ROD PROUSE Art Exhibit, with Musical Performance by DON FARQUHAR & JOHN FIDDES ... and a special artist demo by Rod on Sunday! · Apr 15, 04:43 pm
Phenomenal Attendance for all the events during the Art Exhibition of ROD PROUSE at CLAUSTRO Studios & Gallery last weekend, April 13-15, 2012.
Thank you to everyone for attending Rod’s Art Reception on Friday evening Arpil 13, 6-9pm.
And on Saturday April 14, from 2-3pm, over 25 people attended the Celtic music of Fiddler/Mandolin, DON FARQUHAR and the multi talented, singer, guitarist, harmonica, JOHN FIDDES. Backdropped by Rod’s active paintings, the music was very fitting!
And to close the Art Exhibition, on Sunday April 15 from 2-3pm, ROD PROUSE provided a very interactive and entertaining Artist Demonstration. Rod gave an amazing talk about what art means to the artist and the observer, and life as an artist … an inspiring and succinct discussion! He then talked about a few fundamentals in art and gave a brief demonstration of what the participants would do over the next 15 minutes to create their own painting using tools other than brushes … and voila, 12 paintings were created! Very inspirational Rod!
Click thumbnail to enlarge each image
Rod Prouse's exhibit prior to opening April 13th, 2012.
Rod Prouse Opening Reception Friday April 13, 2012.
Rod Prouse Opening Reception.
Artist, Rod Prouse, at his Artist Opening at CLAUSTRO, April 13, 2012.
Rod Prouse Artist Reception at CLAUSTRO April 13, 2012.
Artist Rod Prouse within his Hawaii Painting.
Fiddler, Don Farquhar, at CLAUSTRO April 14, 2012
Fiddler, Don Farquhar, at CLAUSTRO April 14, 2012.
Great crowd for Music Performance with Don Farquhar and John Fiddes at CLAUSTRO.
Musicians, Don Farquhar & John Fiddes at CLAUSTRO April 14, 2012 with Rod Prouse Paintings.
Fiddler, Don Farquhar, at CLAUSTRO.
Celtic Musicians Don Farquhar & John Fiddes.
John Fiddes, not only plays guitar, but sings, and plays harmonica!
In termission at Celtic Music Performance at CLAUSTRO April 14, 2012 - over 25 people in attendance!
Stu Leggett, Sculptor of CLAUSTRO, with Heath Canyon, our musician for May 5, 2012.
Don Farquhar, on mandolin - What a performance!!!!
John Fiddes, at CLAUSTRO April 14, 2012. What a beautiful singer he is.
Getting ready for Rod Prouse talk and demonstration.
Artist Rod Prouse discussing art with over 15 attendees at CLAUSTRO Sunday April 15, 2012.
Artist Rod Prouse giving an inspirational talk about life as an artist.
After the discussion, Rod provides some brief lessons on the demonstration.
Rod Prouse demonstrating what the audience will create.
A few of the participants getting ready to start their own painting.
Participants of Rod Prouse's demonstration trying their own painting.
The final works!!! GREAT JOB to all!!!!!
Rod Prouse discussing what the participants accomplished (in only one hour!).
Artist Rod Prouse (in yellow smock) with the group participants (paintings on wall behind) at CLAUSTRO April 15, 2012.
— Carol Currie
Comment [1]
CLAUSTRO featured in Midland Mirror · Apr 7, 11:25 pm
Thank you to journalist, Jennifer Harker, for writing such a fantastic article in the Midland Mirror entitled ‘The Fine Art of Business’, which went to press April 4, 2012. It summarizes what and how Stu and I create as artists, and how we came to re-open our gallery to the community.
You can read the entire article at this link
Click thumbnail to enlarge each image
Artists, Carol Currie & Stuart Leggett of CLAUSTRO, pose in front of their latest sculpted work, Spirits of Killarney. Photo taken by journalist, Jennifer Harker.
— Carol Currie
JENNIFER LAWTON Art Opening .. Musical Performance with MARLON GIBBONS .. interactive Artist Demonstration by JENNIFER LAWTON Mar 30-Apr 1, 2012 · Apr 2, 04:46 pm
Yet another great weekend full of events for the Art Exhibition of JENNIFER LAWTON at CLAUSTRO Studios & Gallery last weekend, March 30-April 1, 2012.
The exhibit comprised of 15 mixed media works inspired by Jennifer’s recent travels to our country’s capital city, Ottawa. Thank you to everyone for attending Jennifer’s Art Reception on Friday evening March 30, 6-9pm.
On Saturday March 31, from 2-3pm, CLAUSTRO welcomed the multi-talented Guitarist/Keyboardist/Singer MARLON GIBBONS. Backdropped by Jennifer Lawton’s colourful painted photographs, the event was well attended with over 25 people!
And to close the Art Exhibition, on Sunday April 1, from 2-3pm, JENNIFER LAWTON showed a captive audience how she transforms a photograph into a painting … she asked each of the audience members to give her an idea of what portion of the work they wanted to add colour to at which time she sat down to paint to include their input. What a great idea to create a painting based on audience feedback. Thank you for sharing that with us Jennifer!
Stay tuned to view more of Jennifer’s Work, as we will be booking another Exhibition with her at the end of this summer. More to follow.
Click thumbnail to enlarge each image
Jennifer Lawton Exhibit just before opening.
Jennifer Lawton before opening reception March 30, 2012.
Opening Reception for Jennifer Lawton Art Exhibition at CLAUSTRO March 30, 2012.
A great turnout for Opening Reception, Jennifer Lawton at CLAUSTRO.
Jennifer Lawton Art Opening at CLAUSTRO March 30, 2012.
Marlon Gibbons at CLAUSTRO March 31, 2012.
Over 25 people attended Marlon Gibbons performance at CLAUSTRO.
Friends of the Gallery listening to some great music by Marlon Gibbons at CLAUSTRO. Featured Artist Jennifer Lawton (left).
Marlon Gibbons, played sets with both keyboard AND guitar ... a very talented and diverse musician!
The 'Crew'; left to right; Musician, Marlon Gibbons, Gallery Attendant, Genna Brunet, Featured Artist, Jennifer Lawton, and Carol Currie, Artist and Gallery owner of CLAUSTRO.
Fun times at CLAUSTRO Studios & Gallery with artists, musicians and friends ... March 31, 2012.
Marlon Gibbons performing with a beautiful backdrop of Artist Jennifer Lawton's mixed media work.
Marlon Gibbons at CLAUSTRO March 31, 2012.
CLAUSTRO owners, Carol Currie (left), enjoying the music, while Stu Leggett (middle) working the lights for stage performance by Marlon Gibbons.
Enjoying the music of Marlon Gibbons .. featured artist (left), with friends of CLAUSTRO.
What a fantastic turnout for Jennifer Lawton's demonstration ... over a dozen people in attendance.
Featured Artist, Jennifer Lawton, discussing her process of mixed media works at CLAUSTRO April 1, 2012.
With audience participation and input, Jennifer Lawton paints her photograph during her demonstration April 1, 2012.
Audience watches how Artist Jennifer Lawton uses paint to add colour to her photographs during her demonstration at CLAUSTRO.
And this is the final work that Jennifer Lawton and the audience developed before day's end.
— Carol Currie
HUGH NIBLOCK Art Opening .. Musical Performance with JOHN FIDDES & BRENT ROBITAILLE .. iphoto Art Presentation by HUGH NIBLOCK Mar 23-25, 2012 · Mar 25, 11:57 pm
Another great weekend full of events for the Art Exhibition of HUGH NIBLOCK at CLAUSTRO Studios & Gallery last weekend, March 23-25, 2012.
The exhibit comprised of 12 graphite drawings and 4 watercolours of some of the ‘greats’ in blues and jazz music. Thank you to everyone for attending Hugh’s Art Reception on Friday evening March 23, 6-9pm.
Then on Saturday March 24, from 2-3pm, CLAUSTRO welcomed Guitarist/Singer BRENT ROBITAILLE & Guitarist/Singer/Harmonica JOHN FIDDES. Fitting to the art, Brent and John played alot of blues by BB King and Neil Young. The event was well attended with lots of toe tappers!
And to close the Art Exhibition, on Sunday March 25, from 2-3pm, HUGH NIBLOCK provided an iphoto presentation to showcase the some of the many series of works he has created over 60 years … including his portraiture, figurative, landscape and abstracts. Hugh wowed the audience with a very impressive, extensive body of work! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Stay tuned to more of Hugh’s Work, as we will be booking another Exhibition with him at the end of this summer to feature his ‘golf landscape series’. More to follow.
Click thumbnail to enlarge each image
Hugh Niblock Exhibit March 23-25, 2012 at CLAUSTRO Gallery in Midland ON.
Gale Niblock with daughter, Holly and grandson, Tristan (a budding novelist) at HUGH NIBLOCK Art Opening March 23, 2012.
Artist, Hugh Niblock, (far left), at his art opening at CLAUSTRO Friday March 23, 2012.
HUGH NIBLOCK Art Opening Friday March 23, 2012.
And yes, we welcome young ones at our Art Openings.
Artist Rod Prouse (one with hat in back row), brings by his art students to Hugh Niblock's opening to discuss art before class.
Guitarists John Fiddes (left) and Brent Robitaille (right) getting ready for their performance Saturday March 24, 2012.
John Fiddes & Brent Robitaille at CLAUSTRO Sat Mar 24, 2012.
John Fiddes on harmonica and Brent Robitaille on Guitar playing some blues!
Intermission during saturday afternoon performance ... a chance to chat with musicians and artist.
John Fiddes, singing a beautiful ballad of the blues.
What a great turnout for John Fiddes & Brent Robitaille at CLAUSTRO Sat Mar 24, 2012.
Artist Hugh Niblock (Left) getting ready to discuss his 60 year career Sunday Mar 25, 2012
Hugh Niblock iphoto Presentation at CLAUSTRO Sunday Mar 25, 2012.
A great turnout to watch Hugh Niblock's presentation on his 60 year career Sunday Mar 25, 2012
Artist, Hugh Niblock (left) sharing some stories at his Exhibition at CLAUSTRO Mar 23-25, 2012.
— Carol Currie
Western Islands Georgian Bay with B.P. Flight out of Huronia Airport · Mar 25, 10:58 pm
Okay … so Monday March 19, 2012 was indeed a very exciting day for Stu and I! Yes, Stu has ALOT more experience in small aircraft than I do, having had over a dozen flights in floatplanes, small aircraft, and helicopters … and as for me, I have had ZERO experience in aircrafts other then the big jets (which I love). But we both love to fly, so I was so excited to share my first small aircraft flight experience with him.
And the man that Stu is, he gave me the front seat in this 4 person Cessna 172 built in 1977 so I could really enjoy the experience. Our flight came from B.P. Flight Training, and our pilot, Devin, provided us with a tremendous experience! Devin came from Parry Sound to fly us out of Huronia Airport located just outside of our hometown, Midland Ontario.
I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to hear that I could fly with the window open so I could get some great open photos of our flight experience. That was an added bonus for me … to feel the wind! Although, I hadn’t come prepared, so didn’t have a hair tie … but Stu, the innovative guy that he is, fixed my hair with my lens cap holder. Classic.
Our destination was to circle the Western Islands of Georgian Bay (a remote group of Islands 20 km from any shore) … and a place where we were taken to by boat a couple summers ago, by a great group of amazing people who cottage at Thunder Beach. It was a very inspiring place for us at that time … and while there, we saw a white floatplane circle the Islands, and thought, wouldn’t that be amazing? So we booked a flight and took the opportunity to fly this March … too early however for floatplanes, so we took the Cessna 172 and just said, LET’S GO FOR IT!
Flying at a cruising speed of 95 knots (which is about 176 kph), we arrived at the Western Islands within 20 minutes … and were able to circle the Islands three times before heading back. Flying at 7000 ft ASL gave us a great perspective of just how remote these Islands are from mainland. More shocking was all the shoals that became very obvious from that height. Much respect to our captain that day we travelled by boat. Great job!
So yep, I am hooked on flying for sure – as I thought I would be – Stu of course, was in his element too – and we are both looking forward to getting out again in either a floatplane or chopper … oh so sweet that would be.
And a very exciting part of the flight home was that Devin let me take the yoke (steering wheel) and learn a little about flying … I found out quickly just how sensitive the plane is to very little movement of the yoke … very interesting.
We lucked out on a gorgeous, calm day – no clouds out, and only little on our return … no ice out on Georgian Bay … and 26 degrees celcius … yeah, mid-march, in northern ontario!
But moving that yoke on a calm day, gave me appreciation for how it would feel to fly in inclement weather.
Ah yes, in our glory!
The last photo shows a painting I have available of a study that was done of the Western Islands after our boating trip.
And if you would like to see more photos of our boating trip, view our Blog link
BOTH AMAZING DAYS! Thank you to our Thunder Beach friends, and Thank you Stu – I am one lucky girl!
Click thumbnail to enlarge each image
Arrival at the Huronia Airport in Midland Ontario!
Carol Currie, all ready to go ... just waiting for the plane to arrive from Parry Sound.
And here he comes now ... coming in for a landing to pick us up!
Da plane! Getting ready to climb on!
Pilot, Devin, confirms on a map the direction of our flight path ... that's me in the front seat on the left.
Stu takes a photo of Devin and I just before take off.
Stu Leggett ready for flight! Handsome Boy!
Our Pilot, Devin, giving us some final instructions (ie, how to do up your seat belt!)
And we are taking off!
After a quick and smooth take off, this was my first photo taken at 2700 feet of Collingwood.
And our first view of Beckwith, Hope and Christian Island.
The Beaches of Giant's Tomb! Looks like the caribbean!
Giant's Tomb with Beckwith, Hope and Christian Islands in the distance. Stunning!
A surreal view of Beckwith, Hope and Christian Island.
Our first glimpse of the Western Islands ... our destination approaching. Now flying at 7000 ft.
An even more surreal photo of the Western Islands. The variance in colours in the water makes it appear as it the Islands are floating in ice with shadows. 
Western Islands, again appearing more like shadowing boulders on ice...but this is open water.
Aerial view of the obvious shoals that all boaters want to avoid. Crazy! And keep in mind, this is over 20km OFFSHORE!
Manoeuvering over The Western Islands. Check out the Orange Lichen!
The Western Islands. Two summers ago, we anchored at the bottom Island ...next photo will show a closeup of the Island.
Closeup of our anchorage on the bottom left side of the Island...see a land view next photo.
Boulders of the Western Islands
And now for the very exciting part - Devin let me fly the plane ... so here, he is giving me some brief instructions.
Yep - I am FLYING!
Really .. those are my hands flying the plane!
And Stu wasn't even nervous about Devin handing over the wheel ... he is still smiling happy!
Yes that's a lens cap in my hair ... I didn't come prepared with a hair tie ... so Stu improvised. I didn't realize I was going to be able to hang out the window to take photos! Yeah.
And there we are, flying alongside the clouds. Stunningly surreal.
This one was even more surreal as it floated right next to us.
But alas, we had to return. After over an hour's flight, there was Huronia Airport again. Sigh.
In for what would be a VERY SMOOTH landing. Great job Devin! What a gorgeous day!
After the amazing flight, Stu and I went to sit at Balm Beach to get a different view of Collingwood ... a calm and balmy 26 degrees on March 19, 2012!
Balm Beach. On a record breaking day in so many wonderful ways.
Just look at the reflections of those clouds in the water.
Panoramic View of Balm Beach after our flight March 19, 2012. What a day! We are so fortuneate to live here!
Western Islands
Acrylics on Panel
39 x 29 $2200
SOLD
— Carol Currie
Comment [2]