Sherway Gardens' Gallery in the Garden: Behind the Tree Line January 13, 2009

Discover the passionate exploration of emotion beyond abstract imagery in Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) current Gallery in the Garden exhibit entitled Behind the Tree Line featuring work from award-winning artists Susan Archibald, Diane Gartlan, Eileen Menzel, and Christine Proctor on display until February 21, 2009. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

Susan Archibald

Mississauga’s Susan Archibald graduated in Fine Arts from the University of Guelph in 1980, specializing in painting, drawing and printmaking. She has also studied at the Grant McEwen School of Design in Alberta, The Toronto School of Art, and Haliburton School of Fine Arts.

Susan’s main focus has been painting in acrylics. Her interest lies in exploring landscape and still life in a way that reflects what is seen either in the mind’s eye or in nature, but finds much pleasure in being cognizant of paint application and how it is manipulated around the subjects.

Diane Gartlan

Born in Armagh in North Ireland, Diane Gartlan currently resides in Etobicoke. She has studied at Etobicoke School of the Arts, Loyalist College, Haliburton School of the Arts, Open Studio and the St Louise School. Diane’s inspiration to paint begins with a shape, colour, or reflection.

“Usually I begin the process in my journal developing shapes and colour and applying what speaks to me onto the canvas,” states Diane. “My media is acrylic, applied with palette knife, brush or scraper, sometimes using a layering process to be able to incise and scrape into, creating variety in line, texture and value contrast. The landscape is taking me on a new journey, inspired by my country of origin and memories happily recalled. I am attempting to offer some sense of this through my work to the viewer. I paint for the meditative journey it takes me on and while striving for authenticity in my work I experience little surprises of my true self. I feel this is the nurturer of my creative growth.”

Eileen Menzel

Eileen Menzel was born in Leicester, England and is now living in Etobicoke. She has a BFA from Durham University and a B.Ed from the University of Toronto and taught Visual Art and Special Education for the Toronto District School Board. Eileen currently studies art history and theory, studio painting, life drawing and professional level life painting with Toronto artist John Leonard. The theme of “opposites that attract” has helped drive and shape Eileen’s work for many years.

“It provides abundant scope for artistic problem-solving,” states Eileen. “Perceptually, I have explored many picture-making tools with this theme. The opposing elements generally work both for and against each other, with an overall “frisson” to draw in the viewer. Conceptually, attractive opposites are an interesting way to bring together ideas about various degrees of orderliness and disarray.”

Christine Proctor

Etobicoke’s Christine Proctor is a graduate from York University’s Creative Arts program and has studied at Neilson Park Creative Centre, Bridgewater Artist Retreat and at the Haliburton School of Fine Arts. She has participated in the "Artist in Residence Programme" with the Halton Region Conservation Authority at Crawford Lake.

Christine’s work begins with a conceptual ‘point of entry’. Then through vigorous physical involvement and an active dialogue with the work at an intuitive level, the picture leaves the world of visual authenticity and moves towards a world of emotional reality. The result is a field of rich, pure, elemental colours and an ambiguity of place.

About Sherway Gardens’ Gallery in the Garden:
Sherway Gardens’ Gallery in the Garden was established to showcase local artists. The Gallery in the Garden operates all year round and each exhibit is on display for approximately 6 weeks. The Gallery in the Garden is located at Sherway Gardens’ door 3 entrance.

Official Website: http://www.sherwaygardens.ca