‘It’s very relaxing’
Cassie MacLeod featured artist at Autumn Treasures Art Show
Cassie MacLeod has participated in many art shows over her career but she has never been a featured artist — until now.
MacLeod was approached by the Rt. Hon. Vincent Massey Chapter IODE about a year ago to be the featured artist at the organization’s Autumn Treasures Art Show.
The show, which takes place during the annual Celtic Colours International Festival, will run Oct. 11-13 at the Grand Lake Road fire hall in Sydney.
MacLeod never expected to be the featured artist.
“It was quite an honour to be asked,” said MacLeod. “I kind of hesitated, but I agreed to do it and here we are.”
Painting has been MacLeod’s passion for more than 35 years.
In 1994, her love for painting eventually led her to teach and she taught art for the North Sydney recreation department for four years.
MacLeod later offered art lessons from her home and hosted four classes each week with about 50 artists in total participating, until she retired.
During this time, MacLeod was also a member of the art association in Sydney and the president of the Northside Artists Association for about 18 years, which at its peak featured more than 60 local artists.
MacLeod began painting after quitting her job at the North Sydney Mall to look after her mother.
“I always had an interest in art, but I never really got into it,” said MacLeod. “I like doing it, it’s very relaxing and I would advise anybody if they want to do something as a hobby to try painting.”
As the featured artist for the upcoming art show, MacLeod was asked to complete 10 paintings, including one that will be donated as a door prize — it features a maple tree by a lake on an autumn day.
“When you’re doing something like this it’s not quite the same as if you were just sitting and painting and relaxing,” said MacLeod. “When you’re preparing for a show you seem to want to push your limit at times when it comes to being
prepared.”
MacLeod said the average time to complete a painting depends on how much time you have to work on it.
“I take time out of my day to do just so much each day,” she said. “It’s a great pastime.”
The Autumn Treasures Art Show will get underway on Oct. 11 with an opening reception from 7-9 p.m. at the Grand Lake Road fire hall. The exhibition will continue Oct. 12-13 from 12-8 p.m. both days.
Paintings on display will be for sale with 20 per cent of the sale price going to the local IODE chapter to assist with local community projects.
Despite her retirement, MacLeod continues to be an active painter, spending free time painting in the basement studio of her Campbell Street home in North Sydney.
“You have that feeling that you are creating something,” said MacLeod, looking around at other paintings in her gallery. “Even when you’re out and about you’re more aware of the landscape, the trees and the clouds — everything ties back to art.”