A really cool cat

The story of a new exhibition in Belle River and one opinionated feline

Belle River artist Wendy Jones is hosting an opening reception for her latest exhibition Eclectic on Aug. 5.

The reception runs from 2-8 p.m. and will also kick off the opening of WMJ Cool Cat Studios to the public.

Eclectic will feature paintings in a wide array of styles from land and seascapes to abstract impressions of blueberry and canola fields. There are even a few extraterrestrial pieces that make the viewer feel like they are looking at the view out a spacecraft window.

Jones uses various mediums, mostly oil on board but also acrylics as well as watercolours with pen and ink. Though she has worked on some very large pieces this year, the paintings in Eclectic will be a bit smaller.

“I’ve come to feel like a three by four foot painting is fairly small after working on such huge pieces,’’ says Jones.

WMJ Cool Cat Studios’ name is inspired by her cat, Mika, who is well known to Island music lovers attending the concerts Jones has hosted in her home/ studio. She lives in the old Belle River church.

“Mika’s long been my songwriting muse and an outspoken critic of the songs I write. If I’m making a YouTube or Soundcloud recording, I have to put her out of the room because she likes to sing along. She often jumps up to kiss and hug me when I’m singing. If she’s outside and won’t come when I call, I sing a few bars of her favourites.’’

Jones said Mika hated one song so much she actually pretended she was going to bite her neck.

“Her opinion of my visual arts isn’t as apparent but she certainly makes her presence known when I am painting.’’

The studios will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located at 1828 Trans-Canada Highway in Belle River.

As there may be occasions when Jones has to step out, she suggests people making s special trip to call in advance for an appointment.

Her number is 902-962-4131 and she can also be reached by email at peislandwendy@gmail. com.