Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Dear 2013, You've Been SWELL! HAPPY NEW YEAR Everybody!!

It's hard to believe that 2013 is nearing it's close. Thanks to all of YOU, it's been a great year here again at Argyle Fine Art. We really do have the best customers, admirers, supporters, window shoppers and of course, artists! There's always new works arriving, why even today there is a new work hung by Adrienne Godbout. (see below)

New Painting by Adrienne Godbout, Folk Art by Peter Rafuse

This business of creating and selling art, creatively isn't as easy as it may appear-especially in this day and age so don't forget to visit us in the winter months ahead....brrrrrr.....especially beginning January 3rd, where we will begin the year with the popular HIGH TIME FOR ART AT HIGH NOON feature!

From January 3rd until 15th, we'll be featuring ONE piece of art at HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! The works selected for these days, are works that the gallery and artist that created them feel is some of their best works...but haven't found a home yet. We'd like to introduce you to these works and hope that some of them find a home with you. Check back HERE on January 3rd...rumour has it, we'll be starting with a Gordon MacDonald painting....

We are so happy to report that in 2013 we  noticed many more young collectors of art walk through our doors this year and many many more becoming more and more addicted to handmade objects, whether they be things to hang on their walls, functional works of art and more. There are so many talented people right in our own backyard, that we are pleased to say we rarely source talent from away and keep things very local around here...but always unique and unexpected!

A very busy night during NOCTURNE 2013
 In  2014, we are looking forward to working with all of our artists on some new shows and projects as well as  introducing you to many new artists,  hosting extra special in gallery " art experiences" , themed event evenings, workshops and making great art always assessable to everyone.
Screen Printing Demo at Argyle Fine Art by Double Dare Printing. Expect more demos and opportunities for YOU to make art with us!

We have a few great shows already lined up, including our annual Pre-Shrunk Show opening January 24th- a great way to start the year off with original works of art. Do you have your voucher yet??  There's still time...but only until January 11th!

Then in February, we are happy to report we will be hosting a number of events for groups in our community too , such as Adsum House and their Mystery Art Show and Sale, happening on Thursday, February 20th.

We're also happy to announce, that due to popular demand we will host a CAT SHOW...but this year we'll add DOGS to the mix...in a show called"Cat Person. Dog Person."
Quick portrait of OKIE, one of our artists' family members, drawn by Lindsay Hicks






















Along with this there will be many fun activities planned, including your chance to have a portrait of your pet drawn by Lindsay Hicks and more. In March, we hope to have fun activities for the whole family planned over March break- including working with "Puppet Dudes" a local artist who creates one-of-a kind puppets using re-purposed materials with personality. Our front windows will become a puppet stage for all to see and a puppet party will be in order.




 Of course, don't despair...we'll have solo shows by many of our regular artists that you have come to love and admire such as new works by Mary Garoutte in the late Spring, an August showing of works by Gordon MacDonald and perhaps even a showing of works by Luke Naylor- who we haven't shown in a few years.

Stay tuned ....it's going to be a wonderful 2014!


Saturday, December 28, 2013

ATTENTION ARTISTS: PRE-SHRUNK OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS


The DEADLINE for PRE-SHRUNK is looming (January 11th!!) but there is still plenty of time to get your 4" x 5" works finished up. This blog post should serve as gentle reminder/ big kick in the rear to all you artists who are still thinking about submitting 
to this exceptionally popular group show.
PLEASE SEE THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS....
...and get to work!! Quick quick like a bunny!! 
  

PRE-SHRUNK 2014

Call For Submissions

Time to get started on your submissions, Artists!  Our much loved, annual group show Pre-Shrunk is upon us once again, and artists of all disciplines are invited to create artworks that measure 4” x 5” for this juried exhibition. Of course, we encourage submissions from artists both established and emerging, using the medium of their choosing.  

 Submission guidelines:

- Works must be created on a surface that measures 4” x 5”.  Pieces that do not         
   measure 4” x 5” will not be accepted.
- Artists can submit no more than five pieces.
- All work must be unframed
- If works are on canvas, we ask that you do NOT attach a hanging device
  (i.e.: wire or hooks – the gallery will take care of this for continuity)
- If you plan on working on paper or photography, you must mount your works
   on a sturdy 4” x 5” surface that can be hung on the wall.
- Submissions must be new, and not previously shown.
- Please include your name, phone number, email address, and list of   
   materials used along with your submission

To apply for this year’s show, please photograph your completed piece/ pieces and send your images in jpeg format to gallery@argylefa.com. SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT, JANUARY 11th  If your work is selected by the jury, you will be notified by phone or email by January 18th
Please note:
-Pieces that are selected for this year’s exhibition will be priced at $175 each, with standard 50% commission. Please bare this price in mind while creating your artwork.
-The NSCAD bookstore has kindly ordered pre-made 4” x 5” canvas and board to supply artists wanting to participate in this exhibition. Supplies are limited.

SHOW OPENS FRIDAY JANUARY 24th
Please telephone the gallery, 902-425-9456 if you have any questions in regards to the requirements of this exciting group show.
From the gals of Argyle Fine Art,
Adriana Afford and Crystal Ross
1559 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 2Z7
902.425.9456
gallery@argylefa.com
www.argylefineart.com / www.argylefineart.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone!  We're in the last few hours before we close until after Christmas, but we  will re-open on December 28th.

We'd also like to thank so many of you that donated food and warm items for those who are in need over the holidays as well. We'll be happily dropping them off today to be enjoyed in the days to come.


We wish all of you a very happy and safe time with friends and family. Relax and be kind to one another.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

HOLIDAY HOURS, GIFT IDEAS and Other great things!

Hello everyone! Just a quick little blog to say THANK YOU for shopping at Argyle Fine Art and shopping LOCAL for many of you too!  If you are still looking for a special gift, card, jewellery, ceramic work or more..make sure to pop by the gallery. We even received NEW works today, so the newness never ends!

We are open TODAY (Saturday) and will have cider and cookies for you to sip and munch and lots of great works to explore! We'll take a break on Sunday but we'll be open again on MONDAY from 10-5:30pm and TUESDAY from 10-2:30pm.

We have something for everyone on your list...old and young alike! Guaranteed! For the kids on your list, or the kids at heart, consider Ed Beals's FOLDed's...paper craft you cut, fold and assemble. Ed has designed many to choose from, but this year he added a Robot Reindeer to the fleet!  If you purchase a FOLDed, you will also  have a chance to WIN another FOLDed by visiting the GIANT SANTA BOT in store....FOLDed's are great activities for all ages and can also act as a special card and gift all in one!


 At the beginning of the year, we hosted a show simply called CAT PERSON.....so if you have any cat people on your list, we still have some lovely works remaining from that show that would love to find that purrrrrfect home for the holidays! Here are a few samples below...




by Lindsay Hicks

Internet Cats!
by Adam Gunn

by Andy MacDonald

Ooops....I almost forgot.....at the Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery beginning of the year, we hosted our annual Pre-Shrunk show...where we feature miniature works by over 300 artists. The works are all priced the same and all measure 4" x 5". We are selling vouchers for this years show...for just $150 ($175 value!) plus you get ahead of the line, first picks! and a special reception while viewing. These make great gifts.  Here's a little beauty from last years show by Vaughn Gray. It's called "Thinking about Christmas"  Today and until Christmas, it's $95!


Throughout the year we are always receiving new works from our gallery artists and discovering new artists too! Did you know that every Thursday, we switch up the entire gallery and the gallery windows?  This is to make sure you always have a different experience when you visit the gallery and so all of our artists get shown!

Here are a few other lovelies from this year, that remain unsold but would look lovely under any tree or hung on any wall. You see all of our shows online now at our website at www.argylefineart.com.

Remember, from now  until December 24th (we close at 2pm that day) we will accept food donations and give you 15% off your art purchase. Happy Holidays everyone!

Red, White and Green by Shelley Mitchell

by Gordon MacDonald

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The Fruits of Christmas: New Works by George Spencer

Recently we received some new still life oil paintings by self-taught artist George Spencer. In fact just this Tuesday, we received one painting of an orange in particular which made us think of holidays from the past and the symbols and traditions associated with fruit.

George even told us that he remembers quite fondly about how exciting it would be to find a delicious exotic fruit...an orange at the bottom of his Christmas stocking when growing up. I remember this same tradition, which was passed down to our family from my parents and theirs before them. In fact, this is a very old tradition, dating back  to the turn of the last century, where good children would receive their only orange of the year as a Christmas gift. Do you still share in this tradition?

This painting is even more wonderful in person- you can almost feel the light spray of orange while in mid-peel and the fresh scent of citrus.



Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you've probably heard of the popular tune, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" which speaks of many, many, many birds and some fruit....the most memorable being a pear tree...and hence pears!  Pears are popular in art historically and have great symbolism across cultures but are often seen as a symbol of "love of mankind" and in many parts of the world the pear symbolizes the human heart which it resembles. 


Over the holidays red berries are the stars of the season. Holly berries, and cranberries have filled our halls or  kitchens for centuries, but a more recent red fruit that has caught our  attention lately is the pomegranate; which  is still a relatively exotic fruit to many of us that seems to be associated with the  holidays. Indeed, it certainly comes well gift wrapped!  The pomegranate is thought to be one of the oldest cultivated fruits with first records dating it back to 100BC, when it was native to Persia.Ancient Egyptians were buried with wild pomegranates, which were symbols of rebirth.The English word ‘pomegranate’ is from Latin ‘pomum granatum’ which means ‘apple of many seeds.’


 And finally, the tried and true apple...there with us throughout the year in all seasons, through thick and thin, which makes a delicious appearance this time of year, in the form of mulled apple cider that fills homes with it's  scent of apple, cinnamon and nutmeg.  This work below of the apple by George,  looks like the perfect Christmas gift; as if the recipient has just opened a luxuriously wrapped apple- with the green and red colours of the season.


Drop by this Saturday at the gallery for some hot cider and see what this delicious tradition is all about and see these original works and more by George Spencer.

Happy Holidays everyone!


Thursday, December 12, 2013

Rediscover the Art of Writing Artfully...and we'll pay the Postage this Saturday!

It's that time of year, where many of us actually put pen to paper and send out holiday cards. What joy it is to receive these little gems in the mail instead of the usual flyers and bills!  It's even more of a joy and a good form of stress relief to write a note to a friend, family or family member, especially using a handmade GLASS pen by local artist Janelle Tyler. 

Janelle Tyler's pens are easy to use - with one little bob in the inkwell, you'll be able to scribble for a good period of time. How? Well, small reservoirs spiraling up the head of the pen retain the ink, and when writing, the ink is slowly (and smoothly) dispensed onto paper. 


 Stop by this Saturday, pick a card for that special someone, use the glass pen to write with and we'll pay the postage! We have so many beautiful cards, for all occasions and personalities on you list...


Here are just a few samples of some of the cards we have on hand 
...lots to choose from for anyone on your list!








Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Cake cake....and Ceramics Ceramics....oh so delicious!

Hello there...phew, it's been a little while since we last blogged. But we're happy to report that's because we've been busy finding new homes for wonderful works of art by our gallery artists! We'll be doing a few updates this week, so make sure to check back tomorrow to find out about our Card Writing Promotion and more....

This past Friday eve, we were all transported to what has been being described as an  "other worldly" experience with the ceramics by artist Bronwyn Arundel and edible works of art by Crystal Ross of Argyle Fine Art (who also has a business called Gateaux Rose .  The photos don't do this show any justice but here are just a few below. You can see all the works by Bronwyn Arundel HERE and of course, in person at the gallery until the end of December..


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

NEW ARTIST ALERT!!! Norma Jean MacLean

We're all bubbling over with excitement over the newest addition to our roster, Norma Jean MacLean! She's an emerging artist based in Charlottetown, PEI, and we've JUST acquired a small series of her pieces. Norma Jean is a recent graduate of NSCAD U, where she focused her studies on printmaking and painting. We urge you to peek into the gallery soon, and see these works for yourselves before they're scooped up by collectors looking for new talent:

"The Wedding Camper" 24" x 18"Oil on Board by Norma Jean MacLean ($450)

Untitled (Barn) 10" x 10" Oil on Board by Norma Jean Maclean ($200)
"Midway" 24" x 30" Oil on Board by Norma Jean Maclean ($700)
"Camper 1"  8" x 10" Oil on Board by Norma Jean Maclean ($200)