Submitted
Does Saskatchewan's Southwest create artists or attract them? Cora Macaulay and Elaine Robitaille, both represented by Val Marie's Grasslands Gallery, are artists at different ends of the spectrum of age and materials, but both have discovered that artistic creativity has added immeasurably to their lives. As Cora Macaulay says, "What wide horizons it has opened up for me!"
Cora Macaulay began painting at age 65, nearly 30 years ago. At the time she was a coordinator for community college art classes, and when a request came in for an oil painting class, she became student as well as organizer. Once Cora joined the newly formed 55 Plus Art Club, she found that her "hobby" was becoming a real commitment. Then a cross-Saskatchewan tour of her artwork that lasted two years through the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils Art on the Move program brought recognition across the province. Her paintings have been exhibited and collected steadily since then.
"We see our surroundings so much clearer and appreciatively," says the painter of skyscapes, landscapes, buildings as a part of landscape, and regional birds. "Early in my painting days an adjudicator told us to paint what we know. I'm a realist, but I appreciate the originality and colour in all types of work."
While Macaulay's production is slower now than it was a few years ago, Grasslands Gallery owner Laureen Marchand says," Her charming small oil paintings never last at Grasslands Gallery very long before they are purchased. I'm always delighted to receive and show another one."
Macaulay is modest about her contribution. "My picture content is simple, with little need for interpretation. I hope anyone who owns one has it hung visibly with their eyes straying to it often."
Jewellery-maker Elaine Robitaille was a little girl when Cora Macaulay began painting, and she was always interested in art. As Robitaille says," I doodled, drew and sketched continually. This was mostly people and scenery and to this day I continue to work in the same elements. Jewellery goes on people and sometimes my components include little faces peering out from them. Almost every piece I make has some motif related to nature and scenery."
How did Robitaille get from drawing to jewellery design? "Making jewellery – at least the styles I did to start with – was a great way to work on small projects that could be completed in a sitting. The tools and initial materials were widely available and at the time not everyone was doing it. Later, when I found the jewellery craft market was becoming saturated (and I was spending far too much on fancy, distinctive components) I moved into making my own components with polymer clay."
Robitaille's polymer clay beads and flowers are hand-coloured, hand-formed, and fashioned into every kind of jewellery as well as keychains and cell phone charms. She has friends and fans for her delicate and beautiful designs all over North America. Her one-of-a-kind pieces can be either bright or subtle, and almost every piece she makes has some motif related to nature and scenery. Robitaille's special Prairie Flowers Series of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pins transforms crocuses, mallow, wild prairie lilies and more into lovely treasures that can be worn by anyone.
Originally based in Calgary, Robitaille says, "I packed up and moved to Swift Current to be with my sweetie. My life needed a little shaking up and that dovetailed nicely, giving me an excellent way to do the shaking up. It's just far enough away from my old world that I've had to change and grow."
Growth in Elaine Robitaille's life has also resulted in growth in her art career. Laureen Marchand says, "Everyone who visits the gallery marvels at the intricacy and beauty of Elaine's artwork. I've sold them to people from all over Canada and the U.S. and in Europe. I'm delighted Elaine and I found each other!"
Two artists, from two different ways of life and with two different ways of expressing their love of nature, have connected with inspiration and an audience in Saskatchewan's southwest. Creativity thrives here!
Val Marie's Grasslands Gallery is open until Thanksgiving, Wednesday to Saturday, from noon until 4 p.m. After that, the gallery can be visited by arrangement until mid-November, when it will be open on weekends for Christmas gift shopping. Visitors are invited to call 298-7782 for further information, or check the gallery's website at www.grasslandsgallery.com.
