Friday, April 27, 2018

Get Outside with Danny Abriel

Oh my goodness, could it be? Is it finally, actually Spring? To help celebrate today's jacket-free weather we we're sharing some of Danny Abriel's paintings from his most recent show, Radiant Days, which is currently on at the gallery. You can see all of Danny's paintings from this show by clicking HERE.

Danny's works all feature local lakes and hiking spots, and we thought we'd help you get there! Here are some of the spots featured in Danny's pieces...

Grand Lake

First, Grand Lake! Located in Shubenacadie between Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and Hants County, Grand Lake is the largest lake in the Shubenacadie Canal!



Grand Lake also features not one but two provincial parks - Laurie Provincial Park and Oakfield Provincial Park. (Click on the park names for more info about them.)

Sambro Head


Next up we have Sambro Head, which is located in the HRM between Ketch Harbour and Sambro. If you click HERE you can find some of the great trails around the area, that range from easy to moderate hikes.

Molega Lake

Then there's Molega Lake, which is located outside Bridgewater. Molega Lake is an interesting area as it's home to several endangered species, including the Eastern Ribbon Snake that doesn't have any significant populations anywhere else east of Quebec, and the Blanding Turtle, which nests in the area. You can explore Molega Lake along the Adventure Trail, more info HERE.

William's Lake

One of Halifax's hidden gems, William's Lake, located in Spryfield, makes you feel like you've left the suburbs behind despite behind perched atop them. A great little spot to go for a swim, William's Lake is a favourite amongst locals. HERE's cute little review of William's Lake by a visiting swimmer.

Point Pleasant


If you can't get out of the city fear not, Point Pleasant Park is your escape from the city within the city. Just adjacent to downtown Halifax, located in the cities South End, Point Pleasant Park is a great place to find some peace of mind when you need to get away from the business of the city and want to pet some cute dogs.



Danny's show continues until May 5th! Pop down today to see it when you're not on the trails!




Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Yada Yada Yada!

Pop culture of the past and present is artist Jodie Hansen's favourite thing to illustrate on her popular cards, prints, bookmarks, stickers and now even gift wrap! Yes- for just $6 you can own a 24"x 36" sheet of gift wrap of your favourite TV or Netflix stars, from the selection below:


Of course, you can get creative and use this gift wrap for other projects around the house where a touch of Seinfeld or Star Trek is needed. :-)  Some suggestions include using the sheet as a colouring sheet, using the paper in a decoupage project or you can pick up an inexpensive frame and hang the full sheet on the wall. ART doesn't have be expensive to be great and you are still supporting a local artist when you pick up one of these darlings.


The entire frame and gift wrap came in at just under $30...not too shabby!  Pair that with some stickers and a card, and you've got the best gift for a pop culture fan of all ages.


Saturday, April 21, 2018

Happy Earth Day with New Art!

Tomorrow is Earth Day- April 22nd! A day to remind us to treat our planet with love and respect. We thought we'd share some new paintings by two emerging artists.

The first is artist Barbara O'Neil. These paintings are fresh and filled with lush green fields and open skies.

Storm Approaching, 16" x 16", Oil on Canvas by Barbara O'Neil
 
We met Barbara a few years ago, when she first submitted to our annual Pre-Shrunk show and ever since has also contributed to other group shows from time to time. We love meeting new emerging artists; it's so exciting to watch them develop and grow!

Out on the Dykes, 20" x 20", Oil on Canvas by Barbara O'Neil

We also just recently meet artist Catherine Bagnell-Styles and these two paintings below are fresh off the easel today!

Wharf Colours, 18" x 24", Acrylic on Canvas by Catherine Bagnell-Styles

Summer Light, 11" x 14", Acrylic on Canvas by Catherine Bagnell-Styles

We hope to host a series of talks with a few of the other commercial galleries beginning next month. Our topic will be all about emerging artists- as they have become our specialty. :-) Watch for the announcement on this exciting line- up of art chats about art!

Friday, April 13, 2018

Two Shows Opening Tonight- Join us!

Make sure to join us for the opening receptions for Danny Abriel and Sharon Cave tonight- Friday, April 13th, 6:30-8:30pm.  If you aren't able to make it in person, you can visit anytime throughout the duration of the show, which continues until May 4th.




NOTE: Artist Sharon Cave is hosting a really interesting talk about her crow paintings and especially her muse- Mike the crow this Wednesday, April 18th, 7-8:30pm. All Welcomed!



Saturday, April 7, 2018

Crows and City Birds with Sharon Cave

Artist Sharon Cave is busy as a bird in her studio at the moment! Not only does she have her show, "Conversations with an Urban Crow" opening on Friday, April 13th from 6:30-8:30pm, and an artist talk on Wednesday, April 18th, but she's also giving a workshop on drawing urban birds with pastels on Wednesday, May 2nd!


We're exhausted just thinking about it, but not Sharon. This talented artist is excited to show and share with you! Sharon has been busy working away in her studio getting ready for her show, which features her "pet" crow, Mikey.

Mikey


Sharon works primarily in oil paint and soft pastels. Known to many at the gallery for her series of wonderful chickens, Sharon first introduced us to her love of crows a few years ago during Pre-Shrunk 2017. Here Sharon talks about Mikey in her own words.

I like to think I have come to understand Mikey and understand his moods a little over this time. I enjoy trying to capture his personality and body language; his tilts of the head and facial expressions. The more I see, the more I tend to anthropomorphize… The more I want to connect.

Mikey having a snack.

As mentioned above, in addition to her show and talk Sharon is also teaching a workshop (more info about our workshops HERE), about drawing city birds with soft pastels. Here are a few examples of Sharon's city bird soft pastel studies...

Starling
Seagull

Sharon's workshop is filling up fast, so give us a call today to register (902-425-9456)! And we'll you on Friday the 13th for the opening!

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Anatomy of a Frog

Artist Kim Danio is like no other we know. Who else makes incredible creations out of shoes? Now that Spring is here the earth is slowly waking up and we can almost hear the peepers chirping!

Shoe Toad by Kim Danio

This Earth Day (April 22nd from 11am-2pm) we invite you to join Kim for her workshop where she'll teach you the tricks of her exclusive trade by teaching you how to make a frog or a toad out of a reclaimed shoe! All supplies are included for only $75. It's a great way to repurpose, learn a new skill and make something special for yourself or as a gift for someone you love. For more info on Kim's workshop, and our other workshops by clicking HERE or on the WORKSHOPS in 2018! tab above. Call us to register today!

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog by Kim Danio

Kim has generously shared some froggy process shots of creating a cute Red Eyed Tree Frog with us to share with you! This isn't your high school science class...

The beginning...

Interesting, interesting...

Oh, I see what you're doing there...

And then there was form!

A little coat of paint...

I think it needs a hug?

Almost there...

Ahhhh! Hello buddy!

Wow! There really is no other artist like Kim! Sign up for Kim's workshop today to create a cute hoppy critter, to keep unwanted shoes out of landscapes and celebrate spring and Earth Day!

Also hop into the gallery to see more of Kim's new shoe pieces, or see them by clicking HERE, like THIS UNICORN!!!!!

My childhood dreams and desires captured in one fantastic art piece!