Painting a Day Series: April 28th Shelley Mitchell and Twila Robar DeCoste

Today's features shouldn't be much of a surprise, considering that we have solo shows that open for both artists this afternoon at 2pm. For those of you who are unable to make it into Halifax today, you'll be happy to see that I've posted links to both shows below (Bearing in mind that these works are ALWAYS better in person...) Of course, the two artists on feature are 

Shelley Mitchell, and Twila Robar-DeCoste

Click on the link to see the entire show:

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/62710153@N03/sets/72157629503150120/show/

 Click on the link to see the entire show:

 http://www.flickr.com//photos/62710153@N03/sets/72157629904839645/show/

These works will be on display at the gallery until May 17th, and we'd love to show them to you. Pop in anytime Tuesday - Saturday from 10am-5:30pm
Argyle Fine Art
1559 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS

Painting a Day Series: April 27th, Mary Garoutte

Today's featured artist is the very talented Mary Garoutte, who's interest in miniatures has led her towards making the most striking collection of jewellery we've seen in a long time. Her teeny tiny watercolour paintings are meticulously cut out, placed into their setting, and finished with resin. This gives them the appearance of sitting under glass. Mary herself, describes her work best in the statement below:  

"I have many influences that range from vintage childrens imagery such as Beatrix Potter and vintage nursery rhyme books to Art Nouveau/Deco, retro illustration, kitsch, Edward Gorey, Christopher Cornell, Victorian minutia, folk art and nature. I really love birds most of all, and most of my work centers around our feathered friends.

I am a puritan in that my belief is that every charm is and should be one-of-a-kind and 100% original. Each piece is hand-painted by me (You will not find copies or reproductions here. I have a BFA in painting from the notorious Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD), where hard work, challenge, and creative media were instilled into me. I love incorporating my painting background & skills into unique and miniature hand-painted jewels. It's wearable art and I believe fine art should be a part of the everyday." 

Mary Garoutte

Upcoming Shows: SATURDAY!!! Shelley Mitchell and Twila Robar-DeCoste

It won't be much longer now, until we officially open  Shelley Mitchell's latest exhibition, titled "The Edge of the Ocean" This show will consist of a large collection of mid to large sized works on canvas, depicting powerful waves, the shoreline and of course, a few boats with the focus being reflections and the "feeling" of being on the water. 

The show will continue until May 17th and will also be online once the show has opened on our BRAND NEW website: www.argylefineart.com (Stay tuned for official website launch) 

We'll also have the most beautifully rendered birds, painted by Twila Robar-DeCoste displayed in the lower gallery. Many of you may know Twila through her book illustrations, or perhaps you've seen her work displayed in a variety of galleries around the province... But for those who have yet to see the charm of her perfectly captured nature scenes, we're sure that your hearts will melt at the sight of them.

Join us for the opening receptions for both shows, on SATURDAY April 28th from 2-4pm here at Argyle Fine Art. We're located in the heart of downtown Halifax : 1559 Barrington Street

Painting a Day Series: April 26th, Nocturne!

As many of you may know, Halifax's beloved Nocturne is facing an uphill battle in attempts of securing funding from the city. Although not all the details have been released regarding the specifics of this issue, safe to say that NOW is a great time for us all to pipe in with our support for this exceptional festival.

Nocturne is run entirely by VOLUNTEERS, and has proven to be one of the most dynamic, inclusive and popular cultural events this province has to offer.  We here at Argyle Fine Art are already knee deep in organizing this year's art offering for Nocturne 2012, and  it's shaping up to be pretty darn amazing.

Our fingers are crossed that Nocturne's team of volunteers won't be faced with road blocks at every turn. Lord knows they work hard enough already...  

We can never quite capture the spirit of nocturne through our quick photographs.. but here are a few shots from last year :

Painting a Day Series: April 25th, Angela Carlsen

Today's feature is by the very lovely Angela Carlsen, who's work nearly sold out during her last exhibition. Isn't that an incredible testament to her talent?! We think so. In that most recent showing titled "Arizona Neon" Angela explored vintage neon signage along route 66. This piece posted below came in after the exhibition, and so lucky for you, it's still available for purchase!!
                            
"Twin Arrows" Digital Media Transferred to Wood 3' x 3' $895

Now Angela is plotting her next ambitious road trip, all the way to the middle of God knows where, for God knows how long. Armed with her camera, some sort of truck/ trailer thing, and a hunger for new inspiration, this next adventure will surely create the foundation of her next Art showing.

Painting a Day Series: April 24th, James Farrell

Today's featured artist just paid us a visit last weekend, and in true Farrell form, it was unexpected, unannounced, and didn't last long. James Farrell ran away to Montreal quite a while ago, where he continues to live and breath art.
All our fingers are crossed in hopes that he might move back to Halifax sometime soon though... Wouldn't that be nice?! That way, his visits wouldn't be so unpredictable (or would they?)    

He's a super duper talented guy. Case in point below:

                                           Mall (framed) Mixed Media 30"x 43" $1200

Painting a Day Series: Andrea Saint-Pierre

Artist Andrea Saint-Pierre loves to create and paint many different surfaces. When we first met Andrea many years ago, she was still studying at NSCAD, and was focusing on painting textile in addition to taking old skateboards and making them wonderful. Merging urban sensibilities and scenes with those of vintage and nostalgic.

We recently held an exhibition for Andrea, where we celebrated LIGHT!  This is one example of  the series of eclectic lamps. Drop by the gallery to see the others or get in touch with us and we'll send you more images!

Painting a Day Series: April 22nd, STEVE RICHARD!

Today's featured artist is an absolute magician with a camera. He's mastered the technical aspects of lighting and photography, while always maintaining the heart and mind of a true artist. In his cloud busting series, he dazzled us with the seemingly simple idea of capturing dancers in movement (the clouds are created by saturating the models in flour)

The result is amazing!!!! 

Cloudbusting series 15" x 18.75" framed photographs  $1100 each

Swing by the gallery sometime, and ask to see some of his work. We have a number of jaw dropping photographs, that we love showing off.

Painting a Day Series: April 21st, Dawn MacNutt

It just struck me, that the majority of our features in the painting a day series, aren't paintings at all... We feature a true range of mediums here at the gallery, and this blog series is a testament to that fact. Today's feature is by Dawn MacNutt, who combines techniques rooted in textiles, into beautiful, figural sculptures.

"Resonates" (pair) twined willow, polychrome $3600
‘Release’  (Single) 37” x 13” x 13” $1800
‘Recall’ (Single) 37” x 12” x 14” $1800 

These willow figures  (woven when they are fresh, green and pliable) are beautifully painted in colours that embody Dawn's personality - these brilliant jewel like colours paired with the warmth of the natural willow are absolutely stunning. 

Painting a Day Series: April 20th, Jane Rovers

Today we've chosen to feature an artist who has smartly decided to make some of her pieces available in print form, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of celebrating local artwork. Jane Rovers works as a photo based artist and designer and has created a series of richly coloured cards that speak to the soul. These prints are dreamy, romantic and so very very affordable. 

Jane Rovers : Art Cards  5" x 6.5" $5each 

Drop by the gallery to see the full collection of cards for yourselves!
You won't need an occasion to purchase one of these.. just a little spot on the wall for something beautiful will do the trick! 

Painting a Day Series: April 19th, Kevin Roach

DON'T FORGET FOLKS:  We'll be hosting an artist talk this evening with Shelley Mitchell, where she will take us through her painting process, from start to finish.  6:30 - 8:00PM

Until then, have a look at today's featured piece, which  might have you looking at common objects around the house a little differently. As you can see, Kevin Roach has a real eye for taking bits and pieces of familiar objects, and assembling them back together to form something completely new.  

                                            Nova Scotia's Scenic South Shore  32.5" x 14" $500

Acrylic on Drawer and Parts:
radio, tennis racquet, table leg, chest of drawers, sewing machine, vacuum, toaster.

His  works are beautifully complex, and highlight the beauty in used and sometimes grubby objects.
There are others in the gallery that are equally as dazzling, all laced with nostalgia and quirky parts. 

 

Painting A Day: April 18th, David McKay

Today's painting is by the great David McKay, who lives in our neighboring province, New Brunswick. On David's most recent trip to Nova Scotia, he graced us with a 

series of beautiful new pieces.

" The Sun Came Out" 17" x 23" egg tempera on board $4800

David uses egg tempera to create luminous and glowing works 

in a way that only tempera can produce:

"In tempera paintings, myriads of tiny brushstrokes layer together, each one revealing something of the colours beneath. When the paint hardens into a uniform surface, the painting flows as light plays off each translucent brushstroke. This technique has been admired for its inner radiance for centuries and due to the stability and durability of the paint examples from the 1st century AD are still extant" - David McKay  

It's days like these that we all need a little more sun in our lives, and in this painting we find a beauty that is both somber and hopeful.

Painting a Day Number 17: SNEAK PEEK at the latest Shelley Mitchell painting!

Shelley Mitchell is putting the finishing touches on her upcoming solo show, to be held at Argyle Fine Art on SATURDAY, April 28th, 2-4pm.  We hope you can join us then.

But before this happens, she is sharing a very special treat with us...she will be bringing a work from the exhibition to the gallery on Thursday, April 19th and talking about the process of creating a painting from start to finish...All are welcome to attend!  

This is the title piece from the show, called "The Edge of the Ocean", Oil on Canvas, 36" x 48"

Painting a Day Series: Number 16 is by a new artist to Argyle Fine Art!

It is with excited delight that we received two new paintings by self-taught artist George Spencer on Friday before closing time!Within only a few moments, the first painting I uploaded to our Facebook page sold...sight unseen.

Here is the other amazing piece by George..I don't expect it will last long either. It measures 8" x 10", is framed in a simple black wood frame, and is $395.  This piece makes me thirsty.  The colours in this work are much deeper and richer than they appear here; worth a drop by to see it in person if you are able.

Painting A Day Series: Saturday, April 14th ANGELA PENTON

Today is the official opening of our PAPER THREADS exhibition, from 2-4pm.  

We sure hope you'll come out and help us celebrate these wonderful, locally created paper dolls!!

In the meantime, have a look at these needle felted animals by Angela Penton.

Don't you just want to pick them up and squish them between your fingers and make funny animal voices for them while creating a little forest diorama where you pretend all the animals are your best friends?!?!?! And then you could have a photoshoot where each animal get's it's own chance at having a little fashion show against a white background 

while listening to nature sounds!?!?!?!

You could also just display them smartly on your mantle.

Painting a Day: Friday the 13th, BRIAN PORTER

Today's featured painting, isn't on your standard stretched canvas. 

Rather, it's painted on a little wooden box, perfect for holding precious items, or terrible secrets.

Who would create something so mysterious and beautiful, filled with haunting imagery and cryptic text? 

 Of course, it's the extraordinary Brian Porter

 "As I See It, So It Is" 

 5" x 7" x 2.5" Ink on Wooden Box $300

Take a stroll over to the link below, to see other boxes that he's made. Then, come down to the gallery on your lunch, recess, or afternoon stroll, and ask to see this beauty for yourself.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62710153@N03/sets/72157627967112235/

Painting a Day Series Number Thirteen: Vaughn Gray

Good morning and welcome to # 13 in this Painting a Day Series!  This small painting is by self-taught artist Vaughn Gray. Vaughn grew up in Yarmouth County, and thus paints many images from that area. Many of his scenes are from along the sea shore or deep within the forest. This is a rare image from Vaughn- with a colourful sky and warm hues of an evening sky.  It measure 6" x  6" and is $200. We have many works by Vaughn in this size and price range. They make perfect gifts! Please drop by and see them in person, or by request, we'd be happy to share the collection with you through email.

Painting a Day : April 11th

Today's painting comes from the talented Jennifer Harrison.

It's titled "Green Fence" and measures 36" x 36" (oil on canvas - $2800) 

Jennifer strikes a great balance between representational, and abstracted shapes. Her thickly textured works painted with bright colours are perfect year round - although there's snow on the ground, the painting feels fresh, and spring like!! I can almost hear the birds chirping...
Her collection of houses makes for a perfectly cheery companion, bringing beauty and playfulness to any space. Visit the gallery anytime, and we'd be glad to show you this piece, and others from her latest series! 

Painting a Day Series Number Eleven...a little bit later today than usual! This is brought to you by artists participating in PAPER THREADS!

Paper Doll with beads/resin by Mary Garoutte

Good afternoon all!  We're a tad late in posting this morning...I blame all the easter egg eating and turkey for our tardiness. :-)  But the truth is, we've been busy preparing for the PAPER THREADS show coming up in correlation with the Titanic’s 100th anniversary on Saturday, April 14th, from 2pm-4pm. All are welcome to attend...Hats are encouraged!

This collection of locally crafted paper dolls will depict fashions from the early 1900’s. The creations will be for sale, with a portion of the money from sales going to the Local Council for Women, who were left the house on Young Avenue by the Halifax philanthropist and businessman, George Wright who was lost aboard the Titanic.

We will be showcasing the entire show in our window, in a vintage steam trunk.

Enjoy some of these images that will be included in the show...lots more to discover! We look forward to seeing you Saturday afternoon!

Hat Lady ...with a few beautiful hats to choose from...by Bryanna Chapeskie

Viola!  Paper Doll by Mary Ann Archibald

Beautiful Dress created by Lindsay Hicks

Painting a Day Series: Number Ten is brought to you by artist Sara Caracristi

This little painting by Sara Caracristi is always one that tugs at many people's heartstrings, as it depicts, at least for many  to undying friendship and love between the two in the painting, even though they are growing older.

It's appropriately called " A History" and measures 12" x 12" and is $425. 

Grow old with someone you love.