New work

by admin on May 1, 2024

Many projects have made their way through the shop this spring! This one involved making at least eight ritual books and breviaries for a seminary. They are in leather and cloth, with matching slipcases. The pages are hand-sewn to lie flat.

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Learn Bookbinding!

by admin on April 10, 2024

During six days, participants will receive hands-on instruction using a variety of fascinating tools and materials. The workshop starts with making simple but beautiful pamphlet structures, leading up to the binding of two hardcover books. Making your own journals, sketchbooks or printed books is such a rewarding skill! Offered through Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG), this workshop is the first of their core-curriculum and leads to many other courses. Tim is a knowledgeble and encouraging teacher. When: NEW DATES: Monday-Tuesdays: April 29-30, plus May 6-7 and May 13-14. Where: The Colour Jar, 120 Garafraxa St N, Durham Ontario. Time: 9am to 4pm daily. Cost: $485 plus $50 materials fee; includes 1-yr membership in CBBAG. To register please email: cbbag.swochapter@gmail.com. Questions: call 519-369-1283 or email: info@thecolourjar.ca.

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Recent work at DAG

March 3, 2024

My piece “Five Hindrances Dissolving” appears in the current “Euphoria” juried exhibit at Durham Art Gallery, on display until April 13, 2024. It was awarded Best 3D Artwork!  My idea to paint on reclaimed shipping pallets carries on naturally from an initiative to use the wood for frames. I love the look and feel of […]

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Age-perfect art giving

December 6, 2023

I remember opening my first set of portable watercolours; I was 16 years old. My parents had realized that my love of art wasn’t going away, and they bought me a really expensive set. Growing up in rural Manitoba, they must have driven the hour-and-a-half to Winnipeg to buy it. All that year, I experimented […]

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The overshoot plan, part 2

March 21, 2023

My hands are still shivering from the strike of the hammer on the pry bar. I’ve been taking apart wooden skids to use as material for making frames. It’s hard, good wood; but it’s difficult to take apart.  The purpose behind this experiment is to see if I can decrease my reliance on purchased frame […]

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Back to basics

April 23, 2022

It’s ironic to say “new” when it’s really OLD. Old as the hills, actually. Pigments made from rocks. Nothing is more basic than natural earth! We’re taking a new approach to supplying art materials this year, moving towards long-term integrity. We hope you will join us on the journey! Our first step is to offer […]

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Art resources online (various)

January 5, 2022

If you need some inspiration, Unison Colour (pastels) is offering a free live pastel demo online for beginners Wednesday Jan 12 at 2pm EDT. To register, go to https://www.unisoncolour.com/free-beginners-live-demo-with-sue-kerrigan-harris/ Also, the Art Gallery of Ontario has a large selection of videos with art talks and activities to inspire some aesthetic thoughts: ago.ca You’ll find it […]

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Two shows for artists

September 30, 2021

In order to curb any tendency to watch too much tv, I don’t subscribe to a paid streaming service. But I do watch shows from our public broadcaster, CBC, and recently discovered two shows of interest to artists: Landscape Artist of the Year Canada, and Maudie. The first one, Landscape Artist, is a multi-episode show […]

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A mini-holiday

August 22, 2021

It’s been a busy summer with all our fabulous customers coming back! So we are going to take a short break, visiting our daughter: we’ll be closed Friday and Saturday, September 3 and 4. (This also means there will be no Art on first Friday this month! Second Saturday is still on the 11th.) Be […]

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Open for shoppers

June 12, 2021

Hi art-friends! As part of Stage 2 re-opening, we are now able to welcome up to 7 customers at a time, so come on over to see what has been happening since the shutdown. New supplies have continued to arrive, from specialty rulers to main-stay paints. Highlights include Unison pastel sets and easels, colouring books […]

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