Saturday, September 26, 2009

Bruce St. Clair: Oil and Acrylic Courses

"Unlocking the Mystery of Realism"

End of the Trail by Bruce St. Clair

Do you have a desire to paint your subject matter the way it "really looks"? Have you found your attempts at stylistic interpretations forced and unfulfilling? This (4 session) workshop is filled with the how-to's of realistic painting, including the fundamental dynamics of accurate drawing, colour creation, effective composition and the discriminating use of photo references.

You could also add some extra clought by referring to me as a "master painter and seasoned mentor, with much to impart", since I've been painting and exhibiting professionally for over 40 years and teaching for over 20. (Learned a couple of things along the way!)


Bob's Boat by Bruce St. Clair

The Prodigal by Bruce St. Clair


For more information on the course package, please contact the gallery at:

E-mail: Brittany.Knapp@galleryartplus.com
Phone: 613-961-1977 ext. 231
Facebook, Twitter, or Homesite.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Summer Voyage Critique by Jesus Estevez

Jesus Estevez is a valued client of Gallery ArtPlus. He frequents the gallery on a regular basis, and though he is a locally recognized artists, he has yet to display his work here at the gallery. Thus, we felt his overview of Summer Voyage would remain unbiased and true to the artwork. The critique has been organized by means of artist. Please read and enjoy:



Paulette Sauve


Paulette Sauve's oil paintings combined with mixed media offer us a semi-abstract world with scenes of docks, harbors and the Old Port of Montreal.

Paulette emphasizes the sky and the water by blending them with the boats and the buildings. She combines different materials like chicken wire and other woven textiles to create textures that will indicate in some cases the waves on the water, clouds and other textures on the lake.
Paulette uses simple lines and formal shapes to represent her boats and buildings, light pastel colours for the sky and dark tones of blue for the water.

Ships on Marshland by Paulette Sauve
Oil on Canvas; 18" x 24"


Bert Henderson


Bert Henderson's oil paintings show us details of everyday scenes of Newfoundland's coast. Bert's characters are caught up in their every day affairs, shopping, fishing or just playing around the ports and beaches of Newfoundland.
Bert uses oil paints in a very light way and in many places the preliminary drawing is showing through the oil overlay. His paintings are very colorful using the right values of light and shadow.
Bert captures the different colour combinations of traditional row houses, characteristic of Newfoundland. The characters in his paintings sometimes seem as if they are aware of the viewer looking into the viewer's eyes, whiel others are portrayed in an unselfconcious posture. It is an interesting way of portraying figures that helps catch the interest of the viewer.
One detail that Bert repeats in most of his paintings is the ocean on the horizon line between the mountains, once again characteristic of Newfoundland landscape, it gives a nice depth to the painting.

Bay Bulls II by Bert Henderson
Oil on Canvas; 15" x 30"


Ed Cronk

Ed Cronk is a water colour artists whose paintins show us very ordered images of boats, buildings and harbours. Cronk's style is realistic and his approach is very formal. He uses clean, straight lines with subtle and sober colours that depict a very modern attitude. In a way his work is very architectural.
Cronk places the elements in his compositions in such a way that give us the impression that each element occupied its own position without interfering with each other.
I would describe Cronk's paintings as formal, sover and modern. His style succeeds in conveying his subjects with a refined and well executed technique.

Lone Gull by Edward Cronk
Watercolour on Paper; 21" x 15"


Robert Blenderman

Robert Blenderman paints with oils depicting scenes of sailing using his unique approach which divides the sky, sail boats and the water in different ways. His use of different techniques with each subject element is his trademark in this show. For the sky and sails Blenderman does geometrical shapes in primary, strong colours that interact with each other creating other shapes with slightly different tonalities of colour.
For the water Blenderman uses splashes of many different colours (red, green, yellow and blue) with the intention of creating movement, waves and foam.

Red Reflections by Robert Blenderman
Oil on Canvas; 30" x 36"


Summer Voyage closes on September 26th. Please come visit Gallery ArtPlus to get a lasting impression of summer depicted through oil and watercolour.


For any inquiries please contact me at:

613-961-1977 ext. 231
Brittany.Knapp@galleryartplus.com

Or find the gallery on facebook, twitter or take a virtual tour at our homesite.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

A Quick Update

It's been extremely busy here at Gallery ArtPlus lately.

The new exhibit is set to open on October 3rd. So the prepping of receiving, photographing, returning and receiving all the pieces of our four featured artists has been a process - to say the least!
Unfortunately, one of our featured artists, Anne Ireland, had to postpone the display of her pieces from the October show until next spring/summer. She has displayed here in the past and we look forward to working with her and featuring her art again in 2010!


Fallen Angel by Anne Ireland
Acrylic on Canvas; 24" x 30"

Luckily though, another artist who was set to display here in November of this year was able to prep her pieces in time for the October show. Her name is Marie Timbers and we look forward to promoting her work in Belleville and the surrounding area!

I have received new pieces from Roger Bodley. See below:

Black Cherry Salad Bowl by Roger Bodley

SallyMcKay dropped off some pieces to have sold over Christmas at the Gallery Giftshop. Visit her website to get an idea of her work: www.poshit.ca. I will have pictures posted later in the week of the specific pieces we have in the gallery!


An image of Sally McKay's work (taken from the Posh-It website)

Bruce St.Clair and I have finally decided upon dates to begin the oil painting classes that will take place in the downstairs gallery. I will be releasing dates and course prices early next week.


Life in the Harbour by Bruce St. Clair
Oil on Canvas; 40" x 30"

On a similar note, Steven Draper, a photography artist who has shown here in the past has also decided to teach a course at the gallery. His course will be a basic photography and camera functionality course that will begin in late October/early November. Stay tuned for exact dates and course prices!


Refelctive Cycles in Dreamland by Steven Draper
Photography; 15" x 10"

We returned several pieces of Brian Lorimer's work yesterday. It was a terribly unfortunate event, but luckily we still have enough work to fill the upstairs gallery. A new exhibit featuring the work of Jesus Estevez's students is set to begin later in the fall.


Wish You Were Here by Brian Lorimer
Oil on Canvas; 60" x 60"

Next week I am meeting with David Alexander Risk to discuss what I hope to be a very exciting show opening in November. I will update after our meeting on Tuesday.

Other than that, several new artists have decided to display and sell their work in the gallery. More pieces will be received next week. As well, several changes of display have been made upstairs.

The Gallery is now changing on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis! So please come in and visit to see what Gallery ArtPlus has to offer you!


Find us on facebook for more photographs and news.
Follow Gallery ArtPlus on Twitter for daily updates.
Visit our homesite to take a virtual tour.


Or simply e-mail me with any questions or comments:

Brittany.Knapp@galleryartplus.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Closing of Galleries Across North America

It is not unknown news that art galleries across Canada and the United States are closing due to the economic recession.
I was aware of this fact when I began working at ArtPlus and I am even more aware of it now. The reality of this situation became most apparent to me when I visited a popular gallery in my home town only one hour from Belleville.
As I walked into the gallery, I was shocked to see the walls were bare and the space was essentially empty – except for two men photographing the blank walls and a tiny desk in the corner for the gallery manager.
When I inquired as to what was going on, I was provided with the information that the gallery itself was closing and would proceed to open as a “web-gallery”.
By following the closing of their gallery with the opening of a "web-gallery" it is my assumption that this gallery sincerely hopes to hold the interest of their clients and the business with their artists - I wish them the best of luck.

Going online is a very cost-effective way of selling art, but I am afraid the effect and the power of the pieces being sold might not be there.
But for many of the galleries trying to stay open in this recession, going online may be one of their only options.
As I was researching the effect this recession is having on art galleries, I came across an article that suggested “strategies” for commercial galleries.
The article's first suggestion for galleries was closing, while "moving" (shifting the gallery to a less expensive building or city) came in second, and going online was a close follower.
Either way, this is not an easy time for art-dealers anywhere.

It is my belief that to spend a little helps the economy a lot. It pains me to see one of my favorite galleries going out of business, and it would hurt me to see Gallery ArtPlus affected in any similar way. So I urge the public to visit the galleries and keep the interest alive.
Galleries often have pieces for sale that are budget-friendly. On top of that, nothing beats a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift of piece of decor for your home.
Sometimes shopping in retail outlets runs in the same price range as shopping at galleries in your neighborhood.

As I have said before. At ArtPlus we have a gift shop full of hand-made jewlery, hand made pottery and blown glass sculptures. All at reasonable prices.

I think in this recession we have to remember the arts and that buying art is essentially an investment.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Custom Made Pet Bowls

Jane Thelwell is a talented potter from Kingston, Ontario.
Here at the gallery we have plenty of her work on display. She makes dinner sets that include two to three different sizes of bowls and plates, several different styles of mugs and even tiny napkin holders. Her work is unique and would make a bold statement at any dinner table.

Something else very original from Jane is her custom pet bowls.
The pet bowls come in three different sizes (large, small and wee) as well as three different colours (beige, blue and green). Any name may be printed on any size bowl.
They make fantastic gifts for friends, family or your very own pets.
View the images below to decide which size and pattern suits you best!



Large Pet Bowl in Beige
Diameter: 9"
Height: 4"
Price: $30.00



Medium Pet Bowl in Green
Diameter: 7"
Height: 2.5"
Price: $20.00



Small Pet Bowl in Blue
Diameter: 5"
Height: 1.5"
Price: $15.00




To order contact the gallery at:
brittany.knapp@galleryartplus.com
613-961-1977 ext. 231

Follow the gallery on facebook, twitter, and our homesite for recent updates and news!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Landscapes of Solitude

"Little One" of the Orange Asli by Brian Lorimer
Oil on Canvas; 60" x 60"

Landscapes of Solitude was Gallery ArtPlus' first solo exhibit featuring the work of Brian Lorimer.
The exhibit opened on June 12, 2009. Brian's work was so well received at the gallery that his exhibit was moved to the second floor gallery upon the arrival of Summer Voyage.
Fortunately, Brian's work is still on display until further notice.
I will post some pictures of Brian's work, but if you want to experience the real power of these pieces, I suggest you come to Gallery ArtPlus to see them for yourself.


Red Rock by Brian Lorimer Oil on Canvas; 60" x 60"


"I prefer to work large, letting the painting command it's environment rather than complement it. I want my paintings to speak with confidence, stir reaction, make a statement and demand reflection from the viewer. For me, larger paintings better serve this purpose."
-Brian Lorimer


Beverly Street by Brian Lorimer Oil on Canvas; 48" x 60"

To view more images of Brian's work please join our facebook page.

For other updates and news about the gallery find our homesite or follow us on Twitter.

With any information or inquiries please contact me at:
Brittany.Knapp@galleryartplus.com
or 613-961-1977 ext. 231

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Shift into Right Brain at Gallery ArtPlus

When I met with one of the artists last week a very interesting topic was brought into our conversation: we spoke about the left-brain/right-brain theory.
This theory is guided by the cerebral hemisphere and split-brain research which suggests that the two different hemispheres (left and right) of the brain perform entirely different functions.
The evidence gathered through research concluded that the right side of the brain functioned as the intuitive, emotional, more abstract and visual side of the mind. While the left side of the brain worked in a logical, sequential manner, concentrating on details and organization.

Roger Sperry, the doctor who originated the split-brain theory.

But how is this theory relevant to the visual arts?

Well, it is believed that individuals who are "right-brained" are more creative and artistic.
To support this, in 1970's artist and author, Betty Edwards, wrote a book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Betty's theory was that any person had within them the ability to draw, to really become an artist. Her book teaches the five basic skills of drawing (perception of edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows and the whole) and is guided by the left-brain/right-brain theory in the sense that she teaches the individual how to tap into their artistic side by accessing the "right side" of their brain.

Betty Edwards' instructional book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Ironically enough, last week I also received an e-mail from a visual arts website that was titled, "Shifting into Right Brain". Making it more apparent to me that this theory was a very influential movement in the direction of how art is instructed today

Which is also the reason why the artist whom I met with makes a small play on this theory in his classes as well.
For if you find that you are so organized, so concentrated on detail, that you feel you need to take major risks to develop your creative potential, you may want to find a way to "shift into right brain".
Taking an arts course at Gallery ArtPlus may be able to provide you with tips to do just that.
In the near future Gallery ArtPlus will be providing courses in mixed media as well as a basic photography course.

Take a basic photography course at Gallery ArtPlus


If you have any questions or comments please contact me at:

Brittany.Knapp@galleryartplus.com
613-961-1977 ext. 231

Or find the gallery on facebook, twitter, myspace.
Take a yourself on a virtual tour of the gallery at our homesite.