Submitted by Janet Whittington
In her recent landscape paintings of various locations on the Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula, guest artist Bernadette Peets explores the physical properties of oil paint using wax paste and varied mediums to create contrasting surfaces within a single work. These material shifts mirror the complex elements that co-exist within the natural environment. Fluorescent acrylic underpainting subtly emerges through the surface, while neon-painted edges and neon plexiglass framing cast an artificial glow around each piece. This heightened, unnatural light interrupts the illusion of serenity, suggesting the increasing intrusion of human impact on the natural world.
Guest artists Sharilyn and Brian Clowes of Forty Hills Forge have been life partners for almost 30 years! Growing up in Grey/Bruce, they traveled and lived abroad but returned ‘home’ in 2013. Brian began blacksmithing full time in 2019, and Sharilyn has been experimenting more with ceramics since 2022. They love to create beautiful and functional pieces. Brian is trained in architectural ironwork and also creates custom works for homes and cottages (furniture, stair railings, etc.). Currently they are exploring ways of combining their two mediums into new and creative pieces.
Until October 11th, the Red Schoolhouse Gallery in Ferndale, ON is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
