancino shows a selection of eight of her latest figurative watercolours painted in India in early 2009. Interesting studies of people engaged in activities captured during her travels are created using the beautiful local Indian paper. Shirley Mancino is a well known Westport/Perth area artist who travels to paint and paints to travel.

See Holly Atkinson's exquisite bronze sculptures on exhibition which include a mix of figures including an adorable big eyed lemur, a dragon, bird and a penguin, and frogs in a pond scene. Holly is a Toronto area sculptor who spends time at her Sharbot Lake cottage in summer.

Submissions To Strange and Beautiful

I would like to thank all the artists who responded to our Call for Artist Submissions for our upcoming fall show "Strange and Beautiful". We received 35 submissions and it was difficult for jurors this time around to select a short list. I also would like to thank the volunteer jurors who spent many hours reviewing the electronic submissions. We will be in touch with all the artists who submitted this week.
The Strange and Beautiful show will run from October 6th to November 21st. More about the show in our newsletter (blog) to come. Stay tuned.

Gallery News - Gallery to be closed September 1 - 11, 2009

Tay River Gallery will be closed from September 1 to September 11, 2009. We are taking a short vacation after a busy summer - escaping to the beautiful Georgian Bay area. We also have some minor renovations to the flooring to complete at the gallery during this period.

The gallery will reopen on Saturday September 12th, 2009. Highlights this month will include new watercolours by Shirley Mancino, completed on her trip to India this past winter; figurative works in oil by Jay Zhi Jian Li, Kanata artist and bronze sculptures by Holly Atkinson. There is also an ongoing exhibit of over 100 works by other gallery artists.

Watermedia Weekend Workshop with Mary Nunn, SCA

"DESIGN & WATERCOLOUR MONOPRINTS"
Mary Nunn will be holding a DESIGN AND WATERCOLOUR MONOPRINT WEEKEND WORKSHOP.

DATE: October 24th & 25th, 2009
TIME: 9:30 to 4:00
PLACE: The Experimental Farm (indoors), Ottawa, Ont.

COST: $195.00 (GST included)

Mary Nunn is an accomplished watermedia artist whose expressive work spans several genres. She is also a gifted teacher conducting workshops throughout Canada and the United States. Mary Nunn has works on exhibit at Tay River Gallery in Perth year round.

Enrollment will be limited. To register, complete the tear off portion of this form and mail with a cheque made out to Mary Nunn, to the following address:
Mary Nunn, 2056 Black Friars Rd., Ottawa, ON, CA, K2A 3K8

On receipt of registration and payment, a confirmation letter and workshop preparation kit with detailed location map will be sent by email or return mail. For any further information, call Mary or Ian Nunn at 613-722-6687 or mary@digitaldoor.net Website: www.marynunn.com.


Please register me in MARY NUNN'S "Design" workshop (October 24th &25th)

Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________ Prov./State: _______________________
Postal Code: ________________________ Phone: (_____) __________________________
E-mail: _____________________________________________Amount Enclosed: $________

Mary Nunn is an accomplished watermedia artist whose expressive work spans several genres. She is also a gifted teacher conducting workshops throughout Canada and the United States. Mary Nunn has works on exhibit at Tay River Gallery in Perth year round.

Ottawa School of Art Accepting Applications for fall program

Just a reminder that the Registration deadline for the Fine Arts Diploma and Portfolio Certificate Programs at the Ottawa School of Art is this Friday August 28, 2009. This year the Ottawa School of Art celebrates 130 years of visual arts training. Wow!
General interest art courses start on September 12, at both the Byward Market Campus and the Orleans Campus at the new Shenkman Arts Centre. Learn about painting from talented landscape painters, John Alexander Day and Tricia Savoie at the Orleans campus. Since 2002, John Alexander Day and Tricia Savoie have been represented by Tay River Gallery in Perth and both of these fabulous artists are among our best selling artists and are pretty terrific teachers as well, so I hear. There is a wide selection of courses and workshops in all media being offered by many professional Ottawa area artists at both campuses.
To learn more about full-time studies at the Ottawa School of Art and requirements for admission, as well as other classes offered, visit their website at: www.artottawa.ca.

Artist Spotlight :Sculptor Holly Atkinson, SCA exhibits Bronze Works at Tay River Gallery

Tay River Gallery is pleased to welcome Holly Atkinson, talented Toronto sculptor, to the gallery. Holly lives in Mississauga Ontario and has a summer cottage in Sharbot Lake near Perth. Holly graduated from Toronto University with a Bachelor of Fine arts and Sheridan College in Art program, and also studied in Paris France at the Atelier Lucernaire. Holly is a versatile artist - sculptor, painter and teacher and has exhibited nationally and internationally. Her work consists of sculpture in bronze,ceramic,paper, fabric and winterstone. Holly Atkinson is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artist, a member of Colour and Form Society, The Medallic Art Society of Canada and The International Federation of Medal.

Holly is currently showing a number of her exquisite one- of- a- kind bronze sculptures at Tay River Gallery, created using the lost wax casting method.
The Lost wax method or casting is an ancient process dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It is still the best method for capturing exquisite detail in metal objects, which could not otherwise be produced given the complexity of their design. This process allows anything modeled in wax to be recreated fully and faithfully into various metals. The lost wax method is still used today in the areas of sculpture, and fine jewelry. It is a demanding, labour intensive and expensive process, but rewards the artisan with an object of great detail and individuality.

Visual Artists' Workshop: "Business of Art" offered in October

BUSINESS OF ART FOR VISUAL ARTISTS WORKSHOP
Fri. Oct. 16, 7 - 9 pm; Sat. Oct. 17, 10 am to 4 pm
Registration deadline: October 9th, 2009
Registration is by payment for the workshop received at the address: 18c Offenbach Lane ON K2G 4Z8. For more info contact Sandra Hawkins.
Contact: Sandra Hawkins 613 820-0783 or shawkins@rogers.com
Workshop Location: Council for the Arts in Ottawa board room, Arts Court, 2 Daly, Ottawa ON
Workshop fee: $225. Book is available for additional cost but not mandatory.

Strange And Beautiful - Call for Artist Submissions by Sept. 10, 2009

Tay River Gallery is accepting submissions from Ontario and Quebec artists for an upcoming juried show,"Strange and Beautiful". Deadline for submissions is Sept 10th. Quality artwork in your choice of media, of an illustrative, painterly or abstract nature with the emphasis on the Strange "the unusual,different, eccentric, unfamiliar, peculiar, fantastic, bizarre, mystifying, perplexing" art that can at the same time be viewed as Beautiful " having beauty; having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the senses or mind". The focus is on compositions where either content (subject matter) or perspective taken (interpretation) is particularly unique, imaginative and arresting.

Submission by email to lbrown@tayrivergallery.com. Include Artist Statement, Biography and Resume. 4 - 6 images (low resolution jpg)and description of works (size,media,etc). and reference to personal website if available. We will acknowledge submissions as received, so if you do not hear within a few days, please resubmit. Selection mid- September.

Tay River Gallery is a commercial contemporary fine art gallery in Perth Ontario established in 2002 and representing many noted artists from Ontario and Quebec. The gallery is located west of Ottawa (45 minutes from Kanata) and north of Kingston ( approx 1 hr.)

Artist Spotlight: Suzanne Goudreau

Tay River Gallery is pleased to welcome Suzanne Goudreau from Oka, Quebec to the gallery. Suzanne Goudreau is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of Eastern Canada and has been the recipient of numerous prizes, honourable mentions and highly regarded selections. One of them is a mention for Originality from the reputable Canadian magazine, Magazin'Art. As a figurative artist, Suzanne has a particular fondness for working in oils and acrylics. She completed collegial studies specialized in Architecture and then following courses in Civil Construction at University and has complete courses in Fine Arts. She has pursued her passion for Portraiture, Drawing, Classic Painting, Pastel and Mixed media with numerous courses and workshops both in Quebec and the United States. Suzanne has published two colouring albums and heads child- and adult-oriented workshops in technical drawing and painting. Her portrait commissions are in high demand for the striking realism and emotion depicted in her portrayals. On view in the gallery in the current Summer Group show are exquisite figurative as well as pastoral landscape works by Suzanne.

Artiste peintre figurative, Suzanne Goudreau affectionne particulièrement l’acrylique et l’huile. D’abord diplômée au collégial en Architecture suivi de cours en Construction Civile et en Arts à l’Université, elle entreprend plusieurs formations au Québec et aux États-Unis en portrait, dessin, peinture classique, pastel, aquarelle... Elle est également récipiendaire de plusieurs prix, mentions (dont une Mention Originalité des Éditions Magazin’Art) et sélections. Elle participe également à plussieurs expositions de groupe et solo partout au Québec. On peut trouver de ses tableaux à la Galerie Art et Culture au Vieux-Montréal et à la Galerie Arte Bella sur Crescent à Montréal. Elle apparaît dans le « Répertoire Biennal des Artistes Canadiens en Galerie » de Magazin’Art, et est Membre Signataire de la Société de Pastel de l’Est du Canada
La publication de deux albums à colorier ainsi que des cours dispensés aux adultes et jeunes en dessin technique et peinture viennent compléter sa démarche à ce jour. Enfin, ses pinceaux, qu’elle utilise avec soin pour traduire l’émotion, nous offrent les multiples facettes de la vie par des sujets tout aussi variés qu’originaux dans lesquels le réalisme impressionne.

Summer Sizzle in August at Tay River Gallery

Tay River Gallery's summer group show, "Summer Sizzle" continues to August 30th with an abundance of memorable summer images in glorious colour by area artists.
Close to 200 paintings are on view in watercolour, oil and acrylics in a wide range of sizes. Figurative, landscape, still life and abstract paintings in vibrant colour tastefully and skilfully rendered portray compelling and memorable images of summer. Photography of local rural and Perth town scenes are also on display this month by Gary Webster and Larry Ostrom.

Guest artists featured in the summer show include watercolorist Ewa Mroz from Ottawa exhibiting two warm, sun-basked watercolour works,( Summer and Afternoon Sun )and Terry Rempel-Mroz from Ottawa with a large vibrant abstract in acrylic titled "Soleil".
From Rosemary Randell, you will see a number of still life of fruit, florals and local summer scenes in watercolour. Anne Barkley shows a number of striking new abstracts in oil on canvas. Stephen Rothwell's loose watercolours on canvas depict summer in various settings from local to coastal and european vistas. From Martha Markowsky, the gallery displays small paintings from the Garden Party series, ever delightful humourous figurative works. Landscapes in oil from Tricia Savoie,John Stevenson, Michel Pleau, John Day, Deborah Czernecky, Margaret Chwialkowska,Kathy Haycock, Debbie Milling and Allison Robichaud provide very different styles and perspectives of the local landscape - all exceptional eye candy. Realistic pastoral and figurative works by new gallery artist, Suzanne Goudreau are vibrant and fresh and bathed in light- compelling works.Paulette Sauve exhibits architectural interpretations of local settings Montreal harbour and Perth on the Tay in her characteristic style. Shirley Mancino works her magic with figurative works in mixed media. Watercolours by Alan Bain depict boreal forests, and rural scenes using supports of canvas as well as traditional watercolour paper. Acrylic paintings by Charles Spratt capture the beauty of remote wilderness and familiar pastoral settings. Bedazzling rich watercolours from Pierrette Dulude Bohay play with movement and colour... Funky whimsical and vibrant acrylic works from Karen Sloan, rich pastoral scene pastels and figurative acrylics from Sharon Fox Cranston. Funky and fun themed fibre art are created by Catharina Breedyk Law, and Karen Goetzinger. Figurative mixed media from Mary Nunn capture an intimate moment. Scenic Oils and pastels from Normand Baril, High colour village scenes from Mario Beaudoin and still life from Nathalie Chiasson, watercolours and mixed media from versatile artist,Karen Phillips Curran , dreamy acrylic coastal paintings by Leah Dockrill... the list goes on and on... just some of the many wonderful works featured I have mentioned ---- stop in this summer for this thrilling show! I am delighted daily by the work in this show.

Painting Classes with Karen Phillips Curran

Karen Phillips Curran, experienced watercolorist and mixed media artist, is offering painting classes this summer/fall. Karen,with her forty years of experience painting and drawing, will guide you to new ways to see the world around you. Her work ranges from watercolours of sun-drenched locales, to rural Ontario landscapes, figures, antique collages, alternative photo techniques and more. She invites you to come explore your creativity. Painting classes will take place in Karen’s Studio/Gallery, “Riverstones” in Burnstown Ontario.See samples of her work at www.phillipscurran.ca Call Karen at 613 432-8081 for further information and to register. Details on various Class descriptions are outlined below. Paintings by Karen Phillips Curran are available at Tay River Gallery in Perth.

Watercolour Basics for Beginners and Intermediate Painters.
Four weeks: Mondays 7- 9pm $120
August , September, October
Do you love watercolour? This class will look at the basic techniques; washes, colour mixing, graduations, layering, dry brush, wet in wet and more. Once you learn the rules, you can explore creative ways to break them. Paper will be available for purchase, or bring your own paper, paint and brushes.

Watercolours from Photographs
Four weeks: Mondays 9:30-Noon $120
August , September, October
This workshop will explore the possibilities and techniques of painting watercolours from your own photographs. Bring some photos to work from, paint and brushes and some stretched paper. Prepared paper can be available to purchase.

Colours, Pure and Simple
Six weeks: Wednesdays 7- 9pm $180
August , September, October
Discover the joy and the art of colour. Primary and secondary colour will be explored in detail each week, for six weeks. Familiarize yourself and become colour friendly.

OPEN STUDIO, watercolour
Ongoing: Mondays 2-5pm $35/session
For the painter who has some experience in watercolour and wants to move ahead on a project by project basis.

Walls, Windows, & Doors in Watercolour
Four weeks: Fridays 9-11:30 $120
August , September, October
Do architectural details capture your interest? Then this is the class for you. Walls, windows and doors have character, they tell a story. Explore these stories with watercolourist Karen Phillips Curran. Architectural imagery has been her passion for over 20 years. Bring your favourite photos to work from, or select from Karen’s wide array of architectural images. This is a class for those with some experience in watercolours. We will be taking your image from thumbnail drawings to finished paintings. Come prepared with paper, pencils, watercolours, brushes, and tracing paper. Paper will be available for sale.

Private or semi private classes are also available upon request. Paint along with Karen and learn the ins and outs of watercolour on a one-to-one basis. ½ day $120

Artist Spotlight: Plein Air Painter, Sharon Fox-Cranston, SCA

Tay River Gallery is pleased to welcome Sharon Fox Cranston to the gallery in the current show, "Summer Sizzle". Sharon is a Pakenham area pastel artist who relocated to Ontario from British Columbia in 2008 with her husband Guy, also a talented pastel artist. Both artists are active in local arts groups and divide their time between their Pakenham residence and Westport area summer home.
Sharon Fox- Cranston was recently elected to the Society of Canadian Artists in Spring of 2009. Congratulations Sharon ! Sharon is also an active members of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Her painting "Lane way near Gordes' received an Award of Excellence at the Federation’s “Works on Paper” show in 2007, and the same painting was featured on the July/August 2007 cover of “Art Avenue” magazine. Sharon is an area representative for the Pastel Artists of Canada in Eastern Ontario region. She is also a founding member of Plein Air Painters of Lanark County. The group will be participating in the 7th Annual International Plein AirWorldwide Paint Out on Saturday, September 12th, 2009 in the Pakenham area.
Sharon Fox-Cranston's pastel work is uniquely spirited, capturing the 'energy of place' in her plein air paintings with her adept painterly approach. Pictured below are a few examples of Sharon's pastel works featured at Tay River Gallery this month. Sharon also works in acrylics and enjoys portraiture and figurative work. A few of her acrylic works are also featured in the summer show. Summer Sizzle runs until August 30th, 2009.

Artist Spotlight: Karen Sloan with Whimsical Paintings

We are pleased to welcome Karen Sloan of Haliburton County to Tay River Gallery this summer. Karen's delightful paintings of interiors add marvelously to the sizzle of our summer-themed show, "Summer Sizzle", and feature strong colours, pure themes, and expressive form. Since her move from Toronto to the Minden area, Karen has been painting fulltime, her whimsical and somewhat surrealistic acrylic paintings. Interiors and jazz themes are her main attraction, but music and colours are her muses. Karen provides a theatrical and almost voyeuristic point of view in her interpretation. In her artist statement, Karen writes "most clients who have purchased these see them as optimistic paintings, and that’s true for the most part, however, others feel that they are metaphors with an edgy sense of apprehension. It’s as if something is about to happen, like the calm before the storm. This is a real juxtaposition that I quite enjoy.The bottom line is that my style has evolved through my aim to capture or translate visually, items and themes that I am personally fascinated with, in the way that they seem to vibrate and appear to jump off the canvas, with an almost a 3 dimensional quality.The paintings are somewhat intense, highly colourful, theatrical, and contain my own blend of humour. "
Internationally, her work is collected across the USA, the UK, Australia, Holland, Mexico, the Bahamas, Switzerland, and South Africa. The folk at Tay River Gallery are enjoying Karen's zany view. Lightheartedness is refreshing - methinks we take ourselves far too seriously as we go about our lives. Carefree summer days are here!

Artist Spotlight: New Paintings by Stephen Snake Featured at Tay River Gallery

New paintings by accomplished Lake Temagami artist, Stephen Snake have arrived at the gallery in time for the summer-themed show, "Summer Sizzle" which runs until August 30, 2009. 10 new acrylic paintings on heavyweight watermedia paper ready for framing can be viewed in the gallery as well as 9 acrylic paintings on canvas in various sizes created in the appealing woodland style of Native Art. Stephen Snake's strong colour palette and lively imagery intrigue and delight the viewer with dramatic harmonious compositions.

Stephen Snake was influenced in his early years of painting by Carol Shilling, his artist mother who supported him, and Arthur Shilling, the great Canadian painter well known for his portraits in distinctive expressionist style depicting life on the Rama Reserve. Shilling encouraged Stephen in his art and also introduced him to the prolific works of Norval Morrisseau. Norval Morrisseau is acknowledged to be the founder of the Woodland School of Art when he started painting the legends of his Ojibwa people during the early 1960s in northern Ontario.

Some of Stephen Snake's commissioned works can be found at the Orillia’s Chamber of Commerce, Rama’s First Nations Band Office, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and the Canadian Embassy in Hungary. Stephen lives on Lake Temagami where he paints landscapes, portraits and woodland styles of work using oil and acrylic. His work is represented by a number of Canadian fine art galleries in Ontario, including Tay River Gallery in Perth and other fine galleries in Toronto and North Bay. See our Featured artist page for Stephen Snake's biography and new work currently available. We are very pleased to represent this talented artist and look forward to showing his landscapes of the Temagami Lake district as well in the future.

Artist News Item: Shirley Mancino's Summer & Fall Painting Workshops

Magical Art Workshops 2009
Awaken your creative spirit and playful nature. White paper syndrome is common to artists at all levels. Not here! By texturizing, collaging, layering and other fun experimental techniques, you will magically produce realistic imagery or stunning abstractions. You will benefit from helpful personal attention, demonstrations and constructive group discussion. You will surprise yourself and laugh out loud as you make masterpieces using acrylics and/or watercolour. Workshops are suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced artists.

People-scapes/Landscapes With Panache, Aug 8- 9, 9 – 4 pm
Fluid Acrylics: Experimental Extravaganza, Sept 12-13, 9 – 4 pm
Experimental Extravaganza: Collage, Oct 17-18, 9 – 4 pm

Workshop Location: Workshops take place in Shirley’s stunning lakeside studio in Westport.
Workshops are limited to 8 participants.
Cost $120.00 for two-days
Materials not included. How to register: Register by sending a cheque payable to Shirley Mancino to 68 Rebecca Lane, Westport ON K0G 1X0. Email: smancino@rideau.net

Instructor Qualifications: Shirley Mancino
Shirley has 30 years experience delivering workshops, and as a juror and art critic. She has a Master’s Degree in Adult Education. She completed four years at the Ontario College of Art. She studied at Haliburton School of Fine Art, and Belles Artes Institute in Mexico. A recipient of numerous awards, she is represented by 6 galleries. Shirley’s style is loose and ethereal. Employing by bold, vibrant colour.

Summer Sizzle at Tay River Gallery

Summer Sizzle, group art show and sale at Tay River Gallery opened July 2nd with plenty of sizzle. The show features an outstanding lineup of accomplished area artists, and offers a perfect way to celebrate summer and bring in the season with pizzazz. Mounting this show, with its more than bountiful mix of breathtaking art by the many talented artists featured throughout the gallery ( five rooms on two levels) was a daunting task.. but well worth the effort. The show runs from July 2 - August 30th, 2009. Well worth a visit or two. You may find a painting you can't live without.

See new paintings with magical colour, dreamy, expressive, energetic and serene interpretations of summer from some of Canada's finest artists: Anne Barkley, Margaret Chwialkowska, Deborah Czernecky, Pierrette Dulude-Bohay, John Day, Sharon Fox-Cranston, Suzanne Goudreau, Kathy Haycock, Cathy Law, Shirley Mancino, Martha Markowsky, Debbie Milling, Ewa Mroz, Terry Rempel-Mroz, Rosemary Randell, Allison Robichaud, Stephen Rothwell, Tricia Savoie, Karen Sloan, John Stevenson, Charles Spratt, and Paulette Sauve.

Much more about the featured artists and the work in this show in an upcoming article later this week when this gallery director gets a free moment.
Painting pictured above is Sizzling Hot Oil on Canvas by Debbie Milling.

Artist News Item: Stephen Rothwell's Painting Workshops

Stephen Rothwell will be offering an Intermediate/Advanced Watercolour Workshop this fall November 20 and 21, 2009. Details follow below. Pictured above is painting by Stephen Rothwell, "Maritime Morning" featured in Summer Sizzle, Tay River Gallery's summer art show.

Date: November 20 , 21, 2009
Location: KANATA
Cost: $150 for the two days. Lunch will be provided.
Time: 9:00 to 4:00
Participants: A maximum of 10
　This workshop will be offered at Stephen’s studio in Kanata.
It is intended for intermediate to advanced artists wishing to incorporate a loose, wet on wet style. The emphasis will be on bold use of colour while capturing light, contrast and shadow. Techniques of negative painting and glazing will be featured. The focus will be on water scenes from cottage country as well as architectural structures in a natural setting. Participants are encouraged to bring their own reference materials and photos. The best paintings seem to evolve from scenes photographed by the artists themselves. A portion of each session will be devoted to critiquing. Participants are encouraged to bring a finished painting or a work in progress as this proves to be a valuable learning exercise for the whole group.
A list of suggested equipment will be provided upon registration. To register: email: smrothwell@yahoo.ca

Another news item of note: Stephen Rothwell will be the artist in residence on the Celebrity Millenium Cruise to Alaska and California from September 18th to October 10th 2009. Sign up for this exciting cruise and enjoy watercolour instruction at the same time!
　

Margaret Chwialkowska 's Painting finalist in Landscape Competition

Margaret Chwialkowska's oil painting titled "Champlain Lookout " pictured above recently received an Award Certificate as Finalist in the Landscape Competition held by Canadian Brushstroke Magazine. Margaret Chwialkowska says in her interview with the magazine, "The goal of my painting is to evoke the mood of a natural setting and capture the feeling of being overwhelmed by the natural almost magical beauty of a landscape". Margaret works alla prima, blending pigments together on the canvas using a palette knife to create a loose spontaneous interpretation. Her current focus is painting local areas, predominantly the banks of Ottawa River and the hills of Gatineau near her home. Margaret Chwialkowska's work is highly collected by area art buyers. Her work is represented by Tay River Gallery in Perth as well as other fine art galleries in Canada. A number of evocative new works by Margaret are featured in Tay River Gallery's upcoming show "Summer Sizzle" which runs from July 2 to August 30th. See images of two dramatic works by Margaret Chwialkowska below featured in Summer Sizzle.

Rosemary Randell's Painting Workshops

Rosemary Randell, high realism watercolorist 'extraordinaire', has posted her summer painting class schedule. Contact Rosemary soon as her classes fill up quickly. Her studio is located in Kanata and information about her upcoming classes is posted below. Rosemary is represented by Tay River Gallery in Perth and her work is on exhibit in the gallery year round. Don't forget, Early bird gets the worm~!

PAINTING & DRAWING CLASSES

DRAWING – ALL LEVELS
July13th to July 17th, Monday to Friday 10AM-3PM
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WATERCOLOUR - All LEVELS & STUDIO
July 20th - 24th, Monday to Friday, 10AM - 3PM
July 27th – July 31st, Mon. to Friday 10am to 3pm
August 10th –August 14th Mon.to Friday 10am-3pm

For the evening crowd- Classes run: Wednesday evenings 7-9pm for 10 weeks -
July 16th to September 17th.

Come and enjoy new friends, neighbours, herbal teas & biscuits in a peaceful setting, bring a lunch, a sense of humour & dare to learn how to draw and or paint.

Week long workshops cost $300, a $20.deposit will reserve your place, as registration is ongoing. Evening classes cost $250.
Max 8 per class.
Call Rosemary at 271-0607, or email rosemary at randellpaintsalot@hotmail.com

Charles Spratt Solo Exhibition of Paintings: Changing Seasons

Tay River Gallery is pleased to present a major solo exhibition of new paintings by Charles Spratt, accomplished Canadian landscape painter from June 1 - 15th, 2009.
Artist Reception will be held on Sunday June 7th from 2 - 4 p.m. at Tay River Gallery, premier fine art gallery in Perth at 28 Wilson St West. Call Lisa Brown at 613-264-5448 for more information about the show. Note: Tay River Gallery will be open daily during this solo exhibition.

" Charles Spratt's paint-handling virtuousity weaves its magic in these exquisite new landscapes. This new body of work portrays all the seasons of the well loved Canadian landscape with a master painter's skill, and appealing artistic interpretation in Spratt's highly recognizable style. "

Charles Spratt is one of Canada's finest landscape artists with over 25 major solo exhibitions to his credit. He has been painting seriously for over 30 years, and has taught landscape and portrait painting in numerous colleges . Spratt is past president of the Manotick art association, and the Ottawa Watercolour Society and co-founder of the original Ottawa Art Festival. He was elected to the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1996 (CSPWC). His work is exhibited in notable fine art galleries across Canada and hangs in many private and corporate collections in Canada and abroad.

Accepting Artist Submissions for "Summer Sizzle" July 2009

We like it hot! Bring on the hot weather and art work with sizzle factor!
No shrinking violets here please, We are looking for drama, impact and hot times in the summer... glorious beach scenes we crave, people at play, magical colour, joy, emotion, energy, movement, nature wild and dreamy, let's pump up the volume, the fun factor, the heat and excitement of summertime. Art endures, keep the passion flowing.

Interested Artists please submit by email to lbrown@tayrivergallery.com before June 1,a biography, artist statement, and images of recent works not previously exhibited that you feel meet the above criteria.

Urban Landscapes Show: The Artists and Their Paintings

A glimpse at the current Urban Landscapes show at Tay River Gallery with photos of a few of the featured artists with their works. The show with its bountiful works in glorious colour continues until the end of May. Pictured below in the order that photos are displayed are: Paulette Marie Sauve of Vercheres, Quebec with a selection of urban paintings of old Montreal; Carla Miedema of Cloyne, ON with a few of her abstract urban paintings; Shirley Mancino of Westport with one of her abstract cityscape paintings; John Shea of Newboro with his architectural watercolours of local heritage buildings; Stuart Davison of Chaffey's Lock with his whimsical abstracted cityscapes. Two weeks left to catch the show... which also features some Montreal and Provence urban scenes by Martha Markowsky, European townscapes (France, Scotland and England) by John Alexander Day, detailed watercolours of Holland and Athens, Greece in high realism by Rosemary Randall of Kanata, Keith Burnett with oil paintings of English townscapes (Castlecomb) and architecture (Salisbury Cathedral) and a close up of a grocery shop window; mini paintings in acrylic and ink of industrial Vancouver by Roberta Smith of Vancouver BC. and watercolour and mixed media paintings by Karen Phillips Curran.