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.

INSTA FAMOUS DOG DAY- This Saturday, September 21st, 1:30-3:30pm

 A long time ago, in a year called "2020" we hosted an INSTA DOG event that was very pup-ular! So we decided why not do it again, have some fun and remind folks that there are so many downtown local businesses that are DOG FRIENDLY!  Join us  from 1:30 PM -3:30PM for a tail-wagging good time as we celebrate all things dog-related. Get ready for a paws-itively fun day filled with furry friends, wagging tails, and lots of Instagram-worthy moments. 

Whether you're a dog owner, dog lover, or just looking for a fun day out, this event is perfect for you (no other dogs permitted at this event other than the INSTA Dogs for safety and space in the gallery) 

It’s going to be a paws-itively fun day filled with furry friends, wagging tails, and lots of Instagram-worthy moments. We will celebrate all things dog-related and will have art by local artists available as well as paintings made by the dogs themselves! All proceeds from the dog’s paintings will be donated to LITTERS N CRITTERS- who will also be with us for the afternoon so that we can all learn about the wonderful kind things they do for dogs. 

We’ll also have Chloe’s Pawsome Designs with us selling great products for dogs and kitties too! P4 Patisserie baked goods for humans will be here while supplies last…nomnomnom! Before you leave, don't forget to  ENTER TO WIN dog themed gifts, donated by local businesses and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. It's going to be a DOG-gone great time!

PS- want a drawing of your dog?  

Send Argyle Fine Art a photo of it to gallery@argylefa.com and we’ll have artist Lindsay Hicks draw it for you, 8” x 10”, for just $45. Call or email Argyle Fine Art for more details.Here are some examples from past sketches!

...AND NOW TO MEET THE DOGS!

Meet Hunter@hunter_the_bounty_dog_hfx, Rosie @miss.rosie.mac, Beau & Freya @halifloofs, Tako @loschicoscubano, Willow @puppy.willows.world and Willy the Backpack Beagle @willybackpackbeagle!

HUNTER is a 9 year old rescue dog from Cape Breton, adopted through Litters n Critters. He's the love of his mom's life.  Hunter loves playing fetch,  paddle boarding, and exploring beaches with his best friends.  When not adventuring, Hunter can be found at protests for animal rights,  fighting against BSL, or raising money for numerous animal groups. He's the best boy ever!

ROSIE is a lab x heeler mix, she lives with her 3 kitty sisters in Halifax, and is full of bologna. Her favourite things are running wild in the woods, rolling, her snuggle puppy, and cuddling with her folks.

BEAU is a 6 year old Standard American Eskimo Dog who is full of love, life and spunk. 

He loves every season and would probably live outside if he could. His favourite thing to do is swim all summer and roll in the snow all winter. He is the best hiking partner and while a bit of a loud mouth sometimes, he is the most gentle and loving companion. 

 

FREYA is a 2yr old Terrier/Chihuahua Mix and just the sweetest little girl you could ever meet. 

We adopted her just over a year ago from Save a Life Animal Rescue and she has perfectly completed our family.  She can be very assertive when she wants to be which is quite funny but she spends most of her time looking for soft places to snuggle and sleep. She is very sweet and calm most of the time until you take her hiking off leash and then you see another side to her full of  energy and pure joy.

TAKO, rescued from the streets of Cardenas, Cuba through All People for Animals in Cuba and now calls HRM his forever home. Spends his time with his brothers, Raisin & LG (also from Cuba) and friends, hanging out, exploring the parks and the dog friendly bars and shops.

 

WILLY the Backpack Beagle Lover of pizza crusts and chaser of critters, Willy spends his time playing with pals at Jollytails, terrorizing residents of various wooded areas of Halifax, and sleeps in North End Halifax.You may see him being carried by his human on a Onewheel around the streets of Halifax, or running out in front; pulling on the leash so hard as to cause his human a case of chronic  tendinitis.

WILLOW   is a 1.5yo Pittie/Doberman mix who helps her handler, Sam, as a medical response and alert service dog. She loves exploring the world with them both on and off duty, and they spend time learning new tricks, going on road trips and getting off the beaten path to find waterfalls! Willow promotes positive reinforcement and force free training methods for both everyday pet parents and other service dog handlers.