Gallery Opening Success

Brian was in good company with the Artists of the Limberlost at the "Out of the Woods" show last week.  Over 80 people attended the opening at The Art Space gallery and the reaction to the art was positive and complementary.  The show continues until May 28.

http://www.huntsvilleartsociety.com/

"Out of the Woods"

The Artists of the Limberlost are celebrating their 5th anniversary but this is the first time that they have staged an art show together.  Each August they open their studios to the public, showcasing their work individually, so this is a special exhibition.

Brian usually creates his art on his lathe but an especially beautiful bark-edged slab of black walnut inspired him to make this coffee table. 

The resulting "Out of the Woods" show is an eclectic mix of exceptional art:  Jerry Friedman's driftwood sculpture, Susan Higgins' fused and stained glass, Mark Kulas' stylized wildlife and wilderness paintings, Catherine O'Mara's egg tempura paintings, Brenda Wainman Goulet's bronze sculpture, Sharon Stock Feren's mixed media of photograpy, painting and mosaics, Jeff Miller's acrylic and oil paintings and of course Brian's woodturned bowls and platters.

The show opens at The Art Space Gallery on Friday, May 6th with a reception from 5 pm to 8 pm and continues until May 28th. For more information about the "Out of the Woods" show and the Artists of the Limberlost see:

www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca

www.huntsvilleartsociety.com

The Artists of the Limberlost Celebrate 5 Years

Please join us for the opening of the "Out of the Woods" art show on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm at The Art Space or drop in May 6 though May 29. 

Five years ago Brian and I were making the final plans to move full-time to our cottage on Rebecca Lake when we got a call from Catherine O'Mara.  She had heard that Brian was a woodturner and invited him to join a few artists in the Limberlost area who were planning to develop a studio tour.  It has been an honour to be part of such a talented group of artists and a pleasure to welcome people into our studio.

HAS Heart Exhibition: A Broken Heart

Brian is proud that his yellow birch burl was chosen to be part of the Huntsville Art Society "Heart" exhibition, which explores through various media "heartfelt, heartbreaking and heart warming discoveries".  The show runs through February Heart Month with the opening night on Friday, February 4th from 6 pm to 8 pm at The Art Space Gallery.

A Broken Heart: Yellow Birch Burl by Brian Markham

"Just before Christmas I attended a funeral for a young man who died tragically in a fire.  I saw the family and community express profound sorrow with dignity and courage.  This heart-shaped yellow birch burl, with its flaws and imperfections, epitomizes the fragile strength and beauty of a broken heart."

For more information about the show www.huntsvilleartsociety.ca

Juried Art Show Prize

Huntsville is a town blessed with many talented artists and a vibrant community which showcases and promotes the Arts.  Brian submitted this Elm Burl bowl, entitled "Last of a Species" to the Celebrate the Art Space juried art show and was accepted into the exhibit (September 3 to October 31).

We went to the The Art Space Gallery opening and were thrilled to be honoured with third prize.  Most of the other entrants were painters so it was wonderful to have the three-dimensional art of a wood turner recognized.

This bowl is a very special piece and one that we are keeping for our own home.  It was part of an enormous elm burl removed from a dead tree in the Halifax town square.  Brian was asked if he wanted the burl and he bought the whole thing.  Elms are a dying species because of Dutch Elm Disease and new trees only grow to a small diameter before they die.  Brian's wood supplier said that he had never seen such a large elm burl and it is unlikely that there will be any more in the future.  We have 3 bowls remaining for sale from the burl.

Most of us grew up loving the stately elms which graced our neighbourhoods.  It was a sad day in my childhood when all the diseased elms (including the one with my swing) were cut down on our farm.  This tree will live on forever in the bowls and platters that Brian has created.

http://www.huntsvilleartsociety.ca/