Photo: Megan Fish of Heartland Vista Paintings is a self taught artist, while she typically paints landscapes, she also does custom work.
By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
On the weekend of 26-27 August 2023, locals, cottagers, their families and friends, campers and day visitors came out to enjoy the popular two day Artists Studio Tour. 25 art studios showcased artworks from 44 artists. The studios, located throughout the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula from north of Wiarton to Tobermory and both sides of the Peninsula, drew visitors from the area and as far afield as Toronto, London, Walkerton and Michigan.
This was one of the largest Art Studio Tours to date, with many long-time participants, some new ones, and some returning after an absence.
On the first day of the Tour, artists were pleased with the large number of visitors that came through their studios. Organizer Charlene Jordan reported that there was great attendance on both days of the event. Patrons were thrilled with the number of artists participating and the quality of the artworks on display.
The Studio Tour included a wide range of art forms, from watercolours, oil and acrylic paintings, photographs, handcrafted canoe paddles, metal, wire and stone creations, wood products, fibre art, clay art, jewelry, textiles, kiln -fired glass and pottery, to soap products and lavender products.
Patrons were able to meet the artists, see live demonstrations, and have one on one conversations to learn about the various techniques employed in the creations. Tour hosts offered beverages, cookies, seasonal fruits and garden fresh produce to guests.
The tour also included various places along the route to purchase food and sweet treats which proved to be very popular with the patrons. The Studio Art Tour also advertised various accommodations in the area offering patrons suggestions for the weekend visit.
Photo: Margrit Olson produces abstract encaustic landscape paintings.Photo: Robert Tomchick of OBX North in Tobermory is a forester by profession. His handcrafted paddles are usually made from cherry or white ash.Photo: Kim McKellar of Roots and Wings creates glass landscape panels, windows, bowls, jewelry, paintings and pottery.Photo: Charles Jordan, a popular vendor at the Lion’s Head Farmers’ Market, typically makes his creations from hardwoods such as maple and walnut.Photo: Textile artist Nancy Watson shows off her work, mostly abstract in naturePhoto: Talie’s Tart and Such set up a booth with Tagwerk to offer a spot for patrons to stop, relax and purchase beverages, pizza and/or dessert.Photo L-R: John and Cheryl of Lion’s Head show off their purchases from this stop in Cape Chin North, with
Margot Wester Bynoe of A Splash of Paint Studio. Margot was one of the four artists displaying their works on the Jordans’ property. Her favourite scene to paint includes barns. She also does landscapes and florals. She studies art one on one with other artists as well as attending some community art classes.
Photo: Janet Wilson of On the Edge Studio in Tobermory. This is her third time participating in the Art Studio Tour. She does predominantly landscapes of Georgian Bay. She had always dabbled in painting, but got more serious in the last five years.
Photo: Brenda Kerton is well known for her beautiful flowers (Forty Hills Flowers), she also enjoys taking photographs, surprisingly, usually of flowers. She does paintings in watercolour, pen and acrylic. Her art studio is Diva Art Studio.Photo: Amanda Millar works out of her studio in Ferndale. She demonstrates making a coffee mug, the initial steps on her pottery flywheel.
She was trained in pottery making by her mentor Tim Smith of Gleason Brook Pottery.
