Tag Archives: Handworks

Simple Requests at Handworks Gallery

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The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker? Well, not quite. This time at handworks, it’s the potter, the painter, the mixed media maker.

Hot on the heels of their success at the Fall Art Show and Sale, artists Mike Randle (outsider art) and Sue McCarrell (mixed media) share an exhibit at Handworks Gallery.

McCarrell won first and third in the New Media category for “Moment in Time” and “Vintage Pleasure” (pictured) respectively.  “Moment in Time” was also voted best in show as “Best Interpretation of the Theme”.

Randle tied for first place in the Abstract Painting category with “Number One Project”.  Randle’s style can be described as “outsider” or “naive” art, or “art brut”. Once used specifically to describe artists who were often institutionalized and whose work remained undiscovered until their deaths, the terms are now used to describe any self-trained artists working outside the  mainstream art world.  They often feature unconventional ideas, elaborate fantasy worlds, and unusual juxtapositions and perspectives. 

Potter Lucy Stoppler is the third featured artist in the Simple Requests exhibit.

Opening Reception
Thursday November 4
5 to 7 p.m. 

Put your name in for a door prize!

The exhibit continues until December 15.

GALLERY HOURS:
TUES -FRI 10-4
SAT. 10-3

For the Love of Art

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The Federation of Canadian Artists, South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter proudly presents a juried art show, “For the Love of Art” at Handworks Gallery, 35648 – 97th Street in Oliver. Phone 250 498 6388.

This is a juried exhibition with new works from local artists in a variety of mediums. The opening reception is scheduled Friday, July 2nd from 2pm to 4pm and the show runs from July 2nd to July 31, 2010. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 9:30 – 5, Saturday 10 – 4 p.m.

In conjunction with the opening, we will be offering two visual art demos for the public from 1 – 2 p.m. Well known local artist, Michael Jorden will begin an oil painting of the main street in Oliver. Michael will set up his easel outside of Handworks Gallery on the sidewalk , describing his process from blank canvas to finished painting. Drop by and watch this talented artist, then join the reception inside at 2 p.m.

The second demo will be taking place inside Handworks Gallery. Thea Haubrich will introduce the public to Encaustic, an ancient art form using coloured beeswax and a heat source. Thea teaches Encaustic throughout B.C. and she will be happy to introduce you to this beautiful medium. Make sure you put this event on your “to do” list for July 2nd.

The Federation of Canadian Artists was formed in Vancouver in 1941. The South Okanagan Chapter was formed in 2000 and now has 80 members. Our chapter welcomes new members. For more information check out our website at www.fca.sos.ca

This is Your Brain on Art

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What is the impact of art on the brain?

Handworks Gallery exhibits fascinating and stunning works by individuals with acquired brain injury. The 15 artists represented in the exhibit attest to the success of the popular Relaxation through Art program, which encourages the brain injured to develop their artistic skills. The South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society (SOSBIS) has offered Relaxation through Art to its members since May 2000, as part of their psycho-social program. 

After acquiring a brain injury, patients are faced with physical and cognitve deficits such as loss of motor skills, reduced concentration, faulty memory, or inability to talk. They must then learn to make physical and cognitive changes in a world which often has no patience for disability. Art becomes a powerful tool to cope with stressors,  express thoughts and feelings, and improve brain function. Member artists attest that they have gained “patience, self-confidence, encouragement, friendship, and pleasure” from their artistic endeavours.  

It is a special pleasure for Handworks Gallery to be presenting the artwork of individuals who have an acquired brain injury. Ken Ballyntyne, vice chair of the SOSBIS and a brain injury survivor, adds: “What many of the participants didn’t realize is that they show real talent. The art they have produced and are showing at Handworks Gallery is indeed excellent. The show is worth your time to view it. ”

Drop by the gallery from April 6 -28 … and be prepared to be inspired!

Brain Injury Society
April 6 – 28
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10 – 4:30
Saturday 10 -4

Starting April 19 the gallery will be open Mondays as well, with hours every day 9:30 – 5

Handworks Gallery
35648 – 97 St.
Box 271, Oliver, BC  V0H 1T0
250-498-6388

Soft Expressions: Carole Grant at Handworks

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For the month of July, Handworks Gallery in Oliver is featuring the work of fibre artist Carole Grant (pictured at left) .

Titled “Soft Expressions” the show will be of special interest to textile artists and quilters.  Some of the pieces are award winners and have been widely toured  with other exhibits. for a sample of her talent, take a look at some of her artwork below.

Please come to the reception on

Saturday, July 4
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Handworks Gallery
35648 – 97 St.
Oliver, BC
250 – 498 – 6388

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Start with a Gourd…

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leinweber-1As a former school art specialist, Carla Leinweber created art using many different media. Then in 1997, she took a course in gourds and was hooked. Handworks Gallery is pleased to be hosting Carla’s first solo show during the month of May.  Do come and see the beautiful and unique art possible using the lowly gourd. 

 

Handworks Gallery
35648 – 97 St.
Box 271
Oliver, BC   V0H 1T0
(250)498-6388
www.handworksgallery.ca
 
 
Here’s a little more about Carla:
taken from Gourd Fever, Volume 3, Issue 32 (www.northerndipper.com )

 

“Carla Leinweber has been involved in art as far back as she can remember. Professionally Carla was an Art Specialist with the Calgary Board of Education prior to moving to Okanagan Falls, B.C. During her career Carla co-authored a published curriculum unit for the Alberta Fine Arts Council and Global Education and held the position of Visual Arts Representative for the Province of Alberta for 2 years representing the Alberta Teacher’s Association. Carla also served as a museum docent for the Glenbow Museum in Calgary for two years.

 

“Carla’s introduction to gourds began with ornamental gourds. She would buy them to use in her still life classes as they were so beautiful to draw. In 1997 Carla took a course under the instruction of artist Rhoda Forbes at the Grist Mill in Keremeos, BC and within hours, Carla was totally entranced with this new art form.

 

“Carla’s ideas start with various images and then she proceeds to search out a gourd that will act as the foundation for this.
 
“I was very fortunate in my teaching career to have been exposed to the multitude of art materials and processes over the years. Thus, I can rely on the techniques of pyro-engraving, weaving, incising, painting, collage. This, combined with dyes, inks, pastels, wires, hand-made paper, found objects, fibres, etc allows me to push the visual artistic capabilities of a  gourd to the limit of ones imagination.” “

 

Klimtomania at Handworks Gallery

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“Good artists copy. Great artists steal.” said Picasso. The Rip-Off Artists steal shamelessly. This multi-media collective appears at Handworks Gallery on Oliver’s Main Street, April 1 – 30. Artists’ reception Saturday April 25th, 2 – 4 p.m.

The Rip Off Artists previously re-invented the works of Vincent Van Gogh. The current touring exhibit is inspired by Viennese painter Gustav Klimt (1862 – 1918).

The participants in the collective include South Okanagan artists Marion Trimble (mixed media collage), Terry Irvine (felting), Diane Birnie (quilting), Enid Baker (painting), Kurt Hutterli (3-D), Barb Levant (fabric arts), JoAnn Turner (furniture painting), Thea Haubrich (encaustic art), Oliver Sagebrushers (painting), and Adam Silbernagel (pen and ink).

Klimt’s work is known for its lavish use of colour, especially gold and other metallics. He also uses repeating geometric patterns, filling the background with swirls, or clothing with a multi-coloured patchwork of rectangles, circles, and triangles. Klimt was also famous for his beautiful female models. As a Symbolist, he believed in freeing art from the restrictions of realistic painting, and as a member of the Art Nouveau movement, he gave his art the elegant, graceful, flowing lines typical of the period.

 

The Klimtomania exhibit reproduces the famous full-length portrait of Klimt’s companion, Emilie Floge, an elegant woman in an iridescent blue gown. Trimble, collage artist, uses mixed media to recreate Emilie, including cheesecloth, tissue paper, glossy magazine paper, fabric, beads, and paint (see above).  Fabric klimtomania-levant-3artist Terry Irvine interpreted Emilie Floge as a felted doll on a wire armature. In a humourous before-and-after set of paintings, Enid Baker reimagined Emilie dressed and undressed.

Levant has woven a stunning tunic style top in metallics and blues (see left).

Thea Haubrich uses the ancient art of encaustic (painting with hot wax) to create a glossy, brilliantly coloured portrait. Diane Birnie employed quilting techniques to create a fabric “painting”. Turner reproduced the portrait on a set of cabinet doors. Silbernagel blended the styles of Picasso and Klimt to produce an unusual colour pencil portrait.

Kurt Hutterli, who works in 3-D found object contructions and painting recreated Emilie Floge in a full size interactive piece (see below).

By turns educational and entertaining, the Klimtomania exhibit is not to be missed.

 

klimtomania-hutterliHandworks Gallery, 35648 – 97 Street

250-498-3833
Gallery hours are Tues.-Fri, 10 – 4:30, Sat. 10 – 4pm.

 Photos by Val Friesen