Sherway Gardens' Gallery in the Garden: Skeins October 2, 2008

Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) current Gallery in the Garden exhibit entitled Skeins is diverse in media and traditional in subject matter, and features pen and ink drawings, watercolour paintings, acrylic paintings and wearable fibre art by Janice Ykema, Ian Maynard, Kalyna Pidwebesky, Elizabeth Evans, Nancy Linley, and Marlyn B. Rollauer and is on display until November 15, 2008. There is an underlying pastoral theme to Skeins and many of the pieces evoke a country feeling. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

Mississauga painter, Janice Ykema was born and raised in the Niagara Region and received a degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design later in life. Her need to express her artistic vision recently set a new path for her life, resulting in an explosion of creativity which was immediately recognized by acceptance in juried shows, followed by awards for three of her pieces at their first showings. She has shown her work in a number of galleries and exhibited in Nuit Blanche. Janice describes herself as “driven to paint from an innate desire to capture the vibrancy of life through art... I then invite viewers to interact with the emotional content of my artwork, in which I work to convey both the light and dark sides of the psyche, often from a foundation steeped in innocence. Using a richly layered colour palette, I express myself through an impressionistic style that varies with subject matter and in doing so choose to bring a modern vision to the historic challenge.”

Interested in art since childhood, Etobicoke artist Ian Maynard took early school art classes back in Chatham, Ontario followed by public school oil painting lessons from a farmer's wife. Ian attended the Ontario College of Art from 1961 to 1963 specializing in Interior Design and subsequently enjoyed a long career as an interior designer with the Ontario Government at Queen's Park. When he retired, he returned to watercolour painting as well as pen and Ink drawing. Ian particularly enjoys reproducing farm barns as well as capturing the intricacies of various varieties of trees. He is an avid gardener with a particular love of peonies. Ian joined Neilson Park Creative Centre in the fall of 2007 and attends weekly Wednesday morning studio painting with The Etobicoke Art Group.

Toronto-based fibre artist Kalyna Pidwerbesky creates fibreworks using handwork techniques. Her work has been exhibited in regional, national, and international exhibitions. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design and Sheridan College, Kalyna is a member of the Ontario Crafts Council and the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners Guild. Passionate about her art, Kalyna says: "Textile-making techniques including felting, embroidery and beading and their repetitive nature provide moment-to-moment opportunities for quiet reflection on the theme of transformation. I draw on inspiration from nature, the creative process, and spiritual philosophy."

Elizabeth Evans learned to spin in 1995, joined the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners shortly thereafter and bought her first spinning wheel. She loves the processes of spinning, knitting and weaving with natural fibres and treasures the friendships and learning that have come her way through being a member of the guild.

A member of the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners Guild for the past four years, Nancy Linley has found that weaving and the history of textiles around the world has rapidly become a key thread in her life journey.

Marlyn B. Rollauer is a weaver and member of the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners Guild.

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