Join us for FREE FUN with Halifax's first POKEMON GO HUNT this Saturday, July 30th!

By now you've probably heard about a popular interactive game that is free and fun to participate in called POKEMON GO! In short, it's basically like a digital scavenger hunt or GeoCaching.  But what is all this  Pokeman craze all about?

Drop by Argyle Fine Art this Saturday, July 30th for Halifax's first "Pokemon Go Hunt". Rain or shine...there's fun to be had! Bring yourself, friend, kids, grand-kids! and play with us while exploring the downtown! No previous experience required.Join a Pokemon Trainer for a quick tutorial and then head out on a guided tour to catch a few critters!

WHERE: Meet at ARGYLE FINE ART located at 1559 Barrington Street, Halifax. (at the corner of Blowers and Barrington Street.NO REGISTRATION required.

WHEN:  We recommend participants drop by at NOON to grab a free drink provided and some snacks, enter your name to WIN a $100 gift certificate, charge up your phones at our on site charging stations, look at some ART by local art, while we wait for everyone to gather.

WHAT:  At 12:30pm the Pokemon Trainer will teach you the basics and then will lead you on a walk-about downtown to CATCH EM ALL and introduce you to some cool sights around town, including the new ROBOT mural just a step away from the gallery! (The route of the walk will be not be rough terrain or too hilly- so it's accessible to everyone!)

HOW:  All you need to take part is a cell phone with the POKEMON app downloaded ( or we can help you do this when you arrive), some comfy shoes for walking and if you'd like a wire to charge up your cell phone just in case.

EXTRA INFO:  There will be special Pokemon "Lures" along your route (you'll learn all about "lures" soon, if you don't know about them already)  to encourage the critters to appear on your journey! So drop by and take this fun opportunity to learn the something new, get outside for a walk and exercise , learn about our city and see what's happening in downtown shops not to mention meet a few new people along the way.

EXTRA EXTRA INFO: Don't forget to enter your name to  WIN $100 Gift Certificate towards art eligible to all Pokemon participates that day to be drawn at the end of the tour. You must be present at the end of the tour to claim your prize. We'll also have some other surprises in store,a drawing station so folks can draw their favourite POKEMON character if they'd like, which we'll display in our gallery windows over the weekend and cold beverages after walk.  ***ALSO, we are DOG FRIENDLY....so bring your furry friend along for the walk too!

WHY: TO HAVE FUN and EXPLORE YOUR CITY! Perhaps  visit other shops and discover your downtown while here- there's so many great things down here you may not even know about! After the official POKE-HUNT with us, you may also want to  check out some of the other happenings such as the BUSKERS FEST on the Halifax waterfront.  See you SATURDAY!  If you require additional info, call us at 902-425-9456.
 

HAPPY PRIDE HALIFAX!

HAPPY PRIDE HALIFAX! As an art gallery we are so thrilled when the city starts to fill with colour in honour of Pride and the LGBTQ+ community. Today on the blog we're featuring some of the fun and colourful gifts and artwork that might tickle your fancy!

A rainbow of birds by artist Basil Doucette

Join us this Saturday while you're out enjoying the Pride Parade - we'll have outdoor colouring sheets for you to have fun and fill with your own rainbow of colour, plus some fun and creative treats (while supplies last).

Artist Gordon MacDonald colouring for what he claims to be only the second time in his life!

Our Scrabble pins and pendants are on special until the end of Saturday - $4 instead of $8 - that's half price!



These cards by Jodi Hansen are pretty fab.

As far as colour goes look no further than a painting from one of our many artists. Colourful skies? Artist Gordon MacDonald has you covered with work from his current show, From the Ground Up - on until August 6th at the gallery. See it online here!

Gordon MacDonald, As We Looked Around, 20"x20", Oil on Board

Or a piece from an artist who is no stranger to colour, literally all the colour, Caitlin McGuire.

Caitlin McGuire, Queen Street Bend, 12"x24", Oil on Canvas

Or a piece from Anna Fiander, who along with colour loves a good optical illusion?

Anna Fiander, Explore, 32"x40", Acrylic on Canvas

Or colour... and food? Look no further than artist Kim Floyd!

Kim Floyd, Storm Chips, 9"x12", Acrylic on Board

You know we could keep going with this since we have so many colourful works in the gallery, but you'll just have to come in and see them for yourself. You can always check out more work online from our artists online on our Flickr page here.

Love is love is love is love.

We hope everyone has a FANTASTIC Pride Week and we'll see you at the Parade!

"From the Ground Up" - New work by Gordon MacDonald

If you're familiar with the gallery you probably know that Gordon MacDonald is a favourite here, but can you believe this is his 13th solo show at Argyle Fine Art? As expected it does not disappoint - From the Ground Up, features a wide variety of landscapes, cityscapes, colours, and big open skies Gordon is known for.
 

"From the Ground Up" currently on display.

Many of the works are on copper, which is Gordon's favourite surface to work into, but he's also produced a few works on gold leaf this year.

"From the Ground Up"

Here's a little bit from Gordon himself on his experience of being an artist in the city:

"So, 15 years ago today, I started selling my work to the public on my own. I had just arrived in Halifax on July 4th, 2001. Seven days later I was selling on the fence thanks to Tom MacKay. I spent the first few months outside and then to the Old Farmers Market. Halifax has given me opportunity to make a living solely from a paintbrush. Although I did much of it on my own at first, I also took help from others as it was given. In 2005, I gave everything to Adriana Afford (Argyle Fine Art)  and she has given me what will be my 13th solo show this Friday... and sold over 700 of my paintings. Thank you. I didn't have to go back to Toronto, be a cab driver again and produce nothing."

Gordon starting his art career in Halifax on the fence.

Gordon's work is always out of this world and this body of work just propels his skills into a whole new stratosphere. We'll let you enjoy a few of the pieces below...

Silent Orchard, Oil on Copper, 11"x12"

  

No Wind, Oil on Copper, 8"x10"

 

Falmouth, NS, Oil on Copper, 8"x12"

 

Closing Day Orange, Oil on Copper, 8"x10"

Light Breaks, Oil on Copper, 4"x10"

This is such a small sample of the work that you really need to come in and see it in person to see how it glows.  You can also now enjoy the show ONLINE HERE.

HIGH NOON AT NOON #13: Andy MacDonald and Gordon MacDonald

We've finally come to the 13th day of HIGH NOON at NOON- our last of the July season!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 
Today's HIGH NOON includes TWO paintings. One by Andy MacDonald and one by Gordon MacDonald. 

The first work pictured below is by Andy MacDonald is a very old work by him- perhaps one of the first works we ever received. It was the beginning of his house series. This work is a must see in person, as it's very difficult to photograph due to the high gloss resin he uses. The work is called "2635 Fuller Terrace in Red", painted with Acrylic and Resin on Board and measuring 32" x 24". Although it was a starting point, Andy's gone in different directions then, but it's so interesting to see where it all started. 

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $275 and the regular price is $575

The second work featured below is by Gordon MacDonald- who we are getting ready to host his 13th solo exhibit with!  WOW. Time flys! This work is called " Built to Last", Oil on Board and measures 30" x 30" . If you grew up in Annapolis Valley, chances are you know exactly where this old abandoned garage is. 
  
Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $1900 and the regular price is $2900  ( THIS IS A STEAL!  IF YOU LOVE THIS WORK, NOW IS THE TIME!)

HIGH NOON AT NOON #12: Jan Davison

Welcome to the 12th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 
Today's HIGH NOON feature is a the perfect example of a street of Halifax and popular watering hole- "Bearly's", Acrylic on Board, 20" x 24" by Jan Davison. It's a  work from a series of Halifax scenes that Jan has been working on for some time now. Jan loves to celebrate local business through her art and encourages everyone to make exploring the city or any city you live in, a way of life.

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $560 and the regular price is $750

HIGH NOON AT NOON #11- Kate Brown Georgallas

Welcome to the 11th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 

Today's HIGH NOON feature is an etching by printmaker Kate Brown Georgallas.
It's a small and delicate etching framed and ready to hang. The overall piece framed measures 13" x 11" but the etching itself is 5" x 2.5" . It's called "Morning Doves and is number 3 /50 . So lovely! Perfect for gift giving!

 SOLD  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $125 and the regular price is $250.  

HIGH NOON AT NOON #10: David LeRue

Welcome to the 10th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 

Today's HIGH NOON feature  are two paintings by David LeRue.  Dave's bold colours and brush strokes make for this very contemporary view of his on-going stadium series. We're excited to announce that Dave will be continuing his art education at Concordia in Montreal this year. 

Each work measures 20" x 16", Oil on Canvas. The first one is called "Footballin'-(study)" and the second one is called "Marcana 2 (study)"

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, each work sells for $200 and their regular price is $425  however if the two works are purchased together, the price for $325!

SOLD Footballin' (Study)  , Oil on Canvas, 20" x 16"

Marcana 2 (Study) , Oil on Canvas, 20" x 16",

HIGH NOON AT NOON #10: David LeRue

Welcome to the 10th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 

Today's HIGH NOON feature  are two paintings by David LeRue.  Dave's bold colours and brush strokes make for this very contemporary view of his on-going stadium series. We're excited to announce that Dave will be continuing his art education at Concordia in Montreal this year. 

Each work measures 20" x 16", Oil on Canvas. The first one is called "Footballin'-(study)" and the second one is called "Marcana 2 (study)"

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, each work sells for $200 and their regular price is $425  however if the two works are purchased together, the price for $325!

SOLD Footballin' (Study)  , Oil on Canvas, 20" x 16"

Marcana 2 (Study) , Oil on Canvas, 20" x 16",

HIGH NOON AT NOON #9- Nick Brunt

Welcome to the 9th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a painting by Nick Brunt, with his quirky sense of humour shining through this work simply called "My Darling, It Was All So Horrible", which measures 20" x 24", acrylic on board. This work is from 2012- it doesn't seem possible!  Where does the time go?! Since then Nick has gone on to make quite a name for himself in the local art scene. He's also just completed a wonderful text-based mural that was commissioned by the Dartmouth Business Commission. Nick is also very generous with his artwork; often his works can be found supporting local causes- most recently he was part of a fundraiser for a skate park in Hubbards, NS. 

 Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $225 and it's regular price is $450

HIGH NOON AT NOON #8: Mark Brennan

Welcome to the 8th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours! 
 

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a painting by Mark Brennan (who will have a body of work featured in mid-August this season at our gallery)  This beautiful painting is called "Calm at Larry Lake" and was painted when Mark went out west in 2014. The actual location is Calyoquot Sound, British Columbia. This painting measures 6" x 8" and is oil on board, framed (which adds approximately 1.5" to the overall dimensions) 

  SOLD  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $250 and it's regular price is $320

HIGH NOON #7- Jane Rovers

Welcome to the 7th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!   HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a photo transfer work on canvas by Jane Rovers. It's called "Boundary Waters", Mixed Media on canvas, 10"x10", 2011. This piece was created using an original photograph by Jane but she also added texture (the scratches) which was sourced from household items-in this case an old TV table top. This work has such a vintage dreaminess you can't resist. 

 SOLD  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $125 and it's regular price is $250

HIGH NOON AT NOON #6- Mary Garoutte

Welcome to the 6th day of HIGH NOON at NOON!    HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a beautiful painting depicting the North End of Halifax. It's called "Storm Approaching; Agricola Street" by Mary Garoutte.  This work harkens back to the first solo show we hosted for Mary in 2013, where the North End of Halifax was her muse. There are still a few others from this series available too, which you can see HERE. 

SOLD  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $750 and it's regular price is $950

HIGH NOON #5- William Rudolph

Welcome to the 5th  day of HIGH NOON at NOON!    HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a found-objects lamp by William Rudolph- one of the eldest artists at our gallery, but you'd never know it! He's got more creative energy than most of us put together and has always been re-purposing things before it was hip. We met Bill during a Halifax Bike Week exhibit we did a few years ago, and have worked with him ever since.

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $150 and it's regular price is $325

When it's OFF, it's an amazing conversation starter and sculpture....

 

When it's ON it brightens up your space!  Functional art at it's best!

HIGH NOON #4- George Spencer Delicious Masterpiece

Welcome to the 4th  day of HIGH NOON at NOON!    HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a tasty treat by George Spencer.  "Vachon Flakie" was painted in 2013 for a Canadiana show we hosted at the gallery.  George is known for his carefully rendered classic still-life paintings and he continues to satisfy our art and snack cravings, especially with this piece!  This work is 11"x 14",  oil on board and is ready to hang. THIS Vachon treat is GOOD FOR YOU!  It's gluten free, dairy free, sugar free...and almost free!  Ah, the good old days...come on. You know you want this!  

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $285 and it's regular price is $500

 

HIGH NOON AT NOON #3- Gordon MacDonald

Welcome to the 3rd day of HIGH NOON at NOON!     HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a beautiful work by Gordon MacDonald. This piece is called "The Blur to the Left" and was painted in 2013. It measures  8" x 8", oil on board and is ready to hang. It much more luminous than it appears in this image below; like most of  Gordon's works this piece almost glows like a misty day with the sun just breaking through and takes on a life of it's own.  

SOLD  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $295 and it's regular price is $480

  

HIGH NOON at NOON #2- Gregg Tracey Woodblock Prints

Welcome to the 2nd day of HIGH NOON at NOON!     HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day  until July 13th, at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON features are two works by Gregg Tracey. Gregg lives in the South Shore and is a renaissance man - he is best know for his wood block prints featured today, but also paints carves and even builds instruments! Gregg has a keen eye for details and a sense of humour that can't be beat. These two works are professionally framed and ready to hang or to give as a gift. 

This first work is called "People Watching" and has been hand printed(not using a press!) and carved from wood originally.  It is print number 149/350 and a pure delight!  Have you ever seen a puffin? Perhaps a puffin has seen you! It measures 16" x 15" framed.
 
Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $195 and it's regular price is $325  (apologies for the picture, but it is always hard to capture works framed with glass)

The second work(show below)  is called "Repose" and is of a beloved loon. This work is also a hand pulled and carved print, measuring 14.5" x 17.5". It is print number 35/100.

Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $195 and it's regular price is $325  

HAPPY JULY 1st! We're CELEBRATING with the return of our HIGH NOON AT NOON art Sales!

Happy Canada Day everyone!  We're doing our mid-year inventory which also means we are unearthing some works for our annual HIGH NOON AT NOON which begins today and continues until July 13th.  HIGH NOON is a time sensitive "sale" on  selected 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. This year we are featuring  works each day at  HIGH NOON that will be priced at a special price but for just 24 hours!

Today's HIGH NOON feature is a  work by Caitlin McGuire, who we met a number of years ago- first as a customer and then as an artist when she submitted to our annual miniature group show, Pre-Shrunk. Now, she works with us at the gallery and is the artist in residence at the McPhee Centre in Dartmouth, NS.

Caitlin loves urban scenes and  isn't afraid of colour! This a very common style of house here in Halifax. We love the power lines and just look at the "Welcome" mat. Such a happy piece! 

This work is called "Red, Yellow, Blue" it measures  20"x 24",oil on canvas.

SOLD  Until tomorrow at HIGH NOON, this work sells for $325 and it's regular price is $525