MEET OUR 2024 ARTISTS

Alexis Phillips

In my artwork I add layers of colour to create a sense of depth and movement. My “subjects” come mostly from nature and are diverse. Sometimes I choose one canvas and other times I place two or more canvases together and paint them “as one”.

I begin with an idea or theme in mind and most often deviate from it as the work progresses – the point is to create the impression (example: The Same place – which is a Trilogy of the Castalia marsh). My oil/acrylic paintings are filled with colour. They are simple pieces of work inspired by nature and life around me “in my mind’s eye”.

The watercolours represent more detailed examples of my work and art filled with overlying themes of “dreams”. Experimenting with new techniques is far more exciting than limiting myself to a traditional approach. I never feel restricted by preconceived ideas or rules. What I have learned from varying my style is that the work and I have evolved. Painting, to me, is pure freedom.

I also enjoy photography. The true joy for a photographer is to capture that “one moment,” that “one expression” that shows you instantly the “spirit” of the subject . . . something wonderful about that moment.

All the work in this exhibition represents my travels, family, friends and the similarities I see here on Grand Manan and elsewhere. Examples – the Yellow Dory from Grand Manan and the Blue Dory from a small village in Italy . . . Sunset on Grand Manan and Sunset in Italy. . . the Window from my bedroom in North Head and the Window from a villa in Umbria.

Barbara Ellen Leslie

“Colour excites me!” I discovered the joy of colour during my childhood, while looking through a red View Master. I hope my paintings spark a joy in your heart, as they do in mine.

Until 1991 my family lived in Browns Flat, NB. My art experience was nil, but I had an urge to create. After purchasing a Tole Painting book, a scroll saw and wood from Grand Bay hardware, I taughht myself to paint. In 1991 I moved to Grand Manan with my family. The local “Cow-Mon-In” gift shop welcomed my tole painting.

Soon after I arrived, I joined a Painting Group that met weekly at a home in Castalia. We exhibited an held workshops there. Most of us became founding members of the present Grand Manan Art Gallery.

I have discovered through many years of pursuing art and working with mixed media, exhibiting and selling commissioned work and numerous art pieces, that I now focus mostly on watercolours. I absolutely love painting the beauty of Grand Manan and its people, their beautiful gardens, the ocean, and the awazing colours dancing through the wind, all calling me to paint.

I am a member of the Paleolythic Painters of Grand Manan.

Brian Ingalls

My pieces are made using wood and epoxy resin. I have been doing this for two and a half years. I learned to use epoxy to repair my fishing boats when I was in the fishing industry.

Looking ahead to retirement I needed something to occupy my time so I started to experiment. The epoxy resin is clear, and I mix the colours to compliment the colours in the wood. Just by trial and error I have figured out the process although I’m still learning.

My charcuterie boards and cutting boards are finished with a blend of food grade oils and waxes. My tables and other pieces are finished with a blend of oils and waxes made to protect furniture.

David Iain McDonald

I was born in Cornwall, Ontario, and spent my career in forestry working across Canada and the northeastern United States. I finished work teaching forestry in Fredericton, where my wife and I now reside.

I have been painting almost full time since retiring in 2013. Like many of you, I have experienced a few bumps on this road of life. It is fair to say that these bumps gave rise to my painting.

For me painting was, and still is an emotional release. While many artists paint what they see – I paint what I feel.

I paint exclusively in oils, I have not taken any classes or lessons, but rather enjoy learning through trial and error. I paint purely from imagination and prefer larger format . When I approach a canvas I have no idea what I will create. I squeeze paint directly onto my palette. Then with brush and knife, cloth and fingers I begin.

Often I will compose a verse or poem and write it on the back of the canvas. These are composed after the piece is finished. They reflect thoughts on the painting, or what was felt as it evolved. The verse often provides a further insight into who I am. I find that the act of painting – the success and failure – is often more fulfilling than the finished product.”

Deb Perry

Deb has been dipping her brush for 25 years. Watercolour was her first love then acrylic and oils followed. She is now known more for her wielding of pallet knives.

She was inspired in her early painting years by Herzl Kashetsky who helped her realize she led with her “right brain” and everything changed. Once she realized she didn’t think like everyone around her she became much more inspired by the beauty that is waiting to be found.

Lloyd Fitzgerald agreed to teach classes in Saint John that Deb organized in exchange for lessons he continues to inspire some 25 years later.

After leaving office work behind and moving her paints and easel into her vacated living room, she paints everyday. Her studio sits atop a hill, amongst tree’s and wildlife where she creates and teaches workshops and classes. Students are inspired by the walls lined with paintings of light and happiness. Deb says, “I find teaching very rewarding when I observe individual improvement and the excitement that is inspired in my students when they discover that they can do something they hadn’t thought possible.”

Deb enjoys commissions for clients, in caricatures, pet paintings and every other imaginable topic and a special project having been hired to illustrate a children’s book and is in the midst of helping with another writer with her book. She loves to travel and is greatly influenced by opportunities other lands and cultures offer.

Deb’s show at the Grand Manan Gallery is entitled Pieces of Paradise (snippets of the beautiful Island of Grand Manan.)

Artist statement. I paint with a pallet of pinks, purples and happiness if that were a colour. Painting has such a calming effect on me, to express myself in my unique language. Painting is my best way of interpreting organic beauty that surrounds me in nature. Taking nothing and making it something beautiful.

Judith Ives

My exhibit includes an eclectic presentation of nature-focussed, stylized, acrylic paintings on canvas, wood panels, and specially crafted pine boards. I have also included some pieces of art furniture and usable art.

I have been creating art since I was a child, inspired by family members who were artists, but in particular by my mother and maternal grandfather. I have been encouraged to explore various media by diverse and sundry painters, woodworkers, and printmakers, and I now enjoy using an assortment of materials as substrates and backdrops for my artworks.

After years of experimentation and exploration, my primary style is now defined by a simplicity of line and an abstract interpretation of natural form, inspired largely by the works of Woodlands artists and the Canadian Group of Seven. Using the Woodlands style was a process of incorporating vibrant colour and strength of line, while at the same time being careful to not appropriate Indigenous spiritual or cultural form.

My art education includes time spent in the fine arts program at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. Afterwards, I relocated to Ambleteuse, France, where I explored some new ideas and materials for the next few years. Upon my return home to Canada, I spent most of my time developing my own style, a process which is ongoing.

I have participated in exhibitions across Ontario, in France, and more recently in New Brunswick where I now live. The title of my exhibit at the Grand Manan Gallery is Moving.

Maurice Depestre

My photography is an attempt to visually encapsulate the multifaceted layers of our existence, a reflection of the world as it is, as it could be, and as it was. It is a testament to the relentless impact of humans on the environment, the captivating chaos of urban and natural landscapes, and the wistful yearning for memories I wish I had.

My mission as a photographer is to document, inspire, and provoke contemplation. Each click of the shutter is a testament to the complex interplay between humans and their environment, in an attempt to capture the narrative of a world in constant motion, where chaos and order coexist in a fragile balance.

My exhibition entitled The mists of Mnemosyne (Grand Manan’s Enchanted Realm) is a celebration of Grand Manan, the ever-rolling fog, the timeless embrace of the sea, exploring the interplay between these elements that have shaped the lives of islanders and visitors alike.

My exhibition is an odyssey of exploration and nostalgia. It captures the heart of Grand Manan, where the misty shroud of memory and the pristine beauty of the island’s nature blend seamlessly. Join me/us in experiencing the enchantment, as we navigate this timeless world where the past dances with the present, and the mists of Grand Manan’s uniquely magnificent landscape evoke memories as vivid as the island itself.

Megan Greenlaw

As a self proclaimed hobbyist photographer, my journey through the lens is one deeply rooted in the natural world, where vast landscapes and the intricate dance of sea creatures speak a language of beauty and resilience.

As a daycare provider, I am immersed in the world of wonder and discovery, where each day unfolds with new stories and experiences. This role has honed my ability to see the world through a lens of innocence and curiosity, qualities which I carry into my photography. The joy and spontaneity of childhood remind me to always keep my eyes open to the unexpected moments of beauty that nature generously offers.

My history as a lobster fisher has gifted me with a profound respect for the sea and its inhabitants, giving me the opportunity to photograph sea creatures up close before releasing them safely, back into the ocean. The ocean’s depths and mysteries have taught me patience and the importance of timing, both critical elements in capturing the perfect shot. The ebb and flow of the tides mirror the rhythm of life, a theme that resonates through my work.

In every frame, I strive to encapsulate the timeless moments that nature reveals to those who are willing to search for them. I am honoured to be able to share these glimpses of wonder with others, to inspire a deeper appreciation for the world around us. My photography is not merely a reflection of what I see; it’s a testament to the beauty that exists when we pause and allow ourselves to be captivated by nature’s simple magnificence.

Liz Irwin-Kenyon

Liz is a New Brunswick artist based in St. Andrews. Her father was born on Grand Manan Island in Castalia. In her youth, Liz spent many wonderful days on the Island wandering the beaches, exploring the wharves and sketching colourful fishing boats.

Her formal training as an artist began in 2000 when she studied with Toronto’s Chinkok Tan and Jay Dampf. For many years she was taught by Barry Coombs of Hamilton, who led watercolour workshops on Grand Manan Island for decades. Liz works mainly in watercolour and enjoys painting outdoors. She says painting is a meditation for her, achieved by simply looking with her “seeing brain” and painting what she sees without judgement.

Liz has exhibited at the Tod Morden Paper Mill Art Gallery in Toronto, as well as the Algonquin Hotel and Sunbury Shores Art Centre in St. Andrews. Her paintings are in collections across Canada, United States and Europe. Her exhibition is entitled Stillness Reflections by the Sea.

Sara Griffin

Sara Griffin, a painter and ceramic artist, is originally from Grand Manan Island, and currently resides in Fredericton, NB. Sara holds a BFA from NSCAD, (2001) a BEd specializing in visual arts, (UNB,2010) and a Diploma of Ceramics, (NBCCD, 2023).

Highlights of her career include residencies in Italy carving marble, printing lithographs in Vancouver, BC, and creating a series of paintings in Japan.

As an arts advocate, Sara served as the former Executive Director of ArtsLink NB (2011-13) and has sat on numerous arts boards in NB.

Sara has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally, and she has curated numerous learning programmes in Eastern Canada. Her exhibition at the Grand Manan Gallery is entitled In The Cosmic Weeds.