Ajax Creative Arts

.... Art Shows

Photography and article by Trina Astor-Stewart

Over 50 artists displayed their works at the show and sale, here are just a few for you to enjoy now. Just a teaser, to inspire you. Make a note for yourself to attend the spring show.

These two paintings below, by artist Judith Jewer, are a whimsical treatment of apples and I could see them as artistic accoutrements to a kitchen or eating area. The originals made you want to just pick and eat! Looking at the paintings, you imagine the Pastry Pie filled with apples, warm just out of the oven, or the clear sparkle of a jar of apple jelly ready for you to spread on artisan bread.

 

Paintings evoke imagery in your mind, we walked through the paintings on display several times admiring them. When you visit an art show, it is imperative that you admire in slow motion and let the imagery and colour slowly come alive.

You notice more in a painting as you stand and stare, or going by for a second or third time, you will suddenly find something attracting your attention that you didn't notice before.

There were representational paintings from a wide variety of styles and medium, from watercolour, oils, acrylics and mixed media. Paintings depicting a realism and others abstracts, like the one above entitled, 'City View' by artist Gail George.

Rows of unframed paintings were also available for sale and many visitors busily engaged in the joy of choosing their favourites.

 

 

 

Artist, Ken Foston stands in front of three of his paintings on display at the show. He uses a warm pallet in much of his work along with a representational geometric approach to landscapes. Close up detail from one of the above paintings can be seen in the image below.

 

Several artists were on hand to talk with you about their works and what gives them inspiration. Maggie Burgess, who painted these delicate images of deer below and helped organize the art show talked about her other life as a locksmith. The stare of the central deer below, transfixes you as it locks its gaze momentarily on the observer, wary and ready to flee in the next second. Many of us have caught a glimpse of a just such a deer's split second gaze, few of us have been able to paint such a beautiful and accurate, yet full of motion, portrait of deer in a wood.

 

 

The above painting of a deer on a path in the wood, again transfixes it gaze upon you before darting off to save haven among the brambles. A delightful watercolour by artist, Maggie Burgess.

 

Above is a watercolour painting by Hi Sook Barker, entitled 'Winter Break' a serene portrayal of cattle in a pasture in winter.