alleyscape studio
3 April 2013
Monument
This work, which speaks to memory and permanence and the need to leave something behind, was installed today at Calgary’s Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts. It is part of “A View Through the Glass: New Artists at the 7 Window Galleries”. Monument appears with Hakan Temuçin’s photographic interpretation of natural landscapes in an ordered world and Tim Westbury’s Ball & Stick, prints that create a twenty-four panel installation focusing on the legacies of scientific rationalism and the reintroduction of methods of inquiry now rendered obsolete. The exhibition, in the Window Galleries across from Max Bell Theatre, runs from April 5 to June 24, 2013. A reception will be held on Thursday, May 2 from 5 to 8 pm.
4 January 2013
Visiting Artist
I have just begun a term as a Visiting Artist at Red Deer College's Ceramics Department. My focus will be hand-building and sawdust firing in preparation for a spring show at Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts in Calgary. The show is Monument and builds on an original installation first shown at the Harris-Warke Gallery in Red Deer in 2004.

The Epcor Centre show will run from April 5 to June 24, 2013.
6 October 2012
New Studio Hours
As of October 2012, there are new opening hours at alleyscape studio:

Mondays : 11:30 to 5:00
Fridays : 2:30 to 6:30

As always, appointments can also be made by calling 403.597.9788
1 October 2012
Filtered
Filtered has been installed in Cafe Pichilingue in downtown Red Deer (4928 Ross Street). These 7 new paintings have been created around the remnants of used coffee filters. Not only is the filter part of each work but, in some cases, so are the used coffee grounds, as well as pieces of old pyjama bottoms because coffee is best consumed in the morning while reading the paper in the sunroom in your pyjamas. Filtered is on display for the month of October.
4 August 2012
Seductive Surfaces
Just finished this course, during the last week of Red Deer College's Series program, taught by Jean Pederson. Here is a description from the Series brochure:

"Create texture and add depth to your paintings in this experimental workshop. Using a variety of acrylic mediums you will learn to build up interesting surfaces and intriguing grounds that can be used within your paintings or as a base for finished work. We will explore techniques to achieve a variety of effects, including layering, texturizing, glazing, and more."

Good fun. Learned lots. Laughed even more.
29 July 2012
Spark Box Studio
Just back from a two week residency at Spark Box Studio in Picton, Ontario. Two weeks to think and create. Although I went to this self-directed residency with no clear purpose, I eventually came away with several ideas for ongoing projects. Such is the benefit of time away.

Picton (and Prince Edward County) is a wonderful spot for artists, foodies, and wine-lovers. Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping run a delightful residency program along with classes and workshops.
1 July 2012
Who Art Thou Again?
Following last year's successful show, Evanescence Gallery in High River, Alberta once again asked the question: By divorcing art from the artist (no visible signatures in this show!) could viewers come to appreciate an artwork for its own intrinsic qualities without being influenced by the artist who produced it?

I, along with 27 other artists, took part in this week-long exhibit which culminated in a successful and well-attended reception on July 1. There were 77 pieces of art on display (and for sale).

Well done, Arlene Westen Evans and Stephen Evans!
16 June 2012
Red Deer Artwalk
Another successful Red Deer Artwalk. Beautiful weather -- eventually Lots of friends and visitors! And even some sales! Thanks to the volunteer members of the Red Deer Artwalk Festival for organizing all the activities for Art Walk week.
8 April 2012
Pulp Paper Pages
Pulp Paper Pages is an exhibition featuring contemporary Albertan book and paper arts. My piece, "Pulp Fiction: A Life in 18 Leaves" was selected by the jury.

Paper and book arts are a vibrant aspect of contemporary craft. This major survey exhibition was proposed by Susan Kristoferson as a way to showcase the current environment of this area of fine craft. A joint project of the Alberta Craft Council and the Calgary and Alberta North chapters of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Arts Guild, this juried exhibition features a wide variety of forms, objects, approaches, techniques and concepts found in both the paper and book arts. 28 artists, from the 61 who submitted, were asked to show their work each presenting their own take on pulp, paper, and pages.

Participating artists: Kiki Benzon, Paul Boultbee, Linda Carreiro, Diana Un-Jin Cho, Linda Chow, Carla Costuros, Steven Dixon, Evangeline Enns, Dea Fischer, Jeanne Germani, Lisa Isley, Andrea Itzeck, Barbara Johnston, Eveline Kolijn, Susan Kristoferson, Brenda Malkinson, Tina Martel, Sara Norquay, Wendy Passmore-Godfrey, Thea Lynn Paul, Janice Peters, Brian Queen, Ros Schell, Susan Seright, Gloria Stack, Romy Straathof, Claire Uhlick, Dirk van Wyk, Renate Worthington

Alberta Craft Council Feature Gallery Edmonton, AB | April 14 - July 7, 2012

Leighton Art Centre Gallery Calgary, AB | Summer of 2013
7 December 2011
Grave Matters
Grave Matters just transferred from the Corridor Community Gallery to the Four Corners Gallery at Red Deer College Library.

Grave Matters, a series of collages incorporating drawing, photographs, textures, and colour, is based on time spent at a two-week residency at Spark Box Studio in Ontario reading a 259 page unpublished genealogy of my father’s family from the late 17th century to the present; almost daily walks through Picton, Ontario’s Glenwood Cemetery, reading and photographing gravestones; and, on my return, several days wandering through the Red Deer Cemetery doing the same thing. Grave Matters is a personal and a community response to those who have come before, and asks the viewer to stop and consider those who have passed, whether we ever knew them or not for they are the people who have helped make our community what it is today.
30 September 2011
Grave Matters
Grave Matters just opened at the Corridor Community Gallery (Recreation Centre, 4501 - 47A Avenue) on September 29, 2011 for a two-month run.

Grave Matters, a series of collages incorporating drawing, photographs, textures, and colour, is based on time spent at a two-week residency at Spark Box Studio in Ontario reading a 259 page unpublished genealogy of my father’s family from the late 17th century to the present; almost daily walks through Picton, Ontario’s Glenwood Cemetery, reading and photographing gravestones; and, on my return, several days wandering through the Red Deer Cemetery doing the same thing. Grave Matters is a personal and a community response to those who have come before, and asks the viewer to stop and consider those who have passed, whether we ever knew them or not for they are the people who have helped make our community what it is today.
2 August 2011
Shadows of Trees
A second version of Shadows of Trees was installed today at the Allied Arts Council of Spruce Grove Gallery. The exhibit runs from August 2 to August 20, with a reception on Saturday, August 6, 1 to 4 pm. The Gallery is in the Melcor Cultural Centre, 35 - 5th Avenue, Spruce Grove, Alberta (tel. 780-962-0664) It is open Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
29 July 2011
Who Art Thou?
Evanescence Gallery in High River, Alberta asked the question: By divorcing art from the artist (no visible signatures in this show!) could viewers come to appreciate an artwork for its own intrinsic qualities without being influenced by the artist who produced it?

I, along with at least two dozen other artists, took part in this week-long exhibit which culminated in a successful and well-attended reception on July 29. There were about 70 pieces of art on display (and for sale) and all three pieces of my new series, Matrix, sold.

Well done, Arlene Westen Evans and Stephen Evans!
1 July 2011
Grilled
My wife, Glynis Wilson Boultbee, and I have just hung a joint show in the Velvet Olive Lounge in downtown Red Deer. In honour of barbeque season at the Velvet Olive, we created this series of paintings which were inspired by the flame of the fire and the grid of the grill. Bon appétit! Grilled will be up until July 31. As part of Red Deer's First Fridays, we will both be at the Velvet Olive on Friday, July 8 from 7 to 9 pm. The Velvet Olive is located at 4928 Ross Street (alley entrance).

2 April 2011
In The Red: Creation From Deficit
This Alberta Craft Council exhibit explores the impact of Alberta’s recent budgetary cuts on an artist’s ability to create. It runs from April 2 to July 5, 2011.

“In the Red: creation from deficit” invited Alberta craft artists to create their own craft-based and written reactions to arts funding cuts. The responses from artists were overwhelming; from tongue-in-cheek to screaming-mad to oh-so-sad. Collectively these pieces express a wide range of opinions and emotions about the state and future of the arts in Alberta.

Participating artists: Mindy Andrews, Lucia Atanase, Paul Boultbee, Connie Cooper, Shirley Cordes-Rogozinsky, Linda Frena, Matt Gould, Joan Irvin, Pirkko Karvonen, James Lavoie, Linda McBain Cuyler, Sharon McFall, Laura McIvor, Jill Nuckles, Laura O’Connor, Brenda Philp, Gail A. Rydman, Virginia Stephen, Teresa Stieben, Mary Swain, Margot Van Lindenberg, Dirk van Wyk, Linda Willard, Simon Wroot.
8 January 2011
Cabinet of Curiosities
I have been represented by Cabinet of Curiosities in Stettler, AB for several years now and Andrea has produced a web site for the shop and her artists. Click here to check it out.
3 December 2010
The Red [and] Green Show
I have installed a new exhibit at alleyscape studio (4930C Ross Street, alley entrance beside the Velvet Olive Lounge). The new show is The Red [and] Green Show and runs from December 3, 2010 to January 14, 2011. The paintings on display celebrate the colours of the season, with the odd piece of duct tape thrown in for good measure. The opening reception for The Red [and] Green Show will be held on Friday, December 3, 2010 from 4:00 to 6:30 pm as part of Red Deer' First Fridays.
1 November 2010
Picton Suite: Glenwood
These mixed media drawings were created during a residency in Picton, ON, during August 2010. They are preliminary drawings which will now lead to larger paintings on the theme of Sub Rosa.

The initial purpose of the residency was to create a series of drawings exploring physical and emotional roots to one's past. However, the impetus for these drawings came from reading a family history and from walks through the Glenwood Cemetery in Picton. I began to think about secrets and family and privacy. Gravestones often only reveal the barest information about an individual's life while obituaries provide some more clues. But what secrets are buried with our bones? What secrets do we take to the grave? What will forever remain hidden?
22 August 2010
Spark Box Studio
Just back from a two week residency at Spark Box Studio in Picton, Ontario. What a great time! Two whole weeks to think and wander and paint. Although I originally went to draw, I ended up producing a number of painting maquettes for a potential exhibit, Sub Rosa, in conjunction with two other artists.

Picton (and Prince Edward County) is a wonderful spot for artists, foodies, and wine-lovers. Chrissy Poitras and Kyle Topping who established Spark Box a year ago are graduates of Queens University and run a delightful residency program along with classes and workshops.
1 July 2010
Storm Warning
This exhibit of new paintings has just opened at Cafe Pichilingue in downtown Red Deer (4928 Ross Street). The series depicts monochromatic storms sweeping across textured landscapes. The series came about during a mixed media experiment and I am quite pleased with the outcome. Storm Warning runs until July 29, 2010.
20 June 2010
Red Deer Artwalk
Another successful Red Deer Artwalk yesterday! Beautiful weather! Lots of friends and visitors! And even some sales! Thanks to the volunteer members of the Red Deer Artwalk Festival for organizing all the activities for Art Walk week.
4 May 2010
TEXTure
I have just hung a new show in the Velvet Olive Lounge in downtown Red Deer. The paintings which constitute "TEXTure" explore physical and visual texture as well as story. The show will be up until May 31. The Velvet Olive is located at 4928 Ross Street (alley entrance). In fact, it is right beside alleyscape studio.
26 March 2010
New exhibit at alleyscape studio
Monstrous, dioramas by Kelly Shpeley and ceramic works by Michele Dupas, runs from March 26 to April 23, 2010 at alleyscape studio. Kelly Shpeley is a surrealist painter based out of Nelson BC. Influenced by life, dreams, and the quirky humour that human experience brings, she likes unicorns and bears, and has a penchant for Nutella on bananas. Michele Dupas from Procter, BC, formerly of Red Deer, AB, manipulates clay with a wry and sardonic wit. Michele will be in attendance at an artist reception on Friday, March 26 from 5-7 pm. The studio, located at 4930C Ross Street (alley entrance), is open Mondays and Tuesdays (11:30 am to 5:30 pm), and Fridays (4:00 to 6:30 pm), or by appointment. Contact the studio at 403-597-9788.
7 February 2010
Shadows of Trees opening
The opening reception of "Shadows of Trees" on Friday, 5 February was quite successful. Somewhere between 30 and 35 people came by for wine and cheese. Andrea Dillngham, the Marjorie Wood Gallery curator, had produced newspaper tablecloths in keeping with the theme. The press was there and many friends, both artist and non. The opening reception was part of Red Deer's First Friday gallery openings.
1 February 2010
New Studio Hours
As of February 2010, there are new opening hours at alleyscape studio:

Mondays : 11:30 to 5:30
Tuesdays : 11:30 to 5:30
Fridays : 4:00 to 6:30

As always, appointments can also be made by calling 403.597.9788
29 January 2010
Shadows of Trees
Shadows of Trees is now open in the Marjorie Wood Gallery at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer. The exhibit looks quite good and I am pleased it was chosen to be hung. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, 5 February 2010 from 5 to 7 pm as part of Red Deer's First Friday art gallery events.
14 November 2009
Mail Art Olympix
Ed Varney, curator. was interested in hosting a Mail Art show in 2010 loosely based on the model of the Olympics, giving artists, who would have no opportunity to take part in the Olympic extravaganza a visible venue for participation. He also wanted to produce an event which would parallel the original premise and spirit of the Olympics, a celebration of the amateur.

Mail Art Olympix consists of three events: Self Portraits, Art Stamps, and Manifestos. I submitted a piece for the Self Portrait event.

The exhibit eventually consisted of 890 works 340 artists from 41 countries. The exhibit appeared in a variety of galleries:

Comox Valley Art Gallery, Courtenay, BC
Pentiction Art Gallery, Penticton, BC
Havana Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery, Wells, BC
MacMillan Arts Centre Gallery, Parksville, BC
Art Gallery of Swift Current, Swift Current, SK



29 July 2008
Votive Bowls
I have just installed a new exhibit at the PortHole Gallery at Red Deer College Library. The PortHole Gallery is a series of six vitrines (8 in x 8 in x 10 in) which present small 3D pieces very well. I have placed six small votive bowls in the gallery. The bowls are rough, hand-built ceramic pieces which have been bisqued and then fired in sawdust for 48 hours. Since the pieces have never been glazed, the only colouring comes from the flames and smoke of the firing. The pieces were created while I was a Visiting Artist in Red Deer College’s Visual Art first-year ceramic classes.