The Carefree Innocence of a Child's Summer

Art is at its best when it calls to the heart.  The artist's route to the emotions is often through personal and evocative imagery of moments past.  Naomi Gerrard's new work focuses on such fragments of time, capturing images of childhood with an acute eye and her peerless style.  Despite the subject matter, there is a compelling sparseness and unsentimentality about Naomi's work.

We are delighted to have these works available for viewing at our gallery--we hope that you can come to see these new canvases in person.

Canal Builders, acrylic, 10"x30"

Puddle Pleasure, acrylic, 24"x24"

Swinging Friends, acrylic, 32"x40"

"The Rainy Road to Champagne", Kathleen Black

We asked Kathleen for her thoughts about one of the pieces she recently brought into the gallery. She responded with some lovely insights into her creative process…

This is inspired by a photo I took out of the car window on the way to Champagne, France. That whizzing by you fell in a car. It was a bit rainy but the sky was that beautiful yellow. This painting worked well as the resin becomes that car window I looked through with the glass strings glowing and changing the light as rain does and the paint providing colour and form.

"The Rainy Road to Champagne", Kathleen Black.  Acrylic, glass, resin

Kathleen's innovative multimedia approach uses glass stringers which bring the iridescence of rain into the  painting.  It is difficult to photograph Kathleen's work because of the effect of refracted and reflected light, so it is best viewed in person--another reason why it is always worth a trip to visit us at Pulse Gallery!

Special event at Pulse Gallery--Lou Gaskin

We are always getting new works in by our group of artists and artisans, so a visit to our gallery is full of new discoveries.  However, a few times throughout the year we hold special events focussing on an artist who is new to the gallery, or who has a body of work he or she might want to reveal and spotlight.

During the month of March, Pulse Gallery puts this spotlight on Manitoba artist Lou Gaskin.  Having built a successful career with her unique pottery, raku and sculpture, Lou Gaskin has at long last returned to her first artistic passion - painting.  Join us Friday, March 15th from 7-9 p.m. to view "In Her Minds' Eye" - a showcase of Lou Gaskins' skillful use of colour, texture and tones on canvas.  

In her words, "The exhibition, titled 'In My Mind's Eye', features an extensive portrayal of the artist's interpretation of her personal interaction with nature through floral and scenic scenes. Her adept hand skillfully creates tangible textures of flower petals and blowing prairie grasses.  Haunting use of hue and light transform traditional imagery into current examinations of our relationships with organic materials, seeming to warn of the eminent need to capture and behold the fleeting world of nature's own handiwork."

Lou has recently become an artisan at Pulse, and we have enjoyed displaying her beautiful ceramic pieces.  We're very excited to also celebrate her works on canvas during March.  

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Falling in Love with the Feminine

We are pleased to host Winnipeg artist Sarah Welsh Johnston for her show "Falling in Love with the Feminine".  The very successful opening reception was on the evening of Friday, February 8, and the show runs through the month of February.  

In Sarah's own words, "When I create, I work intuitively, from my subconscious experience of the feminine with references to the forces of nature. I sometimes incorporate found objects in my work using several layers of mixed media in an organic abstract manner."

"Prom", Sarah Welsh Johnston, ink, oil pastel, charcoal, chalk, nail polish, acrylic, fabriano paper, 45"x57"

NEW @ PULSE - GENEVIE HENDERSON

I know it's been a while since the last post, (I know!) which obviously means I have a lot to inform you about!

All in due time of course, but most importantly we've signed a fantastic, new Winnipeg artist to the Gallery this month!  It is always such a delight when we sign new artists, and this time is no exception! Please welcome Genevie Henderson!

Ancient Horse in Gold - acrylic 24"x12" 

Her works are vibrant and without a doubt fit right at home amongst all the talented and diverse artists we already showcase.  She paints colourful impressionism, abstract, figurative and cultural art, with an array of media giving her that unique touch while keeping it made-in-Manitoba!

Somewhere on the Coast - acrylic 30"x40"

I must admit, I catch myself daydreaming of my own travels when I look at her pieces. There's something so inviting about the look of calm waters disappearing into the horizon.  The playful colours in her water lilies remind me of my canoe trips through swamp waters and cat tails while the frogs sang to each other.

Leo Mol Water Lily Garden - acrylic 36"x30"

Its these types of emotions and memories that make art so captivating and desirable. We have such a fantastic art scene in Winnipeg, do take the time to bask in it! You might be intrigued by what you see. 

Check back soon! I will be posting more pictures of our artisans' works - wood, fabric, glass, clay - and we have an event to talk about too "Falling in Love with the Feminine" Feb 8 @ 7 pm! Yes, it's 2 days away and already half the art being showcased has sold!!!! 

Change is ongoing at the gallery!

Your faithful blogger has been away from Pulse for the summer, and I'm now back in the Gallery enjoying discovering all the changes that have occurred during my sabbatical!  

We are delighted to welcome Wendy Kroeker as a talented artist new to the gallery.  She has a few new pieces at the gallery now, and will be bringing more in the near future.

The Beach Comber Restaurant

And as always, new art and artisan items are coming in daily.  It's worthwhile to stop in whenever you are at the Forks, or are looking for a unique made-in-Manitoba gift item.  The talent in this province is indeed something to be proud of, and something to promote.

Raku sculptures by Gary McKague

"It's a New Day", Anthony Steffes, wood turnings by Ted Van Den Heuvel,
"Comfortably Forgotten" metalwork by Chris Spilak (center), and
wood turnings by Ted Van Den Heuvel (left and right)

Pulse artist Dale Turner spotlighted in "Artarama" press coverage

This article was in the Winnipeg Free Press supplements today (Link:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Support-local-artists-at-Artarama--143540146.html):

Support local artists at Artarama
Fundraising event will showcase 45 artists
By: Simon Fuller
Posted: 03/21/2012 1:10 AM

Dale Turner seen showcasing some of her paintings at a previous exhibition

   The Knights of Columbus will hold an upcoming art exhibit and sale to help brush up support for Winnipeg organizations in need.
   Artarama will be held at Mary Mother of the Church at 85 Kirkbridge Dr. on Fri., March 23 from 5 to 9 p.m., Sat., March 24 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Sun., March 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Organized by Our Lady of the Prairie KC Council, the annual charity show will give 45 Manitoban artists the chance to showcase more than 3,000 items in two galleries.
   Artists come from across the city, including St. James, St. Boniface, East Kildonan and West Kildonan.
The first gallery will sell a broad mix of framed art, while the second will contain unframed works and thousands of cards.
   There will also be a café serving sandwiches and home baking, art demos and a raffle featuring more than 25 pieces of framed art donated by participating artists.
   Artarama’s chair, Al Borys, said the annual event is the council’s primary fundraiser and is set to benefit organizations including Rossbrook House, Habitat for Humanity and the Christmas Cheer Board.
   Borys said the number of artists is only capped by the capacity of the galleries — which means plenty of depth when it comes to artistic talent.
   "The list of artists waiting for space to exhibit at Artarama is quite long, so we can be very selective in choosing new exhibitors," said Borys, who lives in Fort Richmond. "The result is high quality art."
   Among the established exhibiting artists is St. Norbert resident Dale Turner, who said she believes in giving back to the community through the "language" of art.
   "Art really has no borders. Art really has no language barriers," said Turner, who exhibits and sells most of her work through the Pulse Gallery at The Forks. "It doesn’t matter where you come from, the art will speak back to you in your own language.
   "The event is also good for the artists, as it’s a wonderful venue to promote local artwork," added Turner, who works primarily in acrylic and watercolour with jazz music, cityscapes and flowers being her main focus.
   For years, Turner has provided art donations to organizations such as CNIB, CancerCare Manitoba, the Manitoba Lung Association and the Jubilee Fund for different fundraising events.


For more information, email alborys@mts.net.
simon.fuller@canstarnews.com