Artists preparing for Stems and Stuff show
The opening reception for the “Stems and Stuff” show and sale takes place on Aug. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, 420 O’Connell Rd., with refreshments and artists present. The show features florals, still lifes, objects, and “bits and pieces” by a variety of members of the gallery.
Kathryn White, whose work will be on display, has been creating art since she was about five years old.
“My grandfather was an artist who was in art school with A.Y. Jackson in New York City, and my father took art lessons in Toronto from Lawren Harris, I believe,” says White. “So, there was an appreciation of art in my family — and especially the impressionistic Group of Seven style. Plus, I was a very emotional child (and adult) and art was a way to express that.”
White did pencil and figure drawing in her early years, but when she took art up again about nine years ago, she began painting in oils using bright, bold colours.
“When I started painting again it was at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (Fleming College), where I worked primarily with John Anderson, who is a fantastic impressionist plein air artist from Stayner,” she says. “I really like going outside and painting from life, whether it’s landscapes, buildings, or flowers — my goal is to capture the movement of light on objects and to capture the feeling or mood of a place. The side benefit is getting to spend quality time outside in nature. I grew up in Ithaca, N.Y., and now live in Lakefield, so I have a lifetime of being surrounded by exceptionally beautiful nature.”
White says creating art is “the most positive way I have of expressing my emotions. Plus, I love anything that can completely absorb my attention for long periods of time. Being outside, focusing intensely on capturing what I see does that.”
White’s advice for budding artists is to “just go for it. Great teachers can be very inspiring, and it’s obviously good to know the basic principles and techniques. But try not to follow the rules too closely. Just do what you feel. One of the most exciting shows at KAGS each year is the Best of High School Art — the work is so innovative and fresh because young people seem to get this intuitively.”
The show runs until Sept. 22 at the gallery, which is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call 705-741-2817, visit www.kawarthaartists.org or like them on Facebook.
Voyageur Canoe Tours
This summer there is lots going on at the Canadian Canoe Museum, both on-site and offsite. The Voyageur Canoe Tour experience at the Peterborough Lift Lock offers scheduled rides, along with customized tours, for groups. Participants paddle a 36-foot voyageur canoe up and over the Lift Lock on a fun 90minute guided tour, offered in partnership with Parks Canada, to explore this National Historic Site, along with the role of the voyageur in early trade networks. Tours can be arranged at canoemuseum.ca.