"Slow Oven" Nostalgia with Megan LeForte

Megan at the opening of her new show!

Slow Oven

Megan LeForte, Home Sweet Home, 5"x7", Acrylic on Board

 If you haven't had the chance to take in Megan LeForte's new show, there is no time like the present! However, the show may transport you through a portal away from the present into another world full of baked goods, sunny colours, and nostalgia. From the words of Megan herself, 

"Slow Oven invites you to go back in time and contemplate the ephemeral objects that unconsciously created memories of the people and spaces of our past."

Megan LeForte, The Osterizer Classic, Acrylic on Board, 5"x7"

You may recognize some of these iconic objects! We were inspired by the subject matter of the show and decided to host a recipe swap as part of the opening! Folks brought in some wonderful recipe cards from home, so thank you to each of you that did. Now we are filled with inspiration for kitchen experiments!

Some of the recipes from the opening!

Megan was born here in Halifax, and has been working as an artist since 2013! She works mostly with acrylic paint on wood board, and often surrounds themes of nostalgia, memory, and loss. Megan received her BA in Linguistics from Carleton University in Ottawa, then returned to the East Coast where she spent time in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, and now calls a coastal village here in Nova Scotia home along with her husband, Martin, and their two cats, Howard Douglas and Randy Cheeseburger! The combination of this journey and Megan's passion for history were what inspired her to record the ephemeral objects from our past in paint.

Megan LeForte, Spice of Life, Acrylic on Board, 8"x8"

"Slow Oven" will be up in the gallery until June 3rd!

If you would like to view the full show online, you can do so here!

Megan's paintings are nutritious and delicious for the eyes and the soul! How many of these artworks feature subject matter that you or your loved ones have used in the past? We would love to hear from you!

Megan LeForte, The Ribbon Geese, Acrylic on Board, 4"x6"

Megan LeForte, Salt and Peep, Acrylic on Board, 4"x6"

Megan LeForte, Chip and Derp, Acrylic on Board, 6"x6"

Megan LeForte, Potato Salad, Probably, Acrylic on Board, 5"x7"

Megan LeForte, Pink Carnations for Mom, Acrylic on Board, 5"x5"

Thanks for joining us on this trip down memory lane! Each of Megan's works is wonderful and is just awaiting its perfect home. Contact us if you would like to make one yours!

Until next time! -Argyle Fine Art

Megan LeForte, Cool Shades, Acrylic on Board, 6"x24"

Everything's Coming Up Mushrooms!

 MUSHROOMS are back, baby! Have you noticed everywhere you look these days, mushrooms are in art, the latest fashion trends, the focus of a few major TV Series' and movies, video games (hello Super Mario!) and they dominate the decorating magazines,cooking shows and now foraging is all the rage again too! Phew!  Well...might as well embrace it!

Just one of the amazing mushroom inspired stickers by local artists we have at the gallery!

We have certainly noticed our artists are in love with the mushroom motif and the idea of cottage core. Mushrooms are hopeful; after all they are beautiful, magical life forms that communicate and literally spring to life from, ummm....shite. :-)  So if you're having a hard time, a friend reminded me to remind you of that too! 

We LOVE these 4" x 5" gouache paintings by Miyoshi Kondo that are all about mushrooms hanging around being wonderful. These darlings are also now $125 (they were regularly $175). Just look at those colours!They are great on their own or all together as a grouping! 

We even have earring for your ears! 

                           Check out these classic red and white ones! So adorable and affordable too! 

                            We also still have this tuffted  toadstool by Nicki Hynes! So beautiful!

We hope you take a moment to visit the gallery or just keep checking back here on our blog or website for new arrivals!  We're sure more mushrooms will POP UP anytime now. 

Until then, THANK YOU VERY MUSH FOR SUPPORTING OUR SMALL BUSINESS AND LOCAL ARTISTS!

 

Mother's Day Magic and Father's Day Frenzy

Thank a Mama, Thank a Papa! 

How is the year flying so fast? A very important time of the year is fast approaching...Mother's Day and Father's Day! This year Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 14th, and Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 18th! Although there is still quite some time until Father's Day, we thought we would put together a collection of card and gift ideas for both, since many folks start to prepare for them simultaneously! It is always difficult to find the right way to thank a parent or parental figure, but here are a few places you could start...And stay tuned for more reading below on Open City and new shows!

Cards

We have gathered a selection of cards this year so you can send your love in your own style! From the sentimental to the silly, take your pick!

Porchlight Press, Teacup Mother's Day Card

Porchlight Press, Bicycle Father's Day Card

Natasia Makes, Bad Ass Mom Card

The Beautiful Project, Punk is Dad Card

Briana Corr Scott, Mermaid Mom and Baby Card

The Beautiful Project, Watermelon Father's Day Card

Party Mountain Paper, Queen Mother's Day Card

The Beautiful Project, For the Record Card

Gift Ideas

Michelle SaintOnge, Baby Momma (White), Screenprint, 19"x25"

Emmy Lao, Sardine Family with Baby, Mixed Media on Board, 4"x5"

William Rudolph, Candle Stick Holder, Assembled Bike Parts

Paulette Melanson, Maritime Kitchen Party, Acrylic on Canvas, 30"x30"

Catherine Bagnell Styles, Mom's Favourite, Acrylic on Canvas, 12"x12"

Patrizia Berdkan, Nostalgia, Acrylic on Board, 6"x24"

Nick Brunt, Boats Morning, Acrylic on Board, 4"x5"

Mindy Harris, The Water Protector (Portrait of Autumn Peltier), Embroidery on Tea Stained Kitchen Towel, 16"x30"

Mark Brennan, October West Village Seal Island, Watercolour, 5.25"x8.25"

Melinda Robertson, My Relations, Fused Glass, 8"x8"

Kim Danio, Untitled Dog 3, Upcycled Childrens Shoe Sculpture

Jack Ross, Late Afternoon Light Spring Garden Road

George Spencer, Coffee and Sugar, Oil on Wood, 9"x12"

Ed Beals, Wee Bird, Found Parts on Board, 4"x5"x5"

Dusan Postolovic, Pre-Heist Snooze, Coloured Pencil on Watercolour Paper, 11"x14"

Hopefully there were some helpful ideas for you and your folks in there! This year Mother's Day coincides with some extra special events here at Argyle Fine Art...Open City is this Saturday, May 13th, in HRM! Many entrepreneurs and local businesses will be participating with fun activities, so it is a great day to get out and enjoy the city and awesome people in it! Open City could be considered the unofficial start to the Summer season in Halifax, which is very exciting!

New Shows!

We would love to see you this Saturday, as we will have two new shows opening! "Slow Oven" by Megan LeForte will feature amazingly nostalgic paintings, take a peak at one below! Many of these paintings would make wonderful Mother's or Father's Day gifts! Take a look at the full show here!

Megan LeForte, Spice of Life, Acrylic on Board, 8"x8"

We are super excited to present the second show, a collection of mesmerizingly beautiful ceramics by Devon VanKoughnett! These creations would make one-of-a-kind gifts as well. Take a sneak peak at one of the pieces below! You can view the full show here!

Devon VanKoughnett, Sandra Platter with Bowl, Hand Painted/Stoneware/Porcelain

To celebrate Open City, we will have a few fun activities going on through out the day! The opening reception for the two shows will be Saturday, May 13th, from 1:30pm-3:30pm! There will be snacks, giveaways, and a recipe swap! If you can't make it in person, simply e-mail us a copy of one of your favourite recipes, and we will send you one in exchange! However if you can make it in person, please bring along a written copy, and we would love to see you!

Thanks for reading! Happy Mamas Day and Papas Day to all the parental figures out there!