Sue Carstairs

Former Studio Tour member [on sabbatical] Sue Carstairs has a book out about saving turtles. 

"Carstairs, the chief medical officer at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre and professor of veterinary science, explains to readers clearly and concisely the many threats facing freshwater, marine and land turtles globally."

A link to her book is here

Stop - Gap

Many years ago, Stouffville resident Luke Anderson was involved in a tragic mountain bike accident that left him a paraplegic. Based on his experiences after his accident, Luke created an initiative called 'Stop-Gap;' ramps designed to create awareness as well as access for individuals with handicaps.

Luke's initiative began in Stouffville, where he grew up and now he wants to push forward in Toronto. Check out this great video featuring Luke himself explaining his vision.


Now, Luke and his mother have organized a fundraiser for Stop Gap and asked the arts community for help. Twelve artists will be creating unique art on a Stop Gap ramp and they will be auctioned off to raise money for the cause. Studio Tour artists Valeria Ashton, Diana Bullock, Sandra Burke, Margaret Grandison, Dianne Green and Ray McNeice will be lending their artistic talents to this cause!

Below are photos of the ramp/paintings

Valerie Ashton (C)

Margaret Grandison (C)

Diana Bullock (C)

  

 Sandra Cole Burke (C)

Ray McNeice (C)

Dianne Green (C)

Colin Whitebread

Studio Tour artist Colin Whitebread has been very busy these last few weeks. He participated in two different Studio Tours the last weekend of April and the first weekend in May
Next up for Colin at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre "Textured Chromatic Delights....naturally" The opening is Sunday May 10th ...

Here is an interview with Colin by TV Cogeco Cable 10 Niagara

If you are in the Niagara area the next few weeks make sure to stop and see Colin's work.

Bill Brennan

Bill is a self taught artist and a developing artist of the past twelve years. He paints in what he call the forgiving medium of wet on wet oil painting on canvas. He also paints with acrylics creating realistic and interpretive works. Bill regards painting a lifelong journey of learning which he continues to experience through various creative landscapes. He also creates whimsical birds from found wood materials. His humour is evident in the many "characters" and names he gives them

Lis Simpson's new work

Glass Mask Making – 3 kiln Firings

When you are combining glass components, such as in a mask, you have to take care that the glasses are compatible.  Otherwise they crack or explode when heated or cooled in the firing process!  The base of this mask is two layers of green and clear glass.  The eyes are layers of several other colours.  This got a full fuse firing in the kiln.

For accents I used glass rods, which I worked into different shapes on the torch.  I also created “strings” of glass for the hair.  Bits of rods were cut for the “teeth”.

After the base had cooled from the kiln, I arranged the rods to become eyebrows, nose and mouth.  I put in “teeth” bits between the lips.  Look he’s sticking out his tongue!  This design tack fused all the bits; tack fusing doesn’t melt the pieces totally down flat.

Finally the mask was slumped in the kiln to create the rounded shape.