2022 was an extremely busy year for the Southern Ontario Visual Artists and I hope I remember everything as a wrap up for the year. Back in the spring we had the exhibition at the Helson Gallery, but we also had an exhibit at the Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park in June and part of July, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Park Community Centre from September 2022 to January 3rd 2023. Wind in the Woods was our October exhibit and our member Charlene Nickels even flew up from Prince Edward Island to participate in that one.
For 2023 SOVA will have its third annual Wind in the Woods exhibit where the public can even enjoy the Newfoundland ponies at the equestrian centre in Mono Mills in October. As well, we are booked for the Sisnette Gallery in Georgetown in April, the Etobicoke Civic Centre in the summer, Steve Wilson Studios and Gallery in Niagara Falls August 30th to September 23rd, and hope to be in the Headwaters Gallery at Alton Mill in October to November 4th approximately.
Remember these are all working professional artists, so they are also involved in multiple other shows through out the months so 2023 will be a very busy year.
WELCOME
The Southern Ontario Visual Artists welcome our newest member , and would like to introduce Michelle Eissler.
Michelle is a semi abstract oil painter with a focus on free flowing line and shape to create movement and interpretive imagery. Her work is a surrealistic and theatrical presentation of a story to be discovered.
Follow her on instagram @michelleeisslerart
email meissler@rogers.com
website www.michelleeissler.com
STEVE WILSON and LYNDEN COWAN
These two SOVA artists achieved Signature Status in the Federation of Canadian Artists. This is not an easy accomplishment. Each artist must have gained 7 points within a four year span ( if one is past the 4 years then it has aged out and not valid). You get one point for each Federation juried show that you are accepted in, then there are several stages of scrutiny after that. They only accepted 18 new Signature members so it is a Big Deal Both feel very honoured and proud to be a Signature members of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and are qualified and available to act as judges in different Art shows.
STEVE WILSON AFCA, OSA,SCA,CFS,SOVA
SOVA artist Steve Wilson has been kept very busy with his wonderful gallery in Niagara Falls (Artists may rent space there ). He was pleased that the gallery was AGAIN voted Best Gallery for the area.
Steve had work selected to be included into the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario’s special exhibition celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Ontario Society of Artists , held at Queen’s Park, and as well had two pieces selected for the Carrier Gallery, 901 Lawrence Avenue, in North York to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Colour and Form Society.
As well as earning the Prestigious designation of Signature Status for the Federation of Canadian Artists, one of the artworks Steve had to ship to the Federation Gallery in Vancouver was SOLD.
Continuing in his success, Gallery 35 in Brampton also SOLD the painting he was displaying there. It’s been a productive and busy Summer and Fall, and Steve has produced several new works and sold quite a few some at the studio, a few at VAW gallery at Seaway Mall and a major piece in the Federation gallery in Vancouver.
Here are a few new pieces recently finished,
“Bitcoin” Acrylic on Canvas 24”x18” in a new style Steve is working on- this piece sold days after completion
“Sunrise Niagara” Oil on Canvas 20x36” available at the Gallery
“Wonder”- Acrylic on Canvas in the new style also available at the Gallery
Steve Wilson’s newest piece "Crypto, What is the Value?" Oil on Canvas 48"x40" a tongue in check presentation, playing with Banksy' "girl with a balloon" that sold at Sotheby's auction that partially shredded, is a wonderful comment on social concerns.
HELEN DUPLASSIE SOVA
SOVA artist Helen Duplassie has been involved with all of the SOVA exhibits, as well as Headwaters Art Gallery at the Alton Mill Arts Centre.
She enjoyed participating at the Wind in the Woods exhibit in October , and organized the exhibition at the Assembly Hall in Toronto. and now is working on a new body of work for the several SOVA exhibitions coming in 2023. Here is one of Helen’s wonderful recent artworks, titled Toronto.
MARGARET PARDY SSA,SCA,OSA,CFS,SOVA
SOVA artist Margaret Pardy has been extremely busy these past few months. She was commissioned by various clients for Pet Portraits, as well as being involved with several exhibitions, such as the Colour and Form, Ontario Society of Artists, SOVA events, and while keeping up her work to prepare for 2023.
Margaret was pleased to be one of the few artists invited to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario , Honorable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, reception at her suite celebrating the opening reception of the 150th Anniversary of the Ontario Society of Artists exhibition.
Margaret has also recently started being available to jury different art events. Recently she was one of the jurors for the Plein Aire event in Brampton, held by Gallery 35.
SOVA artist Margaret Pardy does extremely detailed scratchboard artwork (available to be commissioned for your pets ). Here are two recently completed artworks….Otter and Taking Off .
the detail is AMAZING :)
CHARLENE NICKELS SOVA
SOVA artist Charlene Nickels now lives on Prince Edwards Island, but remains as part of the Southern Ontario Visual Artists. This wonderful water colour artist is involved with different PEI groups, but also flew up to Ontario to bring artwork for the Wind in the Woods exhibit last October. Below is a recent artwork titled West St. Peter.
Artist Charlene Nickels paints with a water color group affiliated with UPEI and is excited to announce that she was juried into Artisans On Main Montaque, a cooperative styled gallery on the beautiful Montaque River which operates June to October, giving her a new market for her wonderful artwork.
She says she is still settling in after a year and a half here on the island, and hopes in the future, to become more involved and active with her art in the local art scene which is quite vibrant!
The artist was part of a month-long group show in August in Georgetown, PEI .
Below is Charlene painting in her studio.
LYNDEN COWAN AFCA,OSA,SCA,CFS,SAFC,SOVA
SOVA artist Lynden Cowan was also Honoured to be awarded Signature Status in the Federation of Canadian Artists. They only selected 18 total in 2022, and it is a long , heavily scrutinized process.
2022 was a very busy year for this artist. The artist entered her painting Fishing, in the Southwest Art Magazine, Artistic Excellence international competition. There were 100 Finalists, and they published 14 of them, and listed the other 86, so she felt Honoured that she was selected as one of the 14 . This painting is currently on exhibition at the Summer and Grace Gallery, 350 Lakeshore Rd,East,unit 2, Oakville. The other painting shown in this wonderful magazine is Under Cover, that is already Sold.
Above is a commission, titled Emerald Reflections, of Emerald Lake in British Columbia. Oil on canvas, 24 by 36 inches
Lynden was also published in the Who to Collect section (Oct/ Nov edition) of Southwest Art, was in the In the Hills magazine, juried into the prestigious exhibition Paint Ontario, received a certificate from Luxembourg, selected for Western Art Magazine, published by France last August and included in the SOVA exhibitions, and created two commissions, as well as the event hosted by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario , Honorable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, at her suite celebrating the opening reception of the 150th Anniversary of the Ontario Society of Artists exhibition. Last April the Artists for Conservation society ( an internationally recognized group ) used the artist’s little painting Ribbit to promote saving the frogs, and she also exhibited in Gallery 35 in Brampton, and the Federation Gallery in Vancouver.
You can enjoy the different articles on Instagram or her website, or contact her regarding a commission.
Below is a recent oil painting by artist Lynden Cowan, titled Secluded Pond, 24 by 36 inches.
JOANNE LOMAS BFA,SOVA
SOVA artist Joanne Lomas has been working on painting and digital photography this year. Still in Wasaga Beach she has created a little studio painting space and is painting again! Seeing as Joanne is up around the Collingwood area she has joined the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts.
She recently completed this lovely pet portrait, her name is Lexi!
Joanne is still exploring photography and digital collage. She now has opened an Etsy Store to sell her digital images for use on television screens or as phone wallpaper.
Not only showing with Sova at various exhibitions, Joanne was also in a show “For the love of PRNT” with fellow printmakers at the Double Door Gallery in Anten Mills.
Look forward to 2023 as she will be painting up a storm from the En Plein Air and reference work created on her many camping trips this summer around Northern Ontario.
Some examples of Joanne’s work are below,
ROBERT CHISHOLM SOVA
SOVA artist Robert Chisholm has been busy for the past few months. He has shown his work in various shows in the Kawarthas, and Fenelon Falls, as well as New Castle. The artist has also been participating in the SOVA shows at the Assembly Hall, Wind in the Woods (where he was one of the organizers), and the Oakville exhibition. He is getting work ready for the five SOVA shows in 2023. Some examples of Robert’s work are below.
Morning has broken" 60 x 48 Acrylic on canvas.
"Roaring Thunder" 48 x 30 Acrylic on canvas.
LYNNE SCHUMACHER OSA,CFS, SOVA
SOVA artist Lynne Schmacher has moved up to Orillia, and is settling in there. Over the past few months she has enjoyed multiple sales of her beautiful paintings.
She is currently working on a new body of work to be able to participate in the upcoming SOVA shows, as well as keep her many gallery clients happy.
Here are some of her recent sales…..
"Rocky Path" has been sold at Westmount Gallery.
Paula White-Diamond Gallery sold "Snow Lattice" 14" x 14" oil on canvas.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton sold Lynne’s painting entitled "The Clearing"
DAUREEN MURPHY SOVA
SOVA artist Daureen Murphy organized the annual Wind in the Woods exhibition which takes place in October. Artists are keen on environmental, and social issues , and the fundraising efforts from Wind in the Woods are sent to a registered charity that tries to save the Newfoundland ponies, that are endangered.
This year, the charity sent Daureen a wonderful thank you , as they have noticed her consistent efforts to help this breed.
.Daureen, not only are you a terrific artist but a beautiful human. Thank you so much for the donation! Can you pls extend our sincere appreciation to your fellow artists. Your support and encouragement means a lot.
Sincerely,
Libby Carew
Your donation was processed by CanadaHelps. As a registered charity, CanadaHelps offers a secure, low-cost donation and fundraising platform for small and medium-sized charities in Canada. To learn more about CanadaHelps, visitwww.canadahelps.org.
In 2023 the Wind in the Woods SOVA show will be October 14th, so mark your calendars so you can join us for this worthwhile event.
Below is a recent commission done by Daureen.
This 11x16 acrylic on canvas painting of St Patrick's Church, St John's. The church is sold. The last Mass was held on Sept 25, 2022. That date was the first day of a new moon. It is the darkest night of the moon cycle. St John of the Cross wrote about 'the dark night of the soul' as being a place of spiritual crisis, just before renewal of spirit and true union with God. (Commissioned piece, sold)
So that’s a wrap for 2022. This year is also shaping up to be very busy , so we hope you have the chance to visit and meet your favourite artist.
We have updated our brochure this year and you can see the images and contacts below for the different artists if you do not get a chance to pick one up in person.
ALL accept commissions and would be pleased to hear from you
Back to the Easel :)
