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Archive for fenelon

Intarsia Step by Step

By Station Gallery
 on June 6, 2014

by Bill Dopson

I am about to attempt to describe the methods and procedures that I use in the production of one of my Intarsia pieces.
Horse-head1The photo, right, shows my pattern, #-14 Horse Head.

This pattern is not one that I drew myself, but one that I purchased. The #-14 indicated that it is the 14th. pattern that I did after I started doing Intarsia. At that time I had not yet started to draw my own patterns. The pattern was on a sheet of paper that I glued to a 1/8” thick piece of Baltic Birch plywood.

The next step is to cut out around the perimeter with a very small blade. I use a # 1 blade, which is the smallest available. This blade is 11/1000 of an inch thick. The reason for using the smallest blade is to remove as little material as possible. I then glue the perimeter to a piece of ¼” thick Baltic Birch plywood, and cut the rest of the pattern with the same size blade. All of the pieces now fit back into the inside of the perimeter piece like a jigsaw puzzle.

The highlighted lines around the perimeter, are to indicate to me that it is an outside
line and doesn’t need to fit against any other piece, and I can therefore cut on the inside of the line, and this makes it easier to fit it all together later.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images and the complete instructions.

I hope that I have explained the process, and if anyone is thinking about starting to do Intarsia, feel free to contact me for further explanation and help to get started……
Bill Dopson A.K.A. Woodworker Willie

In categories Artists Tagged with fenelon, gallery, intarsia, ontario, station, willie, woodworking

One person’s illegal dumping…

By Marys
 on June 2, 2014
 with no comments

I am a basket maker working exclusively with locally grown natural materials. I now have to admit that I have become a serious scavenger and opportunist. These are not necessarily the most desirable characteristics one would think an artist should develop, but let me explain.

branchesIn the middle of May, early in the morning on my way to work, I was driving down my countryside road and noticed out of the corner of my eye, a large pile of brush illegally dumped on the side of the road. In fact, this brush looked a lot like willow. My opportunist brain kicked in and I made a mental note of the location of this brush with the intent to stop for a closer look on my way home later in the day.

All day long I worried that someone else would notice the willow and I thought there was a chance it might be gone. I hurried home at the end of the day and to my relief, the brush pile was still there. Apparently I worried needlessly as it seems that only I can get excited about a pile of brush. I got out of my car and took a closer look at what I thought was willow and to my absolute disbelief, this was indeed willow. In fact it turned out to be curly willow!. You need to know that curly willow is not just ordinary willow. Curly willow is very curly and twisty and interesting and this pile had all different sizes and I had to have them!!

About an hour later I unloaded a large pile of curly willow at my studio. My scavenger self was very pleased and excited about my great find.

Should I end here or continue……

weaving2After gloating and drooling over the willow that was now mine, I started to sort the branches according to diameter and length. I trimmed and discarded any broken branches as I went. Once trimmed up, I started to play with the branches to allow the personality of the sticks inspire me. I made three small wall weavings and then spent the next several days arranging and rearranging the larger willow sticks. I now have a stack of curly willow framework for many wall weavings drying in my studio. Each framework has been wired into a shape that will eventually dry, shrink and harden before I can weave on it. I predict it will be late summer to early fall before the drying is complete. At that time I will revisit the willow and the inspiration process will begin again, allowing me to turn someone’s illegally dumped brush into art.

Sandi McNeil

weaving1

In categories Artists Tagged with baskets, curly, fenelon, sandi mcneil, weaving, willow with no comments

Art from the Heart

By Marys
 on May 19, 2014
 with no comments

Dog by Janet SecordAs always, life events affect my painting – and with the long winter this year, I have struggled to be motivated. I have painted and sold a record amount of pet portraits for the Christmas season, and many more requests for our popular Cardinals and Blue Jays on slate – I opted to complete one lately with both birds together. Sort of a short cut.

I am a little different with my paintings, I think. I like to incorporate metallic with my colours for special effect, and always like to add an unusual element to each of my works. Since framing can be costly, sometimes I add a painted frame or wooden corners to my finished work; it just lends a little bit of novelty.

cardinalFamily and friends are always sending me ideas – and many times I incorporate two or more subjects into one piece of work.

I hope to take some scenic pictures around Fenelon Falls for my next projects – I love landscape and water scenes – and my little town has lots of those.

Looking forward to the Fenelon Station Gallery display this year – it is heart warming to see such beauty all in one historic building. See you there!

Janet Secord

In categories Artists Tagged with animals, fenelon, gallery, janet, painting, portraits, secord, station with no comments

Finding the Spirit in the Wood

By Marys
 on May 16, 2014
 with no comments

Bill van Koot carvingWith the exception of my ornaments, all of the carvings are done on old cedar rails or fallen wood that I have found while walking in the woods behind our home or on wood scouting expeditions at the property of friends. It may have cracks or knots in it – sometimes only uncovered once I begin to carve – and this is one of the things that help to make each individual piece of wood so interesting.

The size and shape of the wood will often dictate whether it will become a Wood Spirit, a Fairy House, or a face of another kind. I enjoy seeing the character that begins to emerge while I carve and it is this character that seems to draw people to a particular piece. There may be some similarities, but every one is unique and one of a kind. They look terrific both inside or out; in the garden or on a wall or table.

I have also had people bring me interesting pieces of wood that they already have, with requests to turn it in to a Fairy House or Wood Spirit.

I’ll be at the Fenelon Gallery this summer, check out the calendar to see when I’m on duty.  You can also experience some of my work by visiting my web site at www.caygeonwoodspirits.com

In categories Artists Tagged with bill van koot, carving, fairies, fenelon, gallery, ornaments, station, wood with no comments

Art From the Heart – Janet Secord

By Marys
 on June 19, 2013
 with no comments
Janet Secord with friend

Janet Secord with friend

Now being involved with the Gallery – I am in awe of the talent of all the artists and craftsmen – noting that we are all varied in talents. There is something there for everyone.

For me, my motivation and inspiration for painting came out of desperation and the need to feel productive and challenged.

Creativity sometimes lies dormant for a long while – it is only now that I am older(and hopefully wiser) that I have taken the time to TRY and develop something that speaks to people and perhaps inspires.

janet-secordSo, a few years ago I got an old sheet, laid it across my lap, and with paint and canvas, and some gospel music in the background – proceeded to create- needless to say I went through a lot of canvases and paint before achieving what i thought was worthwhile. My mind had a vision but it took awhile for the brush to understand it.

Always intent on trying new mediums, varied subjects my paintings will all be ART FROM THE HEART.

Janet will be sitting in the gallery on June 21st if you would like to meet her and discuss art!

In categories Artists Tagged with artist, falls, fenelon, janet secord, painting, station gallery with no comments

Meet me at the gallery

By Marys
 on June 13, 2013
 with no comments

Gail McFadden writes:

I am looking forward to my first full days at the fenelon station gallery this Friday and Saturday, June 14, 15. I am looking forward to meeting friends both old and new, and will have some of my newest paintings with me, for display and, if time permits, to work on. See you there! :))

In categories Artists Tagged with demonstration, falls, fenelon, gail mcfadden, gallery, station with no comments

Kawartha Arts Festival

By Marys
 on August 22, 2012
 with no comments

The annual Kawartha Arts Festival is coming up this weekend (September 1st and 2nd).  You can visit the festival and all the talented artists and then come and see more art in our lovely Historic Train Station Gallery.

In categories Artists, Events Tagged with doors, fenelon, festival, kawartha, lakes, ontario, open with no comments

A day in the life of… Fudgee

By Marys
 on April 4, 2012
 with no comments

My business name is known as Woodturning by Fudgee which is a nickname I attained as a teen growing up in Toronto. I was a civil servant for 28 years and have been retired for the past two years. I hope this little blurb will give you some insight into who I am and what motivates and inspires me.

Wood selection

Morris looks for natural elements found in wood to make an interesting piece

To begin with most of my work is done before breakfast. I usually get up sometime between 5-6 am and head down to the workshop and depending on how challenged I’m feeling (or awake) will determine the morning project. I usually turn an item every day or two and the larger items may take a week. I turn logs, branches and blocks of wood to create decorative and functional works of art. Since my early teens I’ve had keen interest in creative expression. I’ve pursued interest in many mediums including leather and wood carving, drawing, painting, photography, woodworking and more recently wood turning.

 

Hollowing out the inside of the vase

Here Morris is hollowing out the inside of a vase

My first encounter with a lathe was in Junior High School where I completed a small dish and in 2001 I purchased my first lathe. Mainly through self instruction I learned the basics in wood turning and since I have become an active wood turner. In 2002 I joined the Kawartha Woodturners Guild and continue to be an active member. I have given demonstrations on how to turn and color wooden flowers to both the Toronto and Kawartha Woodturners Guilds. I generally have about two tons of locally obtained wood at any given time in and around our home in Rosedale which can take up to two years of drying to become suitable for creating works of art. The wood is usually obtained from downed trees around our home. Friends and acquaintances will drop off wood right at my door step.

When I look at wood, I look for natural elements found in wood (many would consider this wood for the burn pile). In fact, a lot of my pieces of wood have been retrieved from burn piles destined for someone’s fireplace or stove. Anyway, I look for features such as bark inclusions, unusual figure, distressed areas, spalting, natural edges, sapwood/heartwood and color/grain contrast. I turn each piece to accentuate the grain, texture and natural color, often leaving traces of bark and natural decay to enhance the beauty that nature has already created.

[nggallery id=18]

I use a number of wood turning chisels to carve each piece of work. Each piece of wood really dictates the end product. I may start wanting to have a specific profile but once I open the wood it makes me skew from my original plan……that’s the beauty of turning, you are never sure of the end result or what beauty lies within.

Once the carving has been completed, I start sanding, beginning at about 120 grit and finishing with 400/600 grit. My favourite finish is Tung oil which accentuates the grain. The next step, while the lathe is turning about 1200-1500 rpm (where permitted) is to apply a mixture of shellac and Tung oil. The friction is used to create a very hard finish. The end result is a one-of-a-kind decorative or functional piece of art.

If my wife doesn’t abscond with it you will see it at one of my shows. Speaking of shows, I will be attending the following shows and retail stores.

  • Earth to Art April 27-28 at the Lindsay Inn 345 Lindsay St. S Lindsay
  • Station Gallery of Fenelon Falls May 19-Oct 8 103 Lindsay St. Fenelon Falls
  • Valentia Arts Festival July 14 Valentia Church and Community Hall
  • Kawartha Art Festival Sept 1-2 Fenelon Fair Ground 27 Veterans Way
  • Victoria County Studio Tour Sept 29-30 and Oct 6-7
  • My Favourite Thing 10 King St E Bobcaygeon  Retail Store
  • Galaxy Picture Framing and Gifts 104 Kent St W. Lindsay ON Retail Store

 

In categories Artists Tagged with artist, Canada, fenelon, lathe, Morris young, ontario, woodturner with no comments

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