2005 Artists' Statements
Brian Arsenault, Powassan
www.briansbranches.com
Brain has been building rustic furniture for almost 12 years.
The materials used are often willow and birch, found in great
surplus in his home area. Brain’s work covers a range
from baskets to custom fitted chairs and he admits a fondness
for creating orders made to the customer’s wishes.
Jamie Ashforth, Thornhill
(905) 709-4196
Jamie has studied various traditional mediums through her
formal schooling and is currently exploring art making outside
of academia. Jamie finds deep nourishment in creating large
scale abstract acrylic paintings, expressing her intuitive
perceptions. Jamie will be sharing her painting process with
festival goers over the course of the weekend.
Monika Becker, Lifeforms Accessories,
Cobourg
(905) 372-7967
Monika uses her work as a means to explore and understand
the ways of nature. Using the principles of natural construction,
Monika makes wire-wrapped jewelry, candle shades and vessels.
Materials include silver, copper and semi-precious stones
as well as organic materials such as hemp, birch bark and
hand made paper.
Christine Benson, Port Hope
(905) 885-0908
Christine specializes in intricately carved relief prints
on natural fibre papers. They reflect the ever changing interaction
between urban, rural and natural environments. Christine
has also planned all of the activities in the Family and
Children’s area at the festival, based on her “Journey
Through the Arts” children’s program.
Melanie Browne, Port Hope
(905) 885-6116
Melanie is a painter who works in oils and acrylics and has
exhibited in Northumberland County, Bowmanville, Peterborough
and Toronto. Currently she is exploring the possibilities
of still life painting and its potential for the expression
of ideas and emotions.
Veronica Derry, Cobourg
(905) 372-0494
Fibre is Veronica’s medium. Primarily a weaver of rugs,
runners and tapestry for more than twenty years, Veronica’s
lifelong interest in the many textile arts are converging.
By combining woven images, appliqué, stitchery and
piecework, paper, vintage fabrics and trims; whimsical vignettes,
soft sculpture and cushions emerge. Veronica’s work
is inspired by nature, family and friends.
Alex Ferri, Frankford
(613) 398-6703
Alex was drawn to woodwork at an early age, quickly developing
his own style, showing originality, sensitivity to the natural
world, fascination with mysticism and an understanding of
wood. Alex produces ornamental woodwork and cards, often
combining scrolled designs with additional carving for exquisite
wall pieces and jewelry.
Jim Gledhill, Boxes and Bark, Cobourg
(905) 372-6220
At 53 years of age, Jim has been carving and whittling most
of his life. Using mostly local materials, Jim whittles,
carves and sculpts pieces to reveal the elusive Wood Spirit.
Participation in events such as the Cobourg Farmer’s
market and several shows through the year reinforce Jim’s
sense of community and allow him to promote the art of wood
carving.
Michael Glover, Port Hope
www.sheltervalley.com/michaelglover “Canada
from the Wrong Side of the Tracks” is Michael’s
ongoing project of paintings and drawings of his personal
cross Canada experience. Works exhibited at the Shelter Valley
Folk Festival will include on the spot sketches done during
this year’s travels from British Columbia to Newfoundland
and Labrador. In addition, festival goers will be treated
to several of Michael’s impressive large scale oil
on canvas paintings.
Maia Heissler, Frankford
(613) 398-6703
Maia takes pride in her extensive use of natural, found and
recycled materials. Nature is her main supplier, and her
inspiration, for everything from Christmas ornaments to craft
manuals to her “Forest Friends”, a fantasy elfin
civilization of Ontario Woodlands, complete with environmental
consciousness and earthy spirituality.
The Luthiers’ Co-op
Contact Hugh Hunter,
Through the combined efforts of Co-op members Hugh Hunter,
Bill Rickard, Ian Coombes and Peter Nemeth, the Co-op has
received rave reviews for quality construction and original
designs of custom built instruments. Visit their booth to
see, hear and play their Banjos, Appalachian Dulcimers and
Hammered Dulcimers. The Co-op members will demonstrate their
craft at the booth during the festival.
Kathryn McHolm, Port Hope
(905) 753-2196
A lifetime of influences and inspirations has led Kathryn
to work in watercolour, drawing, gardening and creating with
fibres. Recently, inspired by the work of William Morris,
Kathryn has been observing patterns created by flower parts
and the relationship between the bird and plant worlds. These
observations have culminated in a series of paintings, drawings
and recycled paperworks.
Rri Povey, Killaloe
(613) 757-3579
Rri’s purpose is to spread the medicinal joy of colour
in a fun, expressive and functional way. Natural fibre materials
are dyed using Procion Fibre-reactive dyes mixed with rainwater
or melted snow at Rri’s off the grid cabin. Hand stitching
creates images like butterflies, dragonflies, turtles, guitars
and more. “Happy clothes for happy people.”
Francoise Romard, Brighton
(613) 475-2169
Francoise works in hand built stoneware, experiencing a deep
connection to her creative self; a conjuring of the mud-pie
designer she used to be. Francoise’s process becomes
a healing aspect, rooted in the freedom of play, a meditative
link from earth to heart, a creative path from the shaping
fingers to the receiving hands.
Max Sexsmith, Peterborough
(705) 745-2863
Max takes a dull chunk of Quebec soapstone and transforms
the rock into a beautiful polished figure. By using a variety
of saws, chisels, rasps, files and sandpaper Max manipulates
the stone into a work of beauty. Max has traveled extensively
to study the Inuit style of life and art and likes to share
his knowledge and interest with school groups, scout and
guide groups and in his interactive displays at shows and
festivals.
Brenda Sullivan
www.dragonclayproductions.com
Brenda has been making porcelain pottery for over 35 years.
Her work ranges from hand built, one of a kind pieces, to
production work on the wheel. Brenda focuses on whimsical
yet functional pieces and is currently exploring the more
sculptural aspect of her work.
Tracy Taylor, Cobourg
(905) 377-1727
Tracy makes pottery with function in mind, good pots for
good food. Each piece is handcrafted from stoneware clay
on a potter’s wheel and fired in an electric kiln.
Glazes and designs are quiet and simple with the pioneer
spirit in mind. Be sure to stop by Tracy’s booth and
watch her work on the wheel during the festival.
