Village Squire, 1977-08, Page 30setting for an outside art show that can not
be surpassed anywhere.
Space will not permit a personal
description of all the artists and their
individual output and so apologies are
offered to those who can not be referred to
by name, particularly those among the
painters who outnumber all the others put
together by maybe two and a half times.
An actual nosecount is impossible for a
casual observer as not everyone seems to
be there on a given day.
Such a showcase offers good buys to the
public who can usually purchase below the
regular giftshop price by buying direct, not
to speak of the pleasure of meeting the
artists themselves. It also gives the
beginning craftsman exposure that may
lead forward to bigger and better things. It
is reported that Sandy Kline a very fine
carver in soapstone, and an artist who
signed her work Magdelaina are among the
ones headed for the top. The latter was
offering large floral canvasses developed
into a style that was all her own.
At the other end there have been folk
who have passed the necessary jury
approval but failed to catch the interest of
the public and found it unprofitable to
continue to show.
As all the painters can not be named
let's zero in on those that seem to have a
little something that sets them a part,
whether or not you as a visitor will wish to
buy their work. Surely the most versatile is
one time art teacher Rita who can move
from oil to watercolour, to pastel to pen and
ink and whose themes are as varied as her
media, quick deft portraits on location,
immensely witty cartoon drawings, land-
scapes and then a sudden shift to a
never-never land of gnomes'satyrs and
assorted monsters. Don't miss her corner.
Nell's cheerful and distinctive display or
watercolours may be just what you are
searching for, or you may lean toward the
more somber but very professionally
executed prints offered by Mathias.
Elizabeth's barnboard paintings would add
a touch to any rec room. Both John and Ray
have developed highly individualistic
styles that will catch your interest. The
majority of the painters are content to
render the Canadian landscape in
conventional form, and as most of us tend
to have meat and potatoes tastes, it is
suspected that the majority of sales are
made by the artists who have not dared to
be different.
In wood, Stewart's sensitive wood
carvings are commanding real attention.
He is a young man to keep an eye on.
Andre is offering some truly excellent
wood turnings.
Metal workers are not as common as
they were two or three years back and this
season only Jack seems to have returned
with his highly imaginative creations that
run from mobiles to abstracts to stylized
animals and birds. This is one of the more
than ordinarily interesting stands to look
for.
Potters have come and gone over the
years, and at the moment there seem to be
three fairly regular exhibitors. Vida with
her cheery and very acceptable offerings,
:Marion whose work shows that extra touch
of technique born of a solid formal
GIFTSrt
FOR .'
ALL
OCCASIONS
•Jewellry
•Stationery
'Greeting Cards
•Health & Beauty Aids
WILSON'S
Health & Gift Centre
BLYTH, ONTARIO PHONE 5234340
PG. 28. VILLAGE SQUIRE/AUGUST 1977.
background and old Bill's. This aging
craftsman with his rather shaggy pots
decorated with a wide range of glazes is
likely to win either very positive or strongly
negative feelings from the viewer.
Candle makers once common have
disappeared as have leatherworkers save
John and Debbie a young man and wife
team who are offering a very professional
sellection.
The writer is not competent to even
comment one way or another on the jewelry
offerings, of which there are several, save
to note that he was more than a little
intrigued by the leather jewelry offered by
Carol.
Kay's batiks are in a class alone. No
imports from the far East could possibly
put them in the shade. It is a misfortune for
both viewers and buyers that she is not
always on hand with her brilliant display.
Only one exhibitor offers glass. Marion's
always interesting and eye-catching
offerings have gained in variety and
interest each hear as she works to perfect
her own medium,/
My final apology to those whose work I
may not have seen or overlooked for in this
as in other art Allows one reaches a point of
saturation where once can absorb no more.
Surely it would be a dull grey person
indeed who visited the show and came
away without feeling a lift in spirits after a
quiet look at the offerings on display.
A last minute footnote should be noted
for those who fancy not mass produced
porcelain figurines like Doulton, but one of
a kind items. Do look for Betty's display.
You will be delighted.
BURKE ELECTRIC
WINGHAM
357-2350
Gifts and Appliances for
every Budget.
MAYTAG MOFFAT
KITCHENAID
HOOVER
INGLIS
JENN-AIR
QUALITY & PROMPT PERSONAL
SERVICE GUARANTEED