An Artist in the Making

It's not everyday that an 8 year old gets a private painting lesson with one of Canada's most exciting up and coming artists. Gallery kid, Sarah, spent a couple of hours painting with Sheila Kernan when Sheila was in Regina for the opening of her show "What May Come" at the Assiniboia Gallery.

They worked on a couple of pieces. Sheila showed Sarah all kinds of cool tricks and techniques.

Such as, getting started by painting the background a solid colour...

Or using a plastic fork to make wheat fields...

Learning how to make those cool "Sheila" circles and raised dots...

Coming up with a title...

To see a whole bunch more photos of the two paintings that Sheila Kernan and Sarah worked on please visit my Facebook photo album on the Assiniboia Gallery's fan page. It would also be really great if you could "like" us while you are there:)

-Mary

Tweet

Artist Series Part III: David Dreher - The Story of a Successful Emerging Artist

Back in March, I wrote what I called my "Five Step Plan to Gallery Representation" directed towards emerging artists. In it, I described what I thought were some of the key things emerging artists should do to get noticed, build relationships and ultimately find gallery representation.

While I was writing that post a particular artist kept coming to mind. That artist was David Dreher.

We've been representing Dave and his work for about five years now. During that time, Dave has created three beautiful bodies of work and because of that we've built a huge following for his paintings. We have people calling, emailing and talking to us about Dave's work all the time. It's unique, beautifully executed and thought provoking. Dave does the kind of work you can really look at and talk about. People remember it when they see it.

David Dreher "Saint Thomas Moore and the Orange Rose" 36 x 36" oil/canvas -
part of the "Martyrs and Saints" series

Our relationship with Dave was not formalized over night. Although we've worked with Dave professionally for the past five years, we've actually known him a lot longer than that.

Jeremy and I first met Dave and his wife, Anne Marie, around 1999/2000 when we were at the beginning of our tenure as owners of the Assiniboia Gallery. Dave and Anne Marie invited us over for a glass of wine. It was a nice evening spent eating and getting to know one another. While we were there, we had a tour of their home which featured many of Dave's paintings. A couple of things about our visit struck us right away. They were very friendly and welcoming people. I remember feeling quite grown up going over "for a drink". At the time, Jeremy and I were newly married and so were they. We had never done much socializing like that before so it was a new experience for us.

We also remember being struck by the originality, skill and beauty in Dave's work. It was unlike anything we'd ever seen before (and still is!). It is more than just aesthetically pleasing. There is a story and message in every piece.

After that first meeting, we didn't make any concrete plans to work together, but we knew we'd made new friends and would be watching Dave's work.

Looking back, Dave approached us and the gallery in exactly the way I described in my previous blog post on how to find representation as an emerging artist. In the beginning, we were getting to know each other. Dave's work and the fact that he was an artist was secondary to our blossoming friendship. We hit it off on our "first date" and this paved the way for the successful and happy friendship and working relationship that we have today.

And...Dave understands our need for cupcakes and chocolate and very kindly brings us treats every now and then. He knows the way to our hearts:)

"Martyrs and Saints" by David Dreher is our Feature Show from July 21 to August 3, 2011. You can view the work in person at the Assiniboia Gallery, 2266 Smith Street, Regina, Saskatchewan and on-line.

Don't miss seeing the work of this talented Regina artist!

-Mary

Tweet

Feature Artist Series: David Dreher

Our feature artist July 21 - August 3, 2011 is

DAVID DREHER
"Martyrs and Saints"

David's new body of work "Martyrs and Saints" explores Saint Agnes, Saint Thomas Moore and Saint Joan of Arc.

David has this to say about the theme:

“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” - Charles Du Bos

The act of sacrificing of ourselves has become an increasingly alien concept, particularly when it involves change. We’ve become accustomed to having our needs and desires met immediately. Instant gratification has become the norm; Perhaps to our peril. The human race is at an impasse in regard to how we view ourselves and our relationship with each other and our environment. In the series of paintings entitled, “Martyrs and Saints,” I wish to explore several questions about human nature and its ability to evolve in the context of my own spiritual perspective. Can I personally become less selfish in order to improve myself spiritually and develop my relationship with the world around me? What will we have to give up, thus ensuring a healthy future and is the human race truly capable of change? Only time and our own willingness to make sacrifices will tell.

"Saint Joan of Arc and the Red Rose" 48 x 48" oil/canvas by David Dreher

"Saint Agnes and the Iris" 36 x 36" oil/canvas by David Dreher

"Saint Thomas Moore and the Orange Rose" 36 x 36" oil/canvas by David Dreher

Dave describes in detail the meaning behind each painting in his artist's statement which you can read in full on the Assiniboia Gallery's website.


You can view these stunning new paintings in person at the Assiniboia Gallery, 2266 Smith Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.



-Mary

Tweet

Sheila Kernan - The Secret to her Success

I'm often asked what it's like to work with my husband. The truth is, it's great. The division of labour has come about naturally over the years. This allows us each to focus on the things we are good at and enjoy doing. That is the secret to our success. Oh, and also the fact that things neither of us enjoy doing I make Jeremy do...ha ha.

Jeremy really enjoys surfing the internet and looking at art, thus he's often tasked with finding new talent. He's always showing me interesting artist and gallery websites. A couple of years ago, he talked to me about this very young, very talented artist originally from Saskatoon - Sheila Kernan. I was also intrigued and thus began the process of learning more about this exciting new talent.

Sheila Kernan

Sheila was born in Saskatoon in 1982 (this makes her 28!) She grew up in a big family - four brothers and 1 sister. Sheila attended Marion M. Graham Collegiate. Sheila's favourite high school art teacher, Mr. Sikorsky, was very supportive of her artistic talent. Mr. Sikorsky made sure that Sheila enrolled in every art class offered during her four years of high school. Sheila credits this early push to her success as an artist. Without the encouragement of a caring teacher, she may not be where she is today.

After graduating from high school, Sheila headed to Banff to work for a couple of years. Opting not to work the ski hill, Sheila got a job at Canada House - a very established and successful commercial art gallery in downtown Banff.

I find it very interesting that as an artist, Sheila has had the experience of working in a commercial gallery. In fact, selling the work of many of her favourite fellow painters. Most notably, Robert Genn.

"October Pattern" 11 x 14" acrylic/canvas by Robert Genn

Robert Genn is arguably one of Canada's most successful artists living and working today. Robert paints and actively shows in galleries across the world. He also writes a twice weekly on-line letter that is read by hundreds of thousands of readers each week. (Check it out at http://painterskeys.com/about.php) Robert provides excellent advice in his weekly letters. I often advise artists that if they are looking to emulate anyone he's the man. We've worked with Robert for years (and his daughter, Sara Genn) and he just gets it. Any artist that follows in his footsteps is on the right track to a rewarding professional career.

Sheila realized during her time working in a commercial gallery that she aspired to be a professional artist. Sheila moved to Calgary and began studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Art degree.

Fast forward to 2009. After a series of phone calls and emails with Sheila and another gallery that represents her work, Sheila sent us some paintings to try in the fall of 2009. The work was a hit from the beginning. Sheila was one of our top ten artists in 2010. An incredible achievement considering we'd only been working together for just over a year.

"How Thoughtful" 16 x 16" mixed media/canvas by Sheila Kernan

Sheila's work is intriguing on many levels. The subject matter - busy downtown city scenes and serene prairie landscapes - executed in a contemporary, colourful way. The materials - Sheila uses mixed media. A combination of acrylic and oil paint along with watercolour, sparkles and pigment to get the textural effect found in each one of her paintings.

"Dream Sequence" 48 x 60" mixed media/canvas by Sheila Kernan

Sheila's creativity, determination, professionalism and uniqueness is the secret to her success!

We are very excited to celebrate the opening of Sheila's first solo show at the Assiniboia Gallery on Thursday, June 9th, 2011. Sheila will be in attendance at the opening reception from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. We hope you'll join us.

"What May Come" new work by Sheila Kernan runs June 3 - 24, 2011.

"What May Come" 36 x 48" mixed media/canvas by Sheila Kernan

-Mary

Tweet

Q & A with Angela Morgan

In anticipation of Angela Morgan's show "A Peripheral Perspective: Pomp, Panache and Promenade" I asked Angela if she would mind answering a few questions so I could write a blog post about her and her art practice. I always find it interesting to get a little behind the scenes dirt on our artists and I know you do too!

Let's just say Angela's responses to my questions had us all laughing our heads off so I've decided to write this in a q&a style so you can enjoy Angela's humour too. Angela is a funny girl, but she's also got a bit of an edge to her and as my mom always says "You've got to admire a woman with an edge."

Mary: So, you are a prairie girl. Tell me a bit about your family and growing up in Pense, Saskatchewan.

Angela: I grew up in Pense with 2 younger brothers and a sister, I am, of course, the oldest. We didn't actually live on the farm until I grew up and went away to college. I never was a milk maid, although I have the figure for it.

I attended Campbell Collegiate and drove myself to school in grade 11 and 12 everyday in my 1974 lightning blue Dodge Dart. It went great with my platinum blonde Annie Lennox/Roxette hair do.

Mary: You live in the mountains now. Tell me about your family and what life is like outside your studio.

Angela: We are attempting to raise 4 children. Ten year old twins, a nine year old and a seven year old (2 boys and 2 girls). Besides going for long runs to get away from the house and studio, I also participate with my family in biking, lots of x country skiing, tobogganing, and long cathartic walks to the duck pond. My husband has a heavy triathlete schedule for himself and the children in which I play a supporting role (read: hauling all the crap around and feeding them). We spend COUNTLESS hours in rinks for hockey and figure skating - just like any good Saskatchewan girl I live in the rink in the winter.

Mary: Angela, what is with your titles?? They are craaaaaazy and hard to type!

Angela: I love the word peripheral with the f sound in the middle and also adore alliteration. But from a visual perspective the title gave me lots of subjects to work with, and really, who doesn't love a promenade? It also brings up all sorts of celebratory images for me - things I love to paint.

Mary: When you are not painting or parenting what do you like to do?

Angela: I like to shop, and dress up, and get my hair done and buy books and plan fabulous dinner parties and attend the theatre, visit galleries and museums and travel and sew gowns and frocks and try my hand at making cupcakes and lollipops and I really love to garden in my crazy yard, and definitely dance and try new restaurants and wines and meet my favorite people for lattes and walks. I like my kids too and also beating my mom at scrabble and an all time favorite is visiting my gram in Victoria. I love wearing fluevogs and I have 18 pairs that I try to take on every trip. I need to design a special shoe suitcase. I tried tap dancing and wasn't too bad at it. I also like to lounge on the beaches in Maui in my favorite polka dot bubble gum pink bikini. I like to make books and make paper and if I ever get some time I'm going to go back to print making, and if I ever get more time I am going to go back to sculpture - watch out Joe!

Angela pictured in a pair of her favourite shoes.

Mary: Travel is often a theme in your work. Tell me about some of your future travel plans.

Angela: We recently traveled to New Orleans and you may see some of those influences in this show. We have a trip to San Francisco and New Brunswick in June, out to the Okanagan in July. Madrid and Barcelona in the fall, and maybe a side trip to Chicago. Italy next spring and of course back to Maui in the winter. For my 40th birthday, next August, we plan to go to Scotland.

Mary: Wow. So, when do you paint?

Angela: I paint at night, my days are too busy!

Mary: Do you enjoy the process of preparing for a show?

Angela: I like starting paintings and then in a flourish finishing a bunch of them after days of Judy (my assistant) encouraging (fretting) for me to get down to the business of completion. I love attending shows and traveling to the galleries and meeting customers and critics alike.

Mary: Now for the really important question...what do you like to eat??

Angela: Lemon tarts and creme brulees are right up on there on the list of favorite foods, just after pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and Gram's cherry cha (secret family recipe) and my Mom's apple pie, with the best crust in the world. Greek food, Thai food, french peasant cuisine and a bocconcini salad could round out that list, only after our family's favorite meal out - sushi.

To Angela...Thanks for answering my questions. I'm looking forward to seeing you and your paintings at our opening on Friday night.

To my readers...you are all invited to join in the opening night festivities on Friday, May 13th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. You will be able to view the entire show on-line starting Wednesday, May 11th.

-Mary

Tweet

Coming this spring...Angela Morgan & Sheila Kernan

We are gearing up for two fantastic shows to finish off the spring show season:

Angela Morgan
A Peripheral Perspective: Pomp, Panache and Promenade

May 13 - 31, 2011

Angela Morgan "a characteristic grouping of our undisputed dominion" 50 x 60" oil/canvas

Sheila Kernan
What May Come

June 3 - 24, 2011

Sheila Kernan "What May Come" 36 x 48" mixed media/canvas

Over the next few weeks, the paintings will arrive and we'll add them to our website and our Facebook fan page.

Stay tuned!

-Mary

Tweet

Solo Show with W.H. Webb "Drawn to the West"

Our first solo show of 2011 features the colouful and light filled landscapes of W.H. (Bill) Webb. "Drawn to the West" is the Assiniboia Gallery's first solo show with Bill Webb since 1998. I remember that first show very well. It was one of my first as a new employee of the gallery. I remember watching Bill touch up one of the large paintings just before the opening and marveling at the many tiny paint brushes that he used. To watch even for a few minutes the incredible detail that goes into one of his works was a thrill. It's always fun for us non-artists to see a professional in action! Bill was born in England and immigrated to Canada in 1968. Bill worked for many years in education in Alberta as a Teacher, Principal and finally a Superintendent before embarking a full-time professional artist career in 1990. Since that time, Bill has had numerous solo shows across Canada. His work is highly sought after by collectors across the country.

W.H. Webb "Passage Opened" 30x30" acrylic/canvas

Despite our seemingly endless winter this year, people just can't pass up Bill's beautiful winter landscapes. The sun and shadows falling on the snow are so masterfully painted that you could almost swear you were standing there.

W.H. Webb "High Plains Drift" 12x60" acrylic/canvas

We've been collecting names of interested clients for some time and as soon as these two winter gems arrived in the gallery they were scooped up by two of our favourite art buyers. Our show opens on April 15th and we hope to add the final paintings for the show to the website very soon! Keep checking the website or our Facebook page to see images. Or do what the two smart people who bought the winter paintings did and let us know you are interested and you'll be among the first to know!! -Mary

Tweet