Just ask for the Brian Porters...

Next time you find yourself in the gallery, ask us about Brian Porter. He's an original through and through, and there's no one quite like him in the world. His work resonates with us deeply, and whenever it arrives via the local courier, there's often a surprising scene tucked in amongst his pretty paintings. Fans are a special breed of collectors who have a taste for darker images, and paintings that have a great range in feeling. Just ask and we'll show you his work, some of which we won't post online... ;)

This latest series is a collection of watercolour paintings on paper:

 

Everyday ART Challenge: Art is Everywhere

"Art is Everywhere folks!"- is what I want to call out to people in my big outside voice,  when I  hear people say things like, "I don't really like art". This statement boggles my mind on so many levels!  As a person working in a gallery, I need to respond in the best possible way  to statements not unlike this one. I can accept that not everyone may enjoy original art as much as the next and so I usually try to offer examples of art that lives amoung us in our daily lives,  that often isn't thought of as "art".

I suppose the confusion may come from what is considered art, but to me, so many things can fit the definition. From the music we listen to, to the beautifully devices we listen to that very music on, to theatre, films and advertisements in magazines and television and online, architecture and design of all sorts all around us-the clothes we wear, the cars we decide to drive, even your haircut or the food we eat, heck...even nature if you want to get really inclusive! The point here is art is for everyone, it doesn't have to be found in a gallery. Art adds beauty or  meaning to our daily lives, it can help us think of things in a different way, it can even save lives. Sometimes it may present itself in what ways that seem mundane ....but if ART ceased to exist (or the wonderful creatives that keep inventing new ways of sharing)  we'd ALL miss it eventually- that I am certain of!

ART doesn't have to cost anything! It's free to experience whenever and wherever you are; you just have to become more aware of it, which of course comes from looking and building an appreciation.

An example of this everyday beauty can be found on the outside and inside of the Bank of Nova Scotia Bank Building in downtown Halifax.  I took myself on a walk to this very building and wonderful example of historical public art in a place of business just the other day. 

I challenge you to take some time for art...find it wherever you are. Look up when you walk down your city streets...look around the corner or down a back road if you're in the country.  I challenge you to discover ART.

Artist  John M. Lyle designed the Bank of Nova Scotia, built in Halifax in 1930, "which represents the passing of an era. A shifting of popular taste toward modernism, coupled with the severe economic conditions of the Depression, meant that this was to be Lyle's last design in the classical style, employing artisans for a traditional, handcrafted and elaborate sculptural and decorative program."   Read more about the building and it's  very special features here: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/bank-of-nova-scotia-halifax

Here are just a few snap shots I captured...a great way to spend a lunch-time walk!

Carefully painted and sculpted art fills the ceiling and walls

The Banks Coat of Arms predominantly displayed upon entering...

There's a great binder in the bank that shows great examples of the initial drawings for many of the designs around the building, amoung this one of Neptune.

Alexis Doiron and Jenny Morton

Artists Jenny Morton and Alexis Doiron are two new additions the Argyle Fine Art landscape, and we couldn't be more delighted with the pieces they've brought for their show "Tea and the Garden"... Truly stunning. Repeating patterns, glowing colours and unusual, textured shapes are some of the elements that bind this show together, and although they each produce ceramics that are completely distinct from one another, displaying their work together feels natural. Come have a look and see for yourself - they really do compliment one another so well...

Small Flower Pot - Alexis Doiron

Line Cups - Jenny Morton

Pod Pot - Alexis Doiron

Flower Mugs - Jenny Morton

TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT: Shelley Mitchell, Aaron Lashomb, Alexis Doiron, Jenny Morton

TONIGHT!! TOMORROW!! and SATURDAY!!::::EVENT RECAP.

There's plenty of happenings to keep you entertained over the next three days, and it all starts this evening with the "Meet Your Local, Gala And Spring Fundraiser" where amazing locals will be displaying and providing the best of what they have to offer. We'll have artists Basil Doucette, Nick Brunt, Justin Lee and Lana Grant in our room amongst a selection of beautiful artwork.

And if you're unable to attend tonight's festivities, or, if you're up for a double dose of fine art, tomorrow evening is a big night for art openings::: SHELLEY MITCHELL, AARON LASHOMB, ALEXIS DOIRON AND JENNY MORTON are opening new shows with us. Opening Receptions are Tomorrow (FRIDAY) from 7-9pm.

Shelley Mitchell

Alexis Doiron (right) Jenny Morton (left)

Aaron Lashomb

 And last but not least, is Saturday's OPEN CITY!!! have a look here at all the details, maps and events happening throughout the city. It's going to be fantastic!!

A Courtesy Reminder

From your friendly neighbourhood gallery gals that THIS SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY, so don't you dare forget to call her. For that matter, why not go the extra mile and make her feel special with a little treat? There's lots of options out there, and of course in here, at Argyle Fine Art.

 These handmade cards by Jodie Hansen are adorable - have a look at this one below, suitable for a number of occasions including Mothers Day AND Fathers Day. Neat, eh?

We have a whole series of handmade cards by Jodi, and a number of other artists too. 

Stop in and soon and find something special for your mum!  

Oh, and I should also mention - we're opening a number of new shows this Friday from 7-9pm. Notably, two potters will be on feature; Alexis Doiron, and Jenny Morton. They've created a beautiful collection of flower pots and teacups.....could there be anything more perfect for Mothers day?!?!

MEET YOUR LOCAL SPRING GALA - THIS THURSDAY

The week is about to get extra busy with events and openings at the gallery, so let me start this weeks blog posts with what's taking place on THURSDAY::

This is really going to be a fantastic amount of fun, and we're pretty darn excited about the whole thing!! The Halifax Club has opened itself  up to a bevy of interesting businesses, food vendors and wineries for a amazing evening celebrating some of the best of what the province has to offer. Buy your tickets soon before they all get scooped up - last I heard, they're selling very quickly.

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING AT THE SPRING GALA??
Well.. funny you should ask, because we have a lot in store for that evening.
FIRST, we'll have a room transformed by exciting works by local artists, that's a given. But we'll also have artist Basil Doucette on site working on his wooden sculptures... I promise that you'll be charmed by his friendly demeanor and talents. We'll also have Justin Lee and Nick Brunt working on a live painting with creative input from the audience. Feed them your ideas, and watch your suggestions come to life!
BUT WAIT! THAT'S NOT ALL! We'll also have live performances by Lana Grant, featured alongside her new book "Musicians, Memories & Morsels" and guess what?! There will also be food prepared from the recipes in that book..YUMMY YUMMY!!!

So get your tickets quickly folks, there's so much activity planned that evening, that you'll be sure to have a great time!!

MAY the FOURTH be with You- Ed Beals Style!

Just in time for today...which is  "May the 4th be with you Day"  are two new FOLD-ED's for your enjoyment! (paper sculptures you fold and enjoy created by Artist Ed Beals!)

Come and get them while their hot...these little numbers most likely will blast off quickly!  5...4.....3....2....1.....whooooooooooshhhhhh

Artist Ed Beals's rendering....Imagine your own!

What a FOLD-ED starts out as.....

What a FOLD-ED will become...

Interested in finding out what in the world is MAY the Fourth Be With You Day is?  Here is one place to start! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

How to Build a Boat: Shelley Mitchell shares her Process with us!

Artist Shelley Mitchell is a well-loved Nova Scotia artist that we are proud to showcase at Argyle Fine Art. We're  looking forward to her annual show, opening Friday, May 10th. Please join us that evening from 7-9pm, or drop by on Saturday, May 11th and meet her at the gallery in the afternoon.

We asked Shelley to be our feature writer for this blog entry. Here is what she wrote. Enjoy!  It gives a wonderful view into Shelley's process...with lots of help from Charlie, her husband and partner in crime.

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 I go to great lengths to find lovely hand crafted boats to paint because of their elegance of design. As well as being constantly on the look out while sailing in Mahone Bay and Lunenburg in the summers, I take at least one trip down the New England coast each year and either drive or sail to remote (and not so remote) harbours looking for small boatyards and marinas. In among the inflatable tenders you will often find an old beauty tied up and waiting. That's when my husband Charlie springs into action and unties and repositions the boat so I can get exactly the position I need (sometimes hanging by one hand from a pier or lying on a float with my elbows in the water)

The 3 elements I want are 1. a boat with good lines, 2. interesting water with color and/or textures and 3. great light. I often need to get these 3 things separately and combine them on the canvas. Usually I wait for the light (sometimes for a day or 2) and then move the boat onto the good water. It can be tricky and time consuming. We spend a lot of time revisiting boats in different light and weather often at dawn and sunset.  Charlie will take someones rowboat out for a row without permission and we've been questioned by many security people and locals.

Usually we can talk our way out of a problem and we always tie every one back up exactly as we found it. Except one time we put the oars back in the wrong boat and made our getaway as the owner was scratching his head wondering what was going on! Charlie has boundless energy and a good eye for finding and working with boats and I'd never get what I needed without his help and encouragement.

One of the paintings in my upcoming show at Argyle Fine Art, "Waterlines", is called Red Shed Reflected and was an adventure in patience and luck. I had found a beautiful boat and an idea for interesting water and a hope the weather might cooperate, but since none of these things actually came together I used the form of the boat and artistic imagination for the painting. 

This is what I had to work from:

 

This is what I ended up painting. I think it turned out pretty well.  What I want from a painting is a moment in time that shares my experience of that day surrounded by water, light and magic, a gift to myself and others.

See you at the show!

Shelley Mitchell

NOW SHOWING>>>Bryanna Chapeskie and Jane Rovers

These two shows which are now on display in the lower portion of the gallery, are gaining big reactions from visitors for their uplifting beauty and charm. Jane works with layers of brilliant colours veiled under a dreamy haze for an end effect that is quite spellbinding. Bryanna - also working in layers, has constructed meticulously staged paper scenes with painted animals performing in theater like settings for the enjoyment of all us viewers. These two shows are a great combination of beauty and fun:

Bryanna Chapeskie "Grand Opera I"

Bryanna Chapeskie "Sing Out to Spring"

Jane Rovers "Sunshower"

Jane Rovers "Lakeside"

NOW SHOWING>>>>COMMON GROUND

It was just about a year ago when we realized that three of our newly acquired artists also happened to excel at painting still life. So, it wasn't a stretch when the idea came about to work towards an exhibition especially for them. Chris Wallace, Stuart Melanson and George Spencer, are three (somewhat) new additions to our incredible list of artists, and we're SO pleased to have their show "Common Ground" up on display. If you haven't had the chance to stop in yet, make sure you schedule in a visit. We're open from Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am - 5:30pm and we'd love for you to have a look at the quality of works being produced by artists in our very own backyard - truly incredible.

Stuart Melanson "Raddish"

Chris Wallace "Stone, Bone and Tealight"

George Spencer "Strawberries and Creamer"

NEW PIECES BY JENNIFER HARRISON

Time for new works by Jennifer Harrison, folks! These three paintings only recently came walking into the gallery, a special delivery from Jennifer herself. They're on the wall by the front windows here at AFA, so keep your eyes peeled when your zipping past on your way to grab a cup of coffee...  

(Then come back with your coffee in hand, take a secret break from work, and have a look around!) 

"Four White Houses" Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

"Three Yellow Houses with Clapboard" Oil on Canvas 30" x 6"

"Red Clapboard House" Oil on Canvas 8" x 16"