Dancing Skies: The beauty of the sky and beyond, to the wonders of the universe we live in.
Featuring: Sandy Proulx, Patti Fernie, James Thomson
July 11 to 23, Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Evenings by appointment.
125 Adelaide Street, 2nd floor
204-944-0809 or jordan@cre8ery.com
Jim’s Artist Statement: Jim enjoys the contemplative and meditative nature of creating in watercolour compared to the creating a world for a video game. Images come from a delightful space of connection between artist, materials and imagery and includes thoughtful choices of materials, composition and colour as well as the, often accidental, results of working with wet-on-wet and spattered colour. There is a storytelling component in these images but in this show it is less whimsy and more of a dream.
James Thomson received his Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Architecture, 1983, U of Manitoba) in 1983 and his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of Saskatchewan (1985). Jim had a solo show in Wasagaming (1989) and participated in group shows including two Manitoba Society of Artists shows. While working in the graphic arts as an illustrator and production artist and later as a supplier James became involved in computer graphics technology leading to a new career as a teacher of Interactive Digital Media at Kildonan-East High School. James taught students how to use technology as a form of storytelling, using art and code to produce animations, web sites, video games and VR experiences (2001-2021) After retirement, James returned to his traditional visual art with the exhibition “Infinite Horizons” in 2023 at cre8ery.
Sandy’s Artist Statement: Sandy’s first learning to paint with oil paints came from watching Bob Ross. Sandy paints mostly on black canvas, playing with transparent colour, which works very well with painting and exploring the Northern Lights’ beautiful dancing lights for “Dancing Skies”. Painting the aurora and mountains are what Sandy calls her “heart-happy” pieces. She feels great joy from imagining their shapes and movement.
Sandra (Sandy) Proulx Artist’s Bio: Sandy is a self -taught, rural Manitoba based oil painter who began painting 25 years ago. In the last 4 years, her creative inspirations grew. While landscapes were her initial love, the desire to learn how to paint other subjects led to painting aircraft, animals, and people. Due to Sandy’s occupation, she paints planes as she was a pilot for 22 years, with 18 of those years being a flight instructor. In December of 2022, Sandy accepted a position with Air Traffic Control and is currently undergoing training for that license. Sandy completed a collection of paintings for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada permanently displayed in their multi-purpose meeting room. She has exhibited her work at both Cre8ery gallery in Winnipeg and Prairie Fusion in Portage la Prairie.
Sandy’s Artist Statement: Sandy’s first learning to paint with oil paints came from watching Bob Ross. Sandy paints mostly on black canvas, playing with transparent colour, which works very well with painting and exploring the Northern Lights’ beautiful dancing lights for “Dancing Skies”. Painting the aurora and mountains are what Sandy calls her “heart-happy” pieces. She feels great joy from imagining their shapes and movement.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Recently Patti Fernie found her niche and became known for her mixed media, textured canvasses, and alcohol ink paintings. She spent a lot of time experimenting with alcohol ink as it was a steep learning curve to become adept at ‘reading’ the movement of the ink instead of fighting it. She loves the beautiful, intricate details and the fact nothing can be recreated. She developed a distinctive style, inspired by her love of nature and the outdoors as abstract landscapes.
Patti Fernie Bio
Patti’s interest in art grew more serious after completing an Art Education Course at the University of Manitoba as part of her Bachelor of Education Degree (1999). Ann Stinner, her professor, suggested she consider a career in art education. As a result, Patti enrolled in some Fine Arts courses as part of her teaching degree, graduating in 2001 and starting her career as a middle school teacher and then a high school teacher.
As part of her Professional Development, Patti has attended countless Art Education conferences, workshops, and artist forums. She served on the Manitoba Association for Art Education executive for five years. She connected with many artists and learned more about the local art community.
Her work is featured in the reception area of the Reid and Miller chartered Professional Accountants office, in the St. James Assiniboia Teachers Association office, and she has been commissioned for several private works.
She has been featured in several news and magazine articles and has exhibited and sold works at the Cre8ery Gallery in both 2022 and 2023. She is a member of the Cre8ery Gallery, MAWA, Manitoba Association for Arts Education, and the National Association of Art Educators (U.S.).
Patti started selling under the name Lake Gal Artworks in 2015 to reflect her life-long love of the lake. It is also a nod to her Grandpa and her dad who established, then maintained, their family cottage in the Whiteshell for over 70 years. I am so fortunate to still enjoy summer days relaxing or creating there.
She is an active participant in art markets. Her art has travelled to China, Germany, Australia, the United States, and Britain. When she retires from teaching she will begin a full time art career.
