12 days till Christmas

The snow has come, it's not too cold , and the crowds are flocking to Dragonfly for the Advent calendar of savings! well, not really, but some people are taking advantage of it. Some up coming artists taking 10% off are Wayne Cardinelli, Anglin Bay Pottery, (shown) Kelly McNeil, and Roslyn Levin.
New work has arrived by John Adams, Sassafras jewellery, Anne Marie Chagnon and Susan Pippy (those funky fish) There are new blown glass, and Pottery goblets. I picked up some very extra large rocks from Philosophers Stone.

Rocking Horse

This horse actually doesn't so much rock as glide, it's very smooth and large enough for a small adult to ride! it has real horse hair, and a leather saddle made with love by Rebekka Poms. A real Hierloom. She also has some smaller versions that she is just finishing off, and will bring them up next week. Next week brings Mens week. We will be offering 10% off, wrapping, no cheesy Christmas music, and a snack or two we'll stay open till 7pm - so get your orders in ladies!

December is ...

Snow! we had a huge deposit...and that brings out the shoppers, just in time for the advent calendar, it's working well. Tomorrow it's time for savings with Dogbite Steel. And we just received a large order from Anne Marie Chagnon, in time for her day next week.

Hills of Headwaters Tourism Awards

yay! The Tourism Association saw fit to award us the Best Customer Service Experience. That made me very happy because I do try to find just the right gift or artwork for my customers - match customers to artists for a very personal and meaningful piece of art. I guess it works Thanks guys! and the best part is that the award is a painting by Susan Powell, our resident artist and winner of 2009 Artisan of the year! I liked it so much I put it in the window... right in front...see it?

Dragonfly Advent Calendar

Just wanted some more excitement like when we were kids...so I got some artists to agree that on one day in December they would put their work on sale !0% off. So 24 of our favourite artists are taking turns to offer you savings. You can see I'm having a bit of trouble describing the 24 days of savings, in any case, the Window on Broadway has this little game in it, with boxes (shaped into a tree) one artist in each box and a date on each, so pick your favourite date and find out who is on sale...or more likely find out which date your favourite artist is on sale! Gee you can see I'm having fun I hope our customers do too!!

Movember Moonlight Madness

So much has happened ! this month in preparation for the next. We have had Douglas Brown's wonderful paintings, he really is the master at transparent watercolours! There are still some lovely snow scenes. Rosemary Hasner's time is almost up her Cow wall has been fun, the way she layers images to create moody masterpieces is quite unique. All Month we have been receiving new work from artists! Cutting Boards and bookmarks, Winston brought in some Santas and they have been flying out the door. It really is no wonder since he was our star attraction in the Window carving away during Moonlight Madness. It was quite the night, our live window, and demo's in the back with Roslyn painting and Beth making Beads. Out side the cadets had fire pits with marshmallows, the horse drawn hay-wagons sounded so lovely, David Nairn reciting Twas the night before Christmas, and of course the magical moment that the huge tree is lit. wow and good luck to all those young guys growing mustaches- Go Mark!

Julia Veenstra

The paintings I just picked up from Julia Veenstra are wonderful, full of rich colour, juicy brushstrokes, and local subjects. It was a busy week and we picked up more pottery, new jewellery, and some great wooden cutting boards, you know that wood is better than those horrible plastic ones anyway! (this painting is from January but I will up load a new one soon)

Demented Pumpkin

I ask you doesn't he deserve to win? Happy Halloween everyone. Last week for Tara Imersons wonderful watercolours on canvas, and Tanya Zaryski's landscapes are going fast! Steve Wilson a friend of Kelly Mac Neil has brought in some interesting three dimensional works. Next Window on Broadway has Chris Rogers' very interesting nature inspired 3D works for the wall. Hmm

Our Pumpkin

Oh my, we had quite a day on Broadway, with over 500 little gremlins and cuties coming out to trick or treat. Sharon nearly got worn out after her tranquil living of late, but it was a fun day all the same. All that is left is to find out if we scored big on the pumpkin carving contest...well yeah we didn't actually carve it, more like painted it, but an art gallery after all...anyway a tranquil marsh scene with floating dragonflies turned into ...monster dragonfly - hope you all enjoy.

Thanks-giving

I know it's pretty cheesy but I give thanks every day for all the wonderful and supportive patrons and customers. They appreciate what Dragonfly does, and remind me of why we're here. I love our artists, who continually surprise and thrill me with their creativity, and generosity. And of course all the wonderful folks who work here, how grateful I am that they keep us on track and make the shop run like clockwork, and look great.
Jill's Window is nearly up Tara Imerson will be in there right after Thanksgiving with her intricate watercolours of rustic doors and antique objects. Tanya Zaryski is bringing in a feature wall full of her rural landscapes, and hopefully a few surprises. Thanks guys!

Culture Days

Thanks for the opportunity to celebrate arts and culture in this country. For us in Orangeville it started with the fist ever Mayor's breakfast with arts awards. Dragonfly has a packed weekend full of demos and 'make and take' projects. Dragonfly Awakenings, Focus on Nature will be putting he spotlight on Stone, Leather, and Wood. Leather belts, turquoise pendant, basket-weaving, stone cutting. Drop in and talk to our resident artists about their techniques. Also a busy time for Studio Tours and the Headwaters Arts Festival begins today.

Claudia J Mc Cabe

I have rarely seen such wild abandon. Colour, brush strokes, fanciful yet definite. Claudia is passionate about her work, each painting has a poem accompanying it and she has published this body of work in a book, entitled "Musings" Thank you Claudia.

Culture Days

Sept 24,25,26 Dragonfly will be celebrating the Arts with an event called Dragonfly Awakenings We will be having demonstrations alll weekend. Roslyn will be showing off her handmade brushes-try one out on her magic tablet. Jill is finishing off her new piece Girl with a Butterfly, ask her about it. Beth will be doing demos on Friday and I have been playing with some new glass and will introduce a dragonfly bead..... and many more activities.

PMC...oh oh

Yay the Ontario Crafts Council had a precious metal clay workshop. I attended, It was great! very tempting... It certainly got my brain in gear, and I can't wait to get playing with it, now. must. work. on. creating more hours. in the. day. During the course, we made a ring complete with cubic zirconia, and a pendant that has an impression on it. (of course I carved a dragonfly into mine, that was modelled after this guy that I found in the garden )

Mosaics

Jean Loney is our featured artist this month, I just love the glass she uses for her mosaics, iridescent, rich colours. I think hte Beach is my favourite, especially as she adds natural elements like shells. And speaking of beaches, check out Robert Chisholm's paintings in the window inspired by his time in New Brunswick

Art a la Car

The little pamphlet that could! Co- operative marketing is always a good idea, and when 6 galleries got together to promote a road-trip little did we know it would go National! thanks to Jim Fox and the Sun group of papers. It was in the travel section of all major cities in Canada. Lets hope that even more people will discover the great artists in Dufferin Wellington and Peel. http://travel--news.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-trips-for-art-lovers.html
so come to Orangeville , Alton, Brampton, Glen Williams, Fergus and Elora and check it out.

Last week for Gail Prussky

Gail is taking her work out this week, and will be out of commission for a while. I'm trying to convince her to become a Dragonfly Studio Artist. Gail's Art is out there, in your face, she does get emotions flowing. Watch for her work next in the Headwaters Arts Festival Art show.

Carmen Hickson moves inside.

Two weeks go by so fast. and now Carmen's work has moved out of the window to join other work by artists like Kevin Roach, Justin Richards, Deja Vu Designs and others. our festival goes on till the end of July.

Found Art Festival

People are responding to our mantra of re-use, recycle, make beautiful, re purpose, make smiles!
Thanks to Rachel Clark Hall who did a demo during the opening of the founders festival. She painted found hunks of wood and even bark.
Betty Harris worked on her recycled fabric flowers, and chatted to people about where she gets her fabrics. She is building up stock of hats scarves and mitts for this winter.

Found Art for Founders Day

Wow I am blown away by our Window on Broadway this week! Carmen Hickson's awesome creations are poignant reflections on the human condition, and they are all made with found objects. She makes us look at cast off things in different ways. A stair post becomes an elegant angel, her caged man is stark re- combined foundry bits with ancient silverware. And that's only part of our wonderful Found Art Festival...for Orangeville's Founders Festival. All month we will be having artists dropping in with their work. Justin Richards makes fine furniture with dovetailed drawers out of weathered barn boards, nail holes and all. Betty Harris makes purses, dolls and accessories out of dresses, coats and blankets found at the Sally Ann. We even have jewellery from old silverplate teapots and trays, and of course JP's flag and funky animals.

Banksy Strikes in Orangeville?

No, not really, it was just some little punks. They apparently tagged a number of businesses in the back lane. I decided it was time to identify the doorway with our namesake. So Sue and I decided to channel our inner Banksy and turn the tag into a dragonfly. I think it needs a bit of work yet I'll keep you posted! or maybe you all think I should paint the door white again?

Randi"s Poppies

Well, as you can see Randi likes flowers and even though she is often out on location doing landscapes everyone always asks for her flowers!

Orangeville Blues and Jazz Weekend

Yahoo it's finally here a weekend of music and activities, most of it free. In our Blue(s) window you'll find two of organizer, Larry Kurtz's paintings, Roslyn painted some musical numbers in sumi-e. Some of our artists will be doing demo's in the tent outside Dragonfly, come chat. Blues and Jazz will be blaring. At Beads on Broadway we have been working on Blue beads...for earrings, bracelets and everything else. Kathryn Naylor's opening was lovely, we all have a better understanding of how difficult and uplifting a climb of mount Kilimanjaro was. The paintings will be up for the remainder of the month, but Lucille's garden will be coming down tuesday. I'm gathering work for our Found Art Festival for Founder's Day, so far recycled bags and sun hats, Rachel's pieces have just arrived, she was inspired! I'm impressed.

Found Art Festival

Congratulations Rachel! Clark Hall. My sweet young helper has a Show in the big T.O. Gallery 432 It's on King St. near Sherbourne Opening the 27th of May, the wine is on Rachel, so go. Her work is large energetic, and full of emotion. It'll look great on all those loft and condo walls in T.O.
Rachel will be participating in the Found Art Festival as well. at Dragonfly. in July.

Lucille Weber Shouts Spring

The energy! the colour! this is spring like you've always wanted it to be! Although Lucille's paintings are termed abstracts, you easily see blossoms blowing in the breeze, or a profusion of flowers fighting in a garden. Lucille is in the Window on Broadway till June 8 this lovely peony just does not compare.

Kathryn Naylor Paints Kilimanjaro

Last year Kathryn took the trip of a lifetime, a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. Inspired by the incredible landscapes she passed, she has painted a series in her signature style, an interesting mix of realism and abstract. The Feature Wall begins May 26 and runs for 4 weeks, but come for the Opening, May 29th 2-5 meet Kathryn talk to her about her trip or her techniques.

Dragonfly - a Family Joke

I just received one of the best compliments ever! A customer came in and as I packaged up her purchase we were chatting and she revealed that Dragonfly is a family joke. The story goes that whenever things get too frantic she says that she'll quit her day job and go work at Dragonfly!! Apparently it is an oasis of calm and beauty! It sure perked up my day (which until then had been full of paperwork!)

Dragonfly Slide Show

this is a slideshow

Christopher Peet, Originals

Yes, we have originals, his finely detailed houses, some from Newfoundland , some from right here in Ontario. We do have some prints as well, but from someone as wonderful as Christopher, you'll want the real deal. Queen Elizabeth does! His paintings start in pencil then he goes over each line in ink and then adds watercolour washes. Many hours go into each painting.

Second Anniversary

This weekend marks the second year that Beth and I have had Beads on Broadway at Dragonfly.It has been exceptionally successful partly because we are doing demonstrations as often as we can. Also having access to the artists for commissions has been a draw. We put our favourite colours together in a bead series to mark the date, and we are having a contest to name the bead. Beth did a lot of polka dots and I made some flowers, they're fun.

Kelly's Window

Next Tuesday Kelly will be bringing in some more of her amazing wildlife paintings. The key piece is an enormous Tiger- it is the year of the tiger after all. She has brought in a variety of subjects and sizes, there is even one very small landscape where the wildlife is invisible. there is a wonderful eagle, some pelicans, a dolphin. It's only in for two weeks.

Whirligigs Birds and Dragonflies

Wonderful Garden Art from Tod Waring in the window now. I just love the spinning leaves. His whimsical birds are so cute I want to create a row of them bobbing through my vegetable garden.
And of course the multicoloured dragonflies are wonderful. They are selling so fast I hope we have some left for Mothers Day.

Paintings Go Hollywood

Wow a Film Crew was in town, and they had need of an art gallery in one scene, they looked at Dragonfly for the venue but ultimately decided it was too small, but we were able to lend them some art!! Yay, Lynda's whole window was taken and 10 large paintings from Elena Henderson as well. We are all so excited, we hope that it doesn't end up on the cutting room floor! filming is today and tomorrow but the paintings will all be back on Tuesday. In fact Elena will be our featured artist for the next month, her work will be on the wall behind the counter. Come in and see them before the whole world gets a chance!

The Balloon Lady

Wild and wonderful, Lynda Pogue is our special guest in the Window on Broadway. Her paintings are larger than life, this window is shimmering with coppery goodness, but of course this is only a small slice of her life.

Starry Starry Night

I don't know where I found the time, but I was playing at the torch and came up with a little bead I like to call Starry Starry Night. I picked up some murani at the show in March and designed a series of beads around them. I hope you like them too!

Elizabeth Babyn Feature Wall

I think that people who like AMC will also love Elizabeth's work. Her large bold acrylics are deceptively simple, but are really meticulously planned. I like the one with gumballs.

Anne Marie Chagnon

Oh it's here!! Our new order of Anne Marie Chagnon's 2010 collection. She keeps doing it -outdoing herself. This new collection has bold colours and shapes, some really powerful pieces. I's all you need with your little black dress or better still jeans and a T shirt. Very unique and I always love the way her pieces transmorgify. I'll tell you what I mean when you come in.

Recycling Kevin Roach Style

It's now after Easter, Kevin Roach's Window on Broadway is almost up,he has brought some very interesting airplanes made of almost anything...One titled "record flight" has two old 45's involved, there's the barnstormer, from old pieces of ...you guessed it... a barn. Next Week Tod Waring will be bringing in more fun for your garden! Moving sculptures, some Dragonflies, his wind powered twirling leaves, can't wait.

he hee he

These little balls are so cute, they make me laugh. So many things you can stash in these sturdy little balls ( they are made of stainless steel) ear buds, coins, tokens, earrings, the larger ones would fit an orange. The zip is strong, the shape is fun and you won't lose it in your purse.

Thinking Gardens

Bev de Jong came by and brought us some amazing garden sculptures. Fantasy flowers in copper of course, with a wonderful patina. I can just see them nestled in to a bush or two. Some are just perched in a block of wood but we also have two that are plumbed for a fountain. We just put out some lovely handmade paper cards, which you can plant because seeds are embeded in them. Just waiting for some green sprouts.

Monday Night Movies

Just watched An Education last night. This group of volunteers do such a fabulous job bringing great movies to our area. It's part of the Tiff movie circuit Check out www.mondaynightmovies.ca Best bargain in town and they support other groups too like the Blues and Jazz Festival. The fundraiser March 22 6:30 is a screening of "Young at Heart" with live music before the show. www.objf.org

Kelly's magic

Kelly McNeil is one of my favourite artists, not only does she capture the likeness of an animal, but she gets the spirit as well. Her use of colour is extraordinary, who else knew that there is turquoise in the fur of a golden lab? my tale begins, on friday a woman came in to inquire about the painting in the window, it looked so much like her dog. After reflection, she asked to have a day to think about it. Saturday morning, a couple came in and said they loved the painting in the window and wanted to buy it...I told them they would have to wait for the woman's decision. Not one hour later another couple decided to buy it!! Needless to say I took it out of the window, and quickly called Kelly to see if she had any other golden lab paintings at her place. I hope that we can satisfy everyone, since the painting reminded each of them so much of their own dogs.

I'm Baack

Yes a few days in LA was just what I needed- now to unpack all those boxes!! but before I do , I must say that Eleanor Brownridge has filled the Window on Broadway with some very beautiful fused glass, my favourite is the three sisters, only here for two weeks! Bruce Ley put up some interesting Abstracts on the feature wall. Up for a month!

Ah winter, I may have to leave you behind for a few days. So even though Spring is just around the corner, and every day new work is streaming into the shop, I'm going off to somewhere warm. when I get back I'll be opening all those boxes...Greeting cards that have seeds embedded in them, that you plant after receiving. I have hand-picked some beautiful soapstone pieces from Dorset carvers. And by the time I get back, Eleanor Brownridge will have filled the Window on Broadway with her unique fused glass. I had a preview, and there are some pretty interesting items.

ReUse or Recycle?

Straight from Wine country, seasoned retired barrel staves are made into fashionable home accessories. Deep rich claret coloured wood, as a fruit platter, or candle holder. Simple lines recycled spoons make a unique piece.