Creative process - Kathleen Black

It is wonderful to get some insight into an artist's creative process--Kathleen Black has been so generous with the thoughts and inspiration that went into two of her new pieces. 

"Weald Grace", 36"x36", acrylic, 2013

In Kathleen's words, "My husband and I went to Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island this spring and explored some of the trails and streams nearby. What a lovely and truly cathedral place it is. The day was overcast with some rain and mist, not warm but not cold. It glowed with a wet luminous green and yellow light. There was not a lot of light but so much of it everywhere.The trees do appear to be columns. The carpet red,  blue water and shadow and green velvet moss. I could live there."

"Green and Red Wood", 40"x40", acrylic, glass beads, glass stringers and resin, 2013

"This is an image of some trees off the hiking path walking up Mt. Douglas on Vancouver Island. Again overcast with mist and some rain. Glass stringers simulate the rain.  Glass beads hang onto the edges of everything. This adds not only to the texture but shines, glows, disappears in some light to appear again with a different light.The trees are very textured and come out from the canvas. The purple gray shadows in the birches remind me of parisian light on a cloudy day. The birches push forward and the red woods and cedars stand so firmly in most of the painting."

Our photos give just a glimpse of the complexity of these pieces; full of light and colour, and glimpses of transparency.  The air itself is a presence in Kathleen's work.

Pulse -- A perfect place to find that thoughtful wedding gift

We are now in the midst of spring, and our thoughts turn toward the beauty of spring and summer weddings. Nothing can be more thoughtful than the gift of a lovingly handmade art piece or artisan item.

We invite you to wander through our small and friendly gallery and consider a handmade, locally-produced piece of functional art for your gift-giving this summer!

Sculpture by Angus Braid, table runner by Sandra Wiebe,
turned wood bowl by  Steve Hanchuk, recycled glass tray by Wendy Seversen

Cheryl Gilarski works showing throughout May

"Allusions", a special showing of the works of Manitoba artist Cheryl Gilarski by Pulse Gallery throughout May, had its opening reception on Friday, May 3.  The event was very well attended by both press and public.  

Artist Cheryl Gilarski at the "Allusions" opening reception

Cheryl's work adds to the inherent diversity of the gallery, bringing in her own idiosyncratic palette and  intensity.  Her work with animal subjects is particularly striking, using unconventional colour choices which make this usually traditional topic current and relevant.

Various works by Cheryl Gilarski, opening reception, "Allusions"

These special showings give Pulse the great pleasure of showcasing artists new to the gallery and introducing them to the gallery's followers, and to visitors at the Forks.  We encourage you to make a special visit during May to see Cheryl's work in person!

Pulse was buzzing with enthusiasm and conversation,
"Allusions" opening reception

Allusions

We are pleased to present the works of Cheryl Gilarski throughout the month of May, and invite you to join us for the artist reception on May 3.

With colour and texture, Cheryl achieves fugitive and ephemeral imagery, as thought-provoking as it is beautiful.

Born in Ontario and raised in Manitoba, Cheryl Gilarski has been commissioned to create murals and paintings throughout Canada and the United States.  Her work ranges from realism to the abstract.  Her love of nature and passion for the outdoors defines her work.

Cheryl enjoys the exploration of simplifying the complex.  Art is more than images.  It is an intimate connection to our surroundings.  You can step into Cheryl's works and experience your own interpretations.

These photos are a "sneak-peek" of what will be available for viewing throughout May.  We hope that you can join us at the Forks for a closer look at Cheryl's work, and the work of all of our artists and artisans--celebrate the diversity of Manitoban talent!

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.  

•