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Ernest Marza, Canadian painter and world of art nouveau

Carollyne Yardley and Ernest Marza (home and studio visit, May 14, 2012)

Carollyne Yardley and Ernest Marza (home and studio visit, May 14, 2012)

Back in March 2009, I first experienced a visit to the magical world of Ernie Marza.  He describes it as his little world of art nouveau.
Today, I popped over there again, and was overwhelmed. Except this time - my eyes were prepared for the feast and eager with anticipation.

While Ernie has most of his own paintings in his studio room, he reserves the living room for works by other painters from other centuries, a fine collection that he has accumulated over the decades from artists living as far away as Europe and South America. (click for video + story

Ernie gave us a lovely tour of his personal art collection. Each painting, lamp, sculpture or ornament has a story. Most paintings have been adorned with frame handcrafted by Ernie himself. His carved, painted and inlaid frames not only match a painting, but each one acts as if it had always been apart of the piece.

Hand made frame with light fixture, Ernest Marza

Hand made frame with light fixture, Ernest Marza

Ernie Marza’ passion for elaborate picture frames makes him one of the people who have influenced me in pairing ornate frames with paintings. I love to collect ornate frames, and use them to frame my work. I would love to add embellishments such as light fixtures, like Ernie does, in future.

Ernie’s passion and experience with art history, and collectables is masterful. He is a great storyteller, and  I like to imagine his adventures have been legendary.

Crow watching, except during this picture when he turned his head.

Crow watching, except during this picture when he turned his head.

While we were there, his crow came by to inspect the visitors. The crow, he says, ‘followed me from his previous residence.”  This crow sits on the patio and watches Ernie while he paints. Today, the crow flew away when I went to snap a picture, but he sat in the tree watching for the rest of our visit.

Dracula, Ernie Marza

Dracula, Ernie Marza

Back in 2009, he allowed me to collect one of his Dracula paintings, only he says, “because we both come from the same part of the world.”  I like to think we also come from a blissful world where everyone dances, loves romances, and wonders how a squirrel got a fabulous hat in that lovely shade of blue.

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Cabinet made by Ernie Marza

Cabinet made by Ernie Marza

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Blair, Yardley, Schultz and the Pop Sensibility by Philip Willey. Plus Critics Picks by Amy Smart from Times Colonist, Victoria, BC

Exhibit-V, Blair, Yardley, Schultz and the Pop Sensibility, Friday, May 11, 2012 by Philip Willey

Many thanks to Philip Willey for his review at Exhibit-V about my art show Sirius Squirrels at Sooke Harbour House.  Here is an excerpt and click to read entire article here.

Call it synchronicity or serendipity, one of those words, but sometimes things just seem to come together….as when three quite different artists with similar pop interests decide to show simultaneously.

……The squirrels turned out to be an ideal vehicle for communicating her observations about people. They allow her to explore character development without being too blatant or anthropomorphic. We in turn are obliged to think about her intentions. If we recognize something of ourselves in these cute little creatures so much the better.

Her technique is illustrational rather than painterly and always it’s the big eyes, that look of startled surprise, which hold the viewer’s interest. Her work will be at Sooke Harbour House Gallery until May 28th.

The Dovekeeper, Oil on Board, 24 X 30, Carollyne Yardley, 2012

The Dovekeeper, Oil on Board, 24 X 30, Carollyne Yardley, 2012

Also thanks to Amy Smart of the Times Colonist

When: May 1-28. Opening reception May 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Why: Squirrel fanatic? This show’s for you. Everyone else? Well, if you’ve got a sense of humour, you may appreciate Carollyne Yardley’s wacky surrealist world. Sample painting: A squirrel with a woman’s body who is standing in a nest, cupping a bird in its hands and also wearing an elaborate feathered hat and powdered wig. Yardley specializes in creating imaginary creatures and characters through paintings, illustrations, multimedia, digital art and costume design.

- Amy Smart

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/Critics+Picks/6558352/story.html#ixzz1uufsGIO5


Art Show @ Sooke Harbour House | Sirius Squirrels, Sooke, BC | May 2012

Sirius Squirrels at Sooke Harbour House

Sirius Squirrels at Sooke Harbour House

PLEASE JOIN US!
Sirius Squirrels - Solo Show
Featuring new works by Carollyne Yardley
May 01 - May 28th
Reception: Sunday, May 06, 1-3pm
This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP: art@carollyne.com
What: Appetizers, and refreshments
Address: 1528 Whiffen Spit Road, Sooke, BC, Canada
Directions: Google Map
Tel: 250-642-3421
Toll Free: 1 800 889 9688
Email:
info@sookeharbourhouse.com
SNEAK PREVIEW OF A FEW NEW PAINTINGS WITH FRAMES

The Dovekeeper | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley

The Dovekeeper | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley

Cupid and Psyche | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley

Cupid and Psyche | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley

In the Name of the Rose Squirrel | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley
In the Name of the Rose Squirrel | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley

Morning Glory | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley

Morning Glory | Oil on Board | 2012 | Carollyne Yardley


Sooke Harbour House Dining

Sooke Harbour House Dining

Boutique Hotel, Restaurant, Unconventional Art Gallery + Spa
People have indicated they would like to stay for dinner and stay over Saturday night, and/or have Sunday brunch before the art show. Sooke Harbour House always have a special offer this time of year.
Stay the night
Sunday brunch
Sunday lunch is available between 11:30 am and 3 pm (art show starts at 1:00 pm) in the main dining room. Daily menu changes featuring local seasonal organic cuisine with a focus on seafood, an award winning wine cellar, and one of the best fine dining restaurants in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.

Reservations can be made by calling 250.642.3421 or by emailing info@sookeharbourhouse.com

Sooke Harbour House

Sooke Harbour House

Steve Chmilar - original pen drawing

Steve Chmilar is moving to Toronto, Ontario, and I visited his studio today!

I was fortunate enough to get invited to Steve Chmilar’s studio for the Farewell to Victoria show, and was pleased to see some pen and ink drawings amongst his paintings for show and sale.

This little pen on paper drawing caught my eye. It is the preliminary drawing to the final drawing for the painting (see below)!   The painting is still in progress, but here are snaps of my newly acquired Steve Chmilar pen drawing, the second drawing where he has made many changes and the final work-in-progress painting.

http://stevechmilar.com/

Steve Chmilar and Carollyne Yardley April 2012

Steve Chmilar and Carollyne Yardley April 2012

Steve Chmilar drawing up close

Steve Chmilar pen drawing

Steve Chmilar Victoria studio - second drawing and painting in progress on easel

Steve Chmilar Victoria studio - second drawing and painting in progress on easel

Bill Blair, The Horned Squirrel of Cedar Hill

How could I resist this fabulous gem.
Guitar by Bill Blair, and he’s having a show this Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at  Victoria Spirits, 6170 Old West Saanich Road from 1-4 pm

Join us for a tour and taste at Victoria Gin distillery, and take in Bill Blair’s new show of art work. Bill will also be setting up one of his large paint-by-number backdrops for photos!

https://www.facebook.com/events/419184001425450/

The Horned Squirrel of Cedar by Bill Blair

The Horned Squirrel of Cedar Hill, Bill Blair, 2011, Collection of Carollyne Yardley

The Horned Squirrel of Cedar Hill, Bill Blair, 2011, Collection of Carollyne Yardley

Artist Spotlight on Carollyne Yardley by Kaitlyn Patience / Pamplemousse 1983

Here’s an awesome post by gallery manager and guest blogger at Pamplemouse 1983

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Patience and I blog at isavirtue. I was delighted to discover that Maryam and I shared an interest in art and that she wanted me to do a post about it on Pamplemousse 1983. In Real Life I work as a gallery manager and as I sat at work pondering what I could write about here – it suddenly hit me – it was right in front of my face. Literally. Except it wasn’t a human face staring back at me. It was a squirrel!

READ ARTICLE

The Shepherdess Squirrel (Green Bun on the Run)

It’s Green Bun Squirrel as The Shepherdess! I started this one back in August 2011, and finally got around to finishing it this week.

The Shepherdess (Green Bun Squirrel), Oil on Board, 2012, Carollyne Yardley

The Shepherdess (Green Bun Squirrel), Oil on Board, 40 X 30, 2012, Carollyne Yardley

In the Name of the Rose Squirrel, Sirius Squirrels, Pop Surrealism

This painting is now complete, and posted here as a sneak preview. It will be included in upcoming Sirius Squirrels show at the Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, May 01-28, 2012. Reception: Sunday, May 06, 1-3 pm

In the Name of Rose Squirrel, Oil on Board, 2012, Carollyne Yardley

In the Name of Rose Squirrel, Oil on Board, 2012, Carollyne Yardley

Victoria Steam Punk Exposition, April 20-22nd, Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC

I’ll be kicking around the Victoria Steam Punk Exposition (in costume of course!), with a few items for purchase. I’ll have a signed limited edition giclee on canvas 14 X 24 of Steam Punk Squirrel 6/8  (only three left!), a 7 x12 signed giclee reproduction, posters and greeting cards. Come visit me and say hi!

Also find them on Facebook.

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Steampunk Squirrel | Oil on Board | 2011 | Carollyne Yardley

Steampunk Squirrel | Oil on Board | 2011 | Carollyne Yardley

Sirius Squirrels at Sooke Harbour House | Art Gallery

Sirius Squirrels at Sooke Harbour House

Sirius Squirrels at Sooke Harbour House

PLEASE JOIN US!
Sirius Squirrels - Solo Show
Featuring new works by Carollyne Yardley
May 01 - May 28th
Reception: Sunday, May 06, 1-3pm
This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP: art@carollyne.com
What: Appetizers, and refreshments
Address: 1528 Whiffen Spit Road, Sooke, BC, Canada
Directions: Google Map
Tel: 250-642-3421
Toll Free: 1 800 889 9688
Email:
info@sookeharbourhouse.com

Sooke Harbour House Dining

Sooke Harbour House Dining

Boutique Hotel, Restaurant, Unconventional Art Gallery + Spa
People have indicated they would like to stay for dinner and stay over Saturday night, and/or have Sunday brunch before the art show. Sooke Harbour House always have a special offer this time of year.
Stay the night
Sunday brunch
Sunday lunch is available between 11:30 am and 3 pm (art show starts at 1:00 pm) in the main dining room. Daily menu changes featuring local seasonal organic cuisine with a focus on seafood, an award winning wine cellar, and one of the best fine dining restaurants in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.

Reservations can be made by calling 250.642.3421 or by emailing info@sookeharbourhouse.com

Sooke Harbour House

Sooke Harbour House