WEST COAST ART

Brighten up your Home!

2012-02-10T10:43:00.001-08:00

The Pier Street Gallery and Framing Post now carries a beautiful selection of prints, available for a promotional price of just 99 dollars – you’ll save one hundred dollars!

These beautiful canvas prints look just like originals and will make the perfect addition to your home.

Brighten up your home with these colourful prints on canvas by Vancouver Island artists Brian Scott, Graham Herbert, Diane Bersea and others!

Graham Herbert

Graham Herbert is a highly accomplished and sought after artist living on Hornby Island, BC. Graham became fascinated with the bold compositional possibilities of nature and beach rocks which gave him endless material for powerful yet tranquil paintings. Recently his love of boats and painting have come together. These colourful, happy images represent a return to the simplicity of childhood and the joy children take in representing the things they love. Graham infuses his paintings with peace and tranquility, imaginary worlds full of exciting colours, funky buildings and classic boats floating on reflecting waters.

Diane Bersea

Dianne Bersea, now living in Courtenay, BC, has been a professional artist for 30 years with creative beginnings in the wild places of

Canada

’s western province. Educated as an artist at Alberta College of Art & Design, Dianne graduated with honors in 1986. Her landscape paintings have been described as a "magic window" on the rich mysteries of wind sculpted trees and the inspiring swirl of stormy skies over coastal waters.

Brian Scott

Brian Scott’s name is inextricably linked to colour - wild and wonderful mixes of fanciful, fun and exciting hues that bring the west coast fishing boats, architecture and tumble-down buildings of our beloved coastal British Columbia into a new perspective. He now lives and works from his two studio galleries on Vancouver Island and Hornby Island, BC.

Expressionist oil painting produced on location is Brian Scott's main passion. His emphasis on design and composition with a full spectrum of colour have become the trademark of his paintings.

For more promotional canvas prints by these and other artists, or for more West Coast Artists visit our web site or our Pier Street Gallery on 910 Island Highway, in the Pier Street area of Campbell River, right next to the Needle & Arts Centre!

Peter Ramos - West Coast Photographer

2007-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

We carry Peter Ramos' black and white West Coast photos on posters for many years now and once a year Peter comes in and shows us some new products or ideas. This year, beginning of August, he showed us his first Giclee reproductions on canvas - which we ordered and framed. They now are a true eye catcher in our gallery window!

Peter lives in Edmonton, Alberta and has created many beautiful photos of the Rocky Mountains and the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Peter's book "Photographs of Western Canada; Vol. One" is a collection of 87 beautiful black & white photos with field notes in the appendix. Volume 1 covers the area from Barkley Sound to Combers Beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

From the foreword of his book: "The west coast of Vancouver Island is home to an exceptional variety of ecosystems in an extraordinary range of environments from ocean floor to alpine peaks and meadows. Life is everywhere abundant..."

Find the selection of his photos on canvas and posters and "meet" Peter in our web site!

Just in time for October

2007-10-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

October - Barn Owl not only stands out with it's format, but also with it's composition. A must see! Click on the picture for a closer view. Please make your reservation now and get it framed at The Framing Post. We ship to any destination!

This beautiful painting has been selected for Ducks Unlimited Canada's 2006 Art Print Portfolio and prints were available at DU fundraisers across Canada to assist in Ducks Unlimited's conservation efforts. Allan has Artist Proof prints available right now - it's October!! See also his other works in our Gallery web page.

Original and new prints by Allan Hancock

2007-06-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

This year we got a couple of prints in which Allan did for Ducks Unlimited and which are now available in our Gallery.

Also, we have this beautiful original painting of a pasture south of town (Merville Area). Check it all out in our online Gallery!

New Michelin Originals and Prints

2007-06-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Diane just brought in two original watercolours and new Gicle prints on canvas and paper. See more in our Gallery Page!

Here is her artist's statement:

"My watercolours describe the essence of fly fishing as told by exoctic paraphernalia, rusty pick up trucks, fishin' dogs and snazzy tackle. The story is about optimism, bits of fur and feathers, solitude and companionship. Each day on the river is notable in the mist off the water or the misadventure of the moment. Consequently, I am inclined to depict the everyday aspect of our passion amid the complexity of the water, light and colour. For it is this that fuels us in our inordinate conservation commitments and the nonstop chatter in the fly shop."

Irene Klar's West Coast Art

2007-02-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

Although living in Edmonton, Irene Klar's art has been a best seller in our Pier Street Gallery for more than 10 years. Out of her "indigenous patterns" from all over the world we focus on the native North West, mostly Haida patterns. We just met Irene in Edmonton again and ordered some of her new etchings. Also more of her posters, coasters, art cards, cushion covers and scarves with her unique designs.

Irene Klar was born in Montreal in 1950. After completing degrees in Physical Therapy and Science at McGill University, she moved to Alberta and received a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Alberta in 1977. Irene Klar was an instructor in watercolours at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension 1978 - 1987 and lectured in Art History at Grant McEwan Community College in 1978. She resides in Alberta with her family.

People, their textiles, pattern decoration and colours serve as inspiration for Irene Klar. Her interest in universal design elements has taken her on far reaching travels around the world from Alaska to Australia, from Guatemala and Peru to Morocco. These themes are incorporated into her paintings and prints, which are full of the intense colours of the marketplaces.

This print is called "Haida Patterns" and Irene writes "The Haida people live on the west coast of Canada and Northwestern USA. They, along with the Kwakiutl and Tlingit are 'famous world-wide for their totems, wood canoes, and longhouses with stylised interpretations of mythical figures. Their wonderful basket hats are often fashioned from split spruce roots. The height of the hat reflects the social status of the bearer."

See her products in our Web Site!

Two new Gillespie prints are in ...

2007-02-21T15:16:00.000-08:00

John Gillespie's misty paintings are well liked by our customers. See the write-up further down in this blog (or click John Gillespie in the list to the right). So far we only carried his Giclee prints on canvas, now we just received two wonderful Giclee prints on paper. The image of this dramatic "Georgia Strait Tug" print is 30" x 15". See the two new prints in our Gallery Web Page.

Andy Everson of Comox

2006-10-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Andy Everson was born in Comox, BC in 1972 and named Nagedzi after his grandfather, the late Chief Andy Frank. Influenced heavily by his grandmother, he has always been driven to uphold the traditions of both the Comox and Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations. In this regard, Andy has pursued avenues where he can sing traditional songs and perform ceremonial dances at potlatches and in a number of different dance groups, most notably the Le-La-La Dancers and the K’umugwe Dancers.

Pursuing other areas of traditional culture has also led Andy to complete a Master’s degree in anthropology. Because the Comox First Nation lies on the border between the larger Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw realms, his thesis focused on notions and expressions of contemporary Comox identity. His work in anthropology provided him with a background in linguistics which subsequently inspired him to create a company, Copper Canoe, Inc, that specializes in the creation of Aboriginal language CD-ROMs.
Andy feels that his artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although he began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, Andy's first serious attempt wasn’t until 1990 when he started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons, he has tried to follow in the footsteps of his Kwakiutl relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The ability to create and print most of his own work has allowed Andy to explore and express his ancestral artwork in a number of contemporary ways.

Mark Henderson of Campbell River

2006-10-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

Mark was born in 1953 and is a member of the Wewaikum Band in Campbell River. His father, the late Chief Sam Henderson, was a well known Kwakiutl carver. His mother, the late Mae Quocksister Henderson, was the eldest daughter of a high ranking native family.
Mark says they were a major influence on his early artistic development. "They wanted me to be familiar with my cultural background, and taught me legends, songs and dances that have been part of my family heritage for many generations.
Mark began painting traditional Kwakiutl designs at the age of eleven under his father's guidance. He also studied the work of other Kwakiutl artists, including Henry Speck, Mungo Martin and Willie Seaweed.
He works mainly with acrylic paint on paper, often producing limited edition silkscreen and giclee prints from his original paintings.

On October 11, 2006 the longhouse on Campbell River's Foreshore was rededicated after Mark Henderson had restored and repainted totem poles which were carved by his father Sam Henderson 35 years ago. The longhouse is one of Campbell River's well-known landmarks and represents carvings by several local First Nations.

Carol Haigh from Saltspring Island

2006-05-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

New to the gallery! If you can, check out the framed prints in our store. You see here images of some of Carol's Giclee prints, and you find all available prints in our Web Site.

Carol Haigh is a Canadian west coast artist. She lives on Saltspring Island in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia where she has resided since 1955 when her family emigrated from England.
Carol’s paintings are regarded as high realism. She is best known for her seascapes and sailing images of the west coast although her work has also been influenced by visits to the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.
Carol is a self taught painter. During the last thirty years she has worked with various media but now chooses to paint mainly in acrylic. Her finely detailed images capture a clarity of light and colour which she achieves by building up multiple layers of thin acrylic washes. She has also developed a technique of dry brushing which enables her to create subtle gradations of colour, particularly in her skies.
Carol’s paintings clearly reflect her connection to the sea. From early childhood, her life has revolved around the ocean. As a teenager she sailed across the Pacific through the South Sea Islands with her parents and sisters on board their forty foot trimaran “Tryste II”. Carol has had a few boats since then and brought her children up to also love the sea. Her interest in sailing remains strong. Much of the inspiration for her paintings comes from sailing her classic boat “Korari” around the local waters and exploring the beaches and islands close to her home.
Since 1992 Carol has held numerous solo exhibitions of her original paintings in Ganges on Saltspring Island. She has also participated in group exhibitions in Ganges, Victoria and Sidney, B.C. Her paintings, silkscreen prints, limited edition prints and giclees can be found in private collections around the world

There is much more in store now!

2006-05-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog!whereas this blog is meant to inform you about news and to do some "chat work", you find a detailed catalogue of our framed and unframed artwork in our new store website. Just use the link to Gallery Shopping and you can browse and order online! See you on the other side, and please sign up to our mailing list there, too!

Featured Wildlife Artist: Allan Hancock

2006-04-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Allan is not new to our gallery. Check out the available prints in our online Gallery!

The natural world is beautiful, breath-taking, and awe-inspiring, yet fragile. Its beauty is the subject of W. Allan Hancock’s artwork – its fragile state, the underlying theme. Whether it is a hawk on the short grass prairie, waterfowl in a marsh, or an eagle on North America’s west coast, the daily struggle for survival of wildlife species and habitats is portrayed in Hancock’s paintings with lifelike detail. Each painting captures a moment in time causing the viewer to ponder its subject’s future, both momentary and distant, often questioning the role of mankind.

Born in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, in 1968, W. Allan Hancock has had a fascination with the natural world from his childhood days. Allan spent most of his youth in Saskatchewan where abandoned homesteads and the remnants of human heritage also began to leave a lasting impression. Today Allan continues to share these two interests reflecting upon the passing of time and the influence of mankind on this world.

Allan sees the conservation and preservation efforts of various organizations as mankind’s attempt to be a positive influence on the natural world – an attempt he wants to be part of. Through his participation in these efforts Allan’s artwork has been selected for numerous fund-raising projects for conservation purposes. In 1993 Allan’s painting “Of Days Passed – Ferruginous Hawk” was selected for Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Art Print Program. Limited edition prints of his painting raised approximately $97,000 for waterfowl and habitat conservation. In 1996, at the age of 28, Allan became the youngest artist ever selected as Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Artist of the Year and was honored with the Waterfowl Art Award for his painting “Baldpate Gathering – American Wigeon.”

Today, Allan’s artwork continues to be featured on conservation stamps and limited edition prints to raise funds and the awareness of the need to protect vital wildlife habitat. His paintings can be found in collections throughout Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe. As interest in his work continues to grow, Allan hopes that mankind’s appreciation of the natural world will also grow.

With his wife Taryn and her son Ezra, Allan resides in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He enjoys hiking and kayaking and is daily inspired by natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Saskatchewan, Allan believes his literary studies have made him a better artist. Literary elements like plot, theme, symbolism, and character development can all be found in his paintings. Allan believes a painting should have an idea, thought, or story to present. In his paintings of the natural world, the theme is definitely: “Fragile – Handle With Care!”

Join our Mailing List!

2006-04-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

If you want to join the Mailing List of the Needle & Arts Centre, please go to the bottom of the Contact Us page of our Needle & Arts Web site - and you will get a welcome coupon, our newsletters and special offers. See you over there!

A true coastal artist: John Gillespie

2006-02-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Come visit our gallery and take in the truly authentic and rugged, misty West Coast sceneries by John Gillespie. We carry several of his limited Giclee prints on canvas; most of them you find in this blog. Ask us for prices.
Mr. Gillespie was born and raised on the West Coast. His lifetime as an artist and commercial fisherman on British Columbia waters is evident in the light and texture of his paintings of marine and coastal scenes. He captures the colors of the sea, the motion of a hull and the nuances of coastal weather and landscape as only an artist who has spent his life on the water can do.

John and his wife Pat are long time residents of Coombs, BC. John is an active working man who still mends nets, ties halibut gear and paints. He has attracted discriminating buyers and many of his paintings are in private collections across North America.

The lived Landscape: Dianne Bersea

2006-02-11T11:27:00.000-08:00

New to the Gallery: beautiful originals and Artcards by Dianne Bersea, painter from nearby Cortes Island. See more at her web site www.islemuse.com.

Her Artist's Statement:
"For my first solo show, I chose the title The lived Landscape.
The use of the phrase is significant. My work is a direct response to the act of living, working, breathing my inspiration.
I love spending hours in quiet communion with nature; drawing, watercolour sketching, becoming attuned to the smallest sound or movement. I enjoy making quick sketches to catch a cloud or special light, whenever something catches my eye.
Although I often take photographs as reference, I find photographs rarely capture what my eye and heart sees. Sometimes my best work is done from the simplest sketches which I develop in my studio, bringing rich colors, natural designs and imagination into play.
Always there is a fine balance between intuition and technical manipulation in the finished work. Throughout I celebrate the existence, vitality and guidance of the marvelous wonders around me.
I enjoy sharing that intimacy, revealing the effect of natural and creative processes, sharing the joy of putting brush to paper. "

NEW SERVICE FOR LODGES!

2006-01-28T16:49:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing fine art has always been a popular component of attractive interior design for lodges servicing the sporting community. Pier Street Gallery and The Framing Post, together with Diane Michelin (see next feature), would be delighted to work with Lodges and Resorts in BC's North West on an individual basis to customize an inviting ambiance. Prints that provide a reminder of your clients' experience are available as gift items for your shop as well. Contact Inge or Jurgen at 250-286-9717 or 1-888-588-7834 or jkettler@earthlink.net.

FLYFISHING ARTIST DIANE MICHELIN

2006-01-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

Canadian watercolor artist Diane Michelin
Diane is anxious to capture the essence of fly fishing and record those memories that bring us back to the river. Her art is currently on display in museums, fly shops, lodges and private collections.

After graduating from the University of Montreal in 1976, Diane was a student at L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris. She traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and has since combined a career in teaching and painting. Recently, her work has been selected to decorate 41 luxury suites at the Aspen Grand Hyatt and as part of the set design for a David Cronenberg film "History of Violence". Diane is the past president of Bravo (the organization of francophone visual artists in Ontario) and is an active member of a number of art councils and guilds.

She has received numerous accolades including Best Watercolor Award - art guild show 1998. Diane's contemporary style, vibrant palette and unique perspective characterize her paintings.

With an ever-present smile and an optimistic disposition, Diane is eager to provide a meaningful touch through discussions with clients. She enjoys a collaborative effort with private collectors, lodge owners and fly tiers, such as Selene Dumaine, using personal photographs for original commission work.

Signed and numbered, limited edition collector prints are available in our Pier Street Gallery. These Giclee prints are on the highest quality archival watercolor paper and come prepackaged in clear plastic sleeves with backing board ready for display or framing, and we always have some of Diane's prints ready framed in our gallery!

WELCOME TO OUR STORE!

2006-01-28T15:08:00.000-08:00

Dear customers and friends of the Pier Street Gallery and The Framing Post!

I just started our Gallery Blog. You will be updated on what's happening and what's coming. This is an interactive platform: please place your comments or questions - online or in our store.

Welcome to Pier Street Gallery and The Framing Post, where your custom picture framing job is the most important project. At The Framing Post you find an innovative, highly creative affordable framing service for pictures and needlework, personalized to your taste and budget. And Pier Street Gallery has the largest selection of original and printed art by local and native artists on the North Island.
We assist you to select artwork fitting to your taste, needs and budget - and we do interior decoration consulting and hang pictures at your place.

Pier Street Gallery and The Framing Post, The Art of Quality!

We also ship framed or unframed artwork safely to any destination, be it to your home or be it a gift for somebody else, in North America or Overseas.

Our contact information:

Pier Street Gallery, 910 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, Canada V9W 2C3
phone and fax: 250-286-9717 or toll-free 1-888-588-7834
email: jkettler@earthlink.net