12 • ARTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012 - SOOKE NEWS MIRROR
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An artist’s opinion on buying original art Why should I buy original art? My brother once boasted, “It isn’t everyone who has original art on their walls.” Once I got over the shock of realizing he was referring to a piece that I had painted and given him, I started wondering about the comment. Is it only people with lots of money to invest who collect art? The kind of people you might see through a window at an art gallery opening, as you trudge home from your late foray to the grocery store? Are they swishing back champagne and canapés, lingering in front of an explosive shaft of blue paint on camo green garbage bags while you envision piles of laundry waiting back at the house? What if you actually catch a glimpse of something that you might be interested in? Likely as not, just the idea of stepping in to get a better look is akin to swimming with sharks. So why are many of us so intimidated? Aren’t all humans pretty much the same underneath our clothes? Setting foot in a highend gallery can immediately make us feel a little out of our league with the posh interior, high prices and high heels. What language are they speaking? Can we look savvy, avoid the eye of the staff and get out in time to gasp our next breath? Whew! The truth of the matter is that this sophisti-
cated, often stark and tasteful environment is carefully created to reduce distractions and to showcase the art. The work is sometimes unfamiliar, ‘cutting edge’ demanding openness and curiosity from the viewer. Although we may be afraid of seeming stupid, why not ask the gallery worker, ‘what should I be paying attention to in these paintings’ or ‘can you explain how these pieces were created.’ Most gallery owners and employees are proudly supportive of their artists and keen to promote them. As artists, many of us long to have our work on their walls, to be ‘recognized’ and compensated for our efforts. In a conversation with a fellow artist the other day, we agreed that although we may yearn for our story to grace the art history books, the real joy in selling our work is to witness the appreciation of the viewer. That they like it enough to buy it, means they are experiencing some of what we felt when we created the art. I have been told as well, that for the buyer the art work means more to them if they know something about both the piece and the artist. So this leads me to the Stinking Fish Studio Tour. Despite this being a more intimate setting, in my opinion it is much more comfortable for both the artist and the
guests. Seeing the artist at work, learning about the process and what the thoughts are behind the art piece makes the experience immeasurably more enjoyable. Surprisingly, the artist also really enjoys the conversations, because we get to know about our new friends for the moment of that exchange. And admittedly, most of us like to talk about our work! We often like art that reminds us of an event or a place. A glance at the watercolour of a Mexican town takes our mind back to the warm January holiday and the brilliance of the bright pink bougainvillea. Buying original art means trusting your heart. When we see a piece that catches our interest, moves us or
cheers with its colours, we need to set aside our swirling doubts and pause to reflect. Will I still like it in the morning? Probably, and if I don’t, I can ask the artist if I can exchange it or take it on a trial basis. Will my friends like it or think that I am colour blind and design challenged? If it catches your interest, it will probably catch theirs too, given that birds of a feather flock together. And it doesn’t hurt to be a little ahead of the curve. Art can grow on us, but what if you don’t like the art? You won’t necessarily be able to afford or like everyone’s art enough to buy it. Feel free to admire and linger or leave for the next studio. You can also purchase art cards to remind you of the vis-
its and the artists. Is it worth the price? Believe me, when artists factor in the cost of framing, hours spent crafting the piece and the studio overhead, minimum wage for slinging beer looks more attractive by the day. But we create because we are passionate and we hope you will be too. Happy hunting. Lead with your artist’s beret held high. The Stinking Fish Studio Tour runs from Aug. 3 to 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Some artists showing from Aug. 8 – 12). Please watch for the brochure and map or visit the website at www.stinkingfishstudiotour.com. Elaine Morton is a watercolour painter on the Stinking Fish Studio Tour.
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The Pastor's Pen There is a set of pictures on the internet entitled "Structural Engineer in Action". They show a bird building a mud nest on the window ledge of someone's house. Each successive picture shows the progression of the nest from its circular, bowl-shaped foundation to the ¿nal spherical, enclosed structure, replete with an opening large enough for only tiny birds to use. The introduction to the pictures remarks on the distance to the little pond where the mud for the building was found, and the number of trips required to bring enough beak-loads to complete the structure. The little bird's house might last for a few seasons, but in time, it will break up. But each of us is building our lives by all the things we do each day. The process and progress might easily be compared to the bird's tiny beak-loads that it brings from a long distance away. Like the bird, we have to have patience to keep building for as long as it takes to give us security against the winds and storms of life.
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The last picture shows the bird's offspring in the doorway. This tiny creature was not only building for itself, but also had others in mind. And in the same way, we have to keep others in mind as we weave the fabric of life into our daily existence. What are the moral and ethical supplies you are weaving into the foundation and ¿nishes of the edi¿ce that is your life?
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SOOKE ON TSN Editorial
Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart perfom on July 30. Page 18
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Back for another round on July 30 are Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart. playing in the school of honky tonks and beer joints in and around Nashville in his dad’s band. Mark was off the road when he met Stacey and that very night he would play the first note of her music never leaving her side. Mark
still somehow found the time to work on his own music recording his solo record and touring. Mark, as well, spent some time in the Dukes in the 1990s. Like Earle, he recalls it as a time of glamour: appearing on the Tonight Show with
Jay Leno, and MTV. “I had someone tuning my guitar, strapping on my guitar,” he said. “Now we carry our stuff three flights up in the Red Roof Inn.” Over the years Stacey and Mark have learned so much from each other. Their songs are the diaries of their life — good times and bad, thereby completing the love they have. Together they share the full load of getting by day-by-day. They’ve gone on to release their duo albums, Never Gonna Let You Go in 2003 and S&M Communion Bread in 2005, and their Gearle Records 2008 release Love from Stacey and Mark which is available at thehir live shows only. While, no doubt, each still remains an individual solo artist with solo releases, such as the 2008 release of Mark Stuart’s Left of
SOOKE FINE ARTS SHOW Calendar of Events Artz4Youth
Wednesday, July 27, 6-8 pm
Nashville and Stacey Earle’s The Ride also in 2008), it is through the respect of each other’s work and years of playing together that they have created their unique sound. And that sound allows each individual to shine through. Stacey and Mark are no doubt together ‘til death do they part. Please be sure to join us for what will be a memorable evening with these two very engaging singer/songwriters. The gig is on Saturday, July 30 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, at 1962 Murray Road. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with show at 8. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door or in advance at Shopper’s Drug Mart.
For teens by teens! Text your friends, meet for an evening of performances by local youth.
Taste of Sooke
Thursday, July 28, 7-9 pm Music by The Rhythm Miners A night to explore all the flavours of Sooke!
Seniors’ Teas
Thursday, Friday, July 28-9, 2 -4 Tea, fresh-baked scones and an afternoon of art!
Show + Sale Dates July 23 -
Aug 1
SEAPARC Leisure Complex|Sooke, BC More info and events on our website!
www.sookefinearts.com FUTURE SHOP - CORRECTION NOTICE
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Red Carpet Event Sat, Aug 6 • 11am – 3:30 pm Walk the Red Carpet then strike a pose for charity with your favourite movie character look-alikes from the summer’s hottest films. 100% of the donations go to the food bank. More details on website
25 Years of incredible art
Pastor Gordon Kouwenberg
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011 - SOOKE NEWS MIRROR
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Folk Society puts on a special summer concert he Sooke Folk Music Society normally curtails it’s activities for the summer, but this Saturday, July 30, we are delighted to bring back Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart for a special summer concert at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, as part of their “Driver ‘til she drops” tour; a reference to their Chevy Suburban, which now has some 465,000 miles on the odometer Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart met for the first time 1991 at a songwriters night in Nashville TN. They knew that night it was one of them things that are just meant to be. They were married in 1992. It would be quite a balancing act at that time raising a family and trying to make a living along with all the other stuff that came with getting by, “but we managed,” Stacey said as she looked back at her first encounter with the world of touring. Stacey Earle’s first show was on an arena stage in Sydney, playing rhythm guitar in her brother’s band, Steve Earle & the Dukes. She spent about a year and a half on tour with her brother, and then returned to Nashville to start a career of her own as a country/ folk singer/songwriter. “I was 30-years-old and asking/seeking a recording deal in Nashville.At that age it was like asking God to turn back the world clock.” Mark Stuart went to the finest of music schools, he started his schooling listening and admiring his uncle’s guitar playing and his dad’s fiddling. By age 15 he would find himself
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he 25th Sooke Fine Arts Show opened on Thursday night with purchasers waiting in line to get into the show and see the latest works from the 275 artists who submitted entries. The adjudicators chose 375 pieces from the 551 artists who responded to the call for entries to the juried art show and sale. The 10-day show was once again staged in the SEAPARC Leisure Complex where a group of talented and hard working volunteers transformed the cavernous space into an amazing gallery. “We had a lovely weekend and a lot of people,” said Sally Manning, show coordinator. “It is a colourful and happy show.” Many Sooke artists stood out as the winners in the 25th Anniversary Artists Awards. They included Patrick Irwin for his acrylic and oil two-dimensional painting “Port Alberni,” Best Two-Dimensional work. The Best Three-Dimensional work award was awarded to Jan Johnson for his “Minotaur Overseeing Intake,” while Debbie Clarkson took the award for the Best Photography for her “La Habana Elegante #3.” Dana Sitar’s “When I Do Not Follow the Rules” took the award for Best Fibre. Honourable mentions were given to Chuck Minten for his “Circle of Friends” wood table and Anne Boquist’s “YoYoTokTik” gourd and found object piece. Other winners include Heather Hamilton’s “Internal Reflections” pendant (Best Jewellery); Jo Ludwig’s “No Title” glass piece (Best Glass); Metchosin’s Judi Dyelle won Best Ceramic for her “White Series #1”; and Jeff Molloy’ for his mixed media piece “A Man of the Cloth. Other honourable mentions went to Debbie Jansen for her fused glass, “Untitled”, Eliza Heminway’s fibre wall piece, “The Haberdasher’s Garden” and Leonard Butt’s “Uchi” raku sculpture. The adjudicators each chose a work for Juror’s Choice. Richard White gave full marks to Nicolas Vandergugten’s lino block print “Bridgework #3”; Grant Leier (substituting for Carol Sabiston) awarded Dee de Wit’s “Still Life with Mango” his kudos; and juror Nixie Barton chose Johannes Landman’s oil painting “Benchwarmer.” Manning said the attendance was keeping in line with past years as were the sales.
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Bonnie Jones takes a close look at Michael MacLean’s “Ambassador”
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One of the important roles of the Christian Church in our community is to help you in times of struggle and stress, but we are also here to assist in ¿nding the right materials for a solid structure that will sustain and protect you in those times of challenge. Don't wait for the winter storms to come before you participate in this life building experience. Come and see what we can do to help you build your life in preparation for all that is to come.
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HOLY TRINITY Anglican Church 1962 Murray Road | 250-642-3172 HOLY COMMUNION SERVICES Sunday & Wednesday 10am Saturday 5pm Revs Dr. Alex and Nancy Nagy www.holytrinitysookebc.org
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2110 Church Rd | 250-642-4124 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:15 am Pre-Service Singing 10:30 am Family worship Rev. Dr Gordon Kouwenberg Parents Room and well equipped Nursery
SOOKE BAPTIST CHURCH 7110 West Coast Road | 250-642-3424 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 am Children, youth & adult ministries Pastor Dwight Geiger Email sookebaptistchurch@telus.net
ST. ROSE OF LIMA Roman Catholic Parish 2191 Townsend Rd. | 250-642-3945 | Fax: 778-425-3945 Saturday Mass 5pm | Sunday Mass, 10 am Thursday Mass 10:30 am Children’s Religious Ed: Sat. 3:45pm Office Hours: Tue 12-3 Wed 10-2 Thurs 1-3 Rev. Fr. Michael Favero