Gregory Varano

Time to introduce another new Tour member. 

Gregory Varano is an award-winning photographer who resides in Stouffville, Ontario Canada. Varano has worked for many English and Italian publications in both Canada and Italy. His audience know him for his classic black and white style and photojournalistic approach. Varano has won acclaim for his cinematic “ film noir” style.

                        
                         Trees & the Dirt Road 19^th Ave “Markham Ontario”

The photograph taken of this wonderful setting off 19^th Ave just east of HWY 48 in Markham. This is a digital photograph taken with a Leica M8

24mm Summicron lens. Printed on Platine photo rag paper with an Epson 3800 printer.

                        Dimensions,  19.4”x 15.4 inches approx.

                         Unity Of Their Spirit

The photograph is a depiction of the spirit and hope of woman from all seven continents uniting. Febuary 2013

This is an analogue  4x5 inch film photograph. Baryta based paper, Epson 3800 printer. Painting on back of model is metalic pigment make up.

Dimensions 19.2 X  15.2 inches.

These two of recent photographs have been accepted into the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts - Juried Art Show. This exhibition runs from September 23 to September 27 

Visit Greg at Studio #21 on this years Tour. 

Ed Keith

Ed is one of our potters He has been a favourite on the Tour for many years. 

Recently he did some firing in downtown Toronto and at his home in Ballantrae. 

More information about Raku pottery from Wikipedia is here 

Here are some recent photos of recent Raku events. 

Some from the verandah of the Gardiner Museum and the others of some of my students from Cedar Ridge doing their firing in sunny Ballantrae.

Thank you Ed for sharing these pictures with us. 

Ed is Studio #7 on this years Tour. 

Monica Gennaro

Introducing another of our new Tour members..........

Monica Gennaro. Monica is a goldsmith working in gold and silver. 

She shares with us this story of a few days ago. 

Today it was wire pulling and twisting day. I had to reduce the wire from 2.00 mm to 1.5 and 1.00 mm thickness. I do it with a draw plate and draw thongs. 

This morning I did not pay attention for a second, and by grabbing the end of wire to short, it rock and I fell back on the floor. 

Considering that it was thick wire, I had to pull with lots of strength, wire had broken and with full force smacked myself to the floor. It did hurt a lot.

A picture of the draw plate and the draw thong

Monica is Studio 5 on this years Tour. Also this location has the pottery of Marie Szente-Bodon. 

A must see on this years Tour!

Ann Rosa

Our new member Ann Rosa shares her work with us.  

During a recent trip to the Yukon, Ann had the feeling the unspoiled wilderness was home to magical mermaids. This is the beginning of a mermaid wall sculpture. When completed it will measure 40" x 20" which  is why Ann is working in stages. It may even be complete by the tour!

This Aboriginal Chief is an example of many of Ann's works; it was created and sculpted in stages and took the better part of a year to complete. Inspiration for her art comes from dreams, therefore she feels the need to literally build from the dream and make it into a tangible form.  

Ann's creation of wall sculptures derived from a desire to create sculpture that can be displayed easily. Ann also paint in acrylic, watercolour and encaustic; each mediums yields a very different result.  

Ann has recently opened a gallery, PondeRosa Art Gallery, in her home that is available for viewing by appointment. Website is www.ponderosagallery.com and to set-up an appointment please call 416-788-9332.

"I'm really excited to participate in this years Stouffville Studio Tour and am looking forward to meeting all the guests who come to see my art work and studio."

Ann is Studio 3 on this year's tour. 

Getting ready for the Tour

Marie Messina is very busy these days .

"I’m working hard getting my pots ready for a glaze firing.
As usual so much to do only 2 months to go!!!!"

Make sure to see the finished works of art at studio #17 on this years Tour.