Leslie Watts has just finished doing some new landscape and still life paintings. To see all of the new work that Leslie has in the store go to her website linked on the right. Shown here are Two Green Pears and Pear and Apricot both done in acrylic on birch panel, October Creek also acrylic on birch panel and The Road To Cricklade, acrylic on canvas.
The whimsy of Sa Boothroyd can clearly be seen in these two Digital Reproductions, I am a fox and Kitty out fishing for a little mercury free tuna. These are just two of the many reproductions available. Reproduced from her original paintings each reproduction measures about 12" x 15" and is matted in an acid free white mat ready for framing. We have carried Sa's limited edition coloured etchings for a number of years and we are pleased that we can now offer you her Digital Reproductions too.
Liz Kain is a Toronto jeweller that we have carried for a number of years. Liz works in sterling silver, often brushed, and frequently incorporates semi-precious stones into her work. Here are two of her necklaces and a whimsical sterling bracelet.
Ivan Golletz is one of Village Studios newest artisans. Shown here is Ivan's replica of a Steam Crank Slider Mechanism. The different woods Ivan has used make it an interesting table or desk piece on its own but by simply turning the handle, either way (which makes the crank move backwards and forwards), it becomes a fully working piece of art. The original mechanism would have been massively built in cast iron but this wonderful small wood version is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in mechanics.
Sandra Goss and her husband Andrew Goss are talented jewellers from Owen Sound Ontario. Here we are showing some of Sandra's newer pieces. The drop earrings are sterling silver and turquoise and the Koi Pins are enamels on copper. Each pin is approximately three inches long.
For many years Sarah Reesor has been known for her whimsical pins of birds, animals, angels and fish. This summer Sarah decided that she needed to explore other artistic pursuits and we are thrilled to have just received some of her new work. Each small square canvas has been worked "..... using a mixed media approach- many layers of paint, pen, pencil, pastel, charcoal, crayon, carbon paper, ink and so forth - this in combination with some fabric embedded into the layers ..... and a lot of gel medium which I think is what sometimes makes for the feeling of encaustic." There is of course still a whimsical side to the work, with little chairs and flowers floating in the landscapes each occupied with at least one large creature, reminiscent of those pins that made so many people smile for so many years. 
AJ Glass & Ceramics are created by Amelie Lucier and Julian Mongeau. These beautiful, plain white bowls with fine stripe lines are by Amelie. The large bowl is approximately 7 1/2" in diameter and the small ones are about 4 1/2" in diameter each. Functional but also beautiful to look at they reflect all of the work by the two artists. To see some of Julien's glass look at our blog entry titled Summer Colour. Amelie and Julien live in Montreal.
The whimsical jewellery of Sylvie Lupien is made using sterling silver and coloured cement. Sylvie is from Montreal and has been creating jewellery for more than twenty years. With her cement collection she wanted to enliven the silver with vibrant colours while using unexpected materials. The result is jewellery that is light-hearted and playful while being contemporary at the same time. You will find Sylvie's website on our artists links.
I met Marie-France Duval in an artist co-op in Quebec City several years ago. I loved her hand woven jewellery made out of stainless steel wire, crystals and some semi-precious stones. Marie-France uses traditional weaving techniques to create each piece. Marie-France's Tisse Urbain is "inspired by the richness of traditional weaving and contemporary materials." See more of her work on her website linked on the right.
Wendy Orr is a visual artist living in Stratford. Shown here are three of her works available at Village Studios. A Sign Of Spring and Not Far Away are both works done in casein on board. Casein is a milk based paint, a very old medium pre dating oil paint. The Pomegranate painting is done in acrylic on canvas. If you would like to see more of Wendy's work you can check out her blogspot linked at the right. *Sold
Toronto artist Lynn Jackson uses childhood memories and textile techniques taught to her years ago by her mother to create unique metal wire sculptures. Lynn knits copper wire to create birthday dresses and night gowns which she then shadowbox frames. She also creates other childhood clothing and toys which she hangs, often in groups. Shown here is one of the four framed dresses we have in the store and one of Lynn's 'stuffed toys', a rabbit with wonderful floppy ears. To see more of Lynn's work go to her website linked at the right.
The bright colours of summer are in full bloom at Village Studios. New work by Kate Hyde and Thomas Aitken highlight the whimsy of the summer clothes line. Susan Belyea's Smartie coloured wine cups will make any glass of wine sing and artists Amelie Lucier and Julien Mongeau of AJ Glass & Ceramics Studios in Montreal make cooking a pleasure with their line of kitchen vessels. Shown here are their mortar & pestle, a variety of oil containers and an orange glass and wood salt pig.
Local sculptor, Glenn Elliott, has turned his hand to the card table and has created a deck of oversized playing cards out of mild steel with picture overlays. Using very small earth magnets the cards can be assembled into a variety of sculptural works based on traditional House of Cards patterns. The pictures above show some of the designs Glenn has created but the possibilities are endless. You can create your own House of Cards sculptures at home using the steel deck of cards, supplied earth magnets and hinges and a helpful book with a number of patterns. It is a perfect interactive art work!
We have a wonderful new selection of Scott Barnim pottery including a new celadon glaze with a gold leaf highlight. Scott has also done some bowls in a red glaze with the gold highlight. Of course we also have a number pieces in his well known fish and flower patterns, including bowls, platters, mugs, teapots, cream and sugars and some baking dishes.
We have some great new handmade silk purses by Toronto artist, Cathy Chown. Cathy's purses and eyeglass cases are inspired by artists of the past and present and Cathy's own whimsical interpretations of nature. Here you can see her hand painted and embroidered Picasso purse and eyeglass case as well as one of her women in art bags.
We are pleased to be introducing Hugo Didier's line of porcelain pottery, not made in china, to our customers. There are soup bowls, rice bowls, serving bowls, mugs, oil bottles and a variety of porcelain glasses all stamped with his not made in china logo. Hugo is from Montreal and we are sure that his pottery will bring a smile to your face every time you use it.
An interior view of the store as we got ready for the Leslie Watts New Work opening and then a look at some of the many people who turned out for the opening on Saturday night May 8th. It was a great evening and a number of Leslie's new paintings sold. We do have work by Leslie that is still available and we have a number of new pieces by all our crafts people arriving weekly. We will try and highlight some on this site in the days to come.
A reminder that we will be opening the Leslie Watts New Works show on Saturday evening, May 8th. Leslie has twenty four new paintings on canvas and board in three genres, landscape, still life and interiors. Leslie will be at the opening on Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon. The show will be on view until May 21st.
Thomas Aitken and Kate Hyde, both talented craftspeple and artists on their own, have recently started to collaborate on a series of objects that bring together Thomas's strong skills as a potter and Kate's interest in surface decoration. This winter they have worked on a number of pieces that reflect Kate's strong interest in costume and colour and also the playful beauty of the tulip. Shown here some examples of their new work. We are fortunate to currently have a number of the floral jugs and vases and several pieces that reference the theatre.
We are gearing up for the opening of new paintings by gallery artist, Leslie Watts. Join us on Saturday evening May 8th, 7:00 - 9:00 for the opening or on Sunday afternoon May 9th, 1:00 - 4:00 and meet Leslie or come by the store and see the show when you can. It will run until May 21st. Please note that normal gallery hours for May are Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 - 5:30. * Click invitation to increase size.
Elaine Wigle is a talented jewellery designer from Collingwood, Ontario. Elaine has a degree in Fine Arts from York University and began making jewellery in 1986. She has won several awards for her Art Jewellery pieces. We have carried Elaine's work for a number of years and we are always impressed with her talent for combining fine materials with creative designs. Shown above: Pearl Bracelet set in sterling, a Red Pearl Necklace with an Optical Quartz Pendant containing Chlorite, Iron and Calcite minerals and a necklace of Black Onyx Beads with a Rose Quartz Pendant.
