Snapdragon Gallery

Prairie Scene - Playing with Dimensions

2011-04-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

from Saskatchewan
33 artists
1 musician
your chance to party

wednesday, april 27, 5pm - 8.30pm

As part of the N.A.C. celebration of the cultural life of Saskatchewan and Manitoba - "Prairie Scene" we are proud to host the show "Playing with Dimensions".
We are lucky to have these artists fly in for the opening:

Paula Cooley
Barb Goretsky
Michael Hosaluk
Arthur Perlett
and the amazing guitar player, Jack Semple.

There will be a few, short V.I.P. remarks at 5.30pm; to kick things off and make it all official! Then a catered party, wonderful works of creativity and the sensitive, six string stylings of Jack Semple.

Michael Hosaluk, Saskatoon "Changes" 2008

"It is always interesting to turn wood when wet and see what dimensional changes occur in the drying process. I chose to turn wood that is known for its unpredictable movement. The three objects play off each others' dimensions; reflecting each form more dramatically."

Arthur Perlett, Asquith. "We Need to Tock", 2009

"In the furniture making tradition there has always been an anthropomorphic interplay - the "leg" of a table, the "back" of a chair, a "chest" of drawers. In this case, the "faces" of the clocks! I wanted to use that interplay as well as the playful nature and the varying physical dimensions to make a statement on the importance of good communication at all times.

Paula Cooley, Saskatoon. "Pleien" 2009

"Pleien reflects an archaic definition of play; 'to act or move energetically...to strut, to dance.' My sculpture reflects my interest in capturing movement and animation. I find moving bodies, whether plant, animal or human to be fascinating. I find it challenging to take an inert material and transform it, to suggest dynamic movement. Pleien was hand built, then altered to suggest undulating forms such as hips, tentacles or branches. This ambiguity is somewhat unsettling and evocative yet I trust, still sensual, dynamic and playful."

Barbara Goretzky, Lumsden. "Winter Goes to Bed" 2008

"I decided to play with time, the fourth dimension. As winter raged on, I longed for the coming of spring. I created this piece with the thought of time going forward at a different rate. For my purpose, it is handy to call time a fourth dimension."

"Little Ones" mixed media by Lynette Deir (and Mike)

2011-04-06T06:31:00.000-07:00

OPENING: FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH 6PM -9PM

runs Saturday, April 9th to Saturday, April 23rd

Here are some pics to give an idea. I will post more writing shortly. This all started as a collaborative effort between Lynette Deir and her partner, Mike, on Sunday afternoons.

"Frozen Charlottes": New and Close-up

2011-03-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

Not much text to put in here, simply lots of new shots of this
part of the show that relates to the "Frozen Charlottes".
For background, read the previous entry.
Show includes large abstract canvases in acrylic and
Marylee Laing's art glass mosaics. Runs until 3rd April 2011.

marylee laing "frozen charlottes" friday, 6 - 9pm

2011-03-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

marylee laing opens her new show this friday, march 11
6 - 9 pm with new work in three different media

19C. Ceramic on glass mosaics
Absract acrylics on canvas
Contemporary art glass mosaics

Artist talk at 7.30 pm

First medium: the 19C. ceramic on glass is the reason behind
the name of the show, "frozen charlottes". Here is the story
(are you sitting comfortably?)...

Tiny 19C. porcelain dolls from Thuringia, Germany were
inspired by an American folk ballad that itself sprang from
a poem, "Young Charlotte" written by Seba Smith after he
read a true story in the New York Observer "A young woman
was frozen to death while riding to a ball on Jan 1, 1840"

The ballad tells the tale of a beautiful young woman who set
out in a sleigh with her lover, Charles, on a bitterly cold night
to attend a ball fifteen miles (24 kms) away. Charlotte's mother
warned her to wrap herself in a blanket to keep warm, but...

"No, no, no" fair Charlotte said
And she laughed like a gypsy queen
"To ride in blankets muffled up,
I never can be seen."

Charlotte froze to death that night.

From the mid-19th century, toy manufacturers in Thuringia, Germany produced ceramic dolls' heads and parts (as well as dolls' clothes) that became popular - they were more lifelike than wooden dolls and were cheaper than wax dolls. Although porcelain dolls were also made in France, Denmark and Sweden, the rich clay deposits in Thuringia ensured
that this region remained the centre of European doll making until the Second World War.

Marylee incorporates these petite, fragile remains as a three dimensional component, amongst other historic fragments that are set on glass in a steel frame.

Second medium: abstract acrylics on canvas. Although the word "abstract" is correct, inside this non-representational artist is an avid gardener, a lover of the outdoors, a year-round walker in the woods. See what you see. There are layers upon layers of paint, medium, wash and more paint in a quest to find out how this organic experiment will evolve.

Third medium: contemporary art glass mosaics. Best known for this last group, Ms. Laing brings new work in new shapes and sizes. Some are so thick as to be almost sculptural.

Show continues until Sunday, April 3rd 2011

Brandon McVittie; New Works Opening Feb.3rd from 6-9 pm

2011-01-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

Artist will present a talk at 7.00 pm, Thursday 3rd February

Show continues until Sunday, 27th February
All works are oil on canvas and are framed

Brandon McVittie is a painter with a love of a traditional approach to portraying landscape composition. He employs a later 19th century sensibility to his work and is inspired by the dramatic lighting found in European and North American painting of an older period. He mixes colours from a largely restricted palette of earth tone pigments when striving to impart atmospheric effect and ambient glow when emulating the spirit of older era works.

Click for short video preview of show

Brandon is a graduate of Montreal’s McGill University, where he studied Art History and traditional methods and approaches to painting under Meyers and studio drawing under Tondino. Post graduate time was spent in London England in Queen’s Park Studio at Bravington. He currently resides in Ottawa Canada where he co founded and operated Artguise Fine Art Supplier and Gallery from 1997 to 2010. He currently paints composition and commissioned work in his Ottawa studio full time.

Bhat Boy unable to attend, 10th December 2010

2010-12-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

It is with regret that I have to announce that Bhat Boy is unable to attend the event that some may have seen on the postcard, which was to have taken place on Friday, December 10th from 6 - 9 pm at the gallery. He is also unavailable for the Saturday afternoon tea time, from 1 - 4 pm.

I apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. Please do come and enjoy the show, which runs until the end of the month.

"O Canada", Bhat Boy, Thurs. Nov. 25th, 6-9 pm

2010-11-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

THE BHAT BOY BIENNALE

"O CANADA"

OPENING + RECEPTION

25th NOV. 2010 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

"Matinee" Saturday afternoon opening

November 27th 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Tea Time with the artist every Saturday

1.00 to 4.00 pm, until Christmas

Bhat Boy was born in London, England somewhere in the

latter half of the 20th Century. He immigrated to Canada

on a steam ship in 1966, and became a naturalized Canadian

and grew up in the Nation's Capital with his parents

- a cleaning lady and a spy.

After a sojourn in Europe in the 80’s too colourful to describe

to gallery goers, Bhat Boy returned to Canada to attend the

Ontario College of Art disguised as mild mannered Ian Van Lock.

His studies included a year in Florence, Italy, where he learnt the

technique of the masters.

Bhat Boy spends much of his time traveling about with his paintings,

selling work in Canada, the United States and Europe. He has had

shows in Florence, Toronto, San Francisco, London, New York,

Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Ottawa.

Bhat Boy's time is divided between the Nation's Capital where

he has executed several public commissions and is founder of

"Art in the Park" (an annual arts festival), and the rest of the

world, where he is doing all sorts of other things.

He refers to himself as an Envisionist.

Bhat Boy is well known as a community activist and organizer in

Ottawa. He has been an active member of the International Society

of Art of the Imagination, since 1991. He continues to live and work

in Canada’s National Capital. His hobbies include drinking tea

and drawing maps.

"The Nude Show" OPENING 6-9 pm,Friday, November 12th 2010

2010-11-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

Gayle Kells oil on canvas

Gayle Kells mixed media (oil, wax, charcoal)

Roy Whiddon

Celina Gunn

Ivy Deavy

"The Nude Show" Friday, November 12th 6-9 pm

2010-11-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

four artists and the nude

oil on canvas- Gayle Kells

acrylic on canvas- Celina Gunn

mixed media-Ivy Deavy

black and white photography-Roy Whiddon

More information and pics to follow, please pencil in your calendar

for our first "Nude Show" on Friday, 12th November from 6.00 pm

to 9.00 pm. This show is a balance of two established artists and two

emerging artists. Each artist will be asked to say a few words and

answer questions at about 7.00 pm.

"Seven Lakes Further North", Monotype Printmaking by Chayle Cook

2010-10-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Reception and Opening: Thursday, Oct. 21st, 6.00 - 8.30 pm
Talk by Chayle Cook at 7.00 pm
Show dates: October 22nd to November 7th 2010

Chayle Cook is a gifted artist, also a jeweller (organic, architectural and enamelled), bookmaker (handsewn) and a printmaker. This show is a narrative of monotype prints,
or monoprints, so called because each piece is a one-off, original. When we think of printing presses, or even copper etchings, we think of the purpose as being to make several, or many, copies. The monotype technique, that Chayle Cook uses, results in an original work of art.

As to the subject of show, well known Quebec writer Robert Lalonde's novel "Sept Lacs Plus au Nord" (Seven Lakes Further North), I will let Chayle Cook explain:

"Inspired by the novel, "Sept lacs Plus au Nord" by Robert Lalonde, the printmaking process of monotype lends itself well to the representation of its atmosphere and narrative. I have become captivated by the universality of the journey in this story. Vivid images have been imprinted on me; landscapes and figures, created through intricate metaphors and analogies.

The imagery evoked in the writing is rich in emotional significance, though vague in specifics, it leaves it up to the reader to define many of the details about the history of the characters and events that lead to crisis. My work does not seek to illustrate the story, rather to capture this relationship between the reader and the literary work. The monotype process has given me opportunities, through happenstance, to explore the notion of interpretation and the means to relate to the viewer.

"my home in raw form" Original Mounted Photography by May-Jun

2010-09-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Reception and Opening: Thursday, September 30th, 6-9 pm

Talk by May-Jun at 7 pm

Show dates: October 1st to 17th

"You can find beauty, no matter where you are in life and these pictures are the earth in pure form, our home."

The Canadian Arctic is the theme of this collection of original, mounted photographs. These are not limited edition prints, they are unique prints that will not be copied.

May-Jun is a talented artist and musician, who combines her passion for the visual and the aural as a means of expression and a means of earning a livelihood. As a singer/songwriter,
May-Jun performs live shows and produces great videos. As a photographer, May-Jun has worked in China, Hong-Kong, Mexico, the Canadian Arctic, Toronto and New York. Areas of special interest are: abstract, interior architecture, portraiture and of course, the Arctic.

May-Jun has covered VIP events with the likes of Ron Sexsmith and Kaos and for two years
worked as the event photographer for the Drake Hotel (well known for its arts and music scene on Queen St. West) in Toronto.

"from knife edge to tranquility" - oil paintings on canvas by Kevin Dodds

2010-09-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

Opening and Reception: Thursday, September 9th, 6 - 9 pm
Talk by Kevin Dodds at 7 pm
Show Dates: 9th to 26th September 2010 (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Reflections

Born and raised in Arnprior, just "up the line" from Ottawa, Kevin Dodds is well known for his rural scenes and local landscapes. At the risk of disappointing, this show "From knife edge to tranquility" will have none of that. In order to break from the limits of his past success, Kevin has spent the past four years in Florida. This Canadian premiere of his new work is sure to surprise his longstanding fans, I am equally sure that it will earn him new ones.

Painted strings

"My journey as a professional artist has taken many directions over the years; from the Ottawa Valley and western Quebec to my newest passion - the colourful and complex Miami, Florida. By experimenting with various colours and shapes, I have developed a technique where colour is put down in squares, then broken down further into non- shapes, thus creating a three dimensional for the viewer. Currently my work is progressing in three styles of painting from modernism, impressionism and to realism."

Summer flowers


Maple in the woods

Impression 40" x 60"

Fluorescent 20" x 40"

Prosperity 40" x 60"

Benefit Art Sale and Party for Jaya Krishnan and the Orphans of Angkor Wat

2010-08-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday, August 19th 6 - 9 pm

Last year, Jaya Krishnan travelled to Cambodia and worked with an orphanage that is not far from the ruins of Angkor Wat. Jaya was inspired by what this small organisation was accomplishing and stayed to share what he has learned over a lifetime of painting.

This year I challenged Jaya to bring back paintings and we would have a benefit to send money to help the kids. Jaya has 50 paintings that will be available and all the money received from the these sales will go directly back to the orphanage.

As a background to the "Orphans and Disabled Arts Association", the founder, Leng, witnessed the death of his father at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Leng was taken in by his Uncle and Aunt and because of his background, he is drawn to help as many underprivileged children as he can. ODA currently supports 25 children at their residential orphanage and aims to provide for up to 50 at this site, as funds allow.

The main ODA objective is for the children to learn at an early age to help themselves.
This is achieved by encouraging the development of confidence, life skills and education so as to ensure that each child leaves ODA capable of being self-sufficient and of building themselves a better future.

Also showing, until the 22nd August, will be Jaya's new works of the region. Jaya has brought back a video of the children and will give a short talk with Q and A on Thursday, 19th August 6 - 9 pm.

"Colour my Reality" oil impasto by Michel-Luc Bellemare

2010-06-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

Opening: Thursday, 17th June 2010 6-8 pm

Talk by Michel-Luc Bellemare at 7 pm

Glittering Abstract Paintings in the format of a new painting technique called Color-Realism, which brings to the forefront the analysis of color and its effects. The style is a supra-impasto technique in the form of thickly applied paint with a layer of glitter, which makes the painting radiate, and gives the painting movement in the sense that as the viewer walks around the painting the image actually changes, change the lighting and so does the image, which may be the first time in the history of painting that such an effect is possible as with color-realism paintings the image is becomes dynamic, rather than static as previous art has been.

"This that and the other" oil and acrylic on canvas and wood by Ivan Unwin

2010-05-23T06:02:00.000-07:00

Opening and Reception: Thursday, 27th May 6-8pm Talk by Ivan Unwin at 7.00pm
Show dates: Thursday, 20th May to Sunday, 13th June 2010

About Ivan Unwin:

After completing the English Art education I had a collection of my atmospheric sculpture based performance art / film work released via the Manchester, England, Factory Records / IKON Film label. Titled ~ Flickering Shadows, a well reviewed and acclaimed body of work that opened further funding and many European exhibitions. It also put me in contact with producers of the newly re-invented music video. Consequently for over 10 years I had worked in London UK as an art director for many music artists Oasis, Cold Play, Pink Floyd to name but a few, as well as working for many international corporations designing and building the sets for TV Advertising.

The desire to produce my own work was again awoken after the purchase of a small cabin in Scotland, located near the west coast in a remote ancient oak forest. That midge infested rain soaked atmosphere inspired new painted work, a medium that I had not worked with since art school. After the years of creating work at the edge of film and performance art, there is an irony that painting - landscape / nature, is now for me the new avant guarde, with a central intrinsic question of pure composition, and of colour. I had a landscape painting from this period shown at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2005.

With a pin a map and the internet we moved to Warkworth Ontario in 2006. I am now starting to tackle new atmospheres with local situations.

Designer/Goldsmith: Kevin Cremin

2010-05-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few images of Kevin Cremin's outstanding work. I will be posting more info later.

Also a couple of shots of Lisanne Binnette's show as it is in the gallery, held over for one week.

Lisanne Binette: "Outaouais"

2010-04-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

Opening this Sunday, 18th, 2-5pm, meet Lisanne Binette.
"Outaouais", acrylic on canvas is fresh work from one of
our most successful artists.

Lisanne's personal interpretation of the Outaouais landscape
is a bold use of colour and dynamic work with the palette knife.

Often the paint is scraped way, revealing colours and textures beneath-
Lisanne is not merely "scratching at the surface" of her beloved countryside.
There is a joy and a strength in Lisanne Binette's work.

Possessing a degree in Fine Art from the University of Quebec, Lisanne
has shown in galleries from Aylmer and Gatineau to Ottawa, Montreal and
in the Eastern Townships.

The show runs from Thursday, 15th April to Sunday, 9th May
Lisanne will give a short talk, with Q and A, between 2-3pm.

Karen at the gallery, Saturday.

2010-04-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

This Saturday come and visit with Karen Goetzinger,
1.00 pm onwards. Karen will be in the upstairs gallery
and will be happy to discuss her works that are hanging.

We are closed for Good Friday and Easter Sunday and
as usual we are shut on Monday's and Tuesday's, so it
is a great chance to connect with the artist who has four
features in the book you see "500 Art Quilts".

This show ends on the 11th April, come before its too late.

"VivaCity" mixed media textiles by Karen Goetzinger

2010-03-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

New work by Karen Goetzinger shows her fascination with the light and colours of cities and towns. "VivaCity"- mixed media textiles opens this Sunday, 21st March with a Reception from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a B.A. in Fashion Design and Fine Art and since 2004 has taught at the Ottawa School of Art. Karen is widely known for her finely detailed mixed media textile works that are influenced by traditional quilt making, couture construction and vintage Japanese textiles and design.

"In a world increasingly enthralled with high speed technology and quantity over quality production goals, I find artistic inspiration in using time honoured traditions. These traditions allow me to experiment and to compose new, fresh objects from what might be considered old. I employ techniques that compel me to savour the process of creating; from the exhilaration of selecting colours and textures to the rhythmic lullaby of stitching by hand."

These pieces show us our metropolitan landscape in unusual perspectives: shapes, angles, daylight, nightlight, colours and the not-colours.

Karen will give a brief talk at 3.00 pm, so come out and explore the city through the fibre of these reflective viewpoints.

New images for "Deborah Arnold: Selected Works"

2010-02-06T05:16:00.000-08:00

Opening of "Deborah Arnold: Selected Works", this Sunday, 7th February 2010, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm at Snapdragon Gallery.

Deborah's works are a culmination of studies in fine art and sculpture (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in Ottawa), dance and music (Bennington College, Vermont), theatre direction and production (Case Western Reserve University, Ohio), studio programme (Cleveland Institute of Art, Ohio) and multiple studio residences in Pietrasanta, Italy.

Arnold is a member of the "Sculpture Society of Canada" and the "International Sculpture Center", Washington, D.C. Commissioned sculptures are located throughout Canada and the U.S.

Deborah Arnold has led a life dedicated to expressing herself in the arts; articulate in discussing her work. "I investigate essences of our natural world, creating abstract objects of observation. Stone carving is a physical yet contemplative process and in this way I pay loving homage to the Earth. It is my intention that viewers of my sculptures participate with me in a growing awareness of how we belong in our world's system. Perhaps viewers may feel ancient resonances, rememberings...as if looking at newly uncovered artefacts".

Artefact - art that is made, or is it art that is uncovered? The making is in the taking away. Deborah Arnold reveals/creates smooth, polished, sensuous surfaces that seem to be alive, or to contain life. At the same time, Deborah leaves/reveals the original, rough, elemental rock. Nature flow seamlessly through, unifying the contrasts.

"Each stone has a presence for me to discover. I create a dialogue between my material, myself, with viewers completing the process".

Deborah Arnold will give a short talk at 3.00 pm and will be glad to meet you and answer questions. Hot mulled wine and refreshments will be served during the opening,
from 2.00pm to 5.00 pm this Sunday, 7th February 2010.

Deborah Arnold: Selected Works

2010-01-31T09:31:00.000-08:00

Deborah Arnold is an established sculptor working in Carrara marble,Bronze, Italian Alabaster, Pyrotholite (Wonderstone), Mariash Limestone, Venus marble, Chlorite, Italian Chrystolino, wood and steel.
"Selected Works" will run from 4th to 28th February 2010. The grand Opening and Reception will be held in the Upstairs Gallery on Sunday, 7th February from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. We are planning some interesting refreshments, suitable for a cold winter's afternoon.
More images will follow, along with more information.

Matthieu Raikem- Blown Glass Light Sculptures

2010-01-31T08:32:00.000-08:00

Matthieu Raikem is from France and is now living and working in Chicoutimi.
It is a huge change, from near Paris to the north of Quebec and we are lucky that Matthieu has brought his daring sense of shape, light and colour.
Each light sculpture is made of sections that have been meticulously mouth-blown, hand cut and connected one to the other. Matthieu also creates the neon light source, which is guaranteed to last for twenty years.
These are no reading lamps or "accent pieces"; they are sculptures of light that create a presence of warmth, beauty and colour, (especially in subdued or minimal light conditions).

"A Beautiful Destruction"

2009-12-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

Opening and Reception for Louis Helbig and "A Beautiful Destruction": Thursday 10th December, 6.00pm to 8.00pm in the Upstairs Gallery.

A solo exhibition and sale of large format aerial photographs.

Last year, Louis and his partner Kristin Reimer hop-scotched across Canada in a 1946 Luscombe single propeller aeroplane.
The goal and destination was fort McMurray and the Alberta Tar Sands.

The title of this show echoes W.B.Yeats' phrase: "A terrible beauty is born", when writing of the 1916 Easter Uprising in Dublin. What Louis and Kristin discovered, from on high, were views that were almost unbelievable and overwhelming in their intensity.

As Louis writes, "The Alberta tar Sands are a place of superlatives, a place of awesome beauty and destruction, where exaggeration of scale seems almost impossible. Leaving aside the politics that surround them or their technical specifics, the Tar sands are simply awe-inspiring. With every twis and turn of the airplane another incredible scene presents itself, followed by another. It's a linear kaleidoscope of contrasts, colours and patterns garnished by the movement of machinery below."

This collection is an important artistic statement that is captivating, stunning and edgy. This will be moving to larger venues, so come and support your neighbour (Louis and Kristin live in Ottawa) and a show that has national and even global significance. Up until 6th January 2010.

Soft Petals and Steaming Steel: which is a dream and which is real?

2009-11-25T06:18:00.000-08:00

Opening and Reception on Friday, 27th November 2009, 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm for Peter Cunningham's "Soft Petals and Steaming Steel: which is a dream and which is real?" works in oil and acrylic.
Peter will give a talk at 7.00 pm, with question and answer period to follow.

"A knowledge, understanding and love for the subject is evident in the interplay of light and colour across his beautiful landscapes and gardens, while his hauntingly evocative railway and industrial scenes transcend the merely pictorial and enter a realm of mystery and imagination."

Peter Cunningham was born in Birmingham, England, in 1951. At the age of thirteen his family moved from the industrial Midlands to rural Staffordshire, where he discovered a love for the surrounding countryside and the English landscape painting tradition.

After completing high school, Peter studied at the Stafford College of Art and then continued at the Byam Shaw School of Art in London, England. Armed with a solid, formal education Peter, with his wife Gail, set up a studio in their first home, a converted canal boat. Peter, Gail and their two daughters moved to Canada in 1984. The professional studio is in Ottawa, where Peter and family live and is on land. Cunningham's work is represented by galleries in Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and Saint John and is in many private collections in Canada, England and the United States.

Some of Peter Cunningham's corporate clients include KPMG Peat Marwick and Thorne, Mead Johnson, The Royal Bank, OMERS, Scotia Bank Place, Metropolitan Life, Midland Walwyn, Merrill Lynch, Human Resources Development Canada, Sirius Consulting Group, Pan Canadian Group and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

For prices and dimensions please visit (or contact) Snapdragon Gallery.
For a really good time, come to the opening on Friday, 5 to 8.30pm

Lynette Deir: "Serendipity", acrylic on canvas

2009-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

Opening on Friday 13th (yes, a lucky day),
Lynette Deir presents "Serendipity", a collection
of new abstracts.
Come and meet the artist, 7.00pm to 10.00pm,

The Dancers in the Rhythm and the Storm: Sorya Gopalan

2009-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Opening on Thursday, 29th October 2009, 7.00pm to 10.00pm is the new show of Sorya Gopalan: "The Dancers in the Rhythm and the Storm", acrylic on canvas. Dancers from around the world have influenced Sorya's latest group of work and the result is an abstract style of figurative painting. Ms. Gopalan translates the movement of the dance to these large scale canvases.

Sorya Gopalan was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, moved to Montreal at age 15 yrs. and began painting whilst working on her Master's degree in Toronto. Ms. Gopalan now lives in Ottawa and paints full time.

Squigs and Doo-Wops ending 6.00pm 28th Oct. 2009

2009-10-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some images of the show that will
be leaving Wednesday evening.

Sunday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Closed Mon. Tues.
Wednesday: 11.00am to 6.00pm

"Squigs and Doo-Wops", mixed media by Ted Willis

2009-10-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

"Squigs and Doo-Wops" mixed media on canvas by Ted Willis

Opening: (Party and beginning of sale) 7.00pm to 10.00pm, Friday 16th October 2009.

Short walk the talk at 8.30pm, with Q and A, Teddy bares all!

Ted Willis, who hails originally from California, brings the passion and urgency of big, breaking colour. Think "Surf's up, in Magicolor!!"

Quote from the artist: "I am less interested in commenting on the world than I am in making a complex and challenging visual experience, with a touch of humour. The "Squigs" are a re-invention of Abstract Expressionism - graffitti by Twombly and Pollock. As for the "Doo-Wops"; think "Miro, Arp and Noguchi meet the Jetson's".

Running until Wednesday 28th October.

See these images and below for John Benn's show

2009-10-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some more images that would not fit in the preceding post, come by...

Coming to a Close "A Year in the Woods"

2009-10-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

The collection of the show will be breaking up at the close of Tuesday, 13th October.
Twenty-four of the original thirty-nine remain.
Some comments:

"Being here is like being in the woods...so calming, quiet."

"Where did you paint that one, John? They look just like the woods where my father and I used to walk..."

"...ooh, these two are like Old Masters..."

"A Year in the Woods", oils 'en plein air' by John Benn

2009-09-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 1st, 6.00pm to 9.00pm we are hosting the opening for John Benn's ambitious project: "A Year in the Woods". I met John in the mid seventies, when he was best known for his beautiful (and masterful) etchings. In fact, I remember spending the entire take of my 1975 show and going to find John in Toronto and making my first (for me major) purchase!

Here we all are in 2009 and this is a great show. John Benn will be giving a talk with question and answer at 7.30pm. I will let the artist explain:

"On the 27th July 2008 I sat down in the woods to paint, deliberately choosing an unprepossessing area so as to challenge and hone my abilities and not mask my deficiencies with mere content.

My plan was to continue, weather permitting, for one full year.
N.B. At minus 17 Celsius, oil paint becomes exceedingly stiff and difficult to work.

The year is over, but I find myself still going there to paint.
The more I look, the more I see and what I see in these simple woods is so beautiful, so very beautiful and staggeringly difficult to paint.

From that year's work, 36 paintings were chosen for this exhibition."

Erotic Art + Poetry: Benefit this Friday 25th September

2009-09-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

I invite you to an Evening of Erotic Art and Poetry: "Uncovered and Unlocked", this Friday,7.00pm to 10.00pm in the upstairs gallery at Snapdragon.

Tickets are $5 and all the money raised from the sale of tickets will go to fight breast cancer.

"Uncovered" refers to the sculptures in clay, made by Harold Schneider, who is now 91 years old and has had a distinguished career as both a painter and a sculptor. This retrospective, (eros-spective) is an extremely rare chance to purchase these joyful, sensual works that show couples celebrating love, life and each other. These sculptures are of everyday people, suffused with extraordinary passion. Harold Schneider's daughter, Susan Laing, will give a talk about her father's life and work at 8.00pm.

The second part of the title, "Unlocked" is the collection of erotic poems by Rona Shaffran. Rona is Co-Director of the Tree Reading Series reading series, one of the longest running in Canada. Many of these poems have been read at writer festivals, both in Australia and here in Ottawa. As on publisher writes: "a well put together collection...one that captures both the rich depth and sharp edges of relationships".
Rona Shaffran will be reading from her collection "Unlocked" at 8.30pm.

I am posting some whole images and some partial images, as this is an all ages blog. Hope to see you on Friday, 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

This Friday's opening: "Glass Me Not - Paintings and the Looking Glass"

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The world of blogging is new to me so please bear with me in my quest to share more images of new shows, new works and interesting news.

Getting the pictures up here seems to be the current challenge, we will see if you can see Marylee Laing's wonderful paintings.

So the lay out is pretty strange, I will have to work on that.
Come and see for them real, this Friday
6.00 to 9.00 pm.
Marylee Laing will be
giving a talk at 7.00 pm
with questions to follow.

See you there, Upstairs Gallery
at Snapdragon.

First the image for the Marylee Laing Show

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Title is Zig Zag.

"Glass Me Not- Paintings and the Looking Glass"

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New work by Marylee Laing in the Upstairs Gallery at Snapdragon. Opening and reception: 6.00pm to 9.00pm, Friday 14th August.

Shine, colour, reflection and transparency; all the qualities of glass - painted on canvas.

The work is abstract, yet strikingly familiar; suggestions of landscapes, running water, falling leaves, billowing clouds and flowers in bloom.

All shimmering as though under glass. Come and see what you see.

Meet the artist this Friday, enjoy a glass of something cold and view these mixed media paintings "Through the Looking Glass".