The weather begrudgingly co-operated for our 3rd Annual Outdoor Art Show and Sale. Once everyone was set up it didn’t take long for artists to begin donating artwork to our Silent Auction table, and several also began live painting their contributions! All proceeds from the Silent Auction are going to support the Buttermaker House renovation efforts, one of the historic buildings located in Markerville.
Larry and Russ joined in and entertained everyone with live music. All in all, a good first day of the show. Join us again on Sunday, July 3 for more glorious artwork! And sunshine!
My name is Simone Le Sann and I have been an artist all my life. I started drawing as a kid and had many sketch books growing up on the farm in Theodore, Saskatchewan.
Up until 5 years ago I had never picked up a paint brush, but when I suffered a broken elbow injury I decided to give painting a try. Just three months later I found myself entered into an art battle: I was asked to fill the spot when an artist cancelled, and so I did. I got to paint live and be in the company of talented artists, and from there I couldn’t stop painting.
It has always been a dream of mine to be an artist and now I paint everywhere, including across the world, and have paintings in Cuba and many other places. My dream is to paint in Europe with the artists there, and I will follow that passion with my partner, Tani, who is a writer. I plan to do the illustrations for his next book.
Tani Shallari, Author
Tani Shallari worked as a French and English teacher for twelve years. His first book, Gomo, was inspired by his students.
Tani was born on October 24, 1982 in Grevë, Albania. He attended Pandeli Sotiri High School (2003) in Gjirokastër, and Aleksandër Xhuvani University (2007) in Elbasan.
From the Author Q&A: Tell me something not in the synopsis. “This book is inspired by kids and is made for them. Children can be what they want to be in the future; to achieve their dreams they must believe in themselves, they must believe in their dreams. I hope my book can inspire them and help them. Every kid deserves to be happy.”
Marianne Harris was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and developed her talent for art while still in elementary school. She started with a general exposure to various types of art media, but quickly focused her interests on painting–first oils, then watercolours, and now acrylics and mixed water-based media. Over the years, several artists have inspired and influenced her, and a somewhat looser style currently predominates her paintings.
Her works have sold across the country and abroad, being displayed in many art shows, with various art clubs and associations, as well as in private shows. Marianne’s works are available in several galleries as well. Commissioned pieces are done on request.
Marianne has expanded her art business, Paintwerx Studios, to include teaching children and adult workshops, for-fun “Away To Play” paint events, competitions, illustrations, and photography, which makes hers a continuously busy schedule!
I gravitated to art very organically through love of nature and observing the beauty of my surroundings. Living as a farmer in Alberta, I developed an appreciation for the changes of seasons, noticing and marvelling at the different hues and impressions of the environment before me. As I travelled to different locations within this picturesque world I was inspired with shades, color, and texture.
I first started as a napkin doodler and then a sketcher, I discovered pleasure of creating. Wanting to capture visions both actual and imaginative, I started painting landscapes. With acrylic paint, scenes of wilderness and rural life turned into a visual on a canvas. Eventually graduating to the use of other techniques also learning how to incorporate these elements into my paintings.
The realistic style was rewarding; however, abstract art grabbed my heart strings as well. Experimenting with techniques, blends of colors became very fulfilling for my soul as had landscapes, doodling, sketching. The reactions of others to my art both surprised and delighted me. People have unique responses and feel connected to certain pieces.
Navigating between and exploring many mediums has brought me closer to achieving what I observe and feel from the natural world and to share it with people through art.
Brenda has a solid experience with Still Lifes and Landscapes in Acrylic on canvas, but also creates unique abstracts. Her previous profession in Decorative Painting and specialized wall finishes, has led her into using this vast knowledge of various plasters and metallic products, and applying them on canvas. These pieces mimicking her love of ancient European architecture with their aged and textured facades. She has recently started combining these plaster products with her fine art to push her boundaries even farther.
Along with her decorative painting experience she has done many residential murals and has worked in Canada, the USA, as well as Germany. Her many years crafting stained glass has also given her additional art form experience.
Brenda has also taught for many years, in such classes as stained glass, professional decorative painting and Trompe l Oeil. She also has experience and taught with many other mediums such as resin, chalk and milk paint, and incorporates some of these in her current works.
Her latest gallery exhibition “Escape With Me” was influenced by the world wide covid situation starting in 2020. She wanted her audience to be able to escape to the many travel destinations she painted for this exhibit.
She has her work adorning many businesses and residences in her area, as well as being featured in a popular Alberta magazine and Home and Garden Conde Nast UK.
