"At first, I didn't realize that my art had a message."

Donna Smallenberg
Smallenberg in her studio with two unfinished works.
“They’re the first of a new four seasons set,” she says.

"Not many people have a job they love and were trained to do. I’m lucky."

Artist, teacher Bryanne Thomas
“The paint was flying,” says Art Club organizer Bryanne Thomas, shown here at far left
along with Centreville Community School teacher Shannon Pearson and visiting artist Jody Coughlin.

"Painting is as necessary to me as food and water."

Susanne Hansen at Malerkosten Studio 

Hansen at her Malerkosten Studio with one her watercolour landscapes.
She is of Danish ancestry and malerkosten means “paint brush.”

'Go into the woods, cut down a tree and start carving.'

James Buxton at his Birch Street Studio
The process of getting the long ash strips for weaving is laborious and takes skill.
In these photos, the ash log is pounded along its length with a mallet, causing the outer wood to be crushed and the inner wood to be separated so that it can be peeled off in long strips.

“Each sketch has a story to tell.”

Watercolour artist Roy Tibbits

Roy Tibbits in his studio working on a painting of the old McAdam NB
train station which is now being restored as a museum

'At the end of the day, I’m just a guy who loves to paint.'

Artist, teacher Lloyd Fitzgerald

Lloyd Fitzgerald at work, using a very fine brush to perfect the line of a birch tree.

“I've had my crazy days in music, now I play closer to home.”

 Bluesman Lonesome Jim Lawrance

Lonesome Jim performing in May 2013 at the Celtic Fox Coffee House

“What you’re seeing is me, at least what I choose to share with you.”

Engraver David Silverberg

David Silverberg standing next to an earlier work that he calls CN Locomotive 6055
which is set in Moncton. The Canadian National Railway purchased a print
about 25 years ago and donated it to the city’s public library.

“Art is all about learning how to see.”

Watercolour artist, teacher and entrepeneur Rachel MacDonald

Rachel MacDonald at home with one of her favourite paintings. Note the prominence given to the white pansy.
Rachel MacDonald at home with one of her favourite paintings.
Note the prominence given to the white pansy.

“Either we change the way it’s done or quilting could become a dead art.”

Theresa Stephenson at Make Your Mark Custom Quilting

In her Somerville NB workshop, Theresa Stephenson shows off a large,
recently-completed quilt. The huge 16-foot-long sewing machine
at the rear advances forward between the side rails and is
guided by hand to create a pattern.

'My dream is to have time to work up my own show.'

Watercolour artist Jean Haywood

Jean Haywood at home working on a sketch that she finished at this year’s Paint the Heartland.
Jean Haywood at home working on a sketch that she finished at this year’s Paint the Heartland.

“I like to push the boundaries.”

Glass artist Alice Sahagian

Alice Sahagian with a display of some of her glass art including one of the popular fiddlehead pieces.
Alice Sahagian with a display of some of her glass art
including one of the popular fiddlehead pieces.

“I’m enjoying the adventure.”

Primitive artist Valerie Flewelling

Val Flewelling at home with two of her earlier pieces. The building shown at left is her first attempt at primitive art and she keeps it in her living room as a reminder of how careers can be reimagined.
Val Flewelling at home with two of her earlier pieces. The building
at left is her first attempt at primitive art and she keeps it in her living room
as a reminder of how careers can be reimagined.