Chris Barling
Abstract Drawing & Painting
Pat Forrest
Painting
I started my painting journey in 1989 in the tole painting style. I taught lessons for a while but life and work took up most of my time. I retired in early 2021 and got back to my art more seriously. I live in rural Renfrew, where I never run out of subjects to paint and love to produce beautiful glass creations depicting the beautiful Ottawa Valley. I try to create some form of art every day, whether it be painting or working in glass.
My favourite subjects to paint are landscapes with trees, water and rocks, as well as old stone buildings. I’m fortunate that we have so many rivers and lakes, parks and trails, and so much natural beauty in this area. I’ve got so much artistic inspiration for my paintings! Living an hour away from Algonquin Park is an added bonus! I will be producing more vibrant acrylic paintings in an impressionistic style of flowers and local scenery and look forward to having them as part of my display at the Valley Artisans Co-operative.
I try to participate in as many painting workshops as I can for either plein air painting, in-person classes, or on-line zoom sessions. I always strive to improve my skill level and I feel that every painting gets me one step closer to achieving that goal. My fused glass journey began in 2018 and in 2020 I purchased my own glass kiln. My focus for my glass art is on our local birds and studies with lots of trees.
I teach watercolour painting for beginners and run a few glass classes throughout the year. And when I’m not busy you can find me painting ‘en plein air’ somewhere in the Valley. I’m always on the lookout for the next great outdoor location to paint.
Susan Fraser
Fine Drawing
Susan Fraser was born and educated in the United States, where she worked at private greenhouses, botanical gardens and microbiology labs. Upon graduating she worked at the microbiology lab at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Later, she shook off the sterile laboratory to hitch-hike around Europe touring galleries, museums and churches and hiking in the Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps.
Her art career began during the five years she lived in Germany. When she immigrated to Canada she painted commission work based on the abundant migratory waterfowl of the Ontario flyways. A year on Vancouver Island afforded opportunities to paint Orcas and to experience the west coast art scene.
Susan resides in the Ottawa Valley, nestled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park where she is frequently visited by deer, moose, owls, wolves, lynx, and black bear on her acreage. She also resides on Big Pine Key, Florida, where she enjoys snorkeling and fishing.
Susan’s charcoal and pastel drawings are a result of lifelong study of nature and photography which capture the landscape and animals in their natural
state. She hikes her own trails and wherever she travels.
Susan participates in The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) art retreat to support their conservation efforts from the Dumoine River to Algonquin Park. She organizes the major fundraising art show of donated artwork to CPAWS which is hosted at Valley Artisans’ Gallery where she
is represented. She is also represented by the Shady Palm Art Gallery in Marathon Florida. Her artwork is in private and corporate collections in Canada, the US, Australia, and Europe.
Susan has been granted Drawing Master status from the Drawing Society of Canada. She is also an Elected Member of the Society of Canadian Artists. Her artwork has also been printed on a line of clothing
and home décor at VIDA and at Fine Art America.
Carol Grant
Abstract Painting
In addition to her work as a potter, Carol does abstract painting.
Robin Knox
Robin’s Nest Arts
Robin was born in Burlington, Ontario and growing up in a rural setting gave her an early appreciation for God’s creation and the beauty of the changing seasons. Encouraged by her parents and art teachers to pursue drawing and painting in various mediums, she could always be found with a pencil and paper in hand. Her love of watercolour began with an adult education class in wet on wet technique with Ontario artist Kai-Liis McInnis in the early 1980’s. A busy career as a lab technologist/Pastor’s wife and a young family to raise kept painting to a casual hobby for many years.
A move to Grande Cache, Alberta allowed her to join a local art club and to show and sell work regularly in their active group. Painting weekly now she developed a definite style of loose, calligraphic, moody yet colourful landscapes. A further move west brought her to the coast of BC and it’s varied landscapes and moods. At the encouragement of fellow artist Peach Myers, a small guild of amateur painters calling themselves the Easel Weasels formed. Meeting for semi-annual workshops with various artists has given added depth and versatility to Robin’s paintings and subject material. She loves to paint outdoors as well as from her own photo materials. Robin now works in various mixed media and has done portraits and wildlife as well as abstract. Her works have won several art competitions held locally and received Honorable mention in the Regional Juried Show in Kitimat. Published and awarded Honourable Mention in the National magazine The Mennonite Herald She Joined the Federation of Canadian Artists in 2018 and achieved Active Status in 2019. In 2020 she received the first ever “Outstanding Artist of the Year Award” from The Prince Rupert Community Arts Council. With the support of local businesses Cow Bay Café, Cowpaccinos, McLean and Rudderham, Highliner Inn, Performing Arts Centre , Terrace Art gallery, the Ice House Gallery and now the Valley Artisans Gallery in Deep River. She has sold her works to places from west Virginia, Mexico City to Hong Kong.
Boni Patterson
Watercolour Painting
Boni was born & raised in Hamilton Ontario, trained as a Registered Nurse in Guelph and then moved to Deep River, Ontario, on the shores of the majestic Ottawa River. She was instantly captivated by the pristine beauty and serenity of the Ottawa Valley and made it her home for the past 45 years.
Boni was employed at Atomic Energy of Canada for 30 years and retired 2 years ago to pursue her love of painting and other more personal ventures. She has always felt creative callings in many media but discovered her passion for watercolour about 20 years ago.
Boni has studied with Warren Thurston, Jack Reid, Pauol Thrane, and Art Cunanhan. She then had the good fortune to meet and work with renown Zoltan Szabo who was to become her dear friend, teacher & mentor for 15 years. He taught her to see the beauty in all that surrounds us. He taught her to see shapes and wonderful colours, to paint with her heart, and to honor nature always.
She finds solace and fulfillment in this magical elusive media, which continues to excite & mystify her with its wonderful happy “accidents”. She says “I feel I am always just on the edge of control. The paint has a mind of it’s own and usually leads me to discover new directions. I look forward to unexpected lessons when I take risks. I love the romance of the landscapes with soft lost edges but contemporary abstracts with sweeping lines & magnificent colours also appeal to my senses.”
She has exhibited in various cafes & tearooms and is a member of the very successful, From The Valley Artisan’s Co-op in Deep River. She has been a part of several Studio Tours, and Art exhibits in Peterborough area and the Ottawa Valley and has had a solo exhibit supported by the Ontario Arts Council. Her paintings, cards and jewelry are found in private collections across Canada, United States, Europe , South America and Asia.
Rose Stewart
Drawing & Painting
Rose Stewart is a Mishkeegogamang First Nation band member from North Western Ontario who moved to the Ottawa Valley with her parents in 2017.
Rose is a young self taught artist with a unique flair for art.
Sharon Waller
Northern Landscapes
I’m a local Artist, living in Deep River, Ontario. My inspiration is the beauty of our Northern Landscape, plein air painting in Algonquin Park, Canoe Lake, Barron Canyon. Deep River has so many beautiful Lakes and Trails! I enjoy photographing all the beauty in nature.
My medium is acrylic and oil. l have dabbled in watercolor and love pastels. I have been painting, for 4 years. My inspiration is the mysterious Tom Thomson. l have such great admiration for our Group of Seven, which was
formed after Tom Thomson’s untimely death.
Sharon joined the Valley Artisans’ Coop in 2022