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BIO
Music and art have always been in the background of Sharon’s life beginning in childhood. It wasn’t until retirement that Sharon began to paint in earnest. Her principal teacher was Linda Wilson-Szabo and subsequently, many other excellent watercolorists have influenced her work.
Sharon’s watercolours have been accepted twice in NOAA’s juried shows. Her pieces have sold at the Algoma Gallery of Art and the Museum Gift Store. Those and other pieces have landed in the Cayman Islands, the Philippines and Australia.
Sharon has been secretary of the Algoma Art Society since 2018. She enjoys the enthusiasm and support of fellow artists.
BIO
Penny was born in Sault Ste Marie and has resided here for most of her life although she has travelled extensively throughout all of Canada. She was immersed in the world of art and music from a very early age and surrounded by family members who pursued a variety of creative endeavours. She began painting as a teenager, when she travelled each summer by train to British Columbia to spend time with her sister, an accomplished artist, who encouraged and mentored her.
As an avid nature enthusiast, Penny enjoys exploring the wonderful landscape of the area surrounding Sault Ste Marie, being very much at home in Lake Superior country. Summers were spent at her family’s cottage immersed in nature, becoming a strong swimmer, avid hiker and accomplished canoeist. Later in life, she introduced her two young boys to the special opportunity of spending time in nature and enjoyed countless adventures and excursions with them into our valuable area.
Penny believes that spending time in nature provides inspiration not only for painting, writing, and music, all of which are integral parts of her life but in general is a great source of strength . “For me, it is the path to a life of gratitude and wonderment for life overall.”
Penny returned to painting a few years ago after a very long absence when she retired from a career of over forty years in business and post-secondary education. While early paintings were completed with oils, she began to enjoy the flexibility and brilliant colours of acrylics, using them often. “I have experimented with watercolours and pastels also and appreciate those mediums as well. " " Presently, I am focusing on improving my drawing skills.”
Mostly, Penny paints landscapes and often water scenes. She is working on a series called “Painting the Canadian Landscape” as she has photographed most areas of this country in her travels from coast to coast to coast. She also enjoys painting flowers and hopes to develop a repertoire of several of these in the future. Painting her grandchildren and niece was a special opportunity and she hopes to expand in this area to complete more work focusing on adding people into her paintings.
Essentially a self-taught artist pursuing painting as a hobby, Penny continues to develop her skills, registering for classes from time to time both in-person sessions and on-line, along with studying the work of others. The Group of Seven and their fabulous art, many of the scenes from the Algoma area provide tremendous inspiration. “ Lawren Harris is one of my favourite artists from the Group of Seven, while, Claude Monet from The Impressionist Era is another favourite.” Exhibitions have included a students’ exhibition organized and presented by artist, Taimi Poldmaa (2018) and a members’ exhibition at the Art Gallery of Algoma (2020). The Algoma Art Society Members’ Exhibition at the Museum is the most recent (2024).
https://algomaartsociety.ca/component/k2/itemlist/category/1-members#sigProIda3362b6e34
Biography
My Art journey began with a foundation created by the following teachers: Attilio Francella, Taimi Poldma, Christine Kubis Bieman, and Ken Hagerman.
I enjoyed the experience of learning perspectives of drawing, color schemes, shapes and structures, evaluating my work and efforts. An important impetus to growth toward artistry emerged from my Art experiences as I recreated the paintings of the artists known as Canada's Group of Seven.
These are some insights I gained:
- Franklin Carmichael’s work “Mirror Lake”1929 illustrates how earth contours could be created through tones of color.
- A. J. Casson used color abstractions to highlight how weather shapes the environment in his work, “Summer Storm” 1942.
- Lauren Harris’ painting “Shacks”1919, conveys how a painting could have social merit in his depiction of a 1920 tenement.
- A. Y. Jackson in “Grey Days, Laurentian”1930 shows how a painting may tell a cultural story.
- J.E.H. MacDonald's “Goat Range Mountains”1932 painting was able to capture the beauty of Canada's Rocky Mountains.
- In Tom Thomson's “Winter Thaw The Woods” highlights a Canadian approach to landscape painting unlike European Impressionism.
- Arthur Lismer shared a picture of Maritime lifestyle in his painting of the fishing village in his work “Seal Cove, Grand Manon, B.” 1931.
- Frederick Varley in “Stormy Weather”1921 with outlandish color and shapes showed the vibrancy of Nature’s beauty.
My membership in the Algoma Art Society in 2021, created new Artistry opportunities. There was the 75" anniversary exhibition at the Algoma Art Gallery where I displayed my first work, “River Fantasy”. In the following two years, I showed “The Storm” and “Radiance”. I have exhibited paintings at the Hub at Spring. In December, 2023, I had an exhibition of my work at the Sault Museum.
My most profound exhibition avenue is Instagram. Over the last 4-5 years, I have displayed over 400 paintings.
At this time, May 2024, I have discovered how Facebook is an excellent strategy to publicize my landscape paintings. I have responses to my landscapes from viewers across Canada and the world. These are the groups I have entered photos of my landscape paintings:
Friends of The Federation of Canada Art, Canada Art and Artists, Canadian Visual Artists, Contemporary Landscape Painting, Society of Canadian Artist Network, Canadian Artist Showcase, Art In Canada, Sault Artists, Landscape Painting Artist Group, Canadian Art and Artists, Landscape Painting, Landscape Artists International, Algoma Art Society, Northern Ontario Artists, and Canadian Artist Association.
I can locate 3-5 pieces of my landscape paintings on each of these sites on Facebook!
It's a great way to promote one's paintings....
BIOGRAPHY
Brenda Nelson is a registered Metis woman with additional indigenous heritage roots being discovered, she was the first born to her teenage Mother in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in December 1979. There are many members of both her Mother and Father’s families who have served in the Military including her Father.
Brenda and her family moved often throughout her childhood within the area, she often was the new kid in school sometimes multiple times within a year.
In each school Brenda displayed her interest and talent for all things creative. Brenda was often encouraged by her teachers to enter contests, sometimes winning small awards and other times being mentioned in the local paper, The Sault Star.
Brenda attended St. Mary’s College High School for the full duration of her high school years. Again her teachers helped encourage her Artistic abilities, she became active within the Community with small projects.
Brenda had illustrated a children’s book for a local author, drew signs for small businesses, painted a textured mural for the children’s waiting room in one of the hospitals, designed a poster for a high school play and contributed to many murals within Sault Ste. Marie. One of which was painted at the Art Gallery of Algoma and displayed at the Memorial Gardens.
Brenda graduated high school and left to attend Sheridan College where she graduated the Art Fundamentals program followed by the Correctional Worker program.
Immediately afterwards Brenda married and had three children who remain in Southern Ontario.
After 22 years, and many visits Brenda returned to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario during the pandemic. Hopeful to find the familiarity and comfort from family and friends.
While working in different areas such as health care, social services, retail, small business, hospitality, and manufacturing, Brenda has maintained a presence within the Arts in most places she has lived. She has been apart of the Art Group in Strathroy, Watford and now a new member to the Algoma Art Society in her home town of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Brenda has been a vendor in Art in the Park events in St. Thomas, Strathroy, Watford and Petrolia. She has had her work displayed in Strathroy, Watford and Glencoe, Ontario.
Brenda’s love for the outdoors still remain and are dominantly her subject matter in her artwork. She has also been an active member with The Horticultural Society in Watford as well as a member in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Brenda has a connection to such Artists as August Renoir, Claude Monet and Bob Ross as the beauty of nature is found in most of their work as well. She enjoys bright vibrant colours and enjoys using them in her work.
You can find Brenda’s works on her social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, ‘X’(formally Twitter) and Pinterest, her works were once under BJWV Paintings but have since been changed to Paintings by Brenda W. Nelson.
My childhood was spent in Southwestern Ontario, where summer weekends often included visits to family getaways on Lake Erie. Creativity was encouraged in our home, and I took music lessons, wrote poetry and loved to draw and paint. As a teen, I was introduced to painting in oils.
When faced with the demands of family and career as an adult, most creative activities were put on hold – for many years. I spent much of my professional career in the mental health sector, working in the GTA as well as other parts of Ontario. My husband and I relocated to a village on Lake Erie for retirement. I craved being involved in creative activities again, but, unsure of how to get started, I enrolled in watercolour classes given by artists in the area. I loved the process: I found it relaxing and rewarding. In 2019, we moved to Sault Ste Marie. One of the first things I did was look for an art class so that I wouldn’t let my interest erode, I could keep developing my art and could meet others who shared my interests. I took watercolour classes with Marilyn Mills, acrylic painting with Taimi Poldmaa, and a variety of one day workshops in various mediums.
While we live in the Soo, we spend time in summer at a camp on St Joseph’s Island. This gives me the opportunity to photograph and paint subjects that reflect the beauty of this region as I continue to develop my style. While I paint some landscapes, my preference is for single subjects against the landscape. I’m also interested in integrating family history into my art. I belong to the Algoma Art Society, the Art Gallery of Algoma, and enjoy attending the Open Painting group at the Active Living Centre.
Susan Balog is a watercolour artist. She started painting when she retired from nursing. Susan loves the transparency of watercolour and how it makes the paintings glow.
She continues to strive to make her paintings sing and along the watercolour journey has studied with Art Cunanan, Doug Mays, Bryan Ateyo, Hi Sook Barker, Gerry DeLong and Jane Hanley.
Susan currently belongs to the Kanata Art Club and the Algoma Art Society.
She recently tied for third in the GNAAA juried show 2021. Susan has paintings in Ontario, New York State, Newfoundland, and Texas.
All paintings shown are sold and are size16x20.
Commissions are welcome!
Suebalog776@gmail.com
613 770 407
BIO
After a satisfying 32-year career with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Murray entered the business world of designing and manufacturing, creating Cedar Mountain Wood Products. The balance of form and function was his passion as he designed and simplified outdoor wood structures and their installation.
At the age of 60 Murray enrolled in university and graduated from Algoma Laurentian with his degree in political science. With a new-found interest in writing, he completed his memoirs of his final homicide cold case, Lanyard, the 1945 murder of a local high school student. Out of respect for the living members of the family the book was never published. In this latest chapter of his life Murray has developed his own unique style of mixed media artwork blending fabric and adhesive with acoustic board. Nature in all its grandeur provides the stage for Murray’s abstract interpretation.
Influenced by his political persuasion his work often touches the untouchable and is influenced by subjects that often demonstrate man's inhumanity to man.
BIO
My name is Katie Marchese and I am the current president of the Algoma Art Society.
I have always loved to draw and paint, and as a child, a sheet of blank paper was better than a coloring book any day of the week.
I learned the basics about perspective and facial structure from my Grandfather, Gilbert Charette. He was an inspiration to me in so many ways, and to gain his approval with a drawing or painting was something I strived for. While it might have sounded mean for him to have called a painting I proudly presented him “flat”, he was right. It’s a constructive criticism that’s stuck with me today, and has helped me in a lot of ways. I love the challenge of trying to capture the natural beauty of our world and transform it into something people want to look at on paper. As well, the process of creating has always been a way to get lost for a little while and feel nothing but calm and peace. We all need a little bit of peace in the world, and art is how I get mine. Thank you for reading.
Bio
Born 1952 in Kirkland Lake, Ont. While attending high school, I took Shops courses, realizing early on I should have taken Art classes. I began drawing in the 1960’s in pencil, also using black and white paint to create art to be viewed in those days under the black light. I continued drawing in pencil while also trying my hand at India ink on and off for many years.
I met my wife, Cathy Murray in Sault Ste Marie, Ont. in 1977. We established ourselves and raised a family that would include three children. My father-in-law, Dan Murray was a very well-known landscape artist and on occasion had the privilege of painting with A.Y. Jackson from the Group of Seven. I loved and admired the work from the Group of Seven as well as Dan Murray and felt inspired by both.
I had never worked in colour until one day in the mid 1980’s, Dan and Audrey Murray came to our home and placed a variety of items on our table for me that included oil paints, brushes, and boards. From that day forward I have worked in oil, oil pastel, soft pastel, acrylic, pencil, pencil crayon and India ink. I am a self-taught artist and feel lucky to have this passion that inspires me daily.
BIO
Mary Stevenson is a textile, mixed media artist from St. Joseph Island. She started her creative journey over 30 years ago designing a line of clothing, some may remember, called Island Comforts.
Over the years, Mary has transitioned her love of textile into a unique artistic expression, creating fine art in the form of collage using hand dyed fabrics, bits of recycled fabrics, acrylic paint and mediums. She is drawn to the vibrant colours seen in nature.
Mary says: My life, like my art, has been constantly changing and full of colourful texture and Joy! There is no lack of inspiration in the ever-changing beauty of this Algoma Great Lake region and the islands and coastal landscapes I have been blessed to live in.
Mary's mixed media work includes colourful textile collage, as well as wool, silk and fibre felt and stitch paintings.
You can view her work on instagram @Mary Stevenson Art or her website: https://www.marystevensonart.com/
BIO
Mary-Lou MacDonald was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. From a young age she was always involved in artistic ventures. As an honours graduate from the Sault College Visual Arts Program, she possesses a solid arts background, but never ceases to further her artistic education. By attending workshops around Canada and the United States, dealing with many media including watercolours, acrylics, cold wax medium, mixed media and collage, Mary-Lou has managed to branch out and create new and innovative pieces of artwork. She works by the inspirational motto of melding her “inner and outer worlds,” with recent works tending to lean more towards the abstract with just a hint of realism. She hopes to impart upon the viewer some measure of the emotion that she feels flow from herself into the piece of art, whatever that may be. The title of the piece is usually a little hint towards the feelings Mary-Lou experiences throughout the composition of the work.
Mary-Lou finds it very exciting and fulfilling working with young, emerging artists. Their enthusiasm and uninhibited ability to “play” while creating art is contagious!
Having been accepted into many juried shows across Canada, the USA and Europe, Mary-Lou has earned her signature status in the ISEA-MF (International Society of Experimental Artists – Master Fellow.)
Mary-Lou is also a member of:
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- Algoma Art Society
- Northern Ontario Art Association
- National Collage Society
All of the following accepted and prize winning pieces by Mary-Lou MacDonald were done in mixed media and collage:
2023 - "Evolution #1" - accepted in ISEA online show. With the acceptance of this piece, Mary-Lou earned the Master Fellowship in the International Society of Experimental Artists. This means she have been juried into this organization's show 10 times! So very exciting for her. Mary-Lou was recently informed of this acceptance and is extremely pleased.
2023 - "Ah Nuts" - accepted in 67th NOAA Annual Juried Exhibition
2023 - "Adding the Lyrics" was the 2023 acceptance in the ISEA Show in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
2022 - "As the Crow Flies" was accepted into the 2022 ISEA online show.
2022 - "Monarch" was accepted into the 2022 ISEA online show.
2022 - "Little Pieces" was the 2022 acceptance in the ISEA Show in St. Albert, Alberta.
2022 - "Commissioned/Decommissioned" - Best in Show in 66th NOAA Annual Juried Exhibition
2021 - "A Visit From Beyond" was accepted into the ISEA's 2021 online Show.
2021 - "Geisha Garden" was the acceptance piece for the 2021 ISEA Show on Mackinac Island.
2009 - "My Piece of the Mountain" was created for a show put together of forty-five artists from Northern Ontario in 2009 who were making a statement to the importance of preserving the Willisville Mountains and surrounding area which was a major influence on the Group of Seven's inspiration for art.
2007 - "Starling Network" was awarded Best in Show and First Place in Mixed Media at the LaCloche Show in Willisville which was a show juried by Ivan Wheale who painted with the Group of Seven. Mr. Wheale also purchased the piece and is part of his private collection.
I make colourful paintings and drawings of people, animals, places or items that intrigue me and cause me to pause. We are bombarded with images daily, my paintings are the images that linger and revisit me time and time again until they are painted.
I love coloured pencil on drafting film for the crisp lines and luminous quality. Pastel paper for the multiple layers and subtle colour shifts that can be achieved. I prefer realism for the simplicity of the communication, it is a language that can be understood by many without the need for translation. This very slow medium is both a curse and a blessing. The long hours spent on a single piece allows me to explore the subject and create a whole life story and timeline of events, as new compelling subjects queue up into the yet to be created never ending line.
Creating paintings is my process of archiving memories. A way to capture the warmth of a smile, the velvet feel of a puppy's ears, the tranquility of a place I have visited. Offering commissions allows me to share this gift with others, to create heirlooms that capture memories of their beloved.
To view u-tube video taken of Dawn at the Art Gallery of Algoma in March 2022 click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dSjASLQcb4
Bio
Having experienced a long and rewarding career in Hospital Pharmacy, along with the good fortune to have served the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy in positions on the Board and President of Ontario, in December of 2019 I decided to explore my artistic calling. In 2020 I launched my exploration into this wonderful world of art, and I am enjoying the journey. I am supported by an amazing husband Brian Jennings, and two near adult children. My extended family and friends have been extremely supportive of my journey, which encourages me to exhibit and strive to explore new subjects, mediums, and styles.
Awards
2021 – Honourable Mention for Sunny Day Memories in the Eighth Annual Winter Festival of the Arts hosted by the Art Gallery of Algoma
2021 - Special Merit Award for Sunny Day Memories in the 10th Annual International All Women 2021 Juried Art Exhibition
2020 – Mayne Travel Service Award for East Coast Memories in the 64th NOAA Juried Exhibition
About my journey:
Contact:
WWW - Duff Jennings Fine Art
Facebook - duffjenningsart
BIO
Received Fine Arts Diploma from University of Manitoba in 1966.
Thereafter, I moved to Sault Ste. Marie to assist with my husband’s business.
Attended Sault College night classes to learn landscaping art with oils and acrylics in 1979. Also, I took classes with Ken Bradford using watercolors.
From 2005 till now, I taught watercolor classes for a while at the Drop Inn Senior Centre on Bay Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. I also took lessons from other art teachers such as Marilyn Mills, Heddys Stevenson, and some others.
In the past, I started Open Painting sessions on Wednesday mornings, 10-12 noon for any Senior artists.
Belong to the Algoma Art Society and Art Gallery where I exhibit my paintings and cards.
Attended several art shows at the Roberta Bondar Pavillion and Senior Centres.
Displayed artwork at the Old Stone House and L & D gallery on Bruce St. in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Doris started sketching and painting in her teens but set aside all of this to enter a career of Nursing in London, Ontario. During this time she managed to sketch the occasional picture for friends and family. This came to a complete halt after graduating, as work, children, and family occupied a place of priority.
It was only after moving to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario that she eventually found time available to her. Although she continued to work as a nurse, her passion for sketching and painting is what inspires her and gives her peace and serenity of mind and spirit. Her first paintings were in oils, but, after trying acrylics she discovered that is was a more flexible medium for her. During an amazing dream experience, Doris sees life with a new perspective and a new vision. Her passion and desire for painting persisted.
Doris is now retired from her career as a nurse but continues to have a passion for painting. She enjoys painting portraits, landscapes, animals, birds, flowers as well as subjects that catch her eye along the way.
Doris sees the Hands of a loving God in all the beautiful things of life, the structure of the land, the power of nature, and the natural wildlife that accompanies each, as well as the light in the eyes of all God’s children. It is her hope that this theme is exemplified in her work and that in the viewing of her work, it might inspire the viewer to catch a glimpse of the beauty of creation.
Doris’ main medium is acrylic but also enjoys working with pencils and charcoal. She dabbles in the occasional watercolor and pastel, just for a change of pace.
As well as being the owner/manager of The Artist’s Alcove, Doris is a partner with the Arts Council and a member of the Algoma Art Society, participating in many of the organized events of both. Contact number is 1-705-575-7197.
To see a video of Doris being interviewed by Ann Gordonair at the Algoma Art Society's 2015 Spring Art Show & Sale click here: https://youtu.be/XVCsmGVGM8A
Creating art works gives an aesthetic experience to both the artist and the viewer.
We live in a fascinating, mystical world. It has its beauty, but it also has its devastation. In my art works I focus on expressionistic subject matter that gives me the opportunity to explore diverse media, themes and styles. My students are also encouraged to see, experiment and express their unique selves in their work, as I do. This gives me the greatest satisfaction. I work in a variety of media with preference to watercolours and encaustics.
My career as a teacher started at 18 years of age after a six week summer course in Toronto. The second year was after another six week course in Toronto and the third year was after Teachers College. I taught all grades from KP to OAC and Special Ed - full time and part time while continuing further education and raising a family. Have now taught 65 years full time, part time and volunteer, art included, with this year being 2021.
Teaching Certificates - Elementary, then Secondary
B.A Degree - music major, visual arts minor - directed a church folk group for seven years
B. ED Degree - arts department head and visual art teacher at secondary level
Visual Arts and Physical Education Specialist Certificate and Senior Art Certificate
Volunteer Art Work - art lessons, workshops and displays at Art Gallery of Algoma, art organizations, schools (wrote grade 8 visual art course), HSCD School Board office displays, individuals and at a lodge
Volunteer Positions (Past and Present)
Present - teach art lessons at the Senior Centre and Art Gallery of Algoma
Present - on the Art Gallery of Algoma new building committee
Past - Member of the Cultural Advisory Board (on for 8 years)
Past - Algoma Art Society - president for four years and chaired some meetings
Past - The Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie & District - board member and volunteer
Past - Fall Festival of the Arts - co-ordinator, co-chaired and chaired events
Past - Winter Festival of the Arts - Art Gallery of Algoma - started and chaired first year - donated awards
Past - Sault Symphony - board member and volunteered for book sales
Past - Church - started and directed a music folk group for 7 years, was on councils and did art displays
Awards
Cultural Advisory Community Recognition Award in 2006
The Sault Ste. Marie and District Arts Council and Provincial Volunteer Recognition Awards
Art work awards at various art shows and events
Canadian Work - Glorious and Free (largest print shown above) was displayed at the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board National Trustees Convention and a print given to every provincial representative across Canada
Spring 2021 Video - Nora talking about her painting process in the Finding Joy Winter Art Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Algoma:
Theresa Ross Baic paints from the heart. Her inner feelings play a large part in her work. As a local award-winning watercolor artist, she is known for her award-winning depictions of Lake Superior and other local areas. She was published in ‘Lake Superior Magazine’ in 1993. The Algoma region has supplied most of the material for her work, but Scotland, the ancestral home of her father, and traveling other places has added a new dimension to her body of work.
Theresa’s paintings are hanging in collections in England, Australia, the United States as well as Canada, and Lotto Canada. Her art portrays feelings, impressions, between nature and imagination and is a spontaneous style. Her journey of impressions are elegant and harmonious.
Wendy Easterbrook was born and raised in Northern Ontario. Her absolute love of the environment has encouraged her to paint landscapes and gardens. She is influenced by the Group of 7’s ability to show off the radiant landscapes of Ontario.
Wendy by career is a Graphic Designer who studied Advertising Art at Sault College, Photography at Sheridan College and continues to take painting and other art classes to enhance her love of art.
Wendy had her oil painting entitled "Algoma Wetland" accepted in the 59th NOAA and her oil painting entitled "September Symphony Algoma" accepted in the 61st NOAA.
Anne Laidlaw, award-winning artist, lives in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Anne was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she worked as a Graphic Artist. She has worked in most artistic mediums and is currently exploring pastels. She displays her work in exhibitions in Sault Ste Marie and Massey. She taught ‘Introduction to Pastels’ intermittently at the Art Gallery of Algoma and at other locations. Anne is also an award-winning poet and the author of several published articles.
Marcella Whillans (Gallant) was born and raised on Prince Edward Island. She left the "island" over 40 years ago and settled in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She is inspired by the Algoma landscape and the Majestic Lake Superior. She has taken many workshops from artists such as Ken Bradford, Eileen Halfpenny, Taimi Poldmaa, Gordon MacKenzie, Shiela Currie, and Helga Flower. However, it was Linda Szabo who had the greatest influence and helped Marcella develop the passion for watercolor painting.
On her first time entering the NOAA annual juried exhibition, she had her painting "Once in a Blue Moon" accepted as part of the 58th NOAA Annual Touring Exhibition. These 39 paintings are on tour throughout Northern Ontario from September 2014 to September 2015. This touring exhibition was shown at the Art Gallery of Algoma in December 2014.
Marcella has some of her paintings in Edmonton, Toronto, Belleville, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Rutger G. Becker resides in Sault Ste Marie, and has always been fascinated with arts since he was a child. He spent many years in the performing arts receiving awards for his technical abilities.
Early on in his teenage years he started working with photography of landscapes and still life’s.
Rutger decided to create his own artworks as different perspective of his photographic abilities.
He started to devote time towards his artistic painting abilities. Rutger has been primarily inspired and influenced by the works of landscape artists of the 19th century’s Barbizon school, Peredvizhniki and the works of the Hudson River School.
He has experimented and used many different media. But his personal preference is either studio or plein air working with Acrylic on canvas or board. He has devoted countless hours of reading, studying, experimenting, and hard work to create his artworks.
The opportunity to travel extensively abroad has led to painting foreign landscapes on several continents. However his main focus is the scenic Landscapes of Lakes Superior and Huron Shores. His acrylic works are found hanging across the continent and abroad.
Rutger is a member of the Algoma Arts Society, Arts Council of Sault Ste Marie and District, Art Gallery of Algoma and Superior Highlands Art Society. His Studio (Heritage Waterway Studios) is located on the shores of Lake Superior. The link to the Studios website is http://odin3388.wixsite.com/h-w-studio
To view a u-tube video taken of Rudy at the Art Gallery of Algoma in March 2022 click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3CV6oFNFM
Sault Ste. Marie based artist Josie Jones has developed a passion for watercolours as her primary medium. She loves the freedom and sometimes unexpected results it has to offer. “You must allow the watercolors to work its' magic and be in partnership with this medium”. For her, it adds to the excitement and creativity process. Her work is mostly representational, painted in a looser style. The subject matter ranges from landscapes, flowers, architecture, still life, portraits and animals.
She has been accepted into juried competitions and won several awards:
- 2020 Paint Ontario ( Southern Ontario) “ Scented Breeze”
- 2020 Northern Ontario Art Association “A Gentle Grace” Awarded an “Honorable Mention”
- 2021 Northern Ontario Art Association “ On Guard For Thee” Awarded the Joan Nabb Memorial Award
She has trained with well known artists Gordon Mackenzie, Doug Bradford, Liam Zhen and others.
She feels privileged being a member of the Algoma Art Society which began in 1948 and included visits from some members of the Group of Seven: F.H. Varley, A.Y. Jackson and A.J. Carson.
She has exhibited in Canada and the U.S.A.
Her search for new areas and subject matter to explore and interpret in her paintings continues.
Cherie Ahvenniemi has had an attraction to colour her entire life. Becoming a freelance decorator allowed her to express herself.
The joy of colour continued into watercolour painting with a style that is loose and open.
She is encouraged and learns through workshops and the many blessings of new friendships.
"The Colour Stable" received an Honourable Mention at the Art Gallery of Algoma.
Irene Oktaba is a watercolour artist who was raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She attended the University of Toronto where she earned all of her degrees culminating in a Ph.D.
Creativity and the arts have always been important to Irene. She finds inspiration in the natural beauty of the Algoma region. The many moods of Lake Superior are frequently portrayed in Irene's watercolours: vibrant and bold colours prevail, yet softer, serene hues can also be found.
Irene also paints architectural portraits ranging from historical buildings to homes and cottages. Structures are brought to life even if they are neglected or no longer exist. The paintings always contain architectural features which may have gone unobserved.
Irene may be contacted at dr.irene.o@gmail.com
BIO
Kim Conway-Capell is an artist who has enjoyed pencil drawings all her life. She was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie,Ontario.
She is naturally gifted, like her mother, in sketching portraits, landscapes and still life. She has a camp on Lake Superior where she captures with colored pencils the beauty of the land. She also enjoys photography with which she has used to compose most of her drawings. She has also used charcoal and pastels in the past.
Kim took a break from drawing to raise a family but is now retired and has composed over 300 drawings since 1985 when she first started to document her drawings and place them in portfolios for anyone who is interested in viewing. She has several framed pieces for sale.
Following are photos taken of Kim in her art studio and a rack in her art studio displaying many of her drawings:
https://algomaartsociety.ca/component/k2/itemlist/category/1-members#sigProId44081a09ea
I've recently begun a very inspiring journey into the art world.
My interest in oil painting started several years ago with John Keast. Once I retired I was able to take lessons with Taimi Poldmaa and John David Anderson.
I enjoy Plein Air Painting because it allows me to breathe, smell, see and actually feel nature with all of the beauty it has waiting to be captured on canvas.
I have also tried my hand at acrylics, watercolours, sketching, pen and ink and pastels.
I appreciate the local artists who continue to shared their talents enabling me to develop my style of painting.
