Monday, December 23, 2019

Happy Holidays Everyone!

ONE. MORE. DAY.  HORRAY!   

YES- we are here tomorrow, December 24th, 10am-2pm....then after that HOME for a rest.

We hope each of you have a restful, safe and beautiful holiday season. Find time for others and make sure to give yourself some time too.We really appreciate all the support you have given our little gallery over the years and we're looking forward to seeing you again soon in 2020.



We are opened on Saturday, December 28th in case you need a break from eating cookies or hanging out with family for a few moments and we'll have ALL OUR HOLIDAY CARDS priced at 50% off. So drop on by and say hello. Our other gallery hours are posted on our Contact Us Page on this blog, for your info.

Our first exhibition of 2020 will open on January 24th- the much anticipated PRE-SHRUNK show. Here's a sneak peek at a work just received via the submissions  page by artist Emily Campbell.  There's still time to contribute as an artist and DESERRES has the surfaces still!

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Discovering New Ceramic Works By Julian Covey!

For those last minute holiday shoppers out there, today we feature the ceramic work of Julian Covey!  Julian's functional ceramic pieces have been very popular this Holiday Season.  We still have an amazing selection of mugs, bowls, and vases available.  Affordably priced, these works make excellent gifts!

Julian Covey is a Halifax based ceramic artist. He was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia and has spent much of his life in Montreal. He completed his ceramics education at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 2018 and he maintains both sculptural and utilitarian ceramic practices.





There's a ton of work that goes into each piece. From design to production, each vessel is carefully    crafted and curated by the artist.  Julian's production work typically starts as a 3D model he designs on a computer to create a template.  The computer generated template is printed in sections and is used to create an initial mould in plaster.  To extend the life of the mould, the plaster version is then cast in rubber to create a negative.

A porcelain casting slip (a liquid clay mixture) is introduced into the rubber mould, filling the negative space and creating  a "positive".  The positive dries to a solid form, the pieces are then assembled, and are now ready to be fired in a kiln.

Each piece needs to be fired twice. The first firing transforms the clay into ceramic which prepares the surface for glazing. The second firing fuses the glaze onto the vessel.
Beyond the studio, Julian works as a kiln technician, teaches classes and is currently the president of the board of directors of Visual Arts Nova Scotia. He is passionate about ceramic art and its ability to record and communicate complex concepts through material culture.



Julian has been the recipient of several awards. While at NSCAD he received the Kevin and Karen Lynch Scholarship for Ceramics, the MacAdam Trust Scholarship, the Alexander J. McDonald Memorial Award, the Walter Ostram Scholarship for Ceramics, the World Encounter Scholarship and was nominated for the Starfish Student Award in his final year.Since completing his studies, Julian was selected for the Centre for Craft Nova Scotia’s airCRAFT and Craft LAIR residencies and was awarded a creation grant from Arts Nova Scotia’s Equity Initiative.

Ceramic Artworks by Julian Covey are available for purchase through Argyle Fine Art.  For inquiries contact us at
(902) 425-9456, or via email at gallery@argylefa.com


Not on our mailing list?  Stay up-to-date with upcoming events, workshops and exhibitions,
follow the link to our blog page HERE!!!

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

New Works by Catherine Bagnell Styles & Paulette Melanson

This Holiday Season, Argyle Fine Art is proud to present new works by gallery artist Catherine Bagnell Styles, and Paulette Melanson.  These colorful, and energetic paintings, make great gifts, and are perfect for home or office! 

Here's a selection of available works from our holiday collection;


Catherine Bagnell Styles (Left) "Go Deep", acrylic on canvas, 20" x 24", (Right) "Dr. Seuss Birches", acrylic on canvas, 14" x 11"

Catherine Bagnell Styles, (Left) "Into The Woods", 14" x 11", acrylic on canvas
(Right) Lucy's Trees, 20" x 24", acrylic on canvas


Catherine Bagnell Styles is Halifax-based artist who loves colour, texture, character and light in places, people and paintings. Her paintings are usually colourful and optimistic. Landscapes, Streetscapes and the occasional still life are often the subject matter of choice. Catherine paints in a light-filled studio in beautiful Ketch Harbour, as well as en plein air, especially when travelling.

For more works by Catherine Bagnell Styles
follow the link to our Flickr page HERE


Paulette Melanson (Left) "Spring Fever", 20" x 16", acrylic on canvas,
(Right) "Spring Fever 2", 16" x 20", acrylic on canvas
Paulette Melanson, (Left) Shooting The Breeze, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"
(Right) On The Way To The Market, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"
Paulette Melanson, (Top) "Hip Not Square", acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36", 
(Bottom) "Hidden Gems", acrylic on canvas, 24" x 36"


For more works by Paulette Melanson
follow the link to our Flickr Page HERE


Originally from Scoudouc, New Brunswick, Paulette Melanson has been living in Nova Scotia since 1985. She have been drawing and painting ever since she can remember and always felt she was meant to be an artist. Paulette began pursuing her art studies in the late 80’s when she began continuing education classes at the NS College of Art and Design.




FOR YOUR SHOPPING CONVENIENCE WE HAVE EXTENDED OUR HOLIDAY HOURS

FRIDAY, DEC 20, 10 am - 7 pm
SATURDAY, DEC 21, 10 am - 7 pm
SUNDAY, DEC 22,  12 - 4 pm 


There's always something new to discover at the Gallery, we look forward to seeing you soon!


Original paintings by Catherine Bagnell Styles and Paulette Melanson are available for purchase through Argyle Fine Art.  

For Purchase Inquiries, contact the gallery at
(902) 425- 9456 or via email; gallery@argylefa.com  

Thursday, December 12, 2019

You're Invited!!! JOIN US SATURDAY, DEC 14, 1 - 4 pm, for some Holiday Cheer!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....


Our Holiday Exhibition continues this weekend, with a few added events to get you in the festive mood!  Join us Saturday (Dec.14), from 1 pm - 4 pm for a flurry of creative activity!

From 1 pm - 3 pm, Learn how to print your very own artistic and recyclable wrapping paper with artist Amber Solberg



We also have local high school student Edie Whittington creator of the "Happy Atmosphere Environment Society" and will be on hand to offer suggestions of how to give gifts of meaning and zero waste options. 

From 2 -4 pm, Catherine Bagnell Styles and Paulette Melanson will be here to greet visitors as we showcase their new paintings.

Paulette Melanson, (Left) Hanging Out and Shooting the Breeze 2, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 inches,
(Right) "On The Way To The Market" acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 inches

Catherine Bagnell Styles, (Left) Go Deep, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 24",
(Right), Dr. Seuss Birches, acrylic on canvas, 14" x 11" 

But wait!, there's more!!!...

Craig Baltzer will be in the gallery to draw your house, cottage or special place for just $20 - $50. You can bring a photo with you or email us ahead of time so he can get a head start on them!

Craig Baltzer, House Portrait Commissions, pen, ink , graphite on paper, approx. 5 x 7 inches

Lindsay Hicks is also taking Cat and Dog portrait commissions!  These are drawings in graphite for $50.   Simply email us a photo and we'll pass it along for Lindsay to complete. Payment required upon ordering. Perfect for any animal lovers on your list!

Lindsay Hicks, Cat Portrait, approx. 11 x 8.5 inches, graphite on paper

There's lots to see and do this weekend, So come downtown and make an afternoon of it- local businesses can hardly wait to see you! Stress free & fun shopping with hot cider and treats by The Old Apothecary will await you at the gallery this Saturday!


REMINDER:

WE ARE STILL COLLECTING WARM THINGS FOR THOSE IN NEED, SO IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU CAN SPARE, PLEASE DROP BY. 


SPECIAL HOLIDAY BONUS!!!

EXTENDED HOURS

FRIDAY, DEC 20, 10 am - 7 pm
SATURDAY, DEC 21, 10 am - 7 pm
SUNDAY, DEC 22, 12 - 4 pm

. On these days we will have TAX FREE on all of our Holiday cards too- don't miss out!