By Rosanne Dolan, Colborne Art Gallery artist and liaison
“Solstice” is the new art show at the Colborne Art Gallery this summer, running from July 10 to September 7. Two of the gallery’s members, Helen Van Poorten and Eileen Myers, present artistic renderings of landscapes, cityscapes, and garden highlights. These two distinct art styles compliment each other in their shared heart for linked subject matter. The show’s reception is July 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.
The pastel paintings in Helen’s collection, “Oh, The Places I’ve Been”, represent fond memories of Helen Van Poorten’s travels throughout North America and Europe with her husband, John.
Although Helen paints mostly landscapes, she has an “affinity to architecture”. She claims, “I have always loved buildings, houses and cityscapes.” These images show the influence of her architect father in their attention to perspective and detail. She states, “My earliest memories are of sitting next to my architect father at his drawing table”.
In addition, Helen seeks to capture the glow of reflected light in things in order to create a shimmering scene rendered by “the intersection of light and shadow”. She reflects, “As I look at the world around me, I constantly ask myself what it is that makes the scene beautiful or interesting, and why it inspires me.”
The environment is seen “as a painting yet to be realized”.
Eileen Myer’s new work entitled “Beyond Botanicals”, embraces thread painting. This is free motion machine sewing which Eileen combines with paint and mixed media. She specifies, “You will find wool, netting, beads and buttons, 3D flowers, and butterflies and bees.” In this series, she seeks to marry her technical skills from a longtime career in fashion design, with her all-time passion for painting.
Eileen has “always loved painting flowers.” Born and raised in England, she credits her mother’s flower gardens as the inspiration for her wonder of the visual details of gardens, as well as the other life forms which hover nearby. She says, “My mother, an avid gardener with an abundance of roses and flowers, is another reason why my flower paintings are big and bold.”
Eileen’s paintings are colourful lively works that produce a sense of fullness. She strives to make art that “creates that feeling of being whole and satisfied”.
New works from the other 10 artists of the co-operative are also on display.
The Colborne Art Gallery is located on the Apple Route at 51 King Street East, Colborne. Gallery hours are 12 to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, or by appointment.
All artworks are for sale and admission is free.
Further information about artists, gallery news and exhibitions can be found at www.thecolborneartgallery.ca
From left to right:
Back Row – standing: Ken Solilo, Rosanne Dolan, Helen Van Poorten, Heather Roy
Middle Row – sitting: Eileen Myers, Charles Funnell
Front Row – sitting: Elizabeth Vercoe, Ian Davis
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
