UPDATED (see new artist below).
I've been busy organizing this second annual event and am happy to say...
Here are the artists who are participating in the 2012 Kingsbrae Garden Folk Art Exhibit.
BRIAN ALLEN ADAMS - St. Andrews, NB
Brian Allen Adams is a Canadian Folklore painter. From his studio in St. Andrews, Brian commits to canvas his unique images of the spirit of Canada. Brian is also an avid collector of folk art and has spent the last 30 years collecting and studying the Canadian evolution of folk art. Brian*s paintings transport the viewer to places we all know exist but few of us have ever seen.
JANTJE BLOKHUIS-MULDER - St. Andrews, NB
Jantje Blokhuis-Mulder has been making and creating art for nearly 50 years. Her work reflects her seaside surroundings and her colourful gameboards, collages, paintings, woodburnings and sculptures can be found in collections around the world. In addition to making art, Jantje writes about folk art, giving creative souls a voice. Jantje is passionate about arts education and is co-founder of KinderArt.com and the creator of the Sunbury Shores CLASS Program.
DOUG DORKEN - Chester, NS
Doug Dorken uses but one piece of wood, skillfully directing chisel and knife so that figures and landscape seem to emerge from within. Depending on the piece, he may use kiln-dried pine, poplar, or "sea-seasoned" wood to create his relief carvings. Following in the footsteps of his shipwright father, Doug took up carving in 1994 after retiring from a career in the navy.
LORAIN EBBETT RIDEOUT - Central NB
Lorain Ebbett Rideout is a self-taught artist who lives in central New Brunswick. She works with stone and wood and is influenced by texture. Lorain works mainly with acrylics and each piece is an experiment in creating art from the everyday.
HOLLY EVERETT - Parker's Cove, NS
Holly Everett was raised in a small Nova Scotia fishing village and today resides nearby with her husband, two children and a shih Tzu. Her interest in painting began after buying her mother an art kit as a birthday present. After spending many years in the accounting field, Holly found her true self and when not outdoors exploring, her family can always find her splashing colours across canvases.
CHRISTIN LAMBERT - Deer Island, NB
Born in St. Stephen, Christin Lambert grew up on Deer Island until a recent move took her to Fredericton. Entirely self-taught, she has been painting the people and scenery around her from the time she was able to hold a brush.
BEATRICE MCFADDEN - Pointe-du-Chene, NB
Beatrice McFadden was born in 1932 - one of 13 children. The family lived in Harrisville N.B. where farming and logging were a way of life. Always drawn to art, she encouraged her own children to create, but she didn't start painting until her son Paul McFadden, a well known folk artist, convinced her take it up a few years ago. She began painting regularly after the passing of her husband.
MAUREEN NEWMAN - Granville Ferry, NS
Maureen Newman grew up in the Annapolis Valley. She draws inspiration for her paintings from her love of rural Nova Scotia. Driven by a desire for a "simpler life", Maureen and husband Robert retired, leaving behind successful careers in the IT industry. With no formal training, she began painting in 2006. Maureen is a grandniece (by marriage) of Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis.
MARK O'DELL - St. Stephen, NB
Mark O'Dell enjoys carving items out of wood, using a chainsaw. He also participates in quieter endeavours, like painting.
LEO NARCISSE ROBICHAUD - Shediac, NB
Leo "Narcisse" Robichaud was born in St. Charles, NB and for twenty-two years worked for BASF. When the company restructured Leo drove a school bus until his retirement. It was a job he enjoyed and in fact, you will find a bus in many of his paintings. In 2003, Leo was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Shortly after, he began painting and was quoted as saying, "When I paint I can block everything out and focus on what I am creating at that moment, it*s good therapy.* Leo is an amazing man and is truly blessed to have found art as a way of expression. But sadly, the paintings on display are among his final works. Unfortunately Leo has been institutionalized since his disease has advanced to the point of dementia. His wife Marie-Mai has graciously shared his work with you so that others may enjoy what gave her husband such pleasure, and in this way his memory will carry on.
MARY CORMIER - Shediac, NB
~Jantje
