Six talented artists - Oxford Studio Tour
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“Refreshing,” was Kathie Donaldson’s one-word impression of the 6th Annual Oxford Studio Tour on Sunday.
“Artists are very nice people,” said Donaldson. “Down to earth. They’re always learning.”
A total of 45 artists exhibited at 21 venues Saturday and Sunday, including six artists at the Station Art Centre in Tillsonburg.
“I just love coming in and seeing this,” said Donaldson, who recalled a Renoir quote that seemed fitting for the Oxford Studio Tour.
“Renoir said, ‘Why shouldn’t art be pretty, there are enough unpleasant things in the world.’ Painting should be happy.
“There’s so much talent here. I know, just from dabbling with it, when you’re playing with it, it gives you such a good feeling, a euphoria.”
Exhibiting at the Station Arts Centre on the weekend were Valerie Zadow, Deb Beard, Earle Barr, Fran Barr, Shirley Hokke, and Pat Ellerton.
“I think it’s a great show,” said Tillsonburg photographer Fran Barr, who along with her husband, photographer Earle Barr, together had 18 items on exhibit.
“Six artists, we’re all slightly different from each other, and it’s a good showing of what we can do. And great crowds, which is nice. About 150 people Saturday, which is very good for Tillsonburg… for anywhere actually. It’s great to put on a show like this, but it’s a lot nicer when you have people come. You get people’s opinions, see what they like and don’t like. It helps a lot.
“People have said they like it because it’s sharper. They like it because they’re bright… I guess they like it because it’s recognizable.”
Ellerton, from Ingersoll, exhibited oil paintings at the Station Arts Centre for the first time in the Oxford Studio Tour.
“I’ve always been a little bit shy about it. You don’t know if people are going to… like it. It’s kind of scary.”
She described her oils as bright, cheery, beachy, ‘Muskoka-y.’
“Nature’s my thing. I see something in everything. I love skies, water – skies blow me out of the water. Everything about nature is fresh to me. Every day it’s different. It’s just very, very inspiring and I think it is for most artists.”
And the public’s reaction on the weekend, she said, was positive.
“They loved the colour combinations I’m using, they love the vibrance. A lot of people these days are working in acrylics and watercolours – there aren’t that many ‘oil people’ out there any more. And people are liking it again. I’m getting positive feedback, lots of positive feedback.”
Ellerton was also pleased with weekend’s turnout.
“I think it’s been fantastic. Great turnout. The art is drawing people, there’s a lot of talented, talented people in Oxford County.”
Having six artists at one site, said Ellerton, both contributed to the good attendance and benefited the artists.
“I think it draws more people because all people have different tastes. And I think it’s good for the artists because I think artists are inspired more by other artists. When they see what someone else is doing, they’ll stand back and think, ‘wow, can I do that?’ or ‘what can I take from what that artist has to offer?’ It’s fabulous.”
Multiple artists in one venue, said Otterville painter Shirley Hokke, helps increase encouragement for the arts in a community.
“This is what we strive for as an artist. Not only to elevate what we’re doing, but also to elevate the artists around us. We are supportive of one another, and I think that’s what helps us as an artist. It’s very positive, and to bring six artists together, it’s great.”
Hokke, a local art teacher, appreciates all styles of art.
“I do all the ranges because I teach it,” she said, pointing out a portrait in the far corner of her granddaughter.
“I have a hard time choosing (a favourite),” she laughed. “Glazed work is one of my ‘most’ favourite ways of working. The idea is to take one colour, put it over top another colour, on top of another colour, so that makes layers of paint. Say blue, then some yellow, then some red… and you create an image from those thin layers.”
The layers, she said, are a common denominator in her work, as well as the lines.
“My newest work is paint on birch – I work in series. I take the lines, and I create the image ‘through’ the birch – the birch tells me what to paint. That’s my gallery work.”
Her ‘coffee table’ work is watercolour on canvas, acrylic on canvas, watercolour on paper… and includes her current series on water lilies.
“As an artist, your ideas are always developing. Just as life is. When you get older, things change, and that’s just part of life. It’s the cycle. When I look at my work from 25 years ago… it’s just changed so much.”