Still Life Lives - Collingwood Library March-April 2024

“But in a still life, there is no end to our looking, which has become allied with the gaze of the painter; we look in and in, to the world of things, in their ambiance of cool or warm light, in and in, as long as we can stand to look, as long as we take pleasure in looking.”

― Mark Doty

STILL LIFE LIVES

Still life painting is alive a well in Grey County. The genre has existed almost as long as painting. Artists in ancient Egypt and Rome, Medieval, and Renaissance periods created still life paintings. The objects of everyday life carry meaning whether they are mundane or sentimental, objects of beauty, or useful tools in the kitchen, garden or workshop. They tell a story, or relate to our daily routines and surroundings. This group of artists represents a variety of techniques, media, and visions. Some choose to look at exquisite details with a clarity of vision. Others examine the patterns within and around the objects pushing the pulsating rhythms and vibrant colours.

Liane Brossard

Liane’s journey as an artist began at an early age with a passion for textile arts, photography, drawing and interior and fashion design. Liane trained and worked as a lawyer but continued to explore art making by taking numerous courses in painting, drawing, and photography as well as attending many painting workshops. For many years, Liane participated in independent studies painting alongside accomplished artists with the oversight of a professional artist. During this period, Liane painted subject matter taken from photographs of her family as well as photographs taken during her travels around the world. The paintings produced during this time were mostly figurative.

When the pandemic hit, Liane found herself painting at home and changed from oil paint to acrylic gouache and focused on still life objects and interior motifs as her subject matter. In addition, Liane began experimenting with varying perspectives, flattening images and tightly cropping the subject matter. With the bold and matt colour of the acrylic gouache, this evolved into a unique and somewhat whimsical style. This newfound style of painting reflected perfectly the joy and bold exuberance Liane wished to convey with her paintings. Liane has exhibited her paintings at the Avenue road Art School, along with other private venues in Toronto. Her paintings were chosen to be part of the Art Gems Auction in Toronto in 2022 and 2023. In 2023 Liane was selected as a finalist in the BMFA’s Clerksen award for emerging artists.

Liane Brossard

Vera Dernovsek

I started painting late. In my home country, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), I studied medicine. Before finishing, I had a baby and, due to hostile political climate in the country, I and my family emigrated to Canada. Medicine was out of the question now: No money, small child and I didn't know English. I trained as a laboratory technologist and worked in the hospital. I soon realized, I had a different calling. I signed up to art school (Dundas Valley School of Art). Now I was in my element. I rented a studio and painted. This was in the eighties. I still had a fly in my bonnet though. I was not happy with my English. I signed up to MacMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and got my BA in ComparativeLiterature and than MA in French. I took it all the way to the Ph. D. (Rice University, Houston, Texas.) and after that, time of fury of painting began once more. When we moved to our farm in Georgian Bluffs, Ontario, Canada, I was, and thus far am, unstopable.

My paintings are in oils on canvas and in watercolors on paper. Sizes vary from few square inches to several square feet. The paintings sing with color, have explosive energy, and yet contain subtle lyricism. Often they are representational—still-lives, portraits, nature paintings—sometimes they are abstractions. Although I have lived on the North-American continent for nearly forty years,the European sensibility is part of my and my art's make-up.

Vera Dernovsek

Frank Duyvelshoff

Retired from a successful career in the corporate world, and having completed a Fine Art continuing education program at Sheridan College, Frank is now pursuing his passion for art.

Working mainly in acrylic, Frank's realism paintings are inspired by life, nature, light and colour. He also focuses on architecture, old vehicles, landscapes and animals. Subjects that convey "Rural Demise" - older buildings, vehicles and barns are an area that holds great appeal to him. "I seek interesting subjects to capture, both to challenge myself and because the imagery itself has appeal for me. I've always been interested in light and shadows, and I love the way light adds depth and character to structures. The morning and evening sun are especially interesting because of the cast shadows".

Originally from Oakville, Frank loved the area so much he decided to make his full-time home in Thornbury/Clarksburg. Frank has participated in the "Autumn Leaves" tour for several years, "Art in the Park" show in Oakville, and participated in the recent "Art Walk" in Thornbury. He entertains commissions in addition to creating his own artwork.

Frank Duyvelshoff

Bev Morgan

Bev Morgan is a proud member of the Southampton Art Center, Saugeen Artists Guild, Associate member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour and Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. She has taught her passion of watercolours over 30 years in her Hanover home, libraries, campgrounds, art conventions, three cruise lines, Southampton Art School and Udemy online courses with over 8200 students. Art collectors from Canada and United States has valued her paintings.

She uses watercolours traditionally as well as incorporates it into other mediums, such as photography, batik, and scratch art. To keep growing as an artist, she challenges herself every year to create new collection or series of subject matter, such as Mushrooms, Fruit, Time Flies, Waterfalls, Music, etc. Currently her new series will explore ‘Story Telling through Hands’.

Bev as an artist, teacher, and mentor, she continues to grow, always challenging herself to explore, and learn through her own experiences and from her students.

Bev Morgan

Joe Ress Passion

Born in Toronto Canada, Joe’s first art lessons and passion for drawing and painting came from his mother, Julie Ress. She was one of the original art students at “The Grange” beside the Art Gallery of Ontario in the mid 1930s. Arthur Lismer, one of “The Group of Seven”, was her teacher.

Joe’s art captures a magical feeling somewhat impressionistic or curiously playful in nature. He works in paint, sculpture, and digital multi-media prints he creates from photographs. He often repaints the new images and photographs the altered versions . “It’s a multi stage process, gaining more depth with each incarnation. I stop when I can’t make it better.”

Joe Ress Passion

Robert Pointer

Robert Pointer is a Canadian artist, educator, and musician working in central Ontario. His artwork has been on exhibit since the 1970's. Born in Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario in 1954 he became interested in art as a teenager, inspired by the work of his elder brother, European masters, Canadian modernists, and his high school teachers. This interest led to success in local juried art competitions in the mid1970's. He enrolled at the University of Guelph, graduating in 1981 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts). Later, at the University of Western Ontario he eaned the Bachelor of Education Degree. A twenty-five year in education followed.

After retiring in 2014, Robert Pointer continues to teach and exhibit his art at galleries and shows. His exploration of the themes of wildlife, cottage country tranquility and exuberance, aging and a life lived, and the contrasts of rural and urban life keep him inspired. He is active in the art community as a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts in Collingwood, and the Saugeen Autumn Leaves Studio Tour.

Robert Pointer

Carol Sebert

Carol Sebert graduated from her studies with a passion for painting and textile design She discovered the world of carpet design which seemed a perfect blend of the two disciplines. Through this work she founded a carpet design company “Creative Matters” in 1988. With 20 employees, numerous award winning projects and international recognition she continues to explore the possibilities with this textile medium for creativity.

At the same time, Carol has continued to paint in oils and watercolour. She paints what she sees: Working en plein air for the landscapes in winter and summer and still lifes she sets up in her studio. Carol examines the natural world through the joy of colour.

Carol Sebert