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Rosemary Dzus
A Year On the Water

Rosemary holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Winnipeg. While studying Fine Arts, she majored in photography and subsequently pursued photography in commercial and industrial settings and in her art practice.

Now she work primarily in paint, pencil, and pen and ink, and she is currently exploring print making and film. Between 2014 and 2018, she and her husband lived in a number of locations in Canada: the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, greater Montréal (Deux Montagnes), the north shore of Lake Erie (Leamington), and Eastend, Saskatchewan. Much of the inspiration for her art comes from the landscapes around her: geological history, the play of light and wind, and the effects of time that shape the land, as well as the intersection of these elements and human lives. All of the physical locations where she has recently lived also inform her work, as do the human connections she has made in each place.

A Year on the Water is a year’s worth of paintings of a single view of the marina harbour in Leamington, Ontario. Every morning at 7:30 I photographed the entrance to the harbour, and later painted it. I initially embarked on this project to develop my understanding of water and sky and the rendering of these phenomena on a two dimensional surface. At a first look it is a straightforward collection of studies of clouds, water and sky and the changing light and variation through the seasons. As the body of work grew, it became a daily journal illustrating the continuous change in light, weather, clouds and wind, as well in some sense my daily mood, energy, and in some cases, activity. For me, this project is ultimately about time, grief and the ephemeral nature and insubstantiality of our impressions and experiences.

Naomi Gerrard
Multi-Grains of Energy

For a number of years Naomi has been exploring the energy of the prairies while celebrating the importance of our prairie agriculture. She is inspired by the potential surging life of the individual grains planted annually in our prairies which change the vast prairie landscape annually from the planting season to the harvest season. They spread energy, hope and beauty as they develop into nourishing food for us all. Each individual grain has its own inherent personality, range of colours, shape and beauty. She incorporates these grains in her mixed media art works using about 18 different grains that are grown in our prairies. She feels a connection to our prairies through these grains as she develops compositions depicting the planting, sprouting, maturing and harvesting of the grains as well as showing products created from these grains and animals enjoying the gains. The energy of the grains as they mature inspire her more abstract compositions. These grains command a deep respect and encourage a reflection on life, nature and our connections to the land. The health of our agriculture is vitally linked to the health of society.

Ivan Wasylyshen
Turnaround

Ivan Wasylyshen’s inspiration began several years ago with a simple, natural edge aspen bowl purchased at a Montreal gallery. Shortly afterwards when he expressed interest in woodturning, his wife bought him a lathe for his 50th birthday.

He soon began experimenting with several varieties of wood including maples, walnut, oak, koa, cherry and purple heart.He has also been implementing inlays using leather, metal powders such as copper, nickel and brass, as well as paints and dyes. Recently, Wasylyshen has also used carving techniques in some of his turnings. As a means of creative expression, the artist find the art of woodturning and carving very rewarding.

A side benefit is making some meaningful friendships with other guild members and association members who are supportive, offering valuable tips from their own personal experiences.