and Tracy makes SEVEN...

Sometimes life can really throw a curve ball at us and when one really whops us in the side of the head, the simple pleasure of pointless creative fun with a group of like-minded individuals can be all that can be done to ease the goose-egg.  There's a comfort in keeping a commitment to meet and connect month after month, even though we all lead quite diverse lives and may not even communicate with one another all the days in between.

Thursday evening at Pam's house with our brand new member, Tracy Horsmen was one of those meetings that could sooth boo-boos and simply feel good to just be together with no purpose intended other than creative play. Like musical chairs (with laughter and chit chat instead of music) we each rotated around seven old windows, spending 10 minutes at abstract mark and colour making before moving on to the next.  Of course, some paintings worked out better than others, but so what, that wasn't the point.

Angela and Tracy checking out our altered books

Marie pleased with The Big Dipper

Kelly, Tracy and Pam hard at play

Kelly, our visual art-challenged poet looking for her groove...

...got it!

Pam being in the moment

Freddie being in the moment

I like how this one's coming along

A little dab here...

...a little flick here...

 ... brush strokes...

...and dribbles

So Tracy, tell us about yourself!

In our next post, Tracy will answer a few questions for us so we can get to know her.  Mine first - Tracy, your medium is clay and I want to know why clay?  How did you discover it and what does it do for you?

Sending Sunday sunshine happiness to one and all,

Deborah

Seven's Change

Seven is sadly saying good-bye to Charter Member, Pia Skarrer Nielsen.  With Seven since its conception in 2006, Pia has left the group to further study in the textile fields of Tapestry, spinning and all things woolly.  She continues with her business Wonderous Woolerie.  Pia and husband Soren are spending much time sailing our South Shore and enjoying other adventures.

Pia made a spectacular contribution to Seven, participating in shows at /Argyle Fine Art, Halifax, Awakenings at Harvest Gallery, Wolfville, and leading our group to our largest adventure to date- Three gallery shows at various locations in Denmark, and culminating with our presentation at the Craig Gallery, in Dartmouth.

We will miss Pia and her input to our group. But we understand that everyone's life must evolve and priorities change over the years. 

From here to there and back again

SEVEN is currently showcasing their exhibit titled Udveksling at the intriguing home of the Charles Macdonald Concrete Museum in Centreville, Nova Scotia. This particular show has already been on exhibit at the Craig Gallery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia but we thought it would be such a great opportunity to showcase the exhibit closer to where we live and where we practice our art. The show will be up until the end of June, 2011.

One of the exciting reasons for exhibiting our show based on the Exchange of ideas, inspirations and culture of our first international exhibit in Denmark (2010) at the Charles Macdonald Concrete House Museum is that Charles Macdonald was also very much into the exchange of ideas, materials and inspirations. He spent most of his life living in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia but frequently traveled abroad. It is from his expeditions that he brought back with him the many ideas on styles, approaches to art and various mediums which he further explored in the comforts of his own home.

From the Charles Macdonald Concrete House Museum Website:
"In his ninety-three years, Charles Macdonald was a sailor, a sculptor,
a painter, a builder, a manufacturer, and a socialist. The Charles Macdonald
House of Centreville Society celebrates the life and work of this exceptional
Nova Scotian."

You can read further about the incredibly talented and prolific man and the museum based on his homestead by visiting: The Charles Macdonald Concrete House Museum. You can also find directions to the museum on this site.

We hope you have an opportunity to drop by and see our show and of course learn more about the people who paved the way for many ideas and developments in our beloved Annapolis Valley.

What a Party!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  to everyone who joined us in celebrating the opening of our new exhibit, Udveksling, at The Craig Gallery last night.  People were so excited to be there (or perhaps just hungry lol!), that the place was hoping 20 minutes before the doors officially opened!

The enthusiasm and delight expressed by all who shared in our exchange with much laughter and hugs was the shining star on our many months of learning, exploring and creating.

Many thanks to my good friend, Sandra Gunther, for capturing these images.

Until next time....

Deborah

Udveksling

With two days until the official opening of SEVEN's most recent exhibit, hearts and minds are aflutter along with busy hands working on the finishing details of our creations. We are also tying up last minute details such as picking up signage, making wall cards and writing our artist statements. All of this is occurring while two of our members are in the midst of lambing season which means many trips to the barn with late nights and early mornings to make sure all animals are safe and happy. Sigh, long inhale, a smile to start the day, and perhaps a strong cup of java to keep the energy flowing.

On top of preparing for the opening, we are also putting together our thoughts and experiences of our exchange to Denmark for a panel discussion. It should be lots of fun and a great way to hear of how seven women were able to travel to Denmark, exhibit in three galleries and then take inspiration back home to Nova Scotia. Although this may be the simplified version, it was really a project which took two years to come to fruition with lots of learning to be had.

We hope you will be able to join us for our opening at Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on March 30th from 7 - 9 pm. If not, our show will be on display until May 1, 2011 and our panel discussion will take place on Sunday, April 17 from 2 - 4pm. We look forward to meeting old and new faces and thank everyone for their interest and words of encouragement. We would also like to thank Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage for their financial support and continued interest in our project.

See you soon,
Angela

Acrylic, Graphite Pencil and Pastel on wood panel (Triptych) by Angela Melanson

Peek

With our exhibition at the Craig Gallery opening in less than two weeks, I thought to peak your curiosity a bit by sharing my artist statement and one of my images.  I hope you come to our opening reception.  There'll be wine and cheese and yummy treats, great conversation, old friends and friends you haven't met yet and, of course, great art and all seven of us Valley artists!

My Artist Statement :: Streetscapes and thoughtscapes.   Reflected constructions of placeless places where fluid and fleeting exchanges between pedestrians and mannequins occur.

We instantly imbue any human form, whether corporal or constructed, with personality – with story. It's this autonomic exchange which drives my work. I particularly enjoy that this anthropomorphism is applied to strangers, animals, toys with faces and even headless mannequins!

Until next time....

Deborah

You're Invited!

No matter, how much planning ahead we do, it seems that all the tasks required to open a show bunch up in the final 3 weeks.  We're all excitedly working on our art, planning our artist talks and talking up our opening reception.

We're a happy group of creative individuals who take our art seriously, but know how to make time for laughter and sharing.  We'd love to tell you about our Danish and Nova Scotian experiences and we hope you'll share in our exchange at the Craig Gallery.  Here's your invitation:

Until next time,
Deborah

February, a Month of Creation for Upcoming Show!

We are not spending a lot of time on our 'confusers' these days, at least not as a group.

However, we are and have been busy with our individual artwork and other matters of life and suddenly ..... we are in February, and February which is such a short month is almost gone, now that is enough to make one's hair, be it long or short stand up pretty straight on the head.




But onto something more timely and which is on my mind a lot these days.

The sequel to the show Exchange/Udveksling which we took to Denmark in August 2010 is about to be revealed and uncovered in just a month and a half from now.

On March 30 at 7pm we are celebrating the opening of our new show Udveksling/Exchange, at the Craig Gallery in Dartmouth. 

 An exhibit of new work by the members of SEVEN inspired by the travels in Denmark, talks and discussions, photo gazing and contemplations after our return back to Canada. 

As we get closer to the date the excitement will grow and we will share some of this with you in the weeks to come.

Wishing you all beautiful cool, crisp, sunny winterdays!
Pia