LEGO gets some LOVE

Hello everyone! Sorry we took a little blogging break there, but we're back and excited to tell you about young artists Emma (14yrs)  and Liam (11yrs)  Travers!

We met Emma and Liam a few months back when we discovered they made amazing jewellery out of LEGO. We are very happy to announce they have created a very special line of jewellery made with LEGO that has moving parts now too!  You can hear the artists being interviewed on CBC Radio One at 7:45am Thursday, January 31st on CBC Radio One (Halifax, 90.5FM,  or stream it online by going to: http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningns/

 These works make wonderful Valentines's Day gifts!  Here's a few quick shots of some of the works available. Affordable art....is great! Prices range from $6 to $50

We hope that once this interview has aired,  it will appear in the CBC streaming archives for those of us that may not be early birds and miss hearing this interview live. We'll make sure to update this blog here if it does!  But you can certainly see their artworks, featured in our WINDOW now and throughout the week...

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AND SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VALENTINES DAY....

We thought we'd remind you that original art lasts a lifetime, and we've hand picked some special miniature works from our popular show Pre-Shrunk that are $175 each and make the bestest gifts; perfect for this occasion.  You can see other works available from this show at www.argylefineart.com

"Three Cherries"   Oil on Canvas by George Spencer  4" x 5", $175

 

"Holding Hands"  Acrylic/Resin on Board by Sara Caracristi 4" x 5", $175

"A Pair of Piping Plovers"  by Twila Robar-DeCoste  4" x 5", $175

"Still Life" Oil on Board, Briana Corr-Scott, 4" x 5", $175

Collage and Paint, Kate Stinson, 4" x 5", $175

Now THAT was FUN! Pre-Shrunk: ART for ALL!

Hey everyone!  Now that PRE-SHRUNK 2013 has opened officially, you can see ALL of the works in the show online at our website at: www.argylefineart.com  Once you get there, simply click on the first link you see, that says "Pre-Shrunk 2013" and prepare to be amazed.

There are over 300 works included in the show, by over 70 artists! The opening reception was very very very busy! Once 7pm came, the main doors opened, and the art-hungry mob appeared. There were moms, and dads, kids,  friends, artists, babies, tall people, shorter people, all sorts of people...everyone came out on a cold night and was warmed by the art...or the very hot gallery that occured from all the people. In just a 24 hour period, we have sold over 70 little paintings! Wow.

Thank YOU....to everyone that came out to support local art and  to all of the artists that submitted work for the show (those on the wall and those that we couldn't include this year) You are appreciated! Thank you to Crystal, Krista, and Joe...and Jury Folk and Website Tech Support. Couldn't do it without you guys.

 
The show continues until February 13th, and there are so many other wonderful works to purchase or just enjoy at the gallery so please do come by if you are in the area and bring a friend. We're open again on Tuesday. And of course, enjoy them online anytime!

With Thanks,
Adriana Afford; Owner
Argyle Fine Art

TODAY's THE DAY!! PRE-SHRUNK begins at 7pm! Here's Previews #7, #8, #9 and #10...because we love ya!

TONIGHT is the opening for PRE-SHRUNK 2013!  You'll be able to see over  300 little works in person tonight, Friday, January 25th....doors opening at 7pm sharp!  However you'll be able to see all the works online from a link posted on our WEBSITE at www.argylefineart.com  at 6pm, in case you live far away. Ah....the power of the internet.

We thought we'd give you a few more Previews of Pre-Shrunk, just to get you through the day.  Enjoy! Hope to see you at the gallery tonight or tomorrow,  as it's always great to really take another look. There are just so many works, and works are still arriving as I write this! 

Preview #7: Trevor Van Den Eynden 

 

Preview #8: Melissa Townsend

Preview #9: Mark Brennan

Preview #10: Mary Reardon

 

See you at Pre-Shrunk!  Opening Reception is tonight, January 25th, 7pm-9pm. Show continues until February 13th. Call us at 902-425-9456 to purchase your works if you live at a distance. If we don't get to the phone right away, just keep calling!  :-) 

Pre-Shrunk 2013: Preview #6: Andy MacDonald

The Pre-Shrunk Previews continue, with one sneak peek of one piece per day, until Friday!  You'll be able to see over  300 little works in person on Friday, January 25th....doors opening at 7pm sharp!

Preview #6 is by artist Andy MacDonald. We learned about Andy as an artist, also from a Pre-Shrunk show of the past. Since then, he has been a very successful artist at Argyle Fine Art, and had his first solo exhibition this past Fall and was part of a group show at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. We are planning on showcasing Andy again this year...stay tuned for updates of upcoming events on this blog. It's going to be a great year!

Andy loves to paint houses, and has submitted two works for this year's show. Here is one of them!  They are difficult to photograph but we assure you, you'll love this mysterious, luminous little piece by Andy. Perhaps this house will go to your house soon! 

Pre-Shrunk 2013: Preview #5: Kimberly Naumann

The Pre-Shrunk Previews continue, with one sneak peek of one piece per day, until Friday!  You'll be able to see over  300 little works in person on Friday, January 25th....doors opening at 7pm sharp!

BIRD BIRD BIRD is the WORD!

Preview #5 is by artist Kimberly Naumann- a new discovery to us from this show. However we've asked her to be part of our show "CAT Person" opening on February 15th, so expect to see more from her. Kimberly submitted a number of works for the Pre-Shrunk show which are all animal based. Here's one of our favourites. It's oil on board, measuring 4" x 5", of course and it's called "Scooter"

"Scooter", 4" x 5", Oil on board, Kimberly Naumann

Pre-Shrunk 2013: Preview #4: Gordon MacDonald

The Pre-Shrunk Previews continue, with one sneak peek of one piece per day, until Friday!  You'll be able to see over  300 little works in person on Friday, January 25th....doors opening at 7pm sharp!

Preview #4 is by artist Gordon MacDonald.  If you've been to Argyle Fine Art in person, chances are high that you've met artist Gordon MacDonald at the gallery and had a chat about art and everything in between. Gordon makes a living at being a visual artist, and therefore is always creating works and  experimenting with his art practice..transporting us to special places and moments in time. He has begun hosting painting workshops which have been very successful, and he hopes to offer more of them in the Spring.  Gordon has created a wide range of works for this miniature show. Some are oil on copper and some are on aluminum. They are very difficult to capture in a photograph, but they are all very luminous in person. Here's one of our favourites.

Gordon MacDonald Pre-Shrunk,  4" x 5", Oil on Metal

Pre-Shrunk 2013: Preview #3: Mary Garoutte

The Pre-Shrunk Previews continue, with one sneak peek of one piece per day, until Friday!  You'll be able to see over  300 little works in person on Friday, January 25th....doors opening at 7pm sharp!

Preview #3 is by artist Mary Garoutte. Mary had her first solo show at Argyle Fine Art this past summer, and we are happy to announce that we have just confirmed she will be having another show with us this September. She will continue with the theme and images of the streets of Halifax. This "pre-shrunk" miniature work is actually kind of a study for the  larger ones in the Fall, so I think we're all in for a treat. 

We love the way she has captured the feeling of the city in this work, and think you'll agree. This is just one of three works Mary has submitted for the show...make sure to come and see these in person! It is painted with oil on board. Hey, people of Halifax....Do you recognize the street this is?

Oil on Board, Mary Garoutte , 4" x 5"

Pre-Shrunk 2013: Preview #2: Marianne Collins

We hope you are enjoying the Pre-Shrunk Previews!  We'll be sharing one new work each day, that you'll be able to see in person on Friday, January 25th....doors opening at 7pm sharp! 

Preview #2 is by artist Marianne Collins. Marianne has used ink and paint on mylar, to create these breathtaking miniature figurative works. Marianne is happy to call Nova Scotia home again. She originally hails from Ontario, graduated from NSCAD a number of years ago, headed back to Ontario and then...missed Nova Scotia!  We're very happy to have Marianne in the show again this year. Last year her piece was one of the first ones to sell. She has submitted three works this year. Here is one of them which is  titled "Blue Grey Blue Black #1".

Blue Grey Blue Black #1,  4" x 5", Marianne Collins

Pre-Shrunk 2013 : PREVIEW #1: Adam Gunn

It's hard to believe that it's almost PRE-SHRUNK time again at Argyle Fine Art. The BIG show of small amazing paintings opens next Friday, January 25th, with doors opening at 7pm. 

Since the previews and sneak peeks were popular the last few years, here's the first PRE-SHRUNK PREVIEW by artist Adam Gunn.This wonderful and whimsical work is simply called "Hippopotamus" and is painted with oil on board measuring 4" x 5".

***If you are a Voucher Holder...watch your email on Saturday evening for a full sneak peek of the show so far...**

We don't know a lot about Adam yet, but we look forward to meeting him and love his work! That's the great thing about this show...we all discover new artists in our community.

Hippopotamus, Oil on Board by Adam Gunn

But wait....there's one more! THIS BUNNY needs you!

Goodevening everyone! Just in case you are dropping by our blog on this Winter night, we thought we'd warm your hearts and eyes with this little work by artist Mary Ann Archibald.  This Bunny measures 5" x 7" but it is framed with a lovely gold guilded  frame that adds 3.5" inches to both dimensions and an added "storybook' feel to the work. We think this would be a great addition to any collection, but especially wonderful for a child's room. 

Bunny   Oil on board  5" x 7" (image size)    $200

HIGH TIME for ART ROUND-UP and THANKS!

Greetings everyone!  We wanted to thank everyone for making our "HIGH TIME FOR ART" event a success!  We'll plan to do this next year around this time as well, and hope to hear from you all again then too. But don't forget, we always have great works that aren't always out, so whenever you are looking for something, never hesitate to ask us.

Below are the works that still remain from the HIGH NOON ART DEALS.  We thought we'd give them one more try to find good homes, so in case you missed these, please enjoy. 

You will find information on each piece and prices listed below each image. There are four works  which have been reduced even further than they were in the last weeks (Gordon MacDonald, Trevor Van Den Eynden, Nick Brunt and Vaughn Gray)

"Peaches and Vase", Oil on Board, 8" x 10", George Spencer
NOW $325  Original Price: $475

"Calm Crossing," Acrylic  on Board, 18" x 24", Vaughn Gray
SOLD
NOW $325  Original Price: $850

"At Gunpoint", mixed media on board12" x 24",Trevor Van Den Eynden
NOW $275 Original Price: $650

"For Katie and the Wood and the Walls", Acrylic on board, 24" x 18", Nick Brunt
NOW $275 Original Price: $400

"Last Light" ,Oil on Canvas, 24" x 30" ,Shelley Mitchell
NOW $2200 Original Price: $2600

"First Light, Taylor Head", Oil on Board, 12" x 14",Mark Brennan
NOW $475 Original Price: $580

"Bridge in Canning", Oil on Board,11" x 14", Gordon MacDonald
SOLD
NOW $485 Original Price: $850

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Gordon MacDonald

Until end of day TODAY, January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "Bridge in Canning" by  artist Gordon MacDonald.  It was pointed out that the actual area depicted in the painting is really Port Williams, but approaching Canning in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. It is oil on board and framed in the frame pictured. The work measures 11" x 14" and the frame adds approximately two inches to the dimensions.

This is an older work, which Gordon has re-worked a bit, and in person is very luminous. He is very proud of this work, and would love for it to find a great home. The sky in all the photos we took of this work, tend to get a bit washed out, but the sky is very light blue and handled in only a "Gordon MacDonald, master of skies", can do. 


 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $550.  After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $850.

SOLD

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: George Spencer

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "Peaches and Vase" by artist George Spencer.  It is oil on board and measures 8" x 10", framed in a very simple black frame.

George is a fairly new artist to the gallery, but changing and growing so quickly we can hardly keep up. Primarily, his focus subject is still-life. George has made a habit out of selecting his "subjects" from our local food seller, "Pete's Froutique" here in Halifax, for the finest subjects around. They also probably taste pretty good too, once they've served their purpose.


 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $325.  After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $475.

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Stuart Melanson

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "Watching Me, Watching You" by emerging and self-taught artist Stuart Melanson.  It is acrylic on board...amazingly done!   The work measures 22" x 30" and is framed in a frame that has been "gently loved", but in decent shape.

For these special deals we have only featured works we've had for a long while that we feel are wonderful. With this work, Stuart actually told us to find this owl a home...because he wants to make way for a new series coming up this Spring, which he is very excited about! We only just met Stuart last year, during our annual Pre-Shrunk show in January...and have been wowed ever since.

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $650  After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $895

SOLD

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Brian Porter

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "Clown and Compass" by  artist Brian Porter.   It is watercolour and ink on paper, simply framed with a black frame and white matte and measures 8.5" x 11.5" . Now, we don't like to pick favourites, we really don't, but Brian Porter's work is by far one of our favourite artists. Its true. This work in particular is even more stunning in person and is only still remaining here, we believe, because many people just have a fear of clowns....but we assure you he's a friendly clown just looking for a home. BUY HIM....it will make us so happy.

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $ 375. After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $575.

SOLD

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: James Farrell

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "MALL" by James Farrell.   This work is framed in a simple black frame professionally, and is a work on paper with mixed media including ink, pencil, watercolour. It's actually one of the largest works on paper that we have ever shown at the gallery by James and one of the first works we ever received from him, in fact.  The work itself measures 30" x 43" . The framed size of the work is much larger, adding at least 5 inches to each measurement. However, the piece can be sold unframed as well.

James is self taught and ....amazing. An artist to watch for now and the future! He  currently lives in Montreal and is attending school for graphic design. We can hardly wait to see what he comes up with next.

  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $700 After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $1200  

SOLD

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Angela Carlsen

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "White Owl" by Angela Carlsen.   It is  digital media- which means it begins as an original photograph and then the backgrounds are "painted" by Angela but printed on photograhic paper.. The work measures 15" x 20",  but it's in the most amazing extravagant ornate frame- which shecollected specifically for the work from an antique shop a few years ago. It sets this work and the others in the series, off perfectly! They  look like portraits from the past.    

For a full description of the work and others in the series, we encourage you to visit this link:  http://angelacarlsen.blogspot.ca/2009/09/pretty-bird.html

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $550. After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $800.

SOLD

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Mark Brennan

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "First Light, Taylor Head" by artist Mark Brennan.   It is oil on board and measures 12" x 14" and it's also framed with a simple black frame.This work is much more luminous in person- we encourage you to come and see it in person. There is also wonderful texture that is hard to capture with a photograph.(especially on the water part of this piece)

Mark Brennan works "plein air" which simply means that he is one of very few local artists that brave the Nova Scotia changing weather and take his painting outdoors. He especially loves to paint in the Fall and Winter months.

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $475. After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $580

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Trevor Van Den Eynden

Until January 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.


Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "At Gunpoint" by artist Trevor Van Den Eynden   This work measures 12"x 24" and is Mixed Acrylic Media On Silver and CD's Mounted On Board. It's from one of the first shows we had for Trevor in 2008. This piece is very interesting, especially because it was the beginning of what would become Trevor's style of using leafing and alternative media to create luminous effects in his works. And...and it's a steal at this price...

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $300. After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $650

HIGH TIME for ART at HIGH NOON: Vaughn Gray

Until January 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.

Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "Calm Crossing" by self-taught artist Vaughn Gray.   It is acrylic on board and measures 18" x 24";  and it's also framed which adds an additional 3.5" inches to the dimensions.  This work is one of the larger works Vaughn has ever painted ..he tends to paint on canvas that is much smaller than this! This is an image inspired by his childhood home, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.   

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $395. After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $850. 

SOLD

Calm Crossing/ Acrylic On Board/ 18"x 24"/ Vaughn Gray

HIGH TIME for Art at HIGH NOON: NICK BRUNT

Until January 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.


Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "For Katie and the Wood and the Walls" by artist Nick Brunt.   This work measures 24" x 18" and is actually one of the very first paintings Nick brought to the gallery, many years ago. Since then, he's had numerous successful shows with us...and this little piece has almost found a home over a dozen times!  Nick was just voted by The Coast readership in Halifax, as Halifax's BEST ARTIST.We love how Nick allows the wood grain of his wood panels play a role in his works.

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $295 After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $400 . The work is also UNframed very nicely and ready to hang on your wall.  If you have been eying this work in the past, now is a great time to purchase it. 

HIGH TIME for Art at HIGH NOON: Gordon MacDonald

Until January 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.


Today's  HIGH NOON featured work is called "Pride Swelled in his Heart" by artist Gordon MacDonald.   This work measures 11" x 14"  and is a rare example of Gordon's still-life painting. It is painted on aluminum with oil, and it is so luminous!  It's impossible to get the perfect image of it, but trust us...it's a beauty! It's had many admirers over the years, and is a painting of a vase by another of Argyle Fine Art's artists, Amber Mills.

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $495.  After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $850 . The work is also framed very nicely and ready to hang on your wall.  If you have been eying this work in the past, now is a great time to purchase it.

SOLD
**The actual work has the edges covered by the frame, and the raw aluminum is not exposed as seen in this shot of the work.

HIGH TIME for Art at HIGH NOON: Shelley Mitchell

Greetings Everyone!  From now until January 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! (sorry about the delay today...just getting our ducks in a row) 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.



The first HIGH NOON work to be featured is called "Last Light" by artist Shelley Mitchell.  This work measures 24 " x 30"  and has gone through a few changes since it's been at the gallery, with the artist taking it back and reworking it...then bringing it back. It has had MANY admirers!!

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work is priced at $2200.  After that time, it will go back to it's original price of $2600.  If you have been eying this work in the past, now is a great time to purchase it. 

Last Light/ Oil on Canvas  $2200  (originally $2600) by Shelley Mitchell