A good friend, Donna Rawlins Sharpe, who lives here in Sackville, is heading to Toronto to exhibit her art. If you happen to be in the big city then check out Donna’s work at the Rosedale Church Gallery on 159 Roxborough Drive, Toronto, Ontario (phone 416-924-0725). The exhibition will be from January 18th to February 26th.
Donna’s work is influenced by the many years she spent in Japan:
In Japan, it is the little things that are cherished for their beauty. A colourful flower, a simple bowl, a sunlit corner of a tatami-matted room or a ripe piece of fruit help to provide peace of mind and serenity from the frantic pace of everyday living. At present, I am interested in combining elements of both Japanese and Western art, particularly in still life – looking carefully at composition and colour in appreciation of the small but beautiful things that we may see everyday but take for granted. My works are assemblages, either of drawings or prints (linocuts or woodcuts), or a combination of the two, with a wide variety of techniques and types of paper.
One objective of our Commons is to provide a venue for artists who are moving between phases in their artistic life. The Commons can be a communal space for artists and entrepreneurs who need something more than the kitchen table but are not yet ready for their own studio. More established artists like Donna could be teachers and mentors and the Commons would provide the physical space for learning together. Hopefully, 2007 will be the year that we start building.
