Our Spring show is almost here...

It keeps happening! Our recent shows have tended to burst beyond their original idea. This time, too. What began as — and remains — a group show focussed on three talented artists has brought forth a profusion of new paintings by many. On the Gallery walls at least, Spring has really sprung. This Show offers you a great opportunity to see lots of what's new.

for additional information & an on-line preview click here

Sunday May 15th

Noon - 4pm

Group show of new works by:

Mickie Acierno

Laura Harris

Linda Thompson

And also featuring new works by:

Robert Genn

David Langevin

Raynald Leclerc

Renato Muccillo

Min Ma

Michael O'Toole

Ray Ward

Donna Zhang

And welcoming...

Claudette Castonguay

Gabor L. Nagy

 Hope to see you at the show!

Sculptor Nicola Prinsen on mementos

After her bronze sculptures are cast at a foundry, artist Nicola Prinsen destroys the clay originals and recycles the clay into something new. She always keeps one memento, though; for her endearing creation "The Sitter," it was a foot.

Welcoming Claudette Castonguay

"Veronika"  - 24 x 30 - acrylic

Quebecois artist Claudette Castonguay is a seasoned painter whom we're very happy to welcome to White Rock Gallery. Her captivating work fills the room with its brightness and warmth.

"The Exquisite Hour at the Garden" - 24 x 30 - acrylic

"The Musical Afternoon" - 24 x 30 - acrylic

"Le samedi sur les Plaines d'Abraham" - 24 x 30 - acrylic

Framing Ideas

Framing 101: Contemporary vs. Traditional

We have framed two of Bev Binfet's paintings in dramatically different styles.

A float frame is a great way to minimally frame a painting and keep a clean modern look.

(click image to enlarge)

A traditional, yet contemporary silver frame with a narrow linen liner.  Makes more of an impact and highlights the soft blue tones in the painting.

(click to enlarge)

See more of Bev Binfet's work here

What's in a frame?

Framing 101: Linen liners vs. Open frames

When we choose custom framing we like to show our clients several different options and styles. For the gallery we have just chosen new custom frames for two of Robert Genn's paintings. This new frame is a rich walnut espresso stained wood with a beautiful soft coppery gold inner detail. 

(click images to enlarge)

The painting framed with a linen liner creates a more open and panoramic effect, as if  you were standing in the landscape.

The frame without the liner feels as if  you are looking out a window creating a porthole effect around the image. This makes the painting 'pop' with dramatic contrast.

A similiar 'porthole' effect is the floating frame. To see an example click here.

Frame Detail: 
(click images to enlarge)

See more of Robert Genn's work

Acts of Kindness

It's a good time to give a nod to the acts of kindness we see around us. Here's one. An elderly lady stood at the counter of a local truck rental agency asking about a heavy piece of furniture she needed to transport. Another customer intervened to say that the truck he was returning still had a few hours left on its rental contract and saying he had some free time, so how about moving the furniture right now? And that's what happened: an act of generosity that made a difference. To this gentleman (whose name we don't know), thanks for making the world a better place.

If you've got a story of your own, please send it to info@whiterockgallery.com or simply post it to the Comments section below.

Group Show of Smaller Works

Paintings above (L to R) by Bev Binfet, Steve Coffey & Linda Thompson

Picking up on last December's sleeper hit, this afternoon show features a wide range of smaller new works by at least two dozen gallery artists. Enjoy a mulled cider and see some perfect Christmas ideas (or a little treat for yourself!). Preview at www.whiterockgallery.com

Artist Christopher Walker

 Christopher Walker (R) with Gallery owner Dennie Segnitz (L)
(click photo to enlarge)

Christopher Walker visited the Gallery on November 6, 2010 to bring his magnificent new painting "Encroachment" (pictured). The painting explores the poignant issue of habitat loss. Here, it is the prairie bison being pushed to much higher altitudes than is normal.

See an enlarged image on the Gallery website 

Behind the Scenes (click photos to enlarge)

Everything is top secret in the gallery right now, up until 7pm sharp Friday, October 22.

We have been working around the clock to prepare for the show. It's all coming together nicely. We have made some refreshing new changes this year.  For those who may have driven by this week, you may have noticed a freshly painted exterior and new awnings that we are really excited about! 


Inside our painter has fixed up all the walls and put on a fresh coat of paint. The show is almost all up and framed. Price tags, much to Frances's delight are almost done --- a day ahead we might add! We also have a new set of chairs and exciting new signs to hang up inside the entryway that have been a major group effort.

Three new gorgeous awnings and a freshly painted building.

The new side awnings we've added, 

plus our top secret show prep sign.

Our new seating area

"Ummm, where are the legs for this chair?"

Len opening just one of the many boxes of show frames. This crate was only for two artist's!

In the Gallery

Autumn is in the air

(click on image to enlarge)

The warm earthy palette of Linda Thompson's "True Sense Triptych" compliments the rich patina of Nicola Prinsen's bronze hare on the go, "Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow". The wonderful textures and rust effects allude to the organic element of sculptor Laurie Rolland's vessels.

Linda Thompson's work
Nicola Prinsen's work
Laurie Rolland's work

Life's Memorable Moments

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colours are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. -Elizabeth Lawrence

click images to enlarge

Vancouver Island artist Mark Heine is a welcome addition to the gallery this month. We have been anticipating the new collection he has brought us. His work capture's an essence of life's fleeting moments, that are reminiscent of one's childhood. The balance of colour and light radiate from the canvas. After seeing the paintings in person it made us want to be young and carefree again! 

"Each painting is a glimpse of my life. Every brushstroke placed to capture a moment. Afternoon sunlight laid across the water of a summer beach, heavy as gold, purpled at the edges with the promise of evening. The smell of the sea drying on the rocks. The sound of my children’s laughter fluttering on the air. Each moment, each painting is a chance to learn and grow. To discover my voice and what I want to say.” - Mark Heine

See more of Mark's paintings here

The Difference a Frame Makes

(click image to enlarge)

                                                 

      

We framed two 12" x 36" Laura Harris paintings to show two different frame styles. One is a simple dark brown frame with a linen liner. The other is a simple dark float frame. It is amazing how much a frame can change the overall look and feel of each painting.

Yellow Hat Guy

video: click play

For those who can relate...

Sculptor Michael Hermesh's newest piece [click photo to enlarge] "I Give My Future Serious Thought" has me wondering. Is he hinting at the fact that maybe some or all of us are avoiding life's little nagging issues? Wouldn't this little sculpture be a great daily reminder to us to just tackle things in our life head on?  ~Amy

Click here for more of Michael's newest sculpture

Terry Gilecki custom framing

Custom framing done right (click photo to enlarge). This classic Terry Gilecki painting, serene and balanced, is accentuated - but in no sense overpowered - by a frame whose colours, textures and profile harmonize perfectly with it. A successful design collaboration between Gallery and clients!

What Painters Do Besides Paint

This little beauty has artist Peter Wyse written all over it. Great progress for only five days' work! (click photo to enlarge)

Peter tells us that this will be "more of a recharging shack than a painting studio." He says that "turning a pile of lumber into something from a sketch is almost as satisfying as painting."

Home design reflects artistic flair

Artist Bev Binfet's home is like walking into one of her paintings

On a recent visit to the Okanagan, Dennie stopped by to visit Bev's home studio. Her home is infused with a warm rustic charm that has the natural and textural feel of her paintings. As you can see from the photos below, Bev has intrinsically placed cherished objects alongside her own paintings, which has created a symbiotic relationship of objects and space.

Perfectly placed objects of interest decorate the mantle

Bev infront of one of her landscapes.

 

The artist's studio space within her home.

  

A grouping of her work displayed in her studio.

Click here to view more of Bev's work on our website

Behind the Scenes

We are all hard at work getting ready for the Renato Muccillo show this Sunday. The black curtains went up last night to prevent any peeking from anxious onlookers . We are in the midst of paintings, frames and sculptures. 

Please note that we are re-hanging the entire gallery today and Saturday and we will be closed until noon on Sunday. Here's a little look at behind the scenes today - as you can see we have it all under control! 

  

Hope to see you at the show ~ the paintings truly are an exceptional collection.

go to Renato Muccillo's webpage

Juxtaposition

 click image to enlarge

When photographing Laura Harris' newest painting "Exhale, Now Dream" it gave our photographer a quirky yet creative idea. By juxtapositioning Michael Hermesh's sculpture "Peaches and Camille Too" in front of the soft blue grey tones of the implied waterfront landscape - it made an aesthetic promenade for an elegant lady and her pooch.

click for more of Laura's paintings

click for more of Michael's sculpture

Become a FaceBook Fan!

Hi, this is Amy here...

So in case you haven't heard, White Rock Gallery is new to Facebook (albeit a tad behind ~ but as they say better late than never). We now have our own page on the ever popular networking website. 

If you are on Facebook check us out by becoming a fan. (the current way to do so is to check that you "like" our page)  I will try to keep you updated with news and highlights about the gallery. 

This will run in conjunction with our blog. As always our official website will keep you informed on new paintings and exhibition info.

Go to:

White Rock Gallery's Facebook Page

Upcoming Show

We are excited to announce our upcoming exhibition and sale of Renato Muccillo's new collection:

View the new Renato Muccillo documentary

Visit Renato's webpage

Q & A's

 click on image(s) to enlarge

go to Danny's webpage

I gotta stay away from this place!

Long-time client Bruce expresses the conundrum
 facing many Gallery visitors :-)

Olympic Spirit, Canadian Pride!

For those of you relishing in the 2010 Olympic events and activities around town,  you have probably been amazed by the unbelievable display of patriotism across the city. The vibe is fantastic, so we had to check out a few of the sites last week. After waiting in the long lines for pavilions we checked out the free sculpture along the Granville Street corridor.  We are still wanting to go see the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit at the VAG, but will hold off as it runs after the Olympics as well. 

Dennie & Amy in front of the lanterns

 

GO TEAM CANADA!

 

"Glowing Heart" acrylic by Peter Wyse

Winter Alcove

Our nod to a certain winter athletic event now underway a hop, skip and jump away, this alcove of snow-themed paintings by Peter Wyse is nicely framed by Cliff Mason's soapstone Inukshuks, Vance Theoret's sculpture and Bill Boyd's ceramics.

 

See the Peter Wyse web page

Sculptor at work

Sculptor Marilyn Armitage was in last week to polish some of her bear scuptures. When she brought out her blow torch I needed to take some photos of the artist in action. After sanding with a very fine wet and dry grit sandpaper, Marilyn uses the heat from the blowtorch to melt wax into the stone. This creates the rich glossy finish and enhances the natural beauty in the stone.

see more of Marilyn's work

Marilyn was also recently featured in the Peace Arch News Local Flavours section. Here she shares her family chili recipe. (adjust hot sauce accordingly to personal preference!)

(click article to enlarge)

New Collection of work

click image to enlarge

Nicola Prinsen's quirky bronze sculpture, "Snow Plow" lounges in front of a new display of Nicholas Bott paintings.

See Nicola Prinsen's work

See Nicholas Bott's work