The Joys of Guest Artists

Carol-Ann Michaelson, Potter

One of the pleasures of the Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Weekend is that we are able to have guest artists.  Carol-Ann Michaelson designs pots that are "lovely to look at, to hold and to use".  Carol-Ann enjoys the creative challenges of new glazes and brought both gas-fired and wood-fired pots to the studio.

Carol-Ann's pots and bowls look wonderful when displayed with Brian's furniture.  The black Tenmoku glaze of this pot with its curved lid and matching birds sit so well on the maple burl table and wrought iron base.  To learn more about Carol-Ann, go to: www.carolannmichaelson.com

Bob McLean, Painter

Bob McLean is an artist with a love of Muskoka and he expresses it well with his water colours and acrylic paintings.  He paints the changing seasons with the lake at sunset, autumn colours and the ice falls on Rebecca Lake cliffs.  Bob's skill in capturing the expression of wonder on a little girl's face has led to his offering to take commissions for paintings of your children or grandchildren. 

 

Don Ablett, Musician

The studio was alive with music and at times we had four-part harmony as guests joined Don Ablett's singing and guitar. To discover more about Don's music, go to: Don Ablett

 

Brian and I want to thank Carol-Ann, Bob and Don for adding so much to our Artists of the Limberlost studio tour weekend.  The beautiful art and the enjoyment and expressions of wonder as people entered the workshop made it the best tour ever.

Artists of the Limberlost 2013

The 2013 Artists of the Limberlost studio tour was a weekend full of fun, energy, and the excitement of showing our visitors the work that Brian has completed this year.  Earlier in the week, we moved out the equipment, swept up the wood shavings and set up the bowls and platters.  On Friday, Carol-Ann Michaelson and Bob McLean brought in their pottery and paintings and it all came together.

 

It's such a good feeling to realize how beautiful Brian's workshop looks as it is transformed into a studio. 

Maple Burl Bowl

 

Visitors loved seeing the raw burls in the shop and hear how they are turned into beautiful works of art as with this raw edge maple burl bowl. 

 

Quilted Maple Platter

 

Carol-Ann's pottery dishes are a perfect complement for this quilted maple platter with its bark edge.

Box Elder Bowls

There were many questions about the natural red spalting that occurs in box elder burl bowls.

Manitoba Maple Platter

This magnificent Manitoba Maple or Box Elder platter was a showstopper.  Not only is it rich in colour and texture, with bark inclusions and a touch of red, it is in the shape of a maple leaf!

Limberlost Woodturning studio tour

Brian gave demonstrations of woodturning, explained how he has perfected the fine food-safe finish and had fun answering questions about his work. 

Many people exclaimed that visiting our studio was a wonderful "event" as they enjoyed our gardens, live music, cookies and the beauty of Brian's art.