Explore the Coast with Mark Brennan

On Friday November 8th we opened Mark Brennan's new show "Kissing the Shoreline", an impressive body of work that he has been building over the last three years. 

This stunning show consists of 43 paintings, which includes 34 small (6"x8" & 8"x10") "Sketch" works and seven large recreations from selected sketches. 

Scroll below for a sample of works from this show, a comparison of studies and their larger work counterparts as well as some thoughtful words from Mark on this body of work.

All works 6"x8", Oil on Panel

 Top Row Left to Right:
Heavy Fog Baptiste Island NS
Dawn Looking East Mitchell Bay NS
Middle Row Left to Right:
Sunrise Bar Island East Quoddy NS
Sunrise in Heavy Fog Harringan Cove NS
Bottom Row Left to Right:
Sky Over the Oakney Islands Mitchell Bay NS
Sand Shadows Wolfes Island NS

Mark on his works...

"This show is a tangible expression of things felt while exploring and painting the incredible coast of Nova Scotia over three year period, a coastline almost immaculate in some places, where nature still exists in abundance" 

Mark Brennan, Snow Squalls Over the Atlantic Bull Beach, Oil on Board, 24"x36"

SKETCH Mark Brennan, Snow Squalls over Atlantic, Bull Beach, Taylors Head NS, Oil on Board, 6"x8"

"The thing I am personally most grateful for are the experiences of actually being there, in the landscape, while painting this series... the sense of self slips away and opens up to the vastness and intricate balance of the universe." 

Mark Brennan, The Cliffs Wasson Bluff Near Parsboro NS, Oil on Board, 24"x36"

SKETCH Mark Brennan, The Cliffs Wasson Bluff, East of Parsboro, Oil on Board, 6"x8"

"The 43 works in this show contain not only the expression of place but also an unrestricted effort to point to something in contemporary times that calls out to the decision makers that there is something here worthy of their attention" 

Mark Brennan, Frost Nipped Forest, Hog Island NS, Oil on Board, 24"x36"

SKETCH Mark Brennan, Frost Nipped Forest Hog Island, Oil on Board, 6"x8"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpUL-9Pr4B8&list=PLRsSYDrFW3JIAFwh5fmpPt1Ox_m8QSyf_&index=10

Follow the above link to see a short video of Mark's show up in the gallery. 

Mark Brennan, Bright Spring Day, Deris Lakes Wilderness NS,  Oil on Cradleboard, 8"x10"

Mark Brennan, Cold Spring Day, Low Tide Mitchell Bay, Oil on Board, 8"x10"

"These paintings really have nothing to do with me, the work here is a small voice conveying a message of celebration and a declaration from the Fox Sparrow, Osprey or the Porpoise that they are here, living alongside us, that this is their home too."

Follow this link HERE to see the full album of Mark's new show 

And follow this linke HERE to see an album of all the other wonderful works by Mark Brennan

A Celebration of Excellence: Paulette Melanson!

 We are thrilled that one of our artists, Paulette Melanson, will have her original paintings featured at the Creative Nova Scotia Awards that is happening on Sunday, November 3rd. 

Tickets are FREE to attend while spaces are available. FIND OUT MORE HERE!

 

There is also a great article about the entire event HERE! 

 

Here are just a few of the beauties you'll find if you attend. Paulette Melanson will be in attendance as well, if you want to meet her. And of course, all of these works and others by Paulette Melanson can be purchased. Check out more of her artwork HERE! 

CONGRATULATIONS PAULETTE!

 

Searching, 24" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas

At the Heart of Things, 48" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas

HAPPY HALLOWEEN SCARY STICKER SALE SWEET DEAL!

ON OCTOBER 31st.....pick up a SPOOKY vinyl sticker from our special selection for just $5!  But quick like a ghostie..this sale is just for the day, so don't delay!

                    VISIT SOON for so so so many wonderful local arts for all you Ghouls! 

 

Psst.....

 HAVE YOU VOTED FOR US as BEST GALLERY YET? It's pretty easy to do....CLICK HERE NOW. VOTING is OPEN until November 3rd!!  

THANKS FOLKS!

TONIGHT!!! NOCTURNE!! 6pm til laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate!

 Hey folks and Happy Nocturne!!   

 

HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL THE LINKS TO NEW SHOWS OPENING TONIGHT RIGHT HERE, including art by Lara Doiron and other gallery artists!

 

 

A world full of colour with Danny Abriel

 This week at the gallery we are highlighting artist Danny Abriel!

"Every Day Is A Wonder", 36"x48", Acrylic on Canvas

Danny considers his art style Dynamic Expressionism and express it does!

"A View To The Sea", 18" x 36", acrylic on canavs

His colourful acrylic paintings depict iconic Nova Scotia scenes and imagery with a bright and delightful twist.  

"Winter Coat", 36"x48", Acrylic on Canvas

Danny uses a palette of vivid colours against black line work to create a wonderful poppy quaility in his pieces.

"Cheticamp Gypsum Mine", 30"x40", Acrylic on Canvas

Many of Danny's works are inspired by personal expierence, memories and close relationships. 

We really love this new piece, recieved at the gallery this week, called "A Trusted Friend" and inspired by his mother. 

A Trusted Friend, 30"x40", Acrylic on Canvas

While dropping off this piece Danny told us the story of how he'd often walk this path and visit this tree, that stood alone and tall, and always a reliable landmark. This lovely notion felt akin to his mother and their close relationship. 

Another wonderful new piece from Danny is this exciting and lively ocean scene "Billows and Swash".

"Billows and Swash", 24"x36",  Acrylic on Canvas

Danny has many other pieces available at the gallery, including a small 4"x5" painting from last years PreShrunk show! 

Follow this link HERE to see Danny's full album of available work. 

Want to bring a little extra joy to your day? Check out this video we made inspired by Danny's art!

Looking into the distance, with Catherine Bagnell Styles

 On September 13th we opened Catherine Bagnell Styles' new show 

"Horizons"

 Sept 13 - Sept 28

"Champagne", Oil on Cradleboard, 24"x24"

This serene and scenic collection of 15 oil paintings has brought both a sense of calmness and adventure to the gallery with Catherine's wonderful landscape views. 

 

"Solo", Oil on Cradleboard, 18"x24"

"A horizon represents the edge of what we see however, it doesn’t define the limit of what exists or what is possible. If you think about it – the horizon is the beginning of a new frontier." - Catherine Bagnell Styles

Catherine's show will be up in the gallery until September 28th. However, her works will still be available after the show ends!

"Wild Sky", Oil on Cradleboard, 24"x24"

"Summer Field", Oil on Cradleboard,12"x12"

Catherine on her latest body of work

"...this work is a bit of a new frontier for me…I'm really, really going deep into painting clouds (inspired by the beautiful work of Edward Seago). This show was about pushing my own horizons, learning more about painting clouds, moving from serene peaceful scenes to 'wild clouds', and leaving some elements unfinished and perfectly imperfect."

"Tall Trees",Oil on Gallery Canvas,15" x 30"

"Salt Marsh", Oil on Cradleboard, 24"x24"

 

Learn more about Catherine from her artist statement below!

Catherine Bagnell Styles is a Halifax-based artist who loves colour, texture, character and light in places, people and, in her paintings. Her work is colourful, optimistic and highly textured. Her influences include impressionism, fauvism and, a number of Canadian artists, including David Lacey, Rod Charlesworth and Mike Svob.

She paints in an ocean side studio in beautiful Ketch Harbour, and en plein air, especially when travelling. Landscapes, streetscapes and occasionally, still life are her forte. Her creative career has been in marketing, communications and advertising and has focused on story-telling and engagement. Artistic endeavors have always played an important part in her life.

 Catherine has studied at NSCAD as well as in workshops with: David Lacey, Sandi Komst, Zehava Power, Mike Svob and Bob Burridge and more. Her work is in private collections throughout Canada and the US. 

"Morning Fog", Oil on Cradleboard, 24" x 24"

Want to see more work from Catherine? See all the works from her show Horizons HERE 

And see our album of older works available from Catherine HERE.