Our second annual show in the quaint little country church is indeed promising to be inspiring, with a talented group of local artists and artisans offering a diverse collection of one of kind, original works of heart and hand.
The Little Church in Avonbank is on the corner of Line 16 & Road 134, about ten minutes from St. Marys, 15 minutes from Stratford, 45 minutes from either Kitchener or London. It is one road south of LINE 20 - what we call the 'St. Paul's Road', which takes you to Grand Bend.
Click for detail directions to Avonbank with Google Maps. What it calls AVONBANK is actually
the Little Church itself - #4800 Line 16, Perth South. With the sliding bar, you can zoom in or out for an accurate view.
Lynn Bickell, Kathy Blake, Pauline Bokkers, Marie Brubacher, Val Chessell, Tammy Chapman, Karen Dalgleish, Karen Drummond, Nancy Groesnestege, Courtney Lafferty, Anna Koot, John McIntosh, Melissa Quinn, Fran Roelands, Ineke Rombouts, Ev Scott,
Bios below (randomly)
Moving right along with techology, we're pleased to have a FACEBOOK Group - join us! "In the Spirit"
ANNA KOOT: Water Colour & Mixed Media Artist
I enjoy all forms of art media from acrylic to pen & ink to oil and pastel. I began Decorative Painting in 1991 and was soon teaching in local shops and around my kitchen table. I continue to teach in my home studio. I recently illustrated two published children's books - 'Henry & Harriet' (about loss) and Beaver Tales (Alzheimer's & dementia). I believe all forms of art to be a true gift, both to the artist and to the viewer as well.
LYNN BICKELL: Stained Glass Artist
I've enjoyed playing and creating with glass for 5 years now. I design unique customized gifts for friends and family as well as one of a kind pieces to sell. I'd create more - except for work, family, traveling, exercising, renovating, gardening and taking courses.
PAULINE BOKKERS: Mixed Media Artist:
I'm very excited to be back for the second annual 'In the Spirit' event. This year I'm working with gourds in different forms and also trying out another venture - 'altered chairs'. My niece and I are partnering in a new shared love of taking antique - or at least, vintage - chairs, and bringing them into the 21st century, in a creative way of course.
My head is spinning with ideas in both areas and I look forward to presenting them in this truly 'inspired' venue. I also just love to hang out with the wonderful souls involved with the show.
FRAN ROELANDS: Water Colour Artist
I am inspired by colour and my passion is design! I live in a rural setting and am fortunate to be immersed in our countryside where each season presents new and interesting subject matter to paint. With careful attention to detail, I hope to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.
I am fortunate to have studied water colour painting under, and acquired knowledge from many local and published, professional artists including: Puck Merkies, Anne Eekhoff, Vic Janski, Klass Verboom, Johneene Maddisen, Arnie Westerman, Oregeon; Frank Web, Pittsburgh; Joseph Fettingis, Michigan; Linda Kemp, Fonthill, Ont; Brian Ataeo, Orillia, Ont; and most recently, Jack Reid, Brampton, Ont. In gaining this experience, I have enjoyed success at competitions, teaching, showing and selling my work. Sharing the love of art continues to give me much pleasure. Thank you to my husband Matt, and my family & friends who have constantly cheered me on.
For sale I have high original water colour paintings, top quality giclee prints, and an assortment of cards. My giclee prints are printed on the highest quality acid free water colour paper using pigmented light-fast inks. Each print is released only under my careful approval and I take pleasure in knowing that my work is of heirloom quality. All works are professionally acid-free matted, and may be purchased either framed or unframed and may be substituted to your own use.
I look forward to seeing you at:
Sunset Arts, Art Gallery, 63 River Road, Grand Bend, Ontario
Having just moved to Stratford from a large country home, I'm finding it a challenge to work in a down sized atmosphere. But once again, I am excited to create my floral designs and be part of 'In the Spirit'.
I've enjoyed creating floral designs for over twenty years. I've been involved in numerous shows and have had my designs in different retail outlets. As well, I have done extensive work in custom design.
NANCY GROENESTEGE, Acrylic & Mixed Media Artist
Nancy was born in 1974 and grew up on a farm just outside Stratford, Ontario. Her artistic talent was recognized early and she received numerous awards for her artwork. She eventually she studied Advertising Art at Fanshawe College in London, ON and graduated in 1996. Before this, at the age of 16, she began working at a local sign shop and in 1995 she purchased the business. She continues to own and operate SUN SIGNS as a graphic designer and fine artist. Nancy currently lives in Stratford with her husband and three beautiful daughters.
Nancy enjoys working in a variety of media, but her recent preference has been acrylic paint or pastel. Artist Natalie Green says this of Groenestege's work: "Nancy's creative vision and astounding technique will dazzle the mind. She can address any challenges with intelligence, resolving any art-related issues with versatility and vigor.
Growing up on a farm has given Groenestege an appreciation of nature. Her colourful landscapes nostalgically recall a bygone era of life on the family farm. Lately, Nancy has been concentrating her talents on a series of 'rust paintings'. Starting with the interior of Factory 163 and branching out into barn interiors, Nancy's bold design and vibrant use of colour make these metallic painting shine.
KAREN DALGLIESH, Mixed Media Artist
I have a passion and appreciation for all forms of art and creativity that stimulate all the senses. More recently I began to wonder, 'what do I do with all this lovely lavendar that grew in our backyard? I wanted to savour the scent and make it last longer than just a few summer months. I enjoy the soothing harvest of the lavendar, letting it dry throughout our home, but still was undecided about what the purpose would be for this lovely herb. I began replacing some of the products used in our home with a more natural equivalent. Here, I finally found a purpose for the lavendar strung throughout our home. I began making an all natural lavendar lip balm, made of local beeswax, oils and of course our own lavendar.
You can also find me working with my Mom, Barb and my Aunt Pauline, working on a collection of one of a kind chairs. I have brought my love for fun, rich and unusual textiles to this project. Each chair is re-cycled, functional and a unique piece of Art.
the link ... stay posted) - it's under 'In the Spirit' - groups.
INEKE ROMBOUTS, Mixed Media Artist
Since the spring of 2004, Ineke Rombouts has delighted her customers with unique floral designs - fresh or dired, handmade pottery and one of a kind gifts. From Holland, Ineke brings with her a wealth of experience. Having been educated in Holland as a floral designer for five years, she
also ventured into garden design, completing a two year course during her studies in floral design.
She operated her own business throughout the years in Stratford with her studio in the basement, with unique gifts to give or keep.
Over the years - MANY years - I have done trade shows and retail shows in venues in Ontario, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania - even here in my own home. I must say, this is my favourite. It's just a stone's throw away - I can pop home for the things that I forgot & the things that I didn't know that we needed, and I get to leave my house upside down. But best of all, I have the honour & priviledge to spend a fun weekend with an awesome group of like-minded artists in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. And the folks we had come to visit last year - that was icing on the cake. If felt that each person walking through those doors was a friend who dropped by.
I plan on having a couple Santas for the Christmas Line '09 of The Edenwood Collection and perhaps a couple 'Children & Animal' vygnettes. As well, I'll have some photography, cards, alcohol ink creations and the 'Bee Line'.
I expect to put some pics on my blog along the way:
Gas money was born of the desire to make some extra money for a road trip back in 2006. Two friends. Melissa Quinn & Karen Drummond created their first designs using vintage and collected fabrics.
Their line has since expanded to include handmade purses, bags, pillows, accessories, jewellery and visual arts. They often let the materials dictate the design and use vintage, re-claimed, up-cycled and the unexpected whenever they can.
Melissa Quinn is a visual artist who has been living in and around Stratford since 2002. She earned her Honours BA in Fine Art Cultural Studies from York University. She works from her Studio in Stratford.
Karen Drummond is an avid gardener who has been sewing all her life. Karen is a firm believer that beauty can be found anywhere.
Gasmoney hopes to continue travelling, creating and collecting, wherever they may go.
'COURTNEY LAFFERTY: Jewellery Artist
After seeing some beautiful necklaces that my soon-to-be sister-in-law had created, I gained interested in jewellery making and beading. I started designing jewellery in the past year for myself to wear, then one day I woke up and wanted to share my talent with others. I know how happy wearing my pieces make me, and now I'm making others just as happy.
Nature inspires a lot of my pieces, either in the shapes or in the colours. Each piece is unique, no two are the same, much like a snowfall or a leaf. Some of my pieces are great layered and many can be dressed up and worn out to dinner or dressed down and worn to the beach. I find that there's no better feeling than knowing that no one else has the same necklace that I'm wearing. I do custom orders as well as the pieces I already have made.
Valerie Chessell, Painter
I was born on a farm outside Mitchell and have lived my entire life here in Perth County. My husband and raised our three children in Mitchell and now our two grandchildren live here in Shakespeare. So you know where my loyalties are and where my roots are.
I know I am dating myself when I tell you that my first 8 years of schooling were delivered in a one room school house. Mrs. Jean Gibson was the only teacher that gave sort of art lesson and I loved it. That was Grade 1. So on my 50th birthday I decided to take art lessons as this was an interest that I wanted to explore. I started lessons with Ellen Erenberg at Honoured Mountain Studio. Needless to say, I stuck with it. I learned water colour, classical drawing techniques, acrylic, then dabbled in pen and ink, and oil on my own. I can't decide which I like better so I keep doing them all. It allows me the freedom to choose my medium depending on the subject. I especially like projects that I have been commissioned to do because it's meaningful to someone.
The thing that I like about art is that it is so subjective. Not everyone likes the same things, so I create things that I like and hope you like them too.
John McIntosh, Garden Art
I live on the outskirts of Avonbank and am a partner in a dairy farm. I like to take old farm machinery parts (JUNK) and return it to LIFE in another venue for you to enjoy.
My purpose of participating in this show is to raise funds for our Mission work in El Salvador which is planned for February, 2010.
