Giving back: Art for heart

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

As artists, we are often asked to donate our work to help raise funds for various causes -  and we are always happy to help. Sometimes the donations take the form of creating a work of art at an event - for the purpose of auctioning the completed painting off at the end of the evening.

Geoff in particular enjoys "the art of performing" and never shies away at an opportunity to paint in public - especially for a good cause.

Geoff painting at a Cancer fundraiser, at the Minister's Island Picnic and at the Saint John Arts Centre

So, he was happy to oblige when asked to paint a picture at the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmer's Association's Chef's Gala Dinner during the annual  Bay of Fundy Seafood Week held at the Algonquin Resort Golf Clubhouse. He along with fellow artists Theresa MacKnight and Adam Jeffrey helped to raise $600 for the NB Heart & Stroke Foundation!

ACFFA Board Chair Larry Ingalls was the lucky bidder who took home the above piece by Geoff.

Theresa MacKnight, Adam Jeffrey and Geoff Slater with their paintings.

Musical Interlude: Put On, Cologne

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

Donovan Woods is a Canadian singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist and I just can't say enough great things about him.

Here he is, performing his song "Put On, Cologne" in the back seat of a Cadillac.

Why? Why not! Enjoy :)

 

Pass the fork, please...

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

Jantje is known for her ability to create art from found objects. One of her favorite things to do is to bend and mold figures out of discarded silverware. She then attaches these "dancers, musicians and athletes" to driftwood she finds at the beach.

Lately, she has been working hard on a big and exciting commission for the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews - using silverware from the hotel that is being recycled. Her hands are getting mighty sore (and strong)!

Here's a peek...

What the tide brought in...

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

A lot of items wash up on our beach --- bottles, nets, aquaculture pipe and buoys, to name a few. But not so long ago, we started to see some large chunks of driftwood that looked to be broken bits of weir posts, or perhaps logs from a pulp mill.

Whatever they were, once Jantje set her eyes on them, all she could see was critters - bright, folk art creatures just waiting to come alive.

And so began a process of dragging the posts up the hill (thanks Geoff!), drying them out, carving them with chainsaws, adding bits of metal and cork and finally... paint.

Here's the journey from beach, to studio to Kingsbrae Garden (where these friendly fellows will be living until the fall).

Musical Interlude: The Lost Girl in the Midnight Sun

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

Snapping photos of our teeny, tiny (yet ever so hearty) lilac bush this morning, got me thinking about a British band from my youth.

The Lilac Time were comprised of Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy, his brother Nick and their friend Michael Weston. I liked their sound immediately and this song - The Lost Girl in the Midnight Sun - was always a favorite of mine.

It's been playing in the studio this morning. Enjoy!

The art of life (folk art festival)

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

The annual Folk Art Festival/Exhibit held in the Kingsbrae Garden Art Gallery is a family affair. Jantje (Jan) spends her winters locating folk art created by talented artists from across the Maritimes. The work is then shipped to St. Andrews, or picked up by Kingsbrae staff (or us). Once the pieces arrive, Jan, the littlest one and I unpack the art, Geoff hangs the show and between Jan and I we put together the brochures and price lists that accompany the works.

This event is near and dear to Jan's heart, which is why we all volunteer our time every year to organize it. In addition to being a folk artist, Jan has also been finding and writing about folk art for years, for About.com, The Outsider and, on the website - www.FolkArtAmerica.com. She is dedicated to giving a voice to artists who are not always heard. 

The exibit at Kingsbrae is a partnership between Jarea Art and the Garden's patron, Lucinda Flemer (another folk art lover).

The 3rd annual show was recently installed and will open officially on June 13th, 2013 (and run through to the middle of October). I thought it might be nice to give you all a behind-the-scenes sneak peek. And, if you are interested in learning more about this year's fantastic folk artists -- click here.

Geoff hanging a painting by April Thomas.

Jan hanging a painting by Holly Everett.

Painted rocks by Lorain Ebbett-Rideout

April and Laurie Thomas' lighthouse sculpture

Jan surveying the wonderful art

Painted boards by Lorain Ebbett-Rideout as well as sculptures by April and Laurie Thomas and paintings by Brian Allen Adams, Maureen Newman, Holly Everett and April Thomas

Such a colourful show!

Works by Leo Narcisse Robichaud, our Jantje and Doug Dorken on the wall. Paintings by April Thomas and Rocks by Lorain Ebbett-Rideout on the table.

Lovely!

Folk Art!

Leo Narcisse Robichaud's painting over the fireplace

Maureen Newman, Brian Allen Adams and Holly Everett

Art from the heart

Such fun from Laurie and April Thomas

Find out more about this year's talented artists at: http://jareaart.blogspot.ca/2013/06/3rd-annual-folk-art-exhibit-2013-artists.html