Margaret Obermeier

St. Andrews, NB
m.obermeier53@gmail.com

Driftwood Seascapes

One day on the beaches of St. Andrews, a small child and her mother went searching for treasures from the sea. They found sea sculpted wood, sea glass and wet sticky clay. The small child followed her mother in great anticipation of the wonders of creating beautiful objects of art while sitting at the kitchen table. She didn’t realize at the time the gift her mother was bestowing upon her. Years later this child rediscovered the hidden talent her mother helped reveal.

This is what I do. Art from nature.

Elena Zamyatina

Lena is an Artist and Interior Designer based in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Born and raised on the Urals, Russia, Elena received her Interior Decoration Degree at the Ural State Academy of Architecture and Arts, Ekaterinburg, Russia. She moved to Canada in 2007.

Silk painting is the kind of art technique where she can express herself as an artist the most. All her feelings, dreams and thoughts she transmits into her paintings. These original pieces are created using “cold batik” & “hot batik” techniques. Silk painting is a laborious technique, but each piece is very delicate and expressive. The variety of styles ranges from a children’s picture to a large painted panel. Batik can be a perfect gift for the ones you love or a unique detail of your interior.

Darlene Keffer

Keffer Pottery
St. Andrews, NB

Darlene Keffer was born in Toronto and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. She formed an interest in pottery while completing her psychology degree from Wilfred Laurier University via Carlton University in Ottawa. Her love for wheel-thrown functional domestic ware emerged while studying in the Fine Arts Program at the University of Manitoba in the early 1980’s.

Darlene moved recently to St. Andrews, New Brunswick, where she has focused her energies to her studio practice concentrating on her passion for functional forms, engaging colour, and pleasing decoration. All pieces are food-safe, ovenproof, and microwave safe. The pottery is intended to be used and enjoyed.

Darlene Keffer was born in Toronto and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. She formed an interest in pottery while completing her psychology degree from Wilfred Laurier University via Carlton University in Ottawa. 

Keffer’s love for wheel-thrown functional domestic ware emerged while studying in the Fine Arts Program at the University of Manitoba in the early 1980’s. Her early involvement at Stoneware Gallery in Winnipeg as co-owner and instructor established her trajectory of studio craft, business acumen, and teaching. This pattern culminated in Keffer Gallery in Almonte, Ontario at the turn of the millennium.

She has since been an Instructor at the Ottawa Perley Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in its celebrated Creative Arts Program, and Head of the Ceramics Program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, Ontario. She has been affiliated with the Ottawa Guild of Potters, Fusion – the Ontario Clay and Glass Association, and both the Manitoba and Ontario Crafts’ Councils. Keffer’s work has been represented by such renowned venues as Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Burlington Art Centre and the Gardiner Museum.

Recently relocated to St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Keffer has re-focused her energies to her studio practice concentrating on her passion for functional forms, engaging colour, and pleasing decoration. Her studio style and mastery of technique firmly continues the traditions of Bernard Leach and demonstrates the continuing appeal of artisan craft in contemporary society.

Darlene Keffer produces functional wheel-thrown pottery using a mid fired white stoneware clay body. The pieces are highly decorated with a strong palette of colours using underglazes, stained slips, and glazes. All pieces are foodsafe, ovenproof, and microwave safe. The pottery is intended to be used and enjoyed in the kitchen.

Dale Cook

www.dalecookart.com
Dale@dalecookart.com
@dalecookart

Parsley, Sage Rosemary and Thyme (Oil) - A rural scene from Harvey, New Brunswick. The scene captured by attention as the warmth of the day created a sense of leisure and timelessness.

South Shore Scene (Acrylic) - The gentle motion of the algae and the clear reflections of the boat are what compelled me to paint this Maritime scene. I just had to take off my shoes and enjoy the freshness of the water.

City Market Vendor (Oil) - The City Market is an ideal subject for art with all the colours and liveliness. Every day, these hard working, dedicated small business owners and staff prepare for visitors. Year over year we see some of the same faces and same efforts to make their products as appealing as possible.

Blue Rocks (Acrylic) - This iconic scene begged to be painted. I had heard of the beauty of Blue Rocks and this particular scene and was surprised to discover that this was a very small area. But it lends itself to such charming compositions and is easily recognizable.

Partridge Island Shore (Acrylic) - If anyone has a “bucket list” of things to do in their lives, they will understand that visiting Partridge Island was high on my list. So I, with a whole crew of selected artists and representatives hiked the challenging breakwater to visit this historic and special space in the Saint John harbour. I have since made a second trip and heartily recommend the easier kayak tour.

Sun Rays on Waterloo (Oil) - Growing up in Saint John, I made many trips along Waterloo Street shopping with my mom or on visits to the now missing General Hospital. The character of the street has changed significantly as the malls and shopping on the outskirts of the city have overtaken the uptown small businesses. But that is showing a switch back as Saint John’s uptown is showing growth and revitalization. We celebrate the diversity.

Brian Comeau www.duckcovephotography.ca

Brian lives along the Bay of Fundy in Saint John with his wife and three children. His inspiration is drawn from the natural beauty of the Maritimes, with its picturesque landscapes, majestic coastlines and beautiful lakes and rivers. The Bay of Fundy, with its highest tides in the world and rocky rugged coastlines, is a favourite destination for Brian. 

Rob Roy

Well-known New Brunswick photographer Rob Roy lives and works in the historic Trinity Royal area of Saint John. Although Rob has worked as a commercial photographer, he is best known for his artistic projects, which are particularly evident in his book Saint John (first published in 2004 and reprinted in 2013). This much loved book brings together everyday scenes of Saint John and has been a must-have book for visitors and residents of the city. 

Fred Harrison

Fred says of himself, “I love to paint big.” A native of London, Ontario, Fred came to New Brunswick to take part in the Sussex Mural Celebration. While working here, he became captivated by the beauty of this province, and he is now at home in a small cottage in the wilds of Goshen. 

Although Fred has done many pieces of public art, his paintings can also be found hanging on the walls of many homes in New Brunswick and beyond.

Michael McQuay

Native to Waterloo, Ontario, Michael worked as a commercial photographer in Toronto for many years. Sixteen years ago, seduced by the open space and brilliance of the Saint John River Valley, he traded urban life for rural. A self-taught artist, since 2001 he and his partner Cyndi Brittain have designed and produced original work from their Queenstown studio.