Spring 2008
Changes for New Galley Season
This year we are starting off the gallery season with a big change up behind the scenes. My wife Juanita Wilkins (singer/songwriter) and I are changing our studios around. Everything will be back in order for the third Artist Studio Tour Saturday and Sunday April 26-27, 10am to 5pm. My gallery is one of 25 studios on this free self-guided tour throughout North Perth and area. Hey we are number one on the map why not begin your tour here. I will have a bunch of new pieces on the walls and the four artisans who’s work we show, Larry Cluchey (wood), Donna Legge-Nevett (jewellery), Timothy Smith (pottery) and Tanya Zaryski (glass) will have new stock as well. During the Studio Tour I will have my studio and print shop open so visitors can have a peek into the processes behind my work.
Through out the season I am planning a special feature exhibit for each of the Artisans in the gallery. As details are confirmed I post them on the events page on my website.
A New Book
Yes the big news is that I have a new book coming out this fall. In Black & White is a memoir (am I that old that I’m writing a memoir?) of sorts about my adventures as a wood engraver. Bird & Bull Press in Newtown Pennsylvania first published In Black & White in a limited letterpress edition in 2005. It was a gorgeous volume hand printed and bound in an edition of 150 copies. Gaspereau Press is resetting the book and publishing it as a trade edition. Andrew Steeves the publisher asked me to write a couple of new chapters and an ending and Kate Kennedy the editor helped me stay on track to the finish line. I am very honoured and excited to be working with the Gaspereau Press crew whom I see as rising starts in Canadian publishing. There will be more on this in future newsletters.
Printmaking Classes
I will be teaching a Solar Printmaking class at the Southampton Art School this summer. It’s a three-day class June 16-17-18 and all skill levels are welcome. Solar Printmaking uses no chemicals or acids to etch the plates just sunlight and water. The process is very straight forward so in the three days there is lots of opportunity to explore and create. Check out the art school’s website for details. www.theartschool.org and search under Wesley Bates and you will find the details. Class size is limited.
I am looking into a location for a wood engraving class that would run sometime this summer. I will update on that as soon as I have the arrangements.
New Work in progress
I have two book illustration projects under way that I am doing wood engravings for. One is a Wendell Berry poem that is being published by Larkspur Press in Monterey Kentucky. The other is a book on cock fighting in Bali being published by Contre Coup Press in Louisville Kentucky.
I am at work on a series of paintings that I call two panel narratives. The form I am using is based on 15th Century Italian book illustrations. I will update my painting portfolio as the paintings are finished.
The Gallery
My gallery is open regularly Friday and Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 6pm. And I’ll open the gallery any other time just call ahead to make an appointment.
