Welcome to the ‘ARTIST’S CORNER’
Jacquie Ryan
Jacquie was born in Rockglen, but spent her formative years in Esterhazy, SK. She returned to Rockglen after her marriage and settled down to raise a family. Although she was always interested in art and drawing, Jacquie didn’t get serious about painting until she completed an arts correspondence course. This course, supplemented with classes offered by local artist Sandra Lamontagne, along with plenty of hard work over the years, gave her the technical expertise to create the wonderful images she offers today
Jacquie derives great pleasure from creating something out of nothing. It gives her a feeling of power to be able to take a blank canvas, add paint and end up with a satisfying work of art. She especially likes her ability to change the perspective of a painting by simply adding color. Her paintings are mostly three-dimensional realistic scenes, but Jacquie keeps an open mind and she does appreciate a challenge. She enjoys painting a bit of everything from portraits to murals. Many of her murals are in private backyards throughout the town, with the most visible one situated near the top of Columbus Drive on the old school unit office. Jacquie’s favorite medium is oils but she often paints with acrylics just for the ease and convenience of use. Much of her inspiration comes from the stunning Rockglen hills and the spectacular surrounding countryside.
Her original works and prints are usually available at the Rockglen Information Station during summer operating hours. From there, people passing through Rockglen have purchased pieces and provided them with new homes throughout Canada. They also live in such diverse places as New York, Australia and Arizona.
When the Information Station is closed, you can gain access to
Jacquie and her work by calling 306-476-2390.
Rosemarie Robson
Rockglen is fortunate to have many talented Artists and Rosemarie Robson is one of them. Rosemarie’s passion is Wood Carving. Her work is admired by many. Be sure to see her exhibit at the upcoming Arts in the Park.
A/P - Where does your inspiration come from? My passion comes from Art, Photography, Portraits and Animals.
A/P - Which artists have influenced you and your work? My carving instructor, Bill Judt, who lives in Saskatoon has influenced me.
A/P - What is your favorite medium? I prefer to use soft woods such as Maple and Ash.
A/P - What advice would you give to younger artists just starting out? To practice and study the various type of woods.
A/P - What are you working on now? I am currently working on a Western Carving.
Bob Robson and his wife (Rosemarie) moved to Rockglen a few years ago. They are active in the community being involved in Tourism and Arts in the Park.
A/P - How long have you practiced the craft of Knife Making?
About 18 years.
A/P - What are you working on now?
I have several knives in progress. I also hold Knife Making classes.
A/P - What is your proudest accomplishment?
My knives have been sold world wide.
A/P - What advice would you give to younger artists just starting out?
Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
A/P - Have you any up coming shows/performances?
I have upcoming shows in Swift Current (April 2nd & 3rd) and I will be in Coronach (April 16th & 17th). ww.robsonknives.com
Wanda Knoss
Wanda has always been interested in photography and now her passion has grown into a business. She is also on the Arts in the Park Committee.
A/P - Where does your inspiration come from?
Wanda - My surroundings. Landscapes, people, I love to photograph people! Also
macro and designs in nature etc………
A/P - Which artists have influenced you and your work?
Wanda - There are many.
- Ansel Adams, an American landscape photographer best known for his black and white photography.
- Daryl Benson, born and raised in Alberta, he has photographed Canada and the world.
- James Page, a Canadian photographer living in B.C and who plans on retiring in Val Marie. He loves the grasslands. I have attended many of James’ seminars.
- Andre Gallant, another great Canadian photographer.
- Also Larry Easton, Brent Parkin, DeLee Grant (all of the Regina Photo Club).
They are a great group of people with a common passion.
- My photo friends Laura Ellis and Marg Wieb.
A/P - What is your proudest accomplishment?
Wanda - I was asked to display at the Prairie South Art Exhibition at the Shurniak Art Gallery.
A/P - What advice would you give to artists interested in learning photography?
Wanda - Take the time to learn the manual side of your camera. This is the creative side of the camera. You will be amazed at what you can create once you become familiar with that side of the dial.
I believe photography is a very expressive art form. I love its endless and creative possibilities. Create challenges for yourself and of course work hard! Most of all enjoy!!
A/P - What are you working on now?
Wanda - I’m working on HDR images (High Dynamic Range) . It is still a young art form. It is a post processing task that either takes one image or a series of images and combining them produces wonderful shadows, highlights and tones. I like to work with three to five images and process for an artistic effect and also realism. I use Neutral Density filters and polarizer’s, I believe these add to the dynamic effect of a landscape.
I also have found a wonderful way to shoot from photographer Mike Stobbs – Painting with light at night.
A/P - What is the best advice you have ever received
Wanda - Larry Easton insisted that we shoot on the manual side of the dial. Thank You Larry.
A/P - Have you any upcoming shows?
Wanda - I will be showing some of my work at the Kay Cristo room in Assiniboia for the months of September and October 2011.
Learn more about Wanda at www.wandaknossphotography.com.
Sandra Knoss
Sandra is a member of our Arts in the Park Committee. She has instructed classes at Arts in the Park. Learn more about Sandra on Facebook.
A/P - How would you describe your work?
Sandra - My paintings are rich in colour and form.
A/P - Would you have done anything differently regarding your art?
Sandra - Finished my fine arts degree.
A/P - What is your proudest accomplishment?
Sandra - Inclusion in the Mind the Gap art show at the Dunlop Art Gallery. It is a show for emerging contemporary artists in Saskatchewan. www.mindthegap.dunlopartgallery.org
A/P - What advice would you give to younger artists just starting out?
Sandra - Art is like any other job it is a lot of work. The business and promotion side are very important areas also.
A/P - What are you working on now?
Sandra - A series of paintings of the Grasslands National Park East Block and area. I have been touring the park with local residents and painting from these experiences. You can see these paintings on Facebook.
A/P - Have you any up coming shows/performances?
Sandra - I am hoping to have a show in 2012 for the Grasslands paintings. The Mind the gap show will be touring the province in 2011 to 2012 and will be at the Ottawa Art Gallery in the spring 2011 for the Prairie scene festival in Ottawa, Ontario.
Betty Thomson
In Grade 2 Mrs. Mattson told Betty Thomson that she should write stories as she had a big imagination. She has attended writing classes for poetry & prose as well as drawing, watercolor and oil painting classes. Betty has had some of her writings published. She also enjoys photography and often uses it as a reference in her drawings and paintings. Quilting can also be added to Betty’s list of ‘hobbies’.
A/P - What is the best advice you have ever received?
" Its only paper. You can throw it out and start over if you make a mistake." Sandra Lamontagne.
A/P - Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from the world around me. It makes me happy. I want to preserve the images forever.
A/P - Which artists have influenced you and your work?
Charlie Russell, Bernie Brown, Alan Sapp, Sandra Lamontagne and Jacquie Ryan because they paint things I understand. Picasso, because I don't like his style.
A/P - What is your favorite medium?
Acrylic. It is the most forgiving, dries fast and I can paint over it.
A/P - What advice would you give to younger artists just starting out?
Take lessons until you understand your medium. Paint subjects you enjoy. Never give up.
A/P - What is your proudest accomplishment?
When a friend saw my painting of wild roses and thought it was a photograph
Laura Ellis has taken her hobby of photography and turned it into a business. You can view her photos at www.pbase.com.
A/P - Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from people. An expression that lasts only a second can be captured on camera forever.
A/P - Which artists have influenced you and your work?
Brian Adams, Mike Stobbs, Wanda Knoss
A/P - How would you describe your work?
It can be challenging, especially when it comes to little people. Their attention span is very short and you get a lot of blurred images because of movement. Some people are more photogenic than others.
A/P - What is your proudest accomplishment?
My awards.
A/P - What advice would you give to beginner photographers?
Take your time. Be sure to check your background for distracting objects.
A/P - What is the best advice you have ever received?
Check your background.
Sandra Lamontagne is a well known painter. She also dabbles with other art forms. Many have enjoyed taking her various art classes.
A/P - Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from the local scenery, history and events. I like to paint people and places I know. I also like my paintings to have a little story.
A/P - Which artists have influenced you and your work?
There are many, but to name a few: Bernie Brown and Robert Bateman because they were the first Canadian artists that I realized earned their livings with their paintings. And Charles Russell for the stories his paintings tell and Howard Terpning for his clear colors and loose brushwork.
A/P - What is your proudest accomplishment?
When I was juried into the Calgary Stampede Art Show.
A/P – Do you have any up coming shows?
My show at the Art Gallery of Regina runs until Oct. 4, 2010.
A/P - What are you working on now?
I always have several paintings on the go. Right now I have an acrylic of a coyote sleeping under a shelf of rocks on my easel and on the drawing board the beginnings of a watercolor of a cowboy in a slicker with a reflection in a large puddle.
A/P - What advice would you give to younger artists just starting out?
Work, work, work. Try as many things as you can. Once you have mastered a medium your style will be developed. Art is an evolving thing.
To learn more about Sandra, visit www.slamontagne.com
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