Art Matters at Tay Gallery

Matters of the Heart: Feb 1 - March 31, 2012

2012-02-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Tay Gallery Kanata presents Matters of the Heart, featuring figure paintings by Julie Himel, Susan Jillette, Terry Ananny and Marianna Mikhaylyan.

Visit the gallery Monday - Friday 10 - 6 pm and Saturday 10 - 4 p.m. The show runs until March 31 with Parts I and II. Additions to the show in Part II takes place March.

Kaleidoscope at Tay Gallery Kanata

2012-01-29T06:17:00.000-08:00

Just 2 more days to catch the gallery artists group show Kaleidoscope at Tay Gallery.
Compelling landscape paintings that capture Canadian wilderness scenes in all seasons, Atlantic sea paintings, still life and figures, abstracts and cityscapes from the talented gallery artists at Tay Gallery. Featuring John Alexander Day, Tricia Savoie, Charles Spratt, J.Allison Robichaud, Martha Markowsky, Larry Deacon, Maureen Sheridan, Eduard Gurevich, Michel Pleau, Terry Ananny,Stephen Rothwell, Anne Barkley, Elizabeth Elkin, John Mlacak, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Guy Cranston, and Sharon Fox Cranston.Over 40 paintings on exhibit. Kaleidoscope ends January 31, 2012.

HO HO HO NO HST! MERRY MEDLEY AT TAY GALLERY

2011-12-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

Tay Gallery Kanata will pay the Tax on all original painting sales between December 14 and December 24th, 2011.
In appreciation of your support of Canadian art and the talented and dedicated Canadian artists we represent, this is our gift to you during this Holiday Season!

This includes all paintings on exhibit in the gallery as well as additional paintings displayed on our online store. Viewing of any paintings not currently hanging but in our inventory can be arranged within a day without any obligation.

Under Canadian Tax law, businesses can purchase and write off the purchase of original Canadian art as acquisition of original Canadian Art is included in Capital Cost Allowance.

The Holiday Show this month features paintings of all sizes from miniature to grand.
Merry Medley runs until December 24th with many small paintings from gallery and guest artists on display. Paintings of all sizes perfect for a lasting and unique gift with soul. Visit the gallery Monday – Saturday 10 – 6 p.m. Thursdays 10 – 7 p.m. Sundays by chance or appointment in December.

Exhibiting this month are Karen Goetzinger, Keith Burnett, Sharon Fox Cranston, Tricia Savoie, Martha Markowsky, Lynne Morin, Marshal, J.G. Morin, John Hiscock, John Alexander Day, Deborah Czernecky, Maureen Sheridan, Michel Pleau, J. Allison Robichaud, John Mlacak, Larry Deacon, Lorena Ziraldo, Elizabeth Elkin, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Guy Cranston, Charles Spratt, Terry Ananny, Stephen Rothwell,Alan Bain, Kathy Haycock.
Many thanks to the dedicated artists for your superb creations - you do us proud!

PLEASE NOTE: Tay Gallery will be closed the week following Christmas from Dec 25 - Dec. 31st

Online ordering on our STORE PAGE on the website www.taygallerykanata.com is available throughout December. Order directly through the store or contact us by email with any questions.If you are ordering before Dec 24,(while you pay No Hst) please do not use the checkout as it will automatically add the tax. Double click on any of the small images on the online store to view a larger image and details about the paintings. To search for all the works by a particular artist, type the artist's name in the white box in the TOP right hand corner of the store page. Happy shopping!

Have a safe and peaceful holiday season!
All the best for the New Year from Lisa, Dave and Paul.

Fall Flavour: Art Show and Sale at Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-09-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Between Sept 2 and Sept 30 Tay Gallery Kanata will feature Fall Flavour, an exhibit of gallery artists' new paintings in bold and beautiful fall colours. Small and large paintings are featured. New works by Anne Barkley, Deb Czernecky, John Day, Larry Deacon, Elizabeth Elkin, Martha Markowsky, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Maureen Sheridan, Charles Spratt, John Mlacak, J. Allison Robichaud, Tricia Savoie, John Stevenson, Paulette Sauve. Introducing paintings by notable Ottawa area artists, Cheryl Chartier and Terry Ananny this month. Image shown is Red Maple by Cheryl Chartier.

The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5 , Thursdays 10 - 7 p.m.

Summer Show runs two more weeks at Tay Gallery

2011-08-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

Two weeks left to catch the Heat of the Moment show at Tay Gallery Kanata. A visually intriguing show with 22 different professional artists' works on exhibit - the summer show is generally the most eclectic in subject matter and style. We are pleased to welcome a number of guest artists to this show:

Lorena Ziraldo, Ottawa area artist, is a graduate of the Fine Arts Program at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Her fluid and exquisite figurative brushwork is surrounded by contemplative and sophisticated abstract colour schemes. The narrative quality that emerges in many of her paintings is made all the more compelling by her control of her medium. Emotion is a key element in her paintings as are the more formal qualities of colour, light,space, and composition. Lorena’s work can be found in notable galleries across Canada.

Brigitte Nowak lives in Toronto and spends summers on an island in Georgian Bay. Her paintings in oils and in egg tempera explore the nature of reality and illusion, the interaction between the human and natural worlds and the line between observation and comment. She has won awards in both Canada and the U.S., and her work is in private and corporate collections. She is represented by several galleries in Ontario, including the Red Canoe Gallery in Muskoka, Haliburton’s Ethel Curry Gallery and Latitude 44 in Toronto.

Susan Jillette, of Rigaud Quebec is an elected member of Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), the International Guild of Realism (IGOR) and the Autour de Nous (ADN) group of local professional artists and presently serves on the board of Directors for the SCA. Presently she works with acrylics and is working on a new series of textured and colourful paintings in the fantasy realm. Most of her work can be described as bright and whimsical.

Gilda Pontbriand, Ottawa area artist shows paintings in acrylic and mixed media from her series Ancient Symbols. The symbols from the Mayan culture portray the inter-relationship between man and universe, the eternal and the fleeting, the real and the intangible, and natural and supernatural. Gilda has exhibited in over 100 solo and group shows in Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United States.

Jennifer Foster’s drawings and paintings are an appreciation of the everyday world. Portraits are a particular passion because of the opportunity they offer to capture seemingly conflicting elements: a portrait needs to be accurate and yet expressive; representational but also perceptive and open to what lies below the surface. Her work has been shown in the Red Trillium Studio Tour, Toronto’s historic Distillery District, the Varley Gallery , the John B. Aird Gallery , and Cumberland Gallery in Ottawa.

Brian Kelly, Kanata area artist has been painting landscapes for 35 years. He is inspired by the colours of nature in all seasons . He shows paintings of summer wildflowers in their natural environment in this exhibition. He has exhibited his oils , pastels and limited lithographs at Canadian and international art festivals and in commercial galleries in Ontario.

Anna Krak-Kepka is a full-time Visual Artist and Art Educator living in Brockville Ontario. She is primarily known for her talent with color: her paintings are full of enchantment of the world of dream and magic. Her art is a biographical exploration of her life. Extensive travel to Europe, Africa, Mexico and California are among the bedrock influences in her artistic life.

Michel Luc Bellemare ‘s abstract paintings are an exploration of the influence of colour on the psyche and are recognizable for their thickly textured and glittering surface of oil impasto, which appear as ”jewels for the wall”. Bellemare has published a book on the philosophy of colour, titled Colour- Realism.

Elaine Archambault has participated in many group exhibitions since 1985 in Quebec and Ontario where she is represented by Gallery Marchant in Lancaster and The Abbey in Glen Nevis. Annual visits to the sea have inspired many seaside landscapes animated by people on vacation. Trips across Canada, plein air painting in France , workshops in Charlevoix and her flower garden at home all provide great inspirations for sketches and paintings.

Also featured in the summer show with exemplary works are gallery artists Charles Spratt, John Alexander Day, Tricia Savoie, Martha Markowsky, John Stevenson, Michel Pleau, Larry Deacon , Stephen Rothwell , Elizabeth Elkin, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Anne Barkley, J. Allison Robichaud and John Mlacak.

The Pond by John Alexander Day,osa,sca

Artist Spotlight at Tay Gallery Kanata: Ayfer Gursoz

2011-07-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

This summer we have a small selection of exquisite impressionist paintings by Quebec artist, Ayfer Gursoz on exhibit at Tay Gallery in Kanata. Her works are dreamy and nostalgic and yet hold poignancy and immediacy at the same time. Her use of colour and brushwork is masterful. Experience her captivating work by visiting our gallery at 471 Hazeldean Rd. in Kanata (Ottawa) or view the paintings on our website at www.taygallerykanata.com.

A native of Istanbul, born (1935) of a Ukranian father and an Austrian mother, Ayfer Gursoz arrived in Montreal in 1982. She fell in love with Quebec and remained, settling in old Montreal where she began painting and teaching. In 1995 she moved to the Eastern Townships where she lived until her death in 2008. A graduate of Ecole des beaux-arts de Paris, Ayfer taught in several well known art schools in England before coming to Canada. She is recognized the work over for her quality paintings which are held in numerous private collections.Yves Langlois ,winner of Quebec best Documentary film award in 2008, also filmed a docu- portrait of Ayfer Gursoz.

The paintings on exhibit at Tay Gallery Kanata this month span approximately a 15 year period and include floral still life, and figures (children and women) which were popular subject matter for Ayfer. She was also a prolific painter of landscapes.

A review of her work by art critic and journalist for Vie des Art, Andre Seleanu can be viewed on her artist page on our website or her personal website. In the article, Seleanu commented:
"The desire to understand the Other exudes from every one of her paintings, while such otherness embraces both the social realm and natural phenomena."

Below is a photo of the artist's studio generously provided by her daughter, Irem Bekter, which provides a glimpse of the prolific impressionist works Ayfer created with her most intriguing colour palette.

Following are photos of a few of the paintings by Ayfer Gursoz featured in the summer show :Flower Arranging, Nudes in Blue (Turkish Bath), and Children Exploring.

New book release by J. Allison Robichaud

2011-07-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

"J. Allison Robichaud muses and reflects upon the technical, intuitive and philosophical aspects of creating superior art. An acknowledged Canadian Master, J. Allison Robichaud shares his unique perspective on the artistic process with the reader in a volume that is at once personal and instructive.Canadian Master landscape painter J. Allison Robichaud has recently published a new e-book"

A Personal Search for Art is available through Amazon.com, a Kindle edition.
J. Allison Robichaud is a longstanding gallery artist at Tay Gallery Kanata who also previously exhibited on a regular basis at Tay River Gallery. He engages wholelheartedly in his passion for art as a true plein air painter of the Canadian landscape. Check out his new book for an incredible journey through the eyes and mind''s view of an outstanding Canadian painter.

Summer Show: Heat of the Moment at Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-07-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

All summer long art show - "Heat of the Moment" group show at Tay Gallery Kanata features a mix of fabulous paintings that include figurative, abstracts, still life and landscapes from a superb lineup of well known area artists. Visit us at the gallery in Kanata at 471 Hazeldean Rd. from Tues - Sat. 10 - 5 :30. Thursdays 10 - 7 p.m.

New paintings by Lorena Ziraldo, Brigitte Nowak, Susan Jillette, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Gilda Pontbriand, Michel Luc Bellemare, Jennifer Foster, Anna Krak- Kepka, Elizabeth Elkin, Elaine Archambault, John Mlacak, Brian Kelly, Larry Deacon, and new work by gallery artists Anne Barkley, Martha Markowsky, Charles Spratt, Stephen Rothwell, Allison Robichaud, Tricia Savoie, John Day, John Stevenson.

Artist Spotlight - Figurative paintings by Ayfer Gursoz. July 18 – Aug. 6.

A small selection of estate paintings by Ayfer Gursoz are exhibited this summer.

Check out the new online store for available paintings at Tay Gallery Kanata website if you are unable to visit the gallery

The Nature of Water: Art Show at Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-05-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

Visit Tay Gallery Kanata to see the current group art show, " The Nature of Water" - with a great lineup of regional artists and large selection of paintings in various styles and sizes on display during May and June until June 25th. The gallery is located in Ottawa west end at 471 Hazeldean Rd. , corner of Castlefrank Rd. and Hazeldean.

Paintings on the theme of water in oils, acrylics and watercolour are featured by Larry Deacon, Suzette Emond, Stephen Rothwell, John Alexander Day, Charles Spratt, Allison Robichaud, John Mlacak, Martha Markowsky, Elaine Archambault, Kathy Haycock, John Stevenson, Tricia Savoie, John Hiscock, Margaret Chwialkowska, Tony Cresswell Jones.
The focus is "Water in well loved marine scenes, harbours and other Canadian waterways of Georgian Bay, Charlevoix region, Nova Scotia, Vancouver Island, Gatineaus and Laurentian Mountains, the Ottawa River and then across the sea to Greenland, Spain and Portugal.

Perth location Tay River Gallery is now closed

2011-04-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

Tay River Gallery in Perth has closed the doors at 28 Wilson St. W after 9 years in this location. Visit us at our new location in Ottawa's west end- Tay Gallery Kanata. Same management- same great art!

Tay Gallery Kanata is an ambient and friendly boutique style gallery space at 471 Hazeldean Rd., corner of Castlefrank Rd. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 - 5 :30 p.m. Thursdays 10 - 7 p.m. Quality conservation art framing is offered on site.

A selection of up to 40 paintings are on exhibit at any one time depending on the show. Exhibitions change monthly and a significant amount of additional artwork is always available to view and purchase, although paintings may not be currently on exhibition. View digital display of other paintings available at our customer self serve kiosk in the gallery. The website at www.taygallerykanata.com offers an online store for convenient purchase of paintings online.

We offer an interest free layaway plan to purchase artwork and provide 48 hour home trial period if needed.

Purchase Canadian Paintings Online at Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-04-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Visit our website http://www.taygallerykanata.com/ for our NEW ONLINE STORE featuring quality Canadian paintings you may purchase online using our secure Paypal checkout shopping cart. A diverse yet discriminating selection of paintings from notable Canadian artists from Ontario and Quebec is offered in small and larger sizes, a variety of subject matter ( still life, abstract, landscape, figurative, interiors) and in various media (watercolour, acrylics , oils, pastels, mixed media). Watch for new additions every month as the featured art show at the gallery changes! Shop with confidence. See Terms and Conditions on the Store Page.

Artist News: John Hiscock receive OWS Award

2011-04-16T01:09:00.000-07:00

John Hiscock recently won the Presidents Award at the 63^rd Ottawa Watercolour Society juried exhibition this month. The winning painting, entitled “Western Shore Beauty”, is a fine balancing of technical expertise and the expression of reverence and connection that John feels for our living Earth. One can find this beautiful place at the end of a dirt track on the western shore of Calumet Island. Congratulations John.

In Praise of Forests at Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-04-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Please join us at our Kanata gallery location, Tay Gallery Kanata for In Praise of Forests, wilderness landscape paintings by some of the top plein air painters in the Ottawa region. Featuring paintings by John Mlacak, John Stevenson, Charles Spratt, John Day, Sylvio Gagnon Allison Robichaud, Alan Bain, Audrey Bain, Tricia Savoie, Martha Markowsky, Lise Massicotte, and Luminita Serbanescu
The show runs from April 4 - 30th.

Tay River Gallery in Perth Ontario is now closed. Visit us at our new location in the west end of Ottawa at TAY GALLERY KANATA, 471 Hazeldean Rd. Kanata- same management, and same great art! Plenty of free parking just steps from the gallery!

March Show At Tay Gallery Kanata: City Slick

2011-03-04T00:52:00.000-08:00

City Slick at Tay Gallery Kanata features paintings from three artists with a passion for city : vibrant urban vignettes from Martha Markowsky, abstract mixed media cityscapes with textile from Karen Goetzinger, and painterly figures in bright palette from newcomer, Claudia Urbach.

Still more winter blasts and dropping temperatures.... come in from the chill and tour the city show... some of our favourite cities portrayed through the artist's eye.

Cities with sophistication - slick & polished - reaching skyscrapers, busy streets gleaming with street lights reflected on slick pavement, charming back streets with children at play, crowds mulling, pedestrians strolling, pulsing traffic - all those things we may love and hate about city... and more. Over 20 cityscapes on display. Drop in and see the show!

Tay Gallery Kanata is a cosy, ambient and friendly gallery space at 471 Hazeldean Rd., corner of Castlefrank Rd. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 - 5 :30 p.m. Quality conservation art framing is offered on site.

Anywhere from 20 to 40 paintings are on exhibit at any one time depending on the show. Exhibitions change monthly and a significant amount of additional artwork is always available to view and purchase, although paintings may not be currently on exhibition. View digital display of other paintings available.

We offer an interest free layaway plan to purchase artwork and provide 48 hour home trial period if needed.

Call Me Romantic at Tay Gallery Kanata Feb 7 -27

2011-02-02T05:27:00.000-08:00

Beat the blustering chill of February winter days with a visit to the new art show "Call Me Romantic at Tay Gallery Kanata.

Emotive paintings that warm the soul as artist and viewer connect is the magic of the encounter. Romantic paintings in various styles,palette and subject matter are the medium communicating the artist's unique and yet common experience.

For those who have not yet visited, Tay Gallery in Kanata provides a cosy and ambient gallery space to contemplate art. We welcome art lovers to browse to their heart's content. Anywhere from 20 to 40 paintings are on exhibit at any one time depending on the show. Exhibitions change monthly as the wall space is limited and a significant amount of additional artwork posted on our website is always available to view and purchase, although paintings may not be currently on exhibition. We offer an interest free layaway plan to purchase artwork and provide 48 hour home trial period if needed.

Feature artists are Michel Luc Bellemare, Keith Burnett, Margaret Chwialkowska, Karen Goetzinger, Catherine Gutsche, Anna Krak-Kepka, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Luminita Serbanescu, and Claudia Urbach.

Call for Artist Submissions Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-01-29T08:13:00.000-08:00

We are now accepting submissions from artists in the Ottawa area for two upcoming shows at Tay Gallery Kanata, City Slick which will exhibited in March and In Praise of Forests, April 2011.

Please email lbrown at taygallerykanata.com with title of art show submitted to in Subject line as well as your name. Email up to 4 low resolution jpg's of recent works, that are particularly relevant to the show's theme as well as your CV, Biography and Artist Statement.

City Slick March 1 - 26, 2011 Ottawa area artists are invited to submit paintings that express 'city' from your personal perspective. This is a small group show with no opening reception planned. Deadline for submissions Feb. 15, 2011.

In Praise of Forests - April 4 - 30, 2011
With Special Tribute to Beaver Pond Forest in Kanata
Plein air painters invited to submit.
The year 2011 was declared International Year of Forests by the United Nations.
In recognition of the importance of forests, and in particular to painters who seek out neighbouring forests for inspiration for their art, this exhibition will show appreciation for all that forests bring to all living things. Deadline for submissions March 1, 2011.
This group show will have an opening reception. Date for reception TBA.

Winter Spring Summer Fall - January show at Tay Gallery Kanata

2011-01-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

Tay Gallery Kanata presents Winter Spring Summer Fall, a group show with paintings celebrating the seasons. The show runs until January 31. Tay Gallery is open Monday through Saturday 10 - 5 :30.

Tay River Gallery in Perth is open by appointment only. No shows are scheduled.
Call us at 613-836-4169 for an appointment to visit the Perth gallery or request a viewing of a particular painting you would like to see that you have viewed on our website and we will arrange for it to be delivered to the Kanata gallery for viewing.

Tay Gallery in Kanata is located at 471 Hazeldean Rd., corner of Castlefrank in Kanata, the west end community in Ottawa.

Call for Artist Submissions for " Call Me Romantic"

2011-01-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

Call for Artist Submissions from the Ottawa Area for Art Show February

We are currently accepting submissions from artists located in the Ottawa area for our February show “Call me Romantic” to be displayed February 7 – 27 2011 at Tay Gallery Kanata.

Tay Gallery is located at 471 Hazeldean Rd.Unit 5, Kanata. Call 613-836-4169. This will be small art show focusing on a few artists only. Please note that there will be no opening reception will be held for this show.

Please send by email up to four images of recent paintings that are relevant to the theme “Call me Romantic” ,with biography and artist statement by January 22, 2011 to lbrown@taygallerykanata.com.

Sorry for the short notice but it has been a very busy season and I am playing catch up with my programming.

Cheers,
Lisa Brown, Tay Gallery Kanata, www.taygallerykanata.com

Festive Frolic at Tay Gallery Kanata

2010-11-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

Tay Gallery Kanata is exhibiting a nice mix of small and large paintings this month. Our Holiday show " Festive Frolic" , from November 22 until December 24th features many small and seasonal paintings great for gift giving. A varied mix of artwork is offered where you may find that perfect gem. New artwork is added throughout the month so visit frequently to see additions to the show. Featured artists include Anne Barkley, Heather Assaf, Karen Goetzinger, Stephen Rothwell, Charles Spratt, J Allison Robichaud, Martha Markowsky, Tricia Savoie, Paulette Sauve, Maureen Sheridan, J T Winik, Marianna Mikhaylyan, Elizabeth Elkin,John Stevenson,Gudrun Schutz,Suzanne Moxon, Monika Seidenbusch and Shirley Mancino. Tay Gallery Kanata is located at 471 Hazeldean Rd, corner of Castlefrank and Hazeldean in Kanata and open Monday - Saturday from 10 - 5 p.m. Visit the website at www.taygallerykanata.com for more information.

Visit Tay River Gallery in Perth Saturdays (12 - 5 p.m.) to view new additions to the gallery as well.... both large and small paintings on view.

Rhythm & Hues at Tay Gallery Kanata

2010-11-02T07:05:00.001-07:00

This exciting show features the dynamic works of 4 regional artists : Elizabeth Elkin , Marianna Mikhaylyan , Shirley Mancino and Stephen Rothwell. The show runs until November 20th and is on display in Tay Gallery in Kanata at 471 Hazeldean Rd. New to gallery with this show, we are pleased to introduce and welcome Elizabeth Elkin and Marianna Mikhaylyan.

Elizabeth Elkin is a renowned professional artist with an international reputation, who searches for the most expressive and perfect medium and style of painting to create highly individual works of art. Over the span of thirty years, she utilizes her advanced painting skills to create superior quality paintings of still-lifes, cityscapes, landscapes, figurative, portraits and abstract paintings. The true innovation of her work lies in the power of her vibrant colors, her museum quality works of expressionist art and her unique style of cubism in which the painting only reveals its true complexity after careful viewing over time.

Elizabeth’s academic training spans over eight years of study at several post-secondary fine art institutions including university in Europe. She has experimented with various artistic forms, including expressionism, cubism, impressionism, abstract and realism.

Only recently, has Elizabeth returned from her art-study tour of the museums of Paris, France and of Flemish art of Belgium. Following an extensive three-week program, Elizabeth has come away with many fresh impressions and begun a new series of works dedicated to the beauty of old Europe and it’s many treasures.

Elizabeth has exhibited her work internationally for many years. In the last seventeen years, she has participated in numerous galleries and juried group shows with solo exhibitions throughout North America. In 2002, one of her painting was chosen for the poster for the Chamber Music Society and has received personal recognition from Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson. Her paintings can be found in many private collections in Canada, United States, England, France, Germany, India, Israel, Latvia, and Russia.

Marianna Mikhaylyan is a Canadian artist of Russian-Armenian origin born in Moscow in 1972. At a very young age she was inspired by her parents who were both artists to develop her artistic talents through figure skating and classical ballet. She later followed the footsteps of her mother who worked all of her life as a painter for the Russian theaters and of her father who was a jewelry maker. Marianna chose to study applied visual arts at University and graduated in 1995 with the Diploma of Excellence at the Moscow Academy.

The same year, Marianna became a member of the International Art Fund, dedicated to the promotion of talented Russian artists in Russia. Since then, she has participated in numerous art shows in Russia, USA and Canada. "Dance features prominently in almost all of Mikhaylyan's work. Graceful, feminine figures glide amid swirling colours, with sharp, textured layers of paint lending a sense of movement. They are paintings in which the figures seem to be moving of their own accord, a style which Mikhaylyan has playfully nicknamed ’Movementalism’." said Adam Volk of the Ottawa Xpress to describe her works. Marianna Mikhaylyan’s artworks can now be found in private collections around the world including in Russia, USA, Canada, France, Germany, U.K., Norway, Italy, Israel, Australia and Austria.

Stephen Rothwell, Kanata area artist, has become well known for innovation within the world of watercolour. His loose style, bold colour, ability to capture light and versatility to paint a variety of subjects has created an ever-increasing demand for his paintings and workshops. He enjoys sharing the expertise he has gained over the years with students anxious to emulate his distinctive style and learn the innovative technique he has developed for “watercolour without glass.”

Stephen's winter retreat on historic Jekyll Island Georgia, is a thriving arts community and haven for those who appreciate nature. He teaches and exhibits at the Goodyear Gallery, garnering interest not only from the Jekyll Island community, but nearby St Simon Island, Savannah, Atlanta and Jacksonville. In 2004 and 2007, Stephen was the featured artist during the month of February at the Goodyear Gallery, both very successful shows, and for the sixth consecutive year his work has won 1st place for Advanced Watercolour at the Jekyll Island Arts Festival.

Shirley Mancino is a professional painter living in Westport Ontario whose passion for life and travel can be seen in her colourful and dramatic artworks. Over the last 25 years, Mancino has developed a distinctive and innovative style using mixed media. She brings a fresh and vibrant perspective to landscapes, people-scapes and abstractions. Hardworking elegant women and the elderly are among the themes that capture her artistic imagination. Although excited by abstraction, she often produces quasi-representational works.
She completed four years study at Ontario College of Art where her major influence was Chin Tok Tan. and spent a month at Belles Artes Institute in San Miguel, Mexico studying with Helen Koffee.

Her art is inspired by the Canadian wilderness and by back-packing travels in Asia and North Africa. While travelling, she paints 'en plein air'. Curious onlookers often engulf her, trying to communicate in many different languages. A natural story teller, Shirley has fascinating tales to recount about her art adventures . At home, she works more with larger paintings experimenting with combinations of media, technique and subject matter.

She won the Juror's Choice Award, Toronto Watercolour Society (2000). Best of Show, First Place in Mixed Media and in Watercolour and the People's Choice Award (Rideau Valley Art Festival 1996). With 25 years experience as an adult educator, she delivers clear, succinct and joyful workshops and presentations to art associations and public groups. She has also served as an art juror, a professional art critic and demonstrator.

New Art Show at Tay Gallery Kanata

2010-10-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

"Rhythm & Hues" opened today at Tay Gallery Kanata featuring dynamic paintings by 4 talented area artists: Elizabeth Elkin, Shirley Mancino, Marianna Mikhaylyan, and Stephen Rothwell.
4 very different styles, media and subject matter - these paintings don't miss a beat!
Visit the show Monday - Saturday between 10 and 5 p.m. Thursdays until 8 p.m at 471 Hazeldean Rd. in Kanata, corner of Castlefrank Rd.

New Large Landscapes Available

2010-10-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

For the many clients searching for that special painting perfect for a particularly grand space, we currently have a number of new large format landscape paintings and abstract paintings of high quality and dramatic impact.
Contact Lisa Brown at Tay Gallery Kanata , 613-836-4169 to arrange an appointment for a free art consultation and convenient viewing of digital images of paintings at gallery location. Interior Designers are welcome. Viewing of paintings can be arranged through our Ottawa location.

Featured artists this month

2010-10-13T18:58:00.000-07:00

Fall Flavours continues in October with the addition of works by Alexa Ponomareff ( abstract triptych) and Twyla Webster ( oil landscape paintings of Lanark area).

Alexa Ponomareff is an abstract painter working in the minimalist tradition. She was born in Toronto and is now living in the Westport area.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Aboriginal studies at the University of Toronto, she moved to the Lanark Highlands where the rugged beauty of the natural surroundings rekindled her love of painting. She draws inspiration for her work from her home environment and her travels - both visually and philosophically - her interest in different cultures, people and places has taken her to Europe, Central America, Russia, Japan, Australia and north to the Arctic on Baffin Island. She recently graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

States Alexa:

"This present body of work has been influenced by time spent in the Arctic on Baffin Island.

It aims to give a visual representation of the “essence” of certain physical forms, allowing them to manifest themselves in the empty white expanses of the gessoed surfaces and bringing them to our awareness.

Personally, I feel that I am best able to express this essence in an abstract manner, with a paring away of detail, thereby allowing the forms to speak for themselves...

My use of organic line and form reflects both seen and unseen worlds. It not only attempts to visually realize the essence of the natural landscape of my surroundings, but also stands in as a metaphor for my own interior landscape or Unconscious."

Sharon Fox Cranston, SCA wins award at Pastel Artists Canada Annual Show

2010-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sharon Fox Cranston, SCA was recently awarded the Terry Ludwig, (second prize) for her painting "Windswept" at the Pastel Artists Canada's 19th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, "Purely Pastel".

The exhibition runs from Sept. 27th to October 17th, 2010 at Neilson Park Creative Centre, 56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke, ON. 42 paintings from Canada's best pastelists are on show Monday to
Saturday, 9am to 4pm, Tuesday evening 7pm - 9pm and Sunday noon to 4pm.

A selection of Sharon's paintings are on exhibit at our Kanata Gallery, Tay Gallery in the current show. See Sharon's featured artist page for images of paintings.

October at Tay River Gallery

2010-10-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

Our "Fall Flavour" group show continues at Tay River Gallery throughout October with autumn colours and scenes as focus. Take a fall drive to enjoy the colours both on the highway, and throughout the gallery!
Additions to the show this month will include our Focal Wall spotlight which features an abstract triptych by Alexa Ponomareff, Westport area artist and also a group of small plein air landscape paintings by Twyla Webster, Wolfe Lake artist.
More about the show and artists in a later update.

A important note for out- of- towners--- Wilson St. Road Construction still continues to hinder accessibility to Wilson St. businesses . The gallery will maintain its reduced hours of Friday 12 - 5 p.m and Saturday 12 - 5 p.m. during October. We will also be available by appointment only on other week days. Works at Tay River Gallery viewed on the website can be also viewed in person by arrangement at our Kanata location, Tay Gallery Kanata at 471 Hazeldean Rd.

Regular business hours at Tay River Gallery will not resume until next Spring 2011.

New Digital Release "Sound" by Paul Brown, Ottawa area musician

2010-09-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

Paul Brown, local master composer and musician, has just released his latest album "Sound". Sound has 10 instrumental tracks of various vibes, unified with a production aesthetic merging live playing and programming. Synthesizer sounds mix with funky bass guitar and soulful electric guitar over organic and analog drum beats. Currently available for sale as digital download. Check it out on the website at www.paulbrownsound.com

Enjoy world class sound from this talented Canadian musician.

"Fall Flavour" at Tay River Gallery

2010-09-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

Reflections of Autumn by John Alexander Day, OSA,SCA.

Savour the "Fall Flavour" at Tay River Gallery in Perth, beginning this Friday September 17th, and continuing throughout October. The splendour of fall is the highlight with vibrant autumn colours in a selection of paintings from Kathy Haycock, Deborah Czernecky, Gudrun Schutz, John Alexander Day, John Stevenson, John Hiscock, Shirley Mancino, Tricia Savoie and other gallery artists. Gallery is open Friday 12 - 5 p.m and Saturday 12 - 5 p.m.

Conversations in Colour: Fall show at Tay Gallery Kanata

2010-09-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge

Tay Gallery Kanata presents Conversations in Colour

featuring paintings by the talented Anne Barkley, Charles Spratt, Martha Markowsky, Tricia Savoie, Allison Robichaud, and John Stevenson from September 8 - October 16th. Tay Gallery Kanata is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 - 6 p.m.and located at 471 Hazeldean Rd. at the corner of Castlefrank.

Summer Medley at Tay Gallery Kanata

2010-07-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

Summer Medley at Tay Gallery in Kanata is an informal group show with exciting additions throughout the summer months. Not your average summer art show! An eclectic mix of figures, abstract, landscapes and interiors are featured with new works added every couple of weeks. The show starts July 6th and runs until August 30th. There will not be an opening reception for this show.

Summer Medley features paintings by Jennifer Campbell, Deborah Czernecky, John Day, Kathy Haycock, J. Allison Robichaud, Maureen Sheridan, Charles Spratt,Monika Seidenbush , J.T. Winik and other guest artists throughout the summer.

The new gallery in Kanata is located at 471 Hazeldean Rd, corner of Castlefrank and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m.

Summer Mix at Tay River Gallery

2010-07-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Perth's Tay River Gallery spotlight for July is a selection of riveting 'hot' paintings - abstract landscapes by Paulette Marie Sauve, and new figurative works by Monika Seidenbusch. A warm palette of bright orange, reds and yellows dominate the landscapes and figure works featured in our spotlight.

A selection of new works by gallery artists Tricia Savoie and Martha Markowsky are also on display this month. Five rooms of visual delight at Tay River Gallery. Enjoy! Reduced hours continue at Tay River Gallery during road construction so please call ahead or check the website for business hours or arrange a viewing by appointment.

Tay River Gallery is located at 28 Wilson St. W. in Perth and is open Friday 12 - 5 p.m. and Saturday 12 - 5 p.m. Call 613-264-5448 for more information.

Martha Markowsky Painting "Late Afternoon Trams" (Toronto)

Gallery Hours and Locations

2010-06-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder about gallery hours. Tay River Gallery in Perth is currently open 2 days a week - Friday 12 - 5 and Saturday 12 - 5 p.m.during ongoing major road construction on Wilson St. Sorry for any inconvenience. Please call 613-264-5448 or check the website for gallery hours. If you are interested in visiting the gallery on Monday, please call ahead and make an appointment. Our featured artist in June is Maureen Sheridan with large as life canvases rendered in her unique and appealing realistic style.

For service Tuesday - Saturday visit our second new gallery location - Tay Gallery in Kanata at 471 Hazeldean Rd. on the corner of Castlefrank and Hazeldean Rd. We can be reached at 613-836-4169. The gallery in Kanata is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 - 6 p.m. See beautiful paintings by extraordinary artists carefully selected for this new gallery space. Creative conservation art framing is also available on site. Lisa Brown, gallery owner, is working at the Tay Gallery Kanata location these days and hopes to keep some regular hours in Perth again once the road construction is completed. Friendly service on Friday and Saturday in the Perth location is provided by Alexa and Dave. Enjoy your visit!

New Carleton Place area Art Festival in July

2010-06-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

This announcement about an upcoming NEW art festival may be of interest to area artists interested in exhibiting their works. The art festival will take place at Hayshore Lakeside, just outside Carleton Place on July 10 th and 11th.

Progress on Wilson St.

2010-06-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

The parking lot for Tay River Gallery is accessible again. The massive hole in the street directly outside the gallery has been filled with gravel. Visitors are welcome to park behind the gallery. Things should be somewhat quieter this week with the equipment now moved next door for drilling through the granite bed.
Do stop in on Friday or Saturday 12 - 5 p.m. to see the fine art of talented regional artists. We are also open Mondays by appointment during road construction on Wilson St.

Construction Goes On and the Show Goes On!

2010-05-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Maureen Sheridan spotlight feature will be held over for the entire month of June. Do drop in on Friday or Saturday from 12 - 5 p.m to see this show. Please park in the municipal parking lot or on a side street as the lot is temporarily unavailable. We continue with reduced hours at the gallery (open only Friday and Saturday) in June.

The road construction on Wilson St. STILL is situated directly in front of the gallery - which means our wonderful parking lot in back is not accessible to any vehicles due to the gaping deep hole in the ground where the driveway meets the street (for the last 3 weeks and who know how much longer?)

Nice to see our Ottawa and Perth area visitors!

New Gallery Space in Kanata!

2010-05-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our brand new gallery space in Kanata!

Tay Gallery Kanata is an exciting new contemporary fine art gallery located in the heart of Kanata at 471 Hazeldean Rd (Corner of Castlefrank).

The public is invited to our grand opening party in June on Saturday June 5th from 2 - 5 p.m. Join us for refreshments, fine artists and fabulous art!

The gallery is located in the newly renovated space in Apex Art Framing, established picture framing business serving Kanata since 1996. Note that the signage is not yet installed- virtual signs brought to you via photoshop magic!
Gallery Business hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Website coming soon at www.taygallerykanata.com.

"Opening Act" is the first show of the year with paintings by well known accomplished area artists: Pierrette Dulude-Bohay, John Alexander Day, Martha Markowsky, Michel Pleau, J. Allison Robichaud, Paulette M. Sauve, Tricia Savoie, Maureen Sheridan, Charles Spratt, and John Stevenson.

Artist Spotlight : Paintings by Maureen Sheridan

2010-05-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to welcome Maureen Sheridan to Tay River Gallery this month. Maureen Sheridan is a Kingston area artist who paints in a realistic style conveying subjective impressions of a particular, usually very ordinary event or moment in time that has personal meaning for the artist, yet resonates with the viewer. The colour palette in these paintings is sometimes subdued, the handling of light adept, subject matter and composition are arresting and memorable. The paintings are created on large sized canvases that easily envelop the viewer with their intrigue and quiet presence.

Sheridan graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and has been exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions since 1989. Her work has won various awards, including a "Best Painting in Show" award at Toronto's Outdoor Art Exhibition. Her works can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe. See the artist page for Maureen on our website for images of her work and biography.
Visit the gallery this month to see recent paintings by Maureen Sheridan, our featured artist in May at Tay River Gallery in Perth. Tay River Gallery is open Friday 12 - 5 and Saturday 12 - 5 p.m during major road construction on Wilson St.

Fluid Acrylics Workshop Extravaganza

2010-04-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

When:May 29-30, 2010, 9 – 4 pm

Awaken your creative spirit and playful nature. White paper syndrome is common to artists at all levels. Not here! Learn to use Tri-Arts fluid acrylics and mediums boldly and loosely as a vehicle for self-expression. This exciting workshop helps developing artists break free and explore new directions in acrylics and mixed media. By pouring, dripping, texturizing, layering, you will create stunning abstractions that you can then reincarnate into gorgeous representational works. Composition and design is an integral part of the session. Shirley will demonstrate the making of stamps of real or fabricated ancient motifs and symbols for use within our paintings. You will benefit from helpful personal attention, demonstrations and constructive group discussion. Relax, play, and reconnect with your joyful creative self.

All workshops are suitable for levels from beginner to advanced.
Workshops are limited to 8 participants.
Cost $175.00 for two-day workshop.
All Tri-Art paints and mediums are included during the session.
A take home kit of paints/mediums (retail value $65) is also provided.

How to register:

Workshops fill quickly so register early to avoid disappointment. Your place is reserved once your cheque is received. Make your cheque payable to Shirley Mancino at 68 Rebecca Lane, Westport ON K0G 1X0. If you need to cancel for whatever reason, there is no charge if you notify us a minimum of 18 days in advance of the start date. After that date, there will be no refund.
Contact Info Tel: 613-273-2984 Email: smancino@rideau.net
See www.shirleymancino.com for a suggested materials list.

Instructor Qualifications: Shirley Mancino has 30 years experience delivering workshops, and as a juror and art critic. She has a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and 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 participates in juried shows and is represented by 5 galleries. Shirley ‘s style is loose, ethereal and mystical, characterized by bold, vibrant colour.

Workshop Location:
Workshop take place in Shirley’s stunning lakeside studio in Westport. Enjoy the wonderful scenery, shopping, and hiking - a truly breathtaking destination. Great B and Bs are a short walk away. On request, Shirley conducts workshops and demonstrations for art groups at your preferred location.

Artist News - Ottawa Watercolour Society Exhibition

2010-04-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

Recently the Ottawa Watercolour Society held it’s 61st juried exhibition and John Hiscock is pleased to announce he won the Wallacks Award for “Best In Show”. The winning painting achieves a fine balance of technical difficulty and creative expression. The subject is the old mill in Balaclava which is a few kilometres off highway 132 west of Renfrew. Congratulations John!

Rural Horizons: Introducing acrylic paintings by Mike Smith

2010-04-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

In the front room this month we have a focus wall with new work by Mike Smith of Cobourg Ontario. The featured selection of acrylic paintings by Mike Smith depict familiar elements in the rural landscape where the sky and horizon feature prominently. Architectural pieces, such as the lighthouse featured this month are rendered in high realism with technical precision.

Mike Smith was born in South Africa and has lived in Canada since the late 80’s. He has been involved in art for most of his life - working as an art director and creative director for advertising agencies in Toronto and South Africa until 2003 when he decided to paint full time. Since moving to rural Ontario outside Cobourg, the inspiration for his paintings has been the beautiful countryside of Eastern Ontario. Smith has participated in numerous shows, including The Art Gallery of Northumberland, the Fine Art Festivals in Merrickville and Westport, and Cobourg. In addition he is represented by several Ontario galleries. View more artwork by Mike Smith on his artist page on our website. Welcome to Tay River Gallery Mike!

Parking at Tay River Gallery

2010-04-09T04:18:00.000-07:00

Tay River Gallery has a spacious parking lot to the rear of the building where visitors to the gallery are welcome to park. During major road reconstruction on Wilson St West, beginning next week, there will be no on-street parking and traffic on Wilson St. will be reduced to one lane, southbound from Hwy 7. to the downtown core. Northbound traffic will use Drummond St. Please check the website for business hours during the construction period or call the gallery as the gallery will be open on a reduced schedule - varying during spring, summer and fall of 2010. Currently the gallery is open Friday and Saturday from 12 - 5 p.m. and Monday - Thursday by appointment only.

Sorry for any inconvenience to customers arising from road construction, but the gallery will continue to carry new work throughout the year from the important Canadian artists we represent.

Martha Markowsky Retrospective this Month in Lachine Quebec Mar 12 - April 11, 2010

2010-03-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

Exhibition by
MARTHA MARKOWSKY
titled
THE RETROSPECTIVE
25-years of Painting
March 12 to April 11th, 2010
VERNISSAGE: SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010 from 12 to 5 pm
GUY DESCARY CULTURAL CENTRE, L'ENTREPOT
2501 Boul.St. Joseph, Lachine, Quebec
for additional information, please call 613 294 2402
The exhibition will run every Friday from 5 to 9 pm,
Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 pm

March 12 to April 11th.

Tay River Gallery is Expanding

2010-03-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

The buzz is that Tay River Gallery is expanding. The back 14 ft room on the main floor will be reopened in April- as we had this room closed off during winter months. Gallery will be displaying a diverse selection of exciting new work in April.

We will be introducing new work by Mike Smith of Cobourg and Maureen Sheridan of Kingston in April. More about this exciting news in an upcoming post.

Buzz about a second gallery location in the works.... read about this soon as well!
Very very busy these days so many apologies for the brevity of posts.
From a very tired gallery owner. yours truly, LB

March Focus Wall : East Coast Scenes

2010-03-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

As always a picture paints a thousand words... our March highlight on view. Debbie Milling's new oil paintings of seascapes.

East Coast Scenes: New work by Debbie Milling

2010-03-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air! This mild weather is so inspiring. Usually it is this time of the year, when I have grown sufficiently impatient and annoyed with winter that my thoughts turn to the sea... Dreaming of summer days spent in the Maritimes or Maine by the seaside - the ocean beckons. Our artist spotlight this month or focus wall features five exciting new oil paintings by Debbie Milling - providing you with a journey to the sea with Milling's unique interpretation of the Cabot Trail, and Newfoundland coastal scenes. You can almost smell the salty air!

Debbie Milling's latest paintings capture the east coast region. Milling paints views of remote Canadian landscapes captured in her travels on horseback and by boat. Her studio overlooks the Rideau River near Ottawa. Milling has participated in several group and solo shows in Ontario and her works have been gaining recognition and can be found in public and private collections across Canada.

Gallery News: New Gallery Assistant and March Hours

2010-02-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

Important news for upcoming month.

Business hours during March at Tay River Gallery, Perth ON will be on a much reduced schedule while we are busy with reorganization.
Please note that the Gallery will be open Friday and Saturday from 12 - 5 p.m. during March. Monday - Thursday in March is by appointment only.

All framing orders will be processed as usual - as we will be completing orders in our workshop throughout the week. Framing can be dropped off and picked up at the gallery on a Friday or Saturday only in March.

There will be no Artist Calls for Submissions or major feature shows planned this spring due to major road construction commencing April on Wilson St. We will always have fresh work to view at the gallery, focusing mainly on artist spotlights when new work arrives from gallery artists. Major thematic shows will be programmed once road construction in Perth is completed in late Fall 2010.

This month we welcome Alexa Ponomareff, Westport area resident, as part-time gallery assistant at Tay River Gallery. Alexa is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) from the Ontario College of Art and Design (O.C.A.D.) who will be pleased to help you with all your art and framing needs at the gallery. Great to have you on staff Alexa!

Statistical Profile of Artists in Canada (Hill Strategies Research)

2010-02-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

A Statistical Profile of Artists in Canada : New Report released this month from Hill Strategies Research
Based on the 2006 Census, the 26th report in the Statistical Insights on the Arts series from Hill Strategies Research shows that there are 140,000 artists in Canada who spent more time at their art than at any other occupation in May 2006. Artists include actors, choreographers, craftspeople, composers, conductors, dancers, directors, musicians, producers, singers and visual artists.

The report also notes that the broader cultural sector has about 609,000 workers and comprises 3.3% of the overall labour force in Canada. One in every 30 people in Canada has a cultural occupation.This is about double the level of employment in the forestry sector in Canada (300,000) and more than double the level of employment in Canadian banks (257,000).

The report highlights 10 key facts about artists in Canada:

1. The average earnings of artists are very low.
2. A typical artist in Canada earns less than half the typical earnings of all Canadian workers.
3. Artists' earnings decreased, even before the current recession.
4. There are more female than male artists, yet women artists earn much less than men.
5. Aboriginal and visible minority artists have particularly low earnings.
6. Economic returns to higher education are much lower for artists than for other workers.
7. Many artists are self-employed.
8. There are relatively few opportunities for full-time work in the arts.
9. There has been substantial growth in the number of artists since 1971, but the rate of growth is decreasing.
10. Artists, as a group, are becoming more diverse, older and better educated.

For more information about this report check the website at http://www.hillstrategies.com/resources_details.php?resUID=1000300

Red is the Colour

2010-02-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

"Red is the Colour", of February with Valentine's day - fanciful dreams and romantic gestures...a shock of red provides a lift from slushy whites and greys and drab cloudy days. This month we feature a focal wall of abstract paintings by Anne Barkley with wow factor in that attention getting colour, with its many connotations, in its many intriguing permutations. Eye Candy for your pleasure. A valentine for your sweetheart!

Alice in Wonderland Limited Edition Chromolithograph

2010-02-04T16:33:00.000-08:00

New Low Price Offer!
Coinciding with the upcoming release on March 5th of the new 3D fantasy adventure movie " Alice in Wonderland",from Walt Disney Pictures and director Tim Burton, White Rabbit Press of Amsterdam is pleased to offer their Limited Edition Signed & Numbered Chromolithograph Print of "ALICE & THE CHESHIRE CAT" by Sir John Tenniel at new low prices. Tay River Gallery in Perth Ontario is an authorized art dealer for White Rabbit Press in Canada. Contact the gallery for availability.www.tayrivergallery.com

SPECIFICATIONS:

Retail: $250
Edition size: 500
Dimensions: 30x24"
Artist: Sir John Tenniel
Illustration source: "The Nursery Alice" (1890) by Lewis Carroll and illustrated by Sir John Tenniel
Quotation: "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865) by Lewis Carroll and illustrated by Sir John Tenniel
Signatories: Caroline Luke (great-grandniece of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, aka "Lewis Carroll"), Mary Jean St. Clair (granddaughter of Alice Hargreaves, née Liddell - the original "Alice"), Walter Tenniel Evans (great-nephew of Sir John Tenniel)...
Paper: Zerkall Büttenkarton ("rag cotton"), 270 gsm²
Printing process: chromolithography (9 colors)
Printed by: Graphische Anstalt J. E. Wolfensberger AG (Zurich, Switzerland)

For full information on "Alice in Wonderland" chromolithographs, authorized galleries, etc., visit their website at www.alice-in-wonderland.biz
White Rabbit Press (Amsterdam)

New Paintings at Tay River Gallery

2010-01-30T06:06:00.000-08:00

Have a peak at wonderful new paintings by landscape painters John Alexander Day and John Stevenson now on display at the gallery listed below. Well worth the drive!

November Shadows by John A. Day, Oil on canvas 24 x 30 framed

Start of the Day by John A. Day 24 x 24 oil on canvas framed

Mountain Stream by John A. Day 30 x 30 Oil on Canvas framed

Still Waters by John Alexander Day 30 x 30 oil on canvas framed.

River, Fall by John Stevenson Oil on canvas 20 x 40 framed

Three Birches by John Stevenson Oil 24 x 30 framed

Fall Bay, Black Lake in Gatineau Park by John Stevenson 24 x 36 oil on canvas

Ottawa River at Luskville by John Stevenson Oil on canvas frame 20 x 40 framed

Rocks in the Mist by John Stevenson, 20 x 40 oil on canvas framed.

See these new gems soon!

Stephen Snake's Portrait of Norval Morrisseau on Display in Toronto

2010-01-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Norval Morrisseau by Stephen Snake
oil on canvas 30 x 40 - 2008

Stephen Snake painted a magnificent portrait of Norval Morrisseau in 2008 which is on view at the Maslak McLeod Gallery in Toronto. The Maslak McLeod Gallery's current show features “ Morrisseau in Context” an exhibition of some of the best of the Woodland school, rarely seen Morrisseau works and some works of his contemporaries December through January 2010. Maslak-McLeod, 118 Scollard, Toronto, M5R 1G2, 416-944-2577, maslakmcleod.com. When: Dec 1-Jan 31
A photo of the painting is also posted on the website of the Norval Morrisseau Family Foundation at www.morrisseaufamilyfoundation.com/
For more information about Stephen Snake,please view the artist page on Tay River Gallery website.
Acrylic works by Stephen Snake painted in the woodland style both on canvas and on paper are currently on exhibit at Tay River Gallery in Perth Ontario.

Artist News : Anne Barkley Travels to Italy on Dream Art Trip

2010-01-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

Anne Barkley was a recent participant in the Biennale International Contemporary Art Exhibition in Florence, Italy in December, 2009 and she generously shared her trip notes with us. Says Anne:

My companion, Pam, and I flew to Paris from Montreal, leaving at 7.30 in the evening. I guess some people could get some sleep overnight in this situation. (not me)
We had chosen to have a 24-hour layover in Paris, because we hadn’t been there. We took a bus and the subway to our hotel, then headed to the Louvre, again by subway. We found it surprisingly easy to get around by public transit. Mona is indeed beautiful in person! We asked someone at the hotel to recommend a restaurant for our evening in Paris, and he sent us to a typical French restaurant. It was not as I expected; I thought it would be dark with candles, but it was bright and busy, and the tables were shared. We spoke to a honeymoon couple beside us, and they told us that they thought we were going to love Florence. (they were right)

The next morning we headed back to the Paris airport for our flight to Rome. That is some airport – lots of construction going on, and it’s huge. One goes from one terminal to another by bus, and I think it might be easy to get the wrong bus. We were travelling with carry on luggage, nothing checked through, which makes life easier in busy airports, although it means your carry-on might be a little heavy. Imagine, 18 days with a carry on – that’s good packing, and it worked out well. (The hotels have heated towel racks so you can wash and hang as needed, also hair dryers.)

In Rome we were to stay at the Hotel Lancelot. If I was to do this again, I would have given my arrival time to the hotel and I think they would have picked us up at the airport, but as I hadn’t done that, several people offering us shuttle service approached us. The prices for this varied from 30 to 110 euros, so we did fairly well by comparing rates.
I highly recommend this beautiful family-run hotel to anyone staying in Rome. We opted for the optional meal plan for dinner, and dinner is served at large round communal tables, so we met interesting people from all over the world there. The hotel is only two blocks from the coliseum, and one evening we were invited up to the owner’s apartment on the 7th floor. From her deck, in the moonlight, (full moon) there was the Coliseum!!

I had no idea Rome is so beautiful. Again, once we were there, we found public transit easy to manage. Given the time of year, there were few crowds and lineups.

Caravaggio Bacon Exhibition at the Borghese Gallery
If I had to choose one exhibition in the world to see, this would be the one I would want, and here it was, in Rome, at the same time as I was there. What are the chances? I am most interested right now in the figure in abstract, figure/background, and juxtaposing the two, integrating the figure, and here are two pioneers in their times with their portrait work. We had a wonderful two hours here, with a side attraction of a guide fighting (quite loudly) with one of the patrons, over a perceived disrespect. Most interesting, I must learn to be more assertive.
I was reading a book from the hotel about the dancer Nureyev (Dancer, Colum McCann). One quotation from the book:
‘at the gathering Bacon asked ‘why dance?’ I retorted, ‘why paint?’ He dragged on his cigarette and said painting was the language he would give his soul if he could teach his soul to speak.

In Rome we also visited the Vatican Museum and the Coliseum, went to several different areas including Trasteverre.
Also in Rome, Danielle from Brockville, who is taking her master’s degree in England this year, joined us. She was with us for the next four days and added much to the fun of our trip.

Pictured below is a small art gallery in Rome.

There was a bus strike in Rome Friday afternoon, so we got on a train for Florence on Friday morning. It was a great trip, of course lots of scenery on our way.
When we arrived in Florence it was raining so we took a cab to our hotel, but from then on the weather was amazing. The first night we found a little bar in our neighbourhood with free appetizers if you bought a drink for 6 euros, so we had a good time there. We were in a very good location, lots to do and see right on our street, close to the train station and the fort where the art show was being held. The food and shopping and prices and wine in Florence were great.

Biennale: BIENNALE INTERNAZIONALE DELL’ARTE CONTEMPORANEA
The biennale was held in the Forta de Basso, a large area with several buildings at the end of our street. The exhibition opened on Saturday morning, with the work of six hundred and fifty artists from all over the world. The opening had lots of pomp and ceremony, bugles, marching, costumes, champagne, cheese, crowds of people – very exciting all in all. The display was well done, and well lit. Each artist had a section of a booth set up almost as small galleries. Below is a photo of the Fort, two of the opening, and one of my work in the booth (closest to the chair).

My art friend Pierrette Dulude Bohay also had work in the show. Her booth was close to mine, so that I could keep an eye on both areas. She had lots of response to her painting, Sir Earl and his Chicks. We also received a catalogue of the Exhibition, which we will treasure.
Pierrette’s work, the painting with a mat behind a group of artists discussing various works:

The opening was topped only by the closing banquet on Saturday evening, with 950 people in attendance, two opera singers, an eight-course meal, and costumes on some of the artists that defied belief! As this is a contemporary exhibition, there was lots of cutting edge work, (as well as some that was a little too far out for me).

As well, there were seminars on different art-related topics throughout the week. One seminar discussed: “Art is born in the eye of the beholder.” Which gave rise to lots of thoughts, why talk if no one listens? Why paint if no one looks? Is the doing enough? Can it be? Does it need the completion of an audience? Is this why our arts communities and groups can be so important to us? Lots of questions, sorry I don’t have any answers for you.

In Florence we also visited the Pitti Palace, another museum, and Pam and I bought watercolour paintings from an artist outside the entrance. (just what I need, more paintings, right?) But what would you rather buy?
We took a bus tour of Tuscany, which we thoroughly enjoyed, visiting Sienna, San Gimignano, Pisa, and lunch at a farm where everything served was from that farm, including four kinds of wine, olive oil, biscotti. What a beautiful spot, high on the side of a mountain looking out over vineyards and olive groves. I could have stayed there for a week. (see photo)

On another day we took the bullet train to Venice and visited the Peggy Guggenheim collection. Some train, we could use those in Canada

We were extremely lucky with timing. (End of November to middle of December). The weather was good while we were away, and since we have returned home Europe has been hit by lots of snow and ice, which they aren’t very well equipped to deal with; also the airplane incident on Christmas day has made air travel much slower. And, because it was the off season, we didn’t have crowds and lineups to deal with, but there was lots of shopping to be had. I think it would be fun to go to Florence for a month or two in the fall or spring, lots of great accommodation at reasonable prices, lots of good food and wine.

Anne Barkley is an accomplished abstract painter, and elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists. She belongs to several other art groups and organizations. Barkley’s award-winning work is held in public and private collections across Canada. Anne has recently exhibited her work in New York City and by invitation at the 7th Biennale Internazionale dell'Arte Contemporanea in Florence Italy. Anne Barkley's work can be found at Tay River Gallery and many other fine art galleries in Ontario and Quebec.

2010-01-03T15:35:00.001-08:00

Gallery Artist News

2010-01-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

Winter Tamaracks, 2009 by John Alexander Day, SCA,OSA

West Coast Afternoon, 2009 by John Alexander Day,SCA,OSA

Kudos to two talented gallery artists who have been recently elected by jury to the prestigious Ontario Society of Artists and the Society of Canadian Artists. As an elected member of the organization, the artist can use the SCA or OSA designation after their name and participate in group exhibitions with other members of the art society.

John Alexander Day was recently elected to the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA). John Alexander Day is also an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists since 2005.
Founded in 1872, the Ontario Society of Artists is Canada's oldest continuously operating art society. This is a professional association with a mandate to foster and promote the visual arts through exhibitions, publications and arts advocacy.

Landscape Painting by Deborah Czernecky, SCA

Deborah Czernecky was recently elected to the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA).The Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) is a national, non-profit artists’ organization dedicated to promoting the visibility and stature of the visual arts. Originally a regional organization formed in Ontario in 1957, SCA broadened its vision from local to national in 1972.

Grand Arbutus Tree, 2009 by Deborah Czernecky, SCA

Watercolour Classes in Sunny Bermuda

2009-12-21T04:01:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-18T23:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-01T16:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T01:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-10-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

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

Reception for Strange & Beautiful this Saturday!

2009-10-14T19:16:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-06T04:10:00.000-07:00

"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

2009-09-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-01T00:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

"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

2009-08-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-11T04:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-10T05:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-10T04:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

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
***************************************************
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

2009-05-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

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.

2009 Sobey Art Award Shortlist Announced

2009-05-07T19:14:00.001-07:00

Last week on Friday May 1st, the Curatorial Panel of the 2009 Sobey Art Award announced the names of the five exceptional Canadian artists selected for the 2009 Sobey Art Award Shortlist: For the West Coast and Yukon: Luanne Martineau; the Prairies and The North: Marcel Dzama; Ontario: Shary Boyle; Québec: David Altmejd; and the Atlantic region : Graeme Patterson. To learn more about the shortlisted artists, check out the Sobey Art Award Page on the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia website .

"Faced with the benefit of a uniformly strong selection of candidates,the jury came to a unanimous consensus on this year's shortlist.Addressing both the local and the global, these artists make works that encapsulate materiality and conception, scale and complexity,
representation and irrationality. Each artist shares a depth of commitment to their creation and exploration of idiosyncratic worlds that are real, imagined, and fantastical.”
2009 Curatorial Panel

Selected work from the shortlisted artists will be exhibited by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia from September 5 to November 5 of 2009. The winner of the 2009 Sobey Art Award will be announced October 15, 2009.

Members of the Sobey Art Award Curatorial Panel include Liz Wylie, Curator, Kelowna Art Gallery; Kitty Scott, Director, Visual Arts - The Banff Centre; Ivan Jurakic, Curator, Cambridge Galleries; Louise Déry, Director, Galerie de l'UQAM; and Terry Graff, Curator & Deputy Director; Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

The Sobey Art Award, created in 2002 by the Sobey Art Foundation is an annual prize given to an artist under 40 who has exhibited in a public or commercial art gallery. A total
of $70,000 in prize money is awarded : $50,000 to the winner and $5,000 to each of the other four finalists. The Sobey Art Award and accompanying exhibition have been organized and administered by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

I hope to make it out to see the exhibition this fall. Nova Scotia was already in our travel plans for this year, and hopefully we can tweak the timing of our trip to get to this show.

Gallery Update

2009-05-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

A quick update on Gallery News and Upcoming Events
Tay River Gallery in Perth Spring hours are currently: Wednesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday from 10 - 5 p.m. during the month of May. Our feature show is Urban Landscapes with paintings by featured artists Keith Burnett, Karen PHillips Curran, Stuart Davison, Carla Miedema, Paulette Marie Sauve, and Roberta Smith. An urban flavor of paintings from gallery artists John Alexander Day, Martha Markowsky, Shirley Mancino, Rosemary Randell and John Shea adds to the mix. Catch the show before May 30th.

Coming June, "Changing Seasons", the "much anticipated" solo exhibition of new acrylic landscape paintings by Charles Spratt, celebrated Ottawa area artist from June 1 - June 15th.
Meet Charles Spratt at the Vernissage on Sunday June 7th between 2 and 4 p.m. at Tay River Gallery , 28 Wilson St. West in Perth. Gallery will be open daily during this solo exhibition. More detailed information to follow later this month.

Tay River Gallery Art Consultation and Sales Office , located at 136 Bridge Street in downtown Carleton Place will open on Monday May 11th. The office will be open Mondays during the day, as well as evenings by appointment between 6 and 8 p.m. (Tues - Thursday) providing free consultations for all your art and framing needs. Consultations are personalized to your specific requirements. A full range of art services will be available to customers in the Ottawa, Carleton Place , Almonte and Perth area. Call to arrange a viewing of paintings in our Carleton Place office by evening appointment, just one of our many art services. Call 613-257-7195 for more information or to schedule an appointment. We will be posting more information about the unique features of our Carleton Place office shortly. Personalized service at hours convenient to you!

John Alexander Day Featured on Regional Contact

2009-04-29T18:35:00.001-07:00

John Alexander Day will be the very talented feature artist spotlighted on CTV Ottawa's Regional Contact Show airing this Saturday May 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Joel Haslam and Kathie Donovan produce and host this award-winning, television show that has aired for more than three decades.
This week's segment is the perfect opportunity to hear from and learn more about this extraordinary Canadian landscape painter living in Ottawa. John Alexander Day is a prolific and highly collected artist proudly represented by Tay River Gallery . View a selection of works by John Day on our website on his featured artist page

On another somewhat related note: A little birdie happened to tell me that the airing of this show happens to be on John's "Happy Birthday" day. I couldn't resist letting this out of the bag.
So please do join me everyone (who happens to see John in the next few days), in wishing him a "Happy Birthday" this Saturday! And tune in Regional Contact this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on CTV to watch this fabulous show.
Happy B-Day John!

Painting Workshops with Shirley Mancino

2009-04-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

Magical Watercolour - Endless Possibilities

May 21- 22, (Thursday- Friday), 2009, 9 – 4 pm

This exciting workshop will help developing artists break free and explore new directions in watercolour. You will loosen up and explore the interesting effects and textures created by combining watercolour with various mixed media, e.g. water-soluble crayons, soft or oil pastels. Discover ways to resurrect unsuccessful watercolour paintings with black ink, coloured pencil, gesso and gouache. Participants may choose their own subject matter. The workshop will include various ways to approach painting figures, landscapes and the figure in the landscape. You will be inspired to move beyond pure representation to personal expression and abstraction. Composition and design is a fundamental part of the session. Creativity, fun, and individual uniqueness will be emphasized. Shirley will demonstrate using watercolour.

Experimental Extravaganza: Fluid Acrylics

June 20 - 21, 2009, 9 – 4 pm

Learn to use fluid acrylics boldly and loosely as a vehicle for self-expression.

This exciting workshop will help developing artists break free and explore new directions in acrylics and mixed media. By pouring, dripping, splattering, texturizing and layering, you will create stunning abstractions that you can then reincarnate into gorgeous representational works. Composition and design is an integral part of the session. Relax, play, and reconnect with your joyful creative self. Shirley will demonstrate using fluid acrylics and other media. You may use watercolour if you prefer.

People-scapes/Landscapes With Panache

Aug 8- 9, 2009, 9 – 4 pm
This workshop will include the bold and free exploratory techniques, and will include on simplified approaches to painting figures and/or landscapes as well as figures in the landscape. Starting with textural and abstract underpaintings, participants will learn how to superimpose representational subjects on top while still maintaining the essential mystery. Participants have the choice to capture the illusion or build the image to further quasi-representational detail. Work in the medium of your choice.

Fluid Acrylics: Experimental Extravaganza

Sept 12-13, 2009, 9 – 4 pm
Learn to use wet and wild acrylics and/or watercolour as a vehicle for self-expression. By dripping, splattering, texturizing and incorporating other mixed media techniques, you will create stunning abstractions that you can then reincarnate into gorgeous representational works. Composition and design is an integral part of the session. Relax, play, and reconnect with your joyful creative self.

Experimental Extravaganza: Collage

Oct 17-18, 2009, 9 – 4 pm

This exciting workshop will help artists break free and explore new directions in mixed watermedia. You will loosen up and explore the interesting effects and textures created by combining watercolour or acrylic with various other media, e.g. water-soluble crayons, soft pastels, acrylics. Discover ways to resurrect your unsuccessful watermedia paintings using collage and/or black ink, coloured pencil, gesso or gouache. You will be inspired to move from nature towards abstraction. Composition and design is a fundamental part of the session. Creativity, fun, and individual uniqueness will be emphasized. Shirley will demonstrate using both watercolour and acrylics. You may use the media of your choice.

For more information on these workshops, which will be held in Westport Ontario at Shirley's lakeside studio, check out the website at www.shirleymancino.ca

Call for Submissions from Portrait Artists

2009-04-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Tay River Gallery is accepting submissions from professional portrait artists in Eastern Ontario, preferably Ottawa/Kingston region available to undertake through agency, commission requests we receive through our clients . Please provide a Resume, Biography and Artist's Statement with up to 10 digital images of recent work in medium resolution jpg format and reference to personal website to lbrown@tayrivergallery.com. "Portrait Artist Submission" in Subject line please.

Accepting submissions until May 30th, 2009.

Daily Paintings by Mario Beaudoin

2009-04-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

A Year in the Life of established Quebec artist Mario Beaudoin chronicled in ‘Daily Paintings’
Beginning the first of March 2009,established Quebec artist Mario Beaudoin has been creating a unique work of art daily. He plans to create a year's worth of paintings in this visual diary using his palette and brushes recording the life of the artist, his many travels and the beautiful landscapes, villages and people of Eastern Canada and the United States.

The paintings will be available to see each day along with the artists’ thoughts on his website mariobeaudoin.com. “I encourage people to come frequently to see what is new on the site and share with me their special days," explained Mario Beaudoin. “I think the sources of painting, and of art generally, are in all of us. They flow from some reservoir which is mysterious and universal."

Each painting will be available for purchase. For new collectors, art enthusiasts, and patrons this is a unique opportunity to own part of this one of-a-kind collection. Each buyer will also receive a companion book at the end of the year, with pictures of all 365 paintings. This book will also include a signed certificate of authenticity.

About Mario Beaudoin.
Mario Beaudoin is a painter whose reputation has grown tremendously with works showing across the country and internationally. Drawing from his Quebecois heritage
and his joie de vivre, Mario’s paintings express his passion for color and form. His
paintings engage us with the abstraction of physical and personal landmarks while
flattening form into shape, and in his daring and balanced use of color. Mario writes of art making, “I am energized by cold winter nights, snow covered pine trees and the last warm days of autumn, all of which exhibit different variations of lights and shadows. I can't resist the drama as well as the serenity of an old church steeple and the Quebecois architecture rising out of a quiet village to inspire me to create painting that reflects scenes I have enjoyed all of my life.”

Mario Beaudoin exhibits works in galleries across Canada, and is represented by Tay River Gallery, contemporary fine art gallery in Perth Ontario. See a selection of his works available at the gallery on his artist page on the Tay River Gallery website.

"Urban Landscapes" Art Show Opens at Tay River Gallery

2009-04-07T04:43:00.000-07:00

"Urban Landscapes" opens Wednesday April 8th at Tay River Gallery featuring paintings that portray architectural masterpieces, historical sites, and everyday settings. These paintings capture the charm, character, and beauty of the manmade environment in locales near and far.

Paintings of buildings document powerful symbols of our time and culture and reveal as much about the artist's inner vision as they record visually a place in time and memory. Buildings portrayed reveal much about our heritage, aspirations and dreams, and tell wonderful stories about the inhabitants of these structures, both past and present. Old storefronts, dwellings and landmarks largely go unnoticed as we go about our busy lives, but our urban environment is changing daily. These urban paintings freeze a moment in time for our reflection and enjoyment. The show provides artistic interpretations using very personal imagery and techniques from feature artists Keith Burnett, Paulette Sauve, Stuart Davison, Carla Miedema, Karen Phillips Curran, and Roberta Smith. The varied selection provides intriguing viewing. The settings portrayed include compositions of ordinary, everyday places, as well as very memorable places created with a perspective that encourages the viewer's interest and sparks the imagination. See views of Perth, Carleton Place and Killaloe, old Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver, Toronto, and destinations as far as Britain,Holland, France Italy, Greece. Some of the buildings depicted are constructs of the artist's mind and exist only in the artist's imagination.

Gallery artists John Alexander Day, Martha Markowsky, Mario Beaudoin, Rosemary Randell, Shirley Mancino, Stephen Rothwell, Deborah Czernecky, Antal Serences, Ernie Labelle and John Shea add a selection of paintings on the urban theme to the mix. All in all, there is a wide variety for many tastes in styles and subject matter during this two month show.

The public is invited to meet the artists at the opening reception on Saturday April 11 between 2 and 4 p.m. The "Urban Landscapes" show will run from April 8 until May 30^th.

Tay River Gallery is a fine art gallery located in Perth at 28 Wilson St. The gallery represents many accomplished Canadian artists from Eastern Ontario and Quebec with over 200 works on exhibit. The Gallery is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10a.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Lisa Brown at (613) 264-5448 or visit the website at www.tayrivergallery.com

Rendezvous Show : Preview of Paintings - A Feast for the Eyes

2009-03-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

Two weeks left in March to see "Rendezvous" at Tay River Gallery featuring works by Kathy Haycock, Michel Pleau, Larry Ostrom and Stephen Snake... Here is a sneak peak at paintings currently on view posted to entice you to visit the gallery in Perth.

Four large oil landscapes by Michel Pleau from Quebec pictured above are just a few of the compelling works by this acclaimed landscape artist on view this month.

Paintings above are lively landscapes animated with the effects of weather by feature artist Kathy Haycock of her favourite region to paint, Algonquin Park and the Opeongo Hills surrounding her home near Lake Clear

Pictured above are a few of the intriguing woodland style paintings on exhibit this month by feature artist Stephen Snake from Temagami Lake, Ontario

Pictured below are examples of the dramatic fine art photography of Larry Ostrom from Westport Ontario.

Read more about the featured artists in our previous blog titled " March Rendezvous" this month on the show or see the artists' biographies on the Tay River Gallery website. There are over 200 quality original paintings by some of the finest artists in the region available at Tay River Gallery for your viewing/purchasing pleasure!

The Sobey Art Award

2009-03-13T04:41:00.001-07:00

Earlier this week, the long list of contenders for the Sobey Art Award with $70,000 in cash prizes were announced. The Sobey Art Foundation's Sobey Art Award is Canada's pre-eminent prize for a young Canadian artist. It is awarded annually to an artist 39 years old or younger who has shown their work in a public or commercial art gallery in Canada in the past 18 months. A panel of curatorial advisors, consisting of a representative from a major gallery in each of five regions (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and the North, and West Coast), develops the shortlist. This year's short list will be announced on May 1. The longlist of 25 artists is as follows:

WEST COAST AND YUKON
Rhonda Weppler & Trevor Mahovsky; Luanne Martineau; Keith Langergraber;
Evan Lee; Julie York

PRAIRIES AND THE NORTH
Paul Butler; Marcel Dzama; Sarah Anne Johnson; Jon Pylypchuk; Althea
Thauberger

ONTARIO
Shary Boyle; Christian Giroux & Daniel Young; Luis Jacob; Kelly
Richardson; Derek Sullivan

QUÉBEC
David Altmejd; Raphaëlle de Groot; Manon De Pauw; Pascal Grandmaison;
Adad Hannah

ATLANTIC
Alexandra Flood; Tara K. Wells; Ilan Sandler; Graeme Patterson; Joe
McKay

MERA Award of Excellence in Fine Arts and Fine Crafts 2009

2009-03-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

April 20th is the deadline for nominations for the MERA Award of Excellence in Fine Arts and Fine Crafts 2009. The Award includes a cash prize of $1000. The award was created in 2008 to recognize excellence in the arts and celebrate local visual artists and crafters who demonstrate excellence in their work. Individuals who have a professional interest in the field of fine art or fine craft can nominate a local artist for the award. The juried award will be given on the basis of artwork submitted by the nominated artist.

The prize is funded by a donation to PDCF (Perth and District Community Foundation ) by Lanark Highland residents Chris and Dave Dodge who conceived the award and by a donation from PDCF. The award is administered by MERA. MERA is an award winning arts association that operates out of the school house in McDonald's Corners on conc. #9A just off County Road 12. Activities and Workshops take place year round.

Nominees for this award must reside in the following townships: Lanark Highlands, Tay Valley, Central Frontenac or North Frontenac, town of Perth and Drummond /North Elmsley township.

For further information please contact MERA ( McDonalds Corners-Elphin Recreation and Arts) or visit their website for more information at www.meraschoolhouse.org

March Rendezvous

2009-03-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

During the month of March Tay River Gallery is pleased to present "Rendezvous" with the spotlight on works by new gallery artists Kathy Haycock, Larry Ostrom, Michel Pleau and Stephen Snake.

Kathy Haycock's oil landscapes capture the wilderness areas of Algonguin Park region near where she lives, as well as the Canadian Arctic and the American Southwest. Kathy Haycock is an accomplished oil painter influenced by the great Canadian Arctic painters. Working outside painting on site in all seasons, her landscapes capture the power, fragility, simplicity and enchantment of the natural world as she experiences it. Kathy Haycock is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists, an invited member of Artists for Conservation, and co-founder of both Arctic Quest and Polar Artists Group.

Larry Ostrom has worked as a photographer for over 3 decades in both the commercial and artistic world in the Toronto area, specializing in photographing world-renowned sculptures and paintings, high end portraiture as well as varied advertising work. With over 25 years experience in the “wet” darkroom and 10 yrs. with digital imagery, photo- based art is Ostrom's passion. Capturing motion with still images, death, rebirth and survival of nature have been recurring themes in his current photo- based art. Larry Ostrom's influence and inspiration is his world, 200 acres of rolling hills in Eastern Ontario and the rugged landscape of Northern Ontario.

Michel Pleau, inspired by the Group of Seven, paints Canadian wilderness scenes of Quebec in a spontaneous style with palette knife, rich colour, texture and movement that enchant the viewer with their magic. This month the gallery is pleased to exhibit a number of his new large landscape paintings. Previously the gallery has exhibited small landscape works by this popular artist. Michel Pleau is an accomplished and prolific landscape painter from Quebec who has been the recipient of various awards, including the Canadian painting Grand Prize in 1989 and is a member of Institute of Figurative Arts.

Stephen Snake was born on the Rama Ojibway Reserve near Orillia in 1966 and has been exhibiting his paintings in galleries since 1989. His artistic gift as a child was recognized and supported by his artist mother, Carol Shilling. Arthur Shilling became a strong influence on Stephen’s direction as an artist and he also introduced Stephen to the prolific works of Norval Morrisseau,one of Canada's foremost aboriginal artists and the founder of the Woodland style of painting. Stephen Snake lives on Lake Temagami and paints landscapes, portraits and woodland styles of work using oils and acrylics to capture and illustrate the spiritual and mystical nature of Temagami’s rocks, water and trees. An accomplished and recognized artist, some of his commissioned works can be found at the Orillia Chamber of Commerce, Rama’s First Nations Band Office, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and Canadian Embassy in Hungary. Tay River Gallery is pleased to introduce new vibrant paintings in the woodland style by Stephen Snake this month.

From Shirley Mancino Travel notes in India

2009-02-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

Jan. 20,2009
We are spending 3 days in Panjim, Goa's capital city, an old Portuguese type city filled with ancient building and colonial charm. Next we head into the interior to Badami, then Bijapur, Karnataka. then on to Hyderabad and the east coast. We have been eating our way around this city as food, fish and sweets principally are cheap, great and plentiful. Today we toured Old Goa which at its height in the 1600's was bigger and more magnificent than Lisbon and most other European cities. What is left now are huge old churches and cathedrals.very interesting..........

Badami Jan 24-29/09
We are now on the road and having a difficult time adjusting. Our train trip to here was smooth but we had to get a bus at 5:45 am to get to the train and we don't usually sleep much the nite before when we travel....maybe we are getting too old for this.

Badami was a capital city of the Chalukya empire in the 300-600's. It has got amazing old cave temples with intricate carvings and this was a period of experimentation in free standing temple building so those sights are marvelous....one was a world heritage sight stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Also the old sites are built around a lake which was very peaceful and cool and provided a great respite. The new town sees very few foreign tourists so we are constantly stared at, smiled at, asked what is your name? and the children persistently ask for school pens or to have their picture taken and only occasionally do they ask for rupees. The more well healed Indian tourists with cell phones or cameras always want to take our pic with them. We are enjoying the interaction most of the time....it is better than being largely ignored in a more touristy place.

Republic day was celebrated here on Monday...I was taking pics of the dancers and was invited to come sit up on stage and they were taking my pic for their newspapers!

The atmosphere
The towns are dusty, dirty, filled with garbage, smoke from dung and wood fires and diesel fumes. I spend my time either plugging my ears, and /or holding my nose or have a scarf over my nose. Our hair and nose and ears fill up with dirt. We have hot water sometimes....usually out of a bucket instead of a geyser. The power is intermittent.
Bijapur
Now we in this ancient capital....the shahs ruled here from 1400-1600 so it is very Muslim in its vast mausoleums and mosques....one of which holds 2250 worshipers at a time. Another apparently inspired the Taj mahal and another has a dome as big as St Peter's in Rome. Another would not allow women inside, but they don't make me dress up in chador/burka like they made me do in Malaysia. In the court yard of one mosque were several people each chained with huge shackles to a tree....the only explanation we got was that they are mentally ill people.

Winter Painting Afar: Karen Phillips Curran comments

2009-02-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

Cobalt, a colour, a place, a dream, a tradition.
A 7 hour drive from Burnstown, a path I've not taken before, led me to Cobalt Studios, nestled on the edge of the Catskills, wonder and experience anew awaits me there, tantalizing me, teasing me, almost scaring me, until I settle in. Once I arrived at Cobalt Studios, a short walk through the wintry woods of New York State brings me to their 4 thousand square foot workshop. I am here for a month, time enough to learn and rehearse, then embed most of the tricks of my trade, theatrical set painting. I am an artist, who, when called upon, paints scenically, for the theatre that is. My hope is that after my time here, I will feel comfortable calling myself a scenic artist. Turning hopes and dreams into reality is the stock and trade of the artist is it not?

Collaboration, risk taking, geometry, absolute rendering capabilities, strength of character and physical strength, flexibility, ingenuity, persistence, diplomacy, intuition...are just a few of the required traits to be a scenic artist. The best tool a scenic artist has is ingenuity. Process is as important as inventiveness. What to do first; then what, these are the important questions, ‘think ahead’ is the absolute reigning motto. To have to go backwards is a nightmare, a waste of time and resources, not to mention spirit. A beautifully finished foreground usually comes after a fast and easy application of background. The question of tools comes into play, which tool is best for the job, most efficient. Often scenic artists use common tools in unique ways, as well as a raft of unique tools of their own. Bow lines, scenic foot, hand chalked snap lines, long handled brushes, bamboo poles, sprayers...etc

Then there is motivation. What is artistic motivation? Usually the designer creates the artistic motive. At the end of my stay there, it is a project, a challenge. I designed and painted a “small” muslin canvas, (by scenic standards) ~ only 9x12 feet. I planned it to include as many different paint surfaces as possible within its borders. It is a piece of hung drapery, crumpled folded, trussed, above an arched doorway, also curtained with sheer lace, and a heavy satin curtain with gold tassels. All is encased by a marble doorway, with a stone wall and a marble floor. Surely, this was a gleeful test of my capabilities, with lovely results! The Drapery is now hung up in the back music room at the Neat Coffee shop in Burnstown. (looks fabulous there)

The rhythm at Cobalt is comfortable even though the learning curve is steep, as I discover new ways to tackle old challenges. A sense of collaboration and a common goal permeates each day. At Cobalt we worked together, ate together and lived together, surely a test of character, diplomacy, compassion and a healthy dose of a recognition that we are in fact all in this together. Only working together will get the job done. It is not for the faint of heart. Shoot for the stars I say, I always do, guess I am an idealist.

My time away at Cobalt Studios near White Lake New York taught me many things, new ways to look at the paint surface, new ideas about things to do!
Creative energy abounds right now. I am in love with it all.
Off we go~
Karen Phillips Curran
February 2009

Karen Phillips Curran is an accomplished watermedia artist who works out of her studio gallery, Riverstones Gallery in Burnstown Ontario. She is also the scenic painter for National Arts Centre productions in Ottawa. A selection of works by Karen Phillips Curran is available at Tay River Gallery in Perth.

Deadline extended for Artist Submissions

2009-02-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

Deadline has been extended to February 21, 2009 for Artist Submissions for "Urban Landscapes" April/May 2009 group show at Tay River Gallery.

Urban spaces or cityscapes of any locale - high realism, expressionism or abstraction in oils, acrylics, pastels or watercolours.

Accepting submissions for upcoming Small Group Show "Urban Landscapes" with show dates April/ May 2009. Pls. submit up to 6 images (low resolution jpg format) together with biography, artist statement and website url. Email your submission to lbrown@tayrivergallery.com. Selection by review of electronic submissions by curating committee.

Deadline has been extended from February 15, 2009 to February 21, 2009.