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.

Artists of the Limberlost Studio Weekend

Mark your calendar for the Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Weekend on August 17th and 18th, 10-6 pm.  It is your opportunity to see artists in their creative environment and better understand the influence that Muskoka has on their art. The lakes, scenic winding roads, granite rocks, trees and gardens are part of the experience as you explore the natural beauty of Limberlost Road.

 

 

A few of the artists gathered recently for a photograph in front of the road sign, which will be on Highway 60 close to Limberlost Road.  Eighteen artists in seven studios will display a diverse selection of art and craft in a compact twenty kilometre route.

Carol-Ann Michaelson, Potter

We are pleased that potter Carol-Ann Michaelson and painter Bob MacLean are returning as guest artists in our studio.

Bob MacLean, Painter

The Artists of the Limberlost Studios include:

1. Jerry Friedman- driftwood sculpture with guests Brad Wookey-wildlife painting, Barb TenEyke-landscape painting
2. Susan Higgins- fused and stained glass with guests Vicki Sharp- jewellery, Jim Carter-metal and wood artist
3. Brian Markham- woodturning with guests Carol-Ann Michaelson- pottery, Bob McLean- painting
4. Mark Kulas- acrylic painting with guest Dan Hill- pottery
5. Catherine O'Mara- egg tempera painting with guests Cirvan Hamilton-contemporary furniture, Rudi Stade-stone furniture
6. Brenda Wainman Goulet- bronze sculpture with guest Elizabeth Siegfried-photography
7. Jeff Miller- oil and acrylic painting with guest Paul Allan-rustic furniture and accessories

Go to the Artists of the Limberlost website for more details on the tour.

 

www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca

It's Almost Spring in Muskoka

It has been a very long winter in Muskoka and spring is just around the corner.  Brian and I enjoy winter on Rebecca with the cold, crisp and sunny weather.  We make the most of the season as we love curling, ice fishing and cross country skiing, but in April, we want the ice and snow to be gone.

We cheated this year by spending part of the winter in Key West where Brian was able to ride his bike daily and put 2000 kilometres on the bike.  But now, Brian is back in the workshop and turning burls on the lathe.

Brian is currently getting ready for the summer studio tours but he has work on display at the Summit Centre in Huntsville in an exhibit of the Artists of the Limberlost and their guest artists.



Two Raw-Edge Maple Burl bowls

For more information about the work of the Artists of the Limberlost, go to:

www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca

 

 



A Successful Studio Tour

The atmosphere of Limberlost Woodturning during the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour was upbeat and postitive as Brian, Carol-Ann and Bob shared their work with the public. 

Visitors entered the studio and expressed their pleasure at being able to experience the beauty of Muskoka as they travelled through the forests and by the lakes in the Limberlost area.  It was the perfect setting to display the Brian's hand-crafted burl bowls and platters, Carol-Ann Michaelson's pottery and Bob McLean's Muskoka paintings.

The 6th year for the Artists of the Limberlost was the busiest ever, with well over 600 people experiencing the tour. All of the artists and their guest artists came to our home on Saturday night for a pot-luck dinner and there was a sense of satisfaction to have a successful tour as a result of the collaboration of so many talented individuals.

Form Meets Function- Cheese Platters

Figured maple platter with wood fired pottery centre

Artistic collaboration with another artist can lead to some exciting new pieces.  Brian used Carol-Ann Michaelson's wood fired and tenmoku glaze pottery disks to create stunning figured maple and walnut platters.  Carol-Ann will be a guest artist at Limberlost Woodturning during the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour on August 18 and 19.

Figured walnut platter with tenmoku glaze pottery centre



Black cherry cheese board and cedar burl bowl

Form and function meet when cheese boards are created from wood with raw bark edges, distinctive colouration, and contrasts of sapwood and heartwood. Black walnut, redwood burl and black cherry bring the warmth and grace of nature to your table. Imagine the reaction of guests when you serve your cheese and crackers on such striking platters!

Walnut, redwood burl and black cherry cheese boards

For more information on the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour, go to:

artistsofthelimberlost.ca

Artists of the Limberlost- Carol-Ann Michaelson, potter

Carol-Ann Michaelson's Wood Fired bowl

The Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour is pleased to have Carol-Ann Michaelson as a guest potter at Brian Markham's Limberlost Woodturning studio.  The pairing of Brian's wooden platters with Carol-Ann's pottery bowls creates a beautiful display in a woodland setting.

Carol-Ann Michaelson's Tenmoku glaze bowl

Carol-Ann states, "My primary pursuit revolves around functional forms, pieces that are lovely to look at, to hold and to use.  I believe that it is through the handling and use of pottery that its true beauty is revealed.  I design pots with people and their daily rituals in mind.  I have recently purchased a gas kiln and have been enjoying the challenges the new glazes and clay bodies offer me.  I see new forms and ideas rapidly developing with this change.

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour on August 18 and 19, go to

artistsofthelimberlost.ca

Carol-Ann's website is carolannmichaelson.com

Artists of the Limberlost- Bob McLean, Painter

Preparations are underway for the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour on August 18 and 19 and Brian is pleased to have painter Bob McLean as a guest artist. Bob has a cottage on beautiful Rebecca Lake and he is inspired by the changing seasons and the beauty of the Muskoka landscape. 

Please join us to see how Bob McLean's love of the north with its forests, lakes and rocky shores are reflected in his watercolours.  You can almost hear the call of the loon and feel the mist rising as you see his painting of a canoe gliding on Rebecca Lake.

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour visit our website:

artistsofthelimberlost.ca

Summit Centre Exhibit: Big Leaf Maple Burl Platter

Brian has many sources of burls.  Neighbours, friends and loggers call Brian when they find a burl on their property or in the forest.  Some people commission Brian to turn their burl so that a dead tree which is lost becomes a permanent piece of art in their home or a bowl for their kitchen. 

Other burls are purchased by Brian, especially more exotic or rare burls which are found in other parts of Canada or the world.  This big leaf maple burl platter was made from a western-Canadian burl that Brian purchased from his wood supplier.  The burl was extremely large so it was cut into slabs.  Brian has made a number of platters and a table from this burl, each with their own distinctive profile and rough edge.

Big Leaf Maple Burl Platter

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?

Summit Centre Exhibit: Silver Maple Burl Bowl

The rugged landscapes of Muskoka are evident in the beauty of a finished burl.  Brian intuitive approach to a burl begins when it is dry and ready to be turned on the lathe.  Nature's creation resulted in this extraordinary maple bowl which is distinctive for its lacy bark edge, graceful shape and rich colour.

Silver Maple Burl Bowl

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?todo=viewnews&newsid=93



Summit Centre Exhibit: Box Elder Burl Bowl

Box Elder is a species of maple native to North America which is known for its distinctive reddish streaks of colour. Brian never knows what to expect when he begins to turn a burl on the lathe. The swirling bark inclusions and variations in colour and texture make this a unique and striking bowl.

Box Elder Burl Bowl

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?todo=viewnews&newsid=93



Summit Centre Exhibit: Algonquin Yellow Birch Burl Bowl

This rare bowl began with a call from Brian's wood supplier who received three yellow birch burls from Algonquin Park. The park is protected and trees are removed following the ideals of forest management, planned harvesting and renewal to ensure the long-term health of Muskoka's natural resourse. 

A burl is unwanted for logging but prized by a woodturner. This bowl is truly one of a kind with its variations in grain, delicate bark edge and distinctive knot hole.  A piece of Algonquin Park is returned to Muskoka and transformed into a functional artistic bowl.

Yellow Birch Bowl

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?todo=viewnews&newsid=93



Summit Centre Exhibit: Maple Burl Bowl

The art of woodturning begins with a special piece of wood, with the most rare and prized being a burl. A burl is an irregular growth on the side of a tree, characterized by unique and intricate patterns and grain.

Brian was given this maple burl from his sister who has a farm in Wingham. The discarded knob from a dead tree has a new life as a bowl, with unexpected beauty, colour variations and a live bark edge.

Maple Burl Bowl

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?todo=viewnews&newsid=93



Artists of the Limberlost Together at the Summit Centre

The Artists of the Limberlost exhibit at the Summit Centre in Huntsville is an inspired display of the recent works of the six artists who have studios along Limberlost Road.  The Summit Centre show allows people to see the wood, bronze, glass, paintings and sculpture together in one space before the Studio Tour on August 18 and 19, 2012.

The exhibition features bronze sculpture by Brenda Wainman Goulet, paintings by Catherine O’Mara, Jeff Miller and Mark Kulas, fused & stained glass by Susan Higgins, woodturning by Brian Markham, and driftwood sculpture by Jerry Friedman.

Come to the Summit Centre from now until April 15 to view the exhibit, and plan to attend the Artist of the Limberlost Studio Tour in August.  For more information go to:

www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca

Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit Summit Centre, Huntsville

 

The Artists of the Limberlost

are pleased to announce that an exhibition of recent work is on display until April 15 at the Canada Summit Centre, Huntsville.

Join us for refreshments and reception with the artists on Friday January 27, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Hoping you can attend,

Susan, Brenda, Catherine, Jeff, Brian, Mark and Jerry.

 

Thank you for a Successful Tour

The Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour was full of energy, sunshine and happy customers.  Carol-Ann Michaelson and Jamie McGill, our guest artists, arrived on the Friday night with carloads of pottery and paintings.  What fun to find the perfect spot to display the art to its best advantage.  Brian and I were delighted as we made the transformation over the week from a workshop full of woodchips, sawdust and equipment to a remarkable collaborative artist's studio.

 


When customers entered the studio they broke into smiles and said it was a party. Hundreds of people visited Limberlost Woodturning over the weekend and the comments about the wood, pottery and paintings were consistently enthusiastic and positive.  Some visitors were cottagers, neighbours and friends returning to our studio, but the majority joined us for the first time. 

The atmosphere was energetic, busy, creative and enhanced by the music of Don Ablett.  Don, Carol-Ann's husband, is a singer and guitarist who is well-known for traditional blues, ragtime and contemporary folk songs. For Don, music is a pleasure and we were delighted to have him join us in the studio. 
 

Jamie told the stories of his paintings, and there was great interest in the oil and watercolour scenes of Algonquin and Georgian Bay.  His love of the north was evident as he described the experience of painting on canoe trips and en plein air.  It was a family affair with Karen McGill assisting customers and helping with sales.

There are so many people to thank....customers who support us with their postive comments and enthusiasm for the art, Jamie and Carol-Ann for joining us as guest artists, Don for sharing his musical talents and Karen for helping us in the studio.  Thanks for making it our best studio tour ever! 

www.jamiemcgill.ca

www.carolannmichaelson.ca

www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca

www.songwriters.ca/member/DonAblett