Thursday, November 30, 2017

DECEMBER DAYS: More Art at special prices just in time for Holiday Giving

Welcome to the last day of November.....December will be here before you know it!  

We are featuring an array of miniature paintings by various local artists that were $175 but are now just $95 each!  Here are just a few examples, but drop by the gallery to look at even more selection, or email us for more images to be sent directly to your inbox. Happy Browsing!

























Saturday, November 25, 2017

DECEMBER DAYS start early this year for Art

Hello and welcome to the beginning of the holiday season! Last year we hosted a special section of works at special prices in December, leading up to the big day. This year we thought we'd get a head start, as people are starting to shop already for their special someones, ore perhaps in need of a pick-me-up for themselves in this darker colder month of November. :-)  Art is just what you need!

So, without further adieu, here are today's offerings. These works are available at these special prices until December 24th, but often go quickly so get in touch when they strike your fancy. Check back each Thursday and Saturday for new offerings!

First up, here is a tasty painting by self taught artist George Spencer It's simply called "Fries", measures 8" x 10", Oil on board. Regular price is $395 but until December 24th it is $265. This painting would look wonderful in your kitchen or dining area, or anywhere you want to be reminded of delicious french fries. We love this playful approach to traditional still-life. It also has a retro-vibe about it.


Next up and continuing in the retro-vibed imagery, we have a painting by Craig Baltzer from when he first began showing his works with us. This painting is called "First Light", measures 12" x 16", Oil on board. Regular price is $450, but until December 24th it is priced at $325.


Thursday, November 23, 2017

GIVING BACK FRIDAY: With thanks!

Well, with the Black Friday deals zooming all around you...we decided to get in on the action too but with our THANKS for supporting our little business and local artists. An opportunity for you to enjoy some TAX FREE SHOPPING and give back to the community too. Read on for all the details:



ONE DAY ONLY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24th

NO STRINGS ATTACHED. NO GIMMICKS
Just simply, lovely TAX FREE SHOPPING ALL DAY LONG!

Friday, November 24th  we will offer TAX FREE ON EVERYTHING

 (exception: not to be combined with other promotions, services, workshops, payment plans or reduced items)   

This means even the latest works by Kim Floyd and Andy MacDonald can be yours TAX FREE!  We also have so so so many new works arriving almost daily now....drop by and pick up a few things. Also applies to cards, jewellery, ceramics and more!  Come discover how amazing our artists are and pick up some gifts for everyone on your list!

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  Give the Gift of Art all Season Long!


GIVE AND GET
 20% off ART (some exceptions apply) until December 20th with a donation of a warm blanket or outerwear which we will be donating to the Navigator Street Outreach Program. 
We will also be collecting personal hygiene products, socks or really anything you think that can help those in need on the streets. Get in touch with us if you need more ideas. YOU CAN BRING THESE TO US ANYTIME AND WE'LL DONATE DIRECTLY. 
****IF YOU JUST WANT TO DONATE, you will  be entered to win a Limited Edition Print Prize (including 5 original prints by local artists)  Draw will be December 8th at our Holiday Party****
GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE 
Until they are all gone, we are selling Gift Certificates at 20% off! (ie  a gift certificate values at $100  will only cost you $80) There is a limited amount of 20 available in any denomination- get them before they are gone!  
 
FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CANADA

On any purchases of $100 or more, we will offer FREE shipping to any Canadian address, until December 9th.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Greenland- a whole new world filled with Possibilites and New Friendships

Well it's been quite a whirlwind trip to Greenland this past week! WOW. Still need time to reflect and write more about the experience at a later date, but I thought I'd share a few images from the vast amount of pictures I took to begin with.This is a picture I took from the helicopter of Qaqortoq- the small town we spent most of our time in. See it waaaaay down there?


This was an opportunity of a lifetime for Argyle Fine Art and a trip I plan on making again in the future on my own steam too! The trip wouldn't have even been possible without the help of Caitlin McGuire and my husband, Joe Mader and other artists looking out for the gallery while I was gone. Because of them, I had the confidence to accept an invitation from Kisserup International (eternally grateful) to travel to Greenland far away from my baby, my business,  to discover new artists, make new business partnerships and friendships as well as sharing my knowledge with others on the marketing of art and creative approaches to selling abroad while learning so much from all involved.


A group of us ventured out into the unknown, including a gallery artist, Dorothyanne Brown (shown below with Martha, one of the Greenlandic artists ), who also taught a workshop while we were in Greenland about needle felting.Most of the artists we met this trip were fibre artists, in addition to being sheep farmers. They were strong women, and funny and kind-hearted and very very talented.

Our mission was to begin talking about how to expose the country of Greenland and the artists and entrepreneurs that live there to the rest of the world, beginning with a likely partner- Canada. All things big start small. We were a mighty bunch!


I've got some ideas of how to begin working with Greenlandic artists. ..can you hear my brain humming? Ha! To be continued.......in the meantime, here's another breathtaking image from one morning there. If you have the chance to visit, take it! It's a whole new world which I already miss so much.Drop by the gallery soon- I'd love to tell you more about this amazing experience!



Saturday, November 18, 2017

Have a holly jolly... too soon?

Well we know it's November and while Christmas is still a month away, BUT - and hear us out - we'd like to ease you into the holiday with some humour via our holiday cards and a few other fun little seasonal items...

First we have Jodie Hansen, who is a favourite of all who enter the gallery. Known for her pun filled pop culture cards, Jodie can't stop coming up with new ideas. Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr Who, Princess Bride, and Golden Girls are just a small sampling of the fandoms Jodie's work touches on.



This year she's upped her game again with the addition of stickers (!!!) and multi-purpose tree ornaments/magnets/wine tags that are already a big hit!



We're also taking orders for the holidays for amazing line of calendars! Her die cut calendars feature catss, dogs, flowers or Star Wars figures that move around based on what month it is!



Keeping on that humour train chugging are cards by Stephanie Boutilier who also hits the pop culture mark with her cards - especially if you're a fan of the Griswold clan.



If pop culture isn't your jam we also have fun cards from Assembly of Text that are sure to hit the spot.



Their winter button packs also make a fun gift or party favour (except for whoever gets stuck with the grinch button...)



If you're looking for a more peaceful vibe then these cards by Shelagh Duffet might be what you're looking for...



Don't forget we currently have a few special deals on the go - a limited number of gift certificates on special for 20% off! Free shipping within Canada until Dec 9th on purchases of $100 or more! Receive 20% off your purchase until Nov 20th when you make a donation of a gently used blanket or outerwear (or small a monetary donation) for the Navigator Street Outreach Program. We also have stocking stuffer grab bags priced at $2, $5 and $10 with all proceeds going to the Christmas Daddies Telethon!

PS Don't forget to check out our window while you're here for the Parade of Lights...

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

There's No Place Like Home....for Art

Just as the title of this blog post implies, we wanted to talk about the importance of including art into your homes- there's no place quite like it!! Ask anyone that has started to purchase a few works of art and they will tell you there's no turning back to reproductions and mass produced art. This painting by Jennifer Harrison is filled with texture-something hard to replicate in print and better enjoyed as an original.


We've met some great new collectors lately and we're so excited for each and every one of them! Throughout the entry here, we are sharing a few images that have been shared with us from recent buyers of art...maybe your home is featured. Take a peek! If not, we'll be doing another post later in the year too, and we'd  love to receive images of art in your spaces.

You may be surprised to learn just how much art can transform a space, and have a positive effect on the environments of people who own it and get to enjoy it! Even though we work at the gallery and can see how new art even transforms our space each month with new exhibits, it still is a magical wonder- just like this Magic Baking Powder painting by Kim Floyd did for this kitchen. What a great place to start the morning!


 Original art enriches your life!  It can even provide a de-stressing effect and serve multiple purposes, while still beautifying your space. These recent purchases and installs of paintings shown below by Katharine Burns really bring the beauty of the ocean inside. So relaxing yet filled with energy! You can almost hear the waves...



Buying original art by local artists is a great way to support the artists, our small business and the cultural economy too and it's environmentally-friendly! No batteries or oil or upgrades needed any time soon, although you can also add a new work or two! Point is, it's not something you will use for a year and throw away only to head to the landfill. You can potentially have it forever to enjoy or pass on to others to enjoy! Love this Angela Carlsen work in this space-it's as if it was made for this home!


The art you choose will reflect your own individual personality too, and owning an original work that no one else has in the world is pretty great. Uniqueness and hand-made is better than mass-produced any day of the week!Some art may appear more modern in the gallery, but when merged with antiques it can become just as timeless and so uplifting -like this recent new homing of a painting by Caitlin McGuire!


Quality over quantity is what many of our clients see a value in. With many of our artists living just steps away from the gallery, there is always an opportunity to meet our artists and learn more about them as people too. You can even learn how to create from some of them- we have some great workshop offerings coming up soon!  This year, consider making art part of your life! There's still time, plus original art makes wonderful gift ideas. Some of our artists are even more than happy to create works especially for you, like the commissioned painting by Andy MacDonald featured below.


In short, skies the limit on what art can do for you! Try some ART out today!  We offer payment plans to make it even easier, as well as gift certificates, hanging services and more.

Art is for everyone and we have something for everyone here at the gallery. Bring yourself, your family and friends, yes, even your children or  your dogs...we welcome all to come inside anytime. Just start looking!It all starts with really seeing....so see you soon!



Saturday, November 4, 2017

TOYS ART US - A process with Kim Floyd

This Friday two new shows opened at the gallery; TOYS ART US by Kim Floyd and SLOW CENTURY by Andy MacDonald. Today on the blog Kim shares a bit about the process that went into her show. (you can see ALL the paintings from each show now, over on our NOW SHOWING tab on this blog)

TOYS ART US and SLOW CENTURY


While I was working on Pantry (my show about nostalgic food) last year, I was visiting a friend who was running a day care out of her home and she had several Fisher-Price toys. She showed them to me and I was flooded with memories of my childhood. I told her I would like to paint these toys at some point. She eventually closed the daycare and gave them all to my daughter and me.





One day, I mentioned to Adriana about the Fisher-Price Parking Garage and how much I enjoyed playing with it as a child. It turns out that she did too. After talking with her, I decided that I needed to paint it. A few weeks later while thrift-shopping she luckily found both the Parking Garage and the famous Family Play House.






Kim Floyd, Chatter Phone, 6"x8", Acrylic on Board


With all these retro toys appearing in my life, I began working on this second series of paintings about childhood memory. I see my paintings as part-folk/part-pop with a touch of realism.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed painting them.


TOYS ART US is the kind of show that fills you up with nostalgia, either you had one of the toys in Kim's pieces or your kids did. Don't miss it! Come down to the galleryor check out the show online by clicking here.