The artists of the seven studios who took part in the
Sentier artistique des Hauts-Boisés say they're satisfied. The little art tour
July 17-20 had more visitors than before, and more artists too. This is its
third year.
Most of the
participants had about 70 visitors, said Denis Palmer, the originator of the
art tour. He had dozens of watercolour paintings on display in his Randboro
studio.
In
Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton, photo-artist Luc Pallegoix and poet Sylvain Dodier
interweave their arts almost cinematographically. Many in the photo series "Le
cerf ectomorphe - The queer deer" show portraits of an antlered deer with a
human torso. In their courtyard was a kinetic sculpture called "Le jardin de
mon père," by Andrew Chartier. About 80 people visited their vernissage, some
from as far away as France and Montreal.
Environmental artist
Normand Gladu is also in Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton. A visitor during last year's
Sentier artistique had commissioned a major sculpture, and he finished working
on it during this year's tour. The purchaser is a private collector who lives
in the Townships, and Gladu created the work using natural objects found on
their land.
In Birchton, entering
David Nortcliffe's studio is a bit like walking into a Hobbit's abode. It's a
low-ceiling space full of oil paintings, most in earthy colours. His figures
seem to emerge shyly from the background. That reflects how he works. "I never
know what will emerge before I start," he said.
In Bury, Marilyn
Findlay Salter and Kristiina Sakai moved their studios into the United Cultural
Centre. Their acrylic paintings, landscapes and abstractions, filled both
halls.
On Leblanc Road near
Cookshire, "artisans of wood" Tammy Bailey and Gilles Guimond invited visitors
to see their original creations of pine furniture in the Upper Canadian style.
Both Palmer and Gladu said they foresee another Sentier
artistique next July.
