CALENDAR UPDATE: This spring and summer, I'll be participating in a variety of art shows. Hopefully, you'll be intrigued to attend one that fits your schedule. Of course you are welcome to come to any and all of them - there will be some new paintings at each show!
INSPIRATION: Also on my agenda for the warm season, is to photograph historic farm equipment and landscape settings in Alberta. One of my customers, Hank Shore, is an elderly farmer from Priddis. He has commissioned me to paint a large scene that includes grain elevators, threshing machines, horse drawn bundle wagons and hay stooks. His goal, with the painting, is to teach his grandchildren about his history, through art. Hank's wife was an artist and his artistic knowledge and ideas about the project have greatly inspired me. Through the Glenbow Archives, I've found photo references for Hank's painting, but during the process, I've been decided to paint a collection of paintings titled "Now and Then". Combining images from the Glenbow photos, I am looking for places that seem similar, to photograph and paint. A few of my friends have mentioned that they know of a place I should check out …... I'd love to get more ideas from my readers!
TEAM: This spring also is the first anniversary of a very unique art group to which I belong. Read to the end of the newsletter to find out a little more about it.
In closing, I wish you some warm days and sunny smiles!
Caran Magaw
DATES: Friday, April 25, 2014 4-8 pm - Artist Reception - Meet the artists from 6 pm to 8 pm while enjoying the art, refreshments and snacks.
Saturday, April 26, 2014 10-4 pm
THE EVENT: Fourteen Southern Alberta artists will be participating in this juried show. I will have a partial collection of my work - 13 paintings.
20% of all the artist's sales will go to the Foothills Country Hospice.
LOCATION: St. Peter's Anglican Church 35 Riverside Way, Okotoks - located on the west side of Southridge Drive, just south of the railroad tracks, across from Denny's and immediately south of the Servus Credit Union.
DATES: Friday, June 20, 2014 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, June 21, 2014 9 AM to 5 PM - Artist Reception 1 to 4 PM
Sunday, June 22, 2014 9 AM to 5 PM
ABOUT THE EVENT: Each year over 40 local Alberta Artists display their work throughout the greenhouses and sales areas. From wearable fabrics, paintings, woodcarving, pottery, glass, mixed media and silver jewellery we will satisfy any tastes. Customers have an opportunity to wander through our beautiful garden centre and admire wonderful works of art.
Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the garden and make a day of it. An artist reception will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday June 21nd 2014. Come meet the artist, have a snack and a glass of wine and admire the beauty of nature and art combined into one.
At this show I will be exhibiting my full collection of work (30 plus paintings) including a number of new pieces. It's been a dream of mine, since I started painting, to be a participant in this extensive show and I'm thrilled to have been juried in this year. For those of you who have attended this show in the past, you'll know why I'm excited - it's the most amazing garden setting ever, and the artists each bring large collections of their works and stay onsite for the duration of the event.
LOCATION: 301 3rd Street NW Black Diamond. For further information www.valesgreenhouse.com
DATES: Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 10 to 5 PM
Thursday, August 7, 2014, 10 to 5 PM
Thursday, September 4, 2014, 10 to 5 PM
Note: there is also an event on Thursday, June 5, 2014, which I will not be able to attend
ABOUT THE EVENT: Calgary Art Walk is a series of events with two key purposes. Firstly, it provides Canadian artists with more exposure and the attendees the pleasure of viewing and/or purchasing beautiful art. Secondly, the organizing group 'Canadian Artists for the Poor' is able to raise money for individuals living in hopeless conditions - partnering with charities working at the ground level. In its 6th year of supporting a variety of charities, some of those charities have included International Justice Mission, Open Hand Nepal Cause, Mully Children's Family Charitable Foundation, A Place of Rescue, The Mustard Seed, Christian Children's Fund of Canada, School Project in Ghana, Lifeline Malawi, GAIN, Haiti Arise and Heart to Heart Haiti.
MY ART GROUP - The Rosehip Artist Collective
At Calgary Art Walk, I am participating with The Rosehip Artist Collective and I'd like to tell you a little about these wise people who are walking the creative journey with me. They are my art buddies, my good friends, who help me get back on track when I forget how to paint (or at least think I've forgotten how to paint). They kick my butt and hold my hand as needed. I'm fortunate to be a part of this group and would love for you to meet them and see their art at our site at the Calgary Art Walk.
Members of The Rosehip Artist Collective: Nancy-lynne Hughes, Sheila Mitchell, Andrea Slack, Christine Von Niessen and myself, Caran Magaw.