Ajax Creative Arts

Preparing for an Art Show

Photography and article by Trina Astor-Stewart

Artists come to the Village Centre to paint along side other artists, as they like, two days a week. The support, and camaraderie of other artists is encouraging to many, as the act of creating art is often a solitary vocation. The Ajax Creative Arts formed by a group of artists over 40 years ago, realized the need to support other members of the art community with encouragement, mentorship and  through group shows and sales.

Janice Brown

Janice Brown, an artist from England, has been in Canada for just 2 years and is enjoying the Canadian art scene. She enjoys painting birds, children, dolphins and turtles. As an 'Interactive Artist', Janice painted large murals in hospitals in England. Her art, used as a kind of therapeutic treatment evokes a response from the viewer. Some children reacting to her art who had gone through traumatic experiences began to talk when before they would not speak. Art as a therapy is well know.

Janice also teaches swimming and makes stain glass windows of birds and dolphins. The most important thing she is trying to bring across in her artworks is a feeling of movement and connectivity that inspires the viewer.

Ian Winton

Ian Winton is seen here laying in the background for one of his acrylic paintings which he does using the Fauvist Method. Bold colours underlie the final colours of the painting.

"Fauvism comes from the French word, "Fauves" meaning "wild beasts". Gustave Moreau was the movement's inspirational teacher; a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and a Symbolist painter." 

Ian Winton is represented by two galleries on in Collingwood, the McNaughton Gallery in Hamilton, with some on display at the Herongate Dinner Theatre as well.

Janice McHaffie

Janice calls her studio, Jems by Jan and focuses her work on the subliminal and subconscious, she is known for her textured landscapes and fantasy imagery as well as detailed and realistic watercolours. Janice has a background in the medical field for fourteen years and has turned her knowledge into a practice of the healing arts and therapies suggested by art. Janice paints large works in acrylics with a mental and emotional theme that arouses feelings within the viewer.

Hilda Viponi

HIlda has been painting as a hobby for ten years and enjoys participating in the group activities at the Ajax Creative Arts Centre. She loves to paint landscapes and also paints flowers on occasion.

Dale Cameron

Artist Dale Cameron, above, enjoys the camaraderie of the centre. Email Dale.

 

Maggie Farrar

"Finding the right place to paint, with the right light is almost as important as knowing how," says Maggie Farrar. I just about missed her as she was off painting by herself capturing the light coming in from one of the windows. Maggie enjoys the group atmosphere as well but the light in this spot was just what she needed to get the colours right in her painting.

Phil Wooding

Past President of Ajax Creative Arts, Phil Wooding holds up one of his paintings as he walked by.

Phyllis Desjardins

Here Phyllis Desjardins looks up from working on a painting, she has been an artist in oils and watercolours since 1976.

Artists mary Mascard and Isobel Piggott

Artists Mary Mascard and Isobel Piggott above, take a moment out to have their picture taken during the afternoon painting session, as do Thora McLaughlin and Sandy Gregoir below, and Russ Morgan and John MacLean on the right.

 

Cyril Cox

Artist Cyril Cox stands beside a new painting he is working on at the Ajax Creative Arts Centre. A professional artist, Cyril paints mostly in oils and is represented by three galleries. The Crescent Hill Art Gallery in Mississauga, the Renjean Gallery in Massachusetts in the USA and the Bells Framing & Fine Art Gallery in Caledon.

Cyril finds the subjects that interest him are mainly landscapes and he endeavours to capture the light in a painting and finds this give inspiration to his work. He also paints some wildlife. Cyril was using the centre studio space to work on a painting the day Astoria Magazine got a sneak peak at show preparations.

If you would like to contact Cyril Cox you can email him.

 

Sharon Steinhaus

Artist Sharon Steinhaus is active in Ajax Creative Arts and acts as a webmaster for the group. View her studio web site. Sharon enjoys painting watercolours and her paintings are collected by many avid fans of her work. She has a vivacious and light hearted style. Sharon has a wide selection of her paintings available for purchase on greeting cards.

 

Cheryl Bannister

Cheryl Bannister is a commercial artist with 36 years experience in the field. She joined the Ajax Creative Arts group three years ago for a social painting experience.  She loves getting together to paint and the interaction with other artists.

 

Joan Bontje

Joan Bontje, seen above adding some brush strokes to one of her latest watercolour paintings. Joan's work embodies an ethereal and emotional style. Vibrant splashes of colour, with touches of realism, there is a real spirit to Joan's work.

Kim Robertson

Kim Robertson has been painting for seven years and has a background in Graphic Arts, and has worked as an artist for the Yellow Pages. Kim paints portraits of children and animals in a fresh and lively style. Her work is displayed in Port Perry, and Kim creates a line of greeting cards which are in demand. Kim's art captures the essence of her subjects, the twinkle in an eye, a mood or precious moment.

Peter van Gils

Peter van Gils holds up one of his watercolour paintings.

Below President, Don Hightower and Treasurer, Melva Adams discuss the finances, as in any other group, the books have to be kept!

Don is having a good time being President this year, trying his best to keep everything going smoothly. Melva is in her element, a retired business woman, Melva is well known as the founder of Sugar Chalet, in Oshawa, and made many a tasty and beautifully decorated cake for people. She was also well known for her hand decorated wedding cake toppers. Always an artist, since retiring, Melva has enjoyed painting watercolours.

Sitting at a table painting below, are artists, Ken and Tina Noble, Judith Row and Joan Golden. I'm not sure who the gentleman standing is, someone please let me know and I will add the name. Thanks. I tried not to miss anyone but people were moving around and things were "a happening' so if I missed someone, I apologize.

 

All in all everyone seems to have a wonderful time painting together and chatting. A real group of mentors. People are encouraged to paint, follow their hearts, every artist has a unique 'eye'.

When asked if they are shy about showing their paintings in progress when they first join the group, one or two replied, '"That you soon get over that, we all have art works that fail sometimes."

So as you can see, artists are happiest painting!