Ah, September! This has always been a bittersweet time of year for me! I always hated to see the kids go back to school (I know, I am strange!) but to me, that always signalled the end of the carefree days of summer--and believe it or not, I loved the company of my children over the summer months! Back to school also meant back to the 'routine', something my husband and I are not particularly good at!

I have no new work to post (shame!) as I seem to have been too busy doing other 'painting' tasks! We are renovating two houses at the moment (again, strange!) and trying to get as much done before winter as possible. That leaves little time for the creative painting!!!

I have rearranged the studio/gallery to create more room for me to work and also to create a less cramped area for classes (which I hope to be starting up in the next few weeks!). For those of you who know me well, you know that I am constantly rearranging things anyways!! Check out the pics!

As I mentioned, classes will likely be starting up by the end of September, early October. I have a group of very fine ladies who get together one evening per week and we learn about painting together. It was a lot of fun last year and we will be continuing that group this year. I may also do another beginner class as well--I will keep you posted! Sally will be doing some workshops/classes on Pergamano as soon as time permits (look for that by the end of October). The Pergamano has proven to be challenging but of great interest and I expect as word of it spreads, Sally's skill will be in great demand! Google it to see what it is all about!

Well, must go paint a few walls!!!!! Enjoy the glorious fall--my fav time of year!!!

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's August already! Has summer started???? I have been busy around the 'farm' planting a garden (yum, fresh veggies) and generally complaining about the lousy weather! I have also been working on a new series of work entitled "Point of View". I am working towards an exhibit next year (2010). This new series is inspired by the beautiful landscape surrounding me! Every time I look out the window it is a treat--and every time we go in the car, I see something more beautiful than I noticed before! I just have a compulsion to paint as much of this glorious landscape surrounding the Bay of Fundy as I can! I have included some photos of the new works--please understand I am not very good at photographing my work! If it looks lopsided, it's the photo not the painting!!!

This one is entitled "Burntcoat Head"

Acrylic on Masonite (11" x 23")

$400

The title of this one is "View to Moose Island"

Acrylic on Birch Panel (8" x 24")

$350






And this one is "Sunset over East Noel"

Acrylic on Masonite (11" x 23")

$400























I am obviously going to have to work on my photography skills!

Hope everyone is having a fine summer (despite the weather!). It is actually a glorious day today, as it was yesterday--two days in a row--WOW!

Hello again to all of my loyal fans!!! Hahahaha! I know, it's about time I updated this thing so you have something new to look at and read!
So, here goes!
Classes are proceeding well. Right now we have a group of ladies who meet on Thursday nights to learn the basics of painting in watercolor (and a little acrylic) taught by, yours truly! Then on Monday nights Lara Martina from Lower Burlington is teaching a painting/art class and wow, does she crack the whip!! But, it's all good and we are learning a LOT!! Lara has extensive experience teaching art in schools and to art teachers. She has more than one degree from NSCAD (Nova Scotia College of Art & Design) and a PhD in something!!!! Like I said, extensive experience! Starting on Friday, May 1st, 2009 (every Fri. nite in May) Sally MacQueen will be teaching us how to do a parchment craft called Pergamano. You can google it, that's the easiest way to see what it is all about! Basically, you create beautiful cards, etc. on a vellum-like parchment. There is a lot of detail involved and the result is very beautiful and delicate--I hope my aging eyesight is up to the task!
I am busy planning my "Grand Opening!" I am not one for planning these types of things so I have enlisted the help of a few friends. I will try to post the details when things are firmed up.
The tentative date is Saturday, May 30th, 2009.
Tourist season will be upon us sooner than later and I hope to have lots of visitors to the gallery. I currently have some beautiful floor mats woven by Kim Ellis and I am currently scouting out some other functional art pieces. I will also be looking to add some hand crafted jewelry to the gallery. Of course, student work is usually on display as I have no place to store it out of the way! But, what is better than seeing what others are learning to do!!!
Well, that's it for now. I have some older pics of the gallery space from when I first opened. I have added a few things since then, but it will give you an idea of what the space looks like. OK, the pictures aren't that great--I am not a Better Homes & Gardens photographer!

First Post!

Well, here I am--a blog virgin (can I say that?!) doing my first blog post! Hopefully, I can manage this without embarrassing myself (or my children!). I am Barbara Page and I own Baycroft Studio & Gallery, located on the beautiful Bay of Fundy shore at East Noel (a.k.a. Densmores Mills), Nova Scotia (1/2km off Hwy 215--Glooscap Trail). I wanted to create this blog to be able to show you the current work now being carried in the gallery as well as to inform you of upcoming classes and workshops, and maybe just to let you in on what kind of work I am up to!

The studio and gallery is the result of many years of dreaming. I have always wanted a beautiful place to be able to do 'art' without having to set up/take down, etc. Well, my dream has come true and the space opened for business December 13, 2008! I have the most amazing view towards Burntcoat Head and Five Islands. I can see rolling farmland, the Bay of Fundy (Cobequid Bay to be exact), wonderful trees, amazing skys, wildlife, and more--all through my studio window!

I currently feature my own works as well as the work of Heather Lawson (stone mason/sculptor), Judy Arsenault (painter), Mildred Densmore (painter and quilter), and the most recent addition, Kim Ellis (weaver).

I am currently running a beginner acrylics class on Saturday afternoons, taught by local artist Lara Martina as well as a Wednesday evening "play group" where we are playing with watercolors! I will be offering many other classes and workshops in the upcoming months so keep checking for dates/times/subjects.

I am currently working on a large sign/painting for the side of the gallery building. I decided to use my alkyds as they are renouned for withstanding outside weather conditions. I actually haven't worked in oils for many, many, many years--and I discovered I have missed working with them--much to my surprise! I just love the texture, the smell, the blending, ........
I could go on, and on. For several years I have been working with acrylics, after experimenting with watercolor (which I couldn't warm up to!).

Well, this could be an interesting learning experience. I hope those of you who know all about this stuff will forgive my ignorance! I hope the learning curve isn't too steep!!! I will now go and try to figure out how to add some pictures!

OK, I did it! Here is one of my paintings--a 'fun' one called "Perchance to Dream." This piece was created for a group exhibit through the Truro Art Society called (if I recall correctly) NUDES. It is mixed media on canvas and is 24" x 30" (price $400).








Alright, that's it for now. I have a lot more to learn but I think this could be fun!