WOOLY WHALE WORKSHOP

WOOLY WHALE WORKSHOP  with Tacha Reed!

Sunday, March 5th, 11am-3pm, $120

Class size limited to 6 persons

Lunch provided by The Old Apothecary


Learn something new this year - perhaps you're an artist and you don't even know it! Back by popular demand, we are pleased to present a very special workshop opportunity to be hosted at Argyle Fine Art. Learn how to make a Humpback Whale Under Water led by fibre artist Tacha Reed of Woodland Wool.

This workshop will introduce the novice to the various tools and techniques used to create needle felted "paintings". Each participant will create an underwater image of a humpback whale that appears to be swimming out from a deep sea background. Each participant will complete the workshop with their own felted creation and the basic skills and tools required to begin designing 3-D works of art. The cost is $120 per person, and includes all necessary supplies, with a lunch provided.

So join us for a whale of a good time while learning something new! Full Payment required when registering, so we can make sure all your supplies and lunch are confirmed.

Argyle Fine Art

1559 Barrington Street, Unit 102

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3J 1Z7

902.425.9456

To register email gallery@argylefa.com

Force

Once, a long time ago, I imagined if I were to be a part of nature, what would I want to be? After much thought I chose the shoreline. For some reason the area that spent half its time above land and half its time below appealed to me most.

Perhaps this is why the sudden death of hundreds of thousands of herring touched me so... and why, when a month later starfish, lobster, crabs, scallops and many other sea creatures also decorated the shores of St Mary's Bay in Digby, I felt my heart fracture a little more.

When I first heard that our province planned to install a turbine along the Bay of Fundy I was instantly frustrated. To me it seems incredibly irresponsible to put a machine that generates that much force next to a fissure in the earth's crust.  Seems insane actually, like you're asking for trouble.

When the herring first came ashore last November I wanted to blame the turbine. Then, when I read that the deaths correlated with the flipping of the switch , which had begun uploading the gathered energy to the grid, I felt that I had my confirmation. When it happened again on December 16th I wanted to demand to the powers that be that the turbines be shut down that moment. 

But who am I and what do I know?

Since then I've read a great deal of articles, and now my mind is also questioning the dangers of sound waves. I think I can honestly say that I admire Nikola Tesla above all men, thanks to his brilliant mind and inventions we're aware of the positive and negative results caused by sound waves being released into the atmosphere; in some cases causing small birds to fall from the sky and earthquakes below. I have a mild fascination with conspiracy theories, taking them all with a grain of salt and I've read  about HAARP. 

I hadn't thought of sound waves in relation to the turbine beforehand and have since added another hefty check to my "con" list.

Inquiry into the cause of the massacre has seemed to have lost momentum since it was reported that Digby fisherman have attributed a rapid change in temperature  as a probable cause for the November incident. The public has apparently accepted this and I've heard of no further explanation as to the multiple species deaths in December. Recently the Chronicle Herald shared a story (which conveniently makes no mention of the 2nd more devastating occurrence) claiming a "confluence of events" as the cause.

I've found myself asking many questions since December, like was there a switch flipped again on the 16th? I have a hard time accepting temperature change as being responsible for the deaths of so many bottom dwelling creatures. Did they start uploading power to the grid again? Will they ever even tell us if they did? Will it happen again the next time they try to upload?

Since I'm unable to get answers to my questions I've had to work through my emotions the only way I know how, I felt them out!

Over the last few year's Argyle Fine Art's annual Pre-shrunk show has become part of my regular routine; it forces me to really push myself and try something new, playing extreme attention to the details. I've taught myself many new techniques coming up with these miniatures each year.

Normally I portray whimsical scenes, mostly landscapes with playful animals, but this year I've found myself in a more of a somber mood. In addition to the sea creatures my dear friend Kristie Sheehy, my inspiration for Serious Sirius, recently passed after an unfortunate accident. 

Kristie and I had a special connection and it is with her in mind that I begin my 3rd installment on my Serious Sirius series; A Force of Nature.

Before I got started on this piece I felt the need to create a tribute to the creatures that recently passed. I now consider my quadriptych "Force"  a prequel to my most recent continuation in the saga of of our ancestors and our guardians, the whales of Sirius .

 

As I brainstormed individual names for each of the 4 segments of "Force" I inadvertently  wrote this song, my first ever in fact. I may not have come up with titles for my individual "pre-shrunk" pieces, but I think this song sums up how I feel these days.

Force

Was this a force of nature?

Or was it caused by FORCE?

Can't be forced
to bite my tongue.

Can't be forced
to accept it
as
coincidence
as
coincidence

the sea is spilling over

it's creatures upon dry land

the earth has started shakin'

the air is moving past

Is this a force of nature?
Or is it caused by FORCE?

I can too

me and you
be
a force of nature

we're (all)

a force of nature

the stones are turning over

there's evidence everywhere

why won't you

admit it's true

it's more

than a force of nature

you've forced

the course of nature

Pre-Shrunk 2016

Protector

 It's time again for my most favourite new year's tradition - Argyle Fine Art's annual Pre-Shrunk group show. Each year artists compete to be a part of this collection of 200+ miniature works of art.

As usual I had to out-do my creations from last year and add even more detail to each piece.

Let's just say that the 3-D petals on the front row of these sunflowers took over 3 hours alone.

Fields of Gold

I made sure to include a 3-D element with each of these tiny pieces, but I think my favourite is the sneaky little squirrels enjoying the snow.

Interception

As usual I'm really looking forward to the opening, it looks like a girls night in the big city might be forming. Look out Halifax - here we come!

Looking for Lunch

All are welcome to join us for the opening reception on Friday, January 22^nd at 7pm. If you can't make it to the opening the show will continue until February 13^th.  The entire exhibit will also be online on their website, after the show has officially opened at www.argylefineart.com

Argyle Fine Art
1559 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 1Z7
 
 

Cape'n'sand

Fibre Art Workshops at Argyle Fine Art

It's been a while...

Every summer my fibre art gets put on the back burner so that I can manage the Avon River Heritage Museum in Newport Landing, near Avondale. I love my job at the museum, where I get to organize art events, curate a handmade in Nova Scotia gift shop AND operate the 1760's inspired Lydia and Sally café. The only downside to my summer along the Avon River is that I tend to forget to tell all you lovelies about what I'm working on and where you can find my critters and artwork!

 

Currently my critters are available at Inkwell Modern Boutique in Halifax, Made in the Maritimes in Bedford, Fancy Lucky Art and Craft in Lawrencetown, and Planters Sea Chest Gift Shop in Newport Landing (ARHS museum) and my feltscapes are available at Shackwacky Art and Photography in Yarmouth, and the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn, Gallery 215 in Selma, Argyle Fine Art in Halifax and for the month of July you can see some of my favourite pieces at the Annapolis Valley Regional Library in Wolfville.

 

"Douglas the Cautious Bachelor" on display at the Bread Gallery as a part of Hodge Podge

 

 

Lastly, I don't stop creating completely in the summer, I'm just not built that way... so most Thursday and Friday afternoons you will find me hooking, felting or sewing at the museum along with a few friends as a part of our summer Open Studio series. Feel free to stop by with a project of your own and join our little gang!

Forbidden Love, the making of...

You have to be patient when you are working with fibre. Things need to happen in a  certain order, one layer at a time, and although many may think that needle felting is quick and easy, it certainly is not if you want a piece that will hold up over the test of time.

 

 

When I started this piece I only had one thing in mind.... Cat Person/Dog Person - it needed to have at least one cat and one dog depicted in it, otherwise, I didn't have a sweet clue as to what the scene was going to be.

 

I approach all my feltscapes as if I'm building the earth from scratch.... first there's the sky, then some land... don't forget to include the atmosphere... you need that before the plants can grow! Even though I try to go with the flow and let the scene reveal itself, I need to think ahead a wee bit and decide a few things, like what kind of day is it going to be, sunny or overcast...

 

 

 

I'm all about the detail when I'm felting little homesteads. I imagine myself walking around the property deciding where to plant my favourite flowers. Each and every single house gets wild roses. That's just the way it goes!

 

 

The neighbours new house just wasn't working for me...

 

...so I added an addition!

 

 

Still needs more roses!

 

 

With the houses nearly complete it was time to add a wee collie, I took my inspiration from one of my favourite Avon perfume bottles. Not the first time an Avon bottle served as inspiration for a feltscape.

 

 

 

This guy has some attitude!

 

 

I always make sure to test the feltscape out by low light to make sure it still reads ok.

 

 

Now that I'm pretty much sure it's complete the entire piece gets a misting and is ready to be pressed.

 
 

 

After some last minute shadows my tabby is complete...

 

 

...and pup looks a little less cranky :)

 

Forbidden Love is now finished and ready to make it's way into Halifax for the opening of Cat Person/Dog Person at Argyle Fine Art next Saturday, February 28th, at 1:30pm.

If you are in the area be sure to come on by and check out all the wonderful pieces inspired by our common love for our furry friends!

 

Argyle Fine Art

 

1559 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 1Z7
902-425-9456

 

 

Hours:
Tues - Sat, 10am - 5:30
Sunday and Monday by appointment only

Pre-Shrunk 2015!

 

Pre-Shrunk is a much loved annual group show hosted by Argyle Fine Art, which asks artists, both established and emerging, to create works on a surface measuring 4” x 5” in the medium of their choosing.  

This is my second year participating in the show. I just love this show, personally it is such a great way for me to kick off a new year. The second Christmas had passed I was hard at work trying to out-do my previous miniature creations. I attempted to have a 3-D element in each of these pieces... I especially went all out with my mountain lion.



The kids trying to help mom decided where to go next with my pieces

It's funny, I usually start my feltscapes with very little idea as to what I'm creating. Since you have no choice but to work in layers and slowly build up colours and texture, the sky is usually my first step.


Next comes land and sea.... it's very rare that water doesn't make it into my work. Then I sit and stare at the pieces for a few days. All year long I've wanted to do a Tom Thompson inspired tree. In fact I started a few other pieces intending to add an old twisted pine, but the pieces all evolved into something else, so I said "no, not this time, I'm getting this tree out of my system." 

However, once the tree was done I wasn't satisfied, the piece still wasn't about the tree, the tree was just background to something more important. What could be more important? Well how about the mysterious Nova Scotian mountain lion? Both my grandfather and partner Bryan have recollections of seeing this much denied creature deep in the woods of inland Nova Scotia and I myself have been intrigued by the beast since devoting a fourth grade project to the subject.

 

So now I knew what direction the piece was to take... I was going to add a noble feline front and center that would loom over her environment. Well, that was my intention. In the end she ended up as more of a cutesy cougar kit. I find it so funny how my feltscapes really take on a life of their own.

 

This piece is just a little three dimensional :)

 



I fought the urge to add a sumac to this piece, sometimes you just need to let the work sit while you get to know it.

 

I had started this piece back in the fall and had intended it to be in my show at the Bread Gallery,
 but I always felt something was missing. Turns out it was the stars!



Everyone mistook my previous hayfield for cattails, so I thought I'd give it another go!



I had many ideas for how this piece would turn out, eventually my jolly refugee polar boar emerged!

The opening reception for Pre- Shrunk is Friday, January 23rd,  at 7pm and the show continues until February 10th. All the works are priced at $175 and there will be at least 200 small works to choose from - including 5 by yours truly!

 

Argyle Fine Art

1559 Barrington Street, Unit 102

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3J 1Z7

902.425.9456

gallery@argylefa.com

www.argylefineart.com

A look back at 2014...

2014 was a whirlwind for me, so many wonderful, exciting and heartbreaking things took place. Even though I was busy working at the museum all summer I still managed to create new art work consistently almost all year long. I even managed to teach myself a few new things when it comes to felting and I really feel like I'm starting to establish my own distinct style.

 

Who would have thought so many years ago that this city slicker would become a fibre artist living along the Avon River Valley. You never can tell, you just have to make the most of it as you go and as my little necklace from my dad says, follow your heart!

 

So as I prepare my goals for 2015, here's a little look back at some of the highlights of the past year...

 

 

Take Me to the River for Pre-Shrunk at Argyle Fine Art

Waiting for You for Pre-Shrunk at Argyle Fine Art

 

How Does you Garden Grow? for Pre-Shrunk at Argyle Fine Art

Turn the Page for Pre-Shrunk at Argyle Fine Art

Day is Done for Pre-Shrunk at Argyle Fine Art

 

What started as a stormy sky became a wild ocean

Bigger than Me, created for the 16th annual Great Little Art Show

 

Mister Fluff putting his mark on the new bag of sweaters

Andy taking a nap where he isn't supposed to!

 

Big Tuna for Shackwacky in Yarmouth

The beginning of a piece inspired by a Carol Morrison painting.

I dreamnt I found this Barbie so I promptly woke
up and found her for a steal of a deal on Ebay!

My special place - Sylvia!

Sylvia is where I keep all of my favourite things,
including old cameras and Barbie cases.

My collection of characters!

Dear old Wookie, keeping an eye on my tins

Josie finally found the love of her life in Tonto :)

A wee peek into my aboriginal themed collection

Zombie Skipper's guarding the perimeter of my fort!

My outdoor shadow keeping track of all my moves :)

A mini piece I did for Shackwacky in Yarmouth

A mini piece I did for Shackwacky in Yarmouth

A mini piece I did for Shackwacky in Yarmouth

A mini piece I did for Shackwacky in Yarmouth

Everyone needs a yeti tea cozy

This fella sold in no time!

Excellent Value Village find!

Sloths!!!

 

Two little coyotes

Jakalope

My indoor shadow trying to be incognito

Iris petals for my piece inspired by Carol Morrison

Mister famously crashing another photo shoot!

Twice this year I upgraded my bins of wool - I am now up to 30!

Sadly, during the super moon in August, Prince Andrew went
for a walkabout and took his forever nap in the forest.

Even more heart breaking Mister Fluff
passed unexpectedly 6 weeks later.

This summer the museum in Avondale kept me busy;
here I ran the gift shop... 

I organized weekly arts programming and started
the Artist's Landing Studio and Gallery...

 

AND to top it off I ran the café with help from the lovely Emma!

Bryan showing off his giant yummy trout!



Julia from Fibre Circle checking out the article about "Hooked on Swoon"

 

My hooking in Rug Hooking Magazine, once again
a piece inspired by a Carol Morrison painting.

 

I decided to start a rather large feltscape that I could pick away
at during the Painting and Fibre Circles at the ARHS museum

 

Building up the layers



Evergreens

I ended up changing my mind and lifted up
the water to add three-dimensional waves

Suddenly I had an idea...

Let's turn that chair into a "Rocking River" chair!

 

I finally had my first boat ride along the Avon River - Amazing!

I just love looking at the Avon River Valley from the POV of the sea.

Shining Sturgeon a piece inspired by my boat ride along the Avon

Whale of a Tale, inspired by Liz's whale spotting in the river

Thought I'd try something new with this Iquana

Mister's very last photo bomb

Spider Monkey

Shortly after Mister passed the universe led us to these two
little fellas who were living in the woods along the Dawson.

Leonard has established himself as my new assisntant.

Evie might just be the sweetest little girl ever :)

I didn't realize it at first, but my "Rocking River"
chair was absolutely meant for kittens!

Isn't that just the cutest thing ever?

Another felted piece inspired by my rug hooking that was
inspired by a painting by you know who - Carol Morrison!

 

Leonard is determined to lend a hand!

 

One of my pieces from my show at
the Bread Gallery in October

Kelly Mitchelmore, myself and Ann Whalen at the opening
of our show at the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn.

Bryan and the babies taking a nap

Wooly bear caterpillar!

My step-mother challenged me to make slittens - challenge accepted!

Oh Lenny :)

Such a sensitive wolf!

The kids absolutely love their chair!

Just look at the face - come on! Adorable!

A red tailed hawk inspired by my friend Kim

I decided to try another insect - this time a grasshopper

Getting ready for 2015, first thing on the list - Preshrunk for Argyle Art...
Lenny goes where the art goes!

Evie doing her best Andy impression :)

Since the kitties like to destroy nature we opted for no tree
this year and this was our little xmas shrine - complete with
 my latest Value Village Barbie find - Merry Christmas to me!