Tribute to the Troops

Paula Lishman

Earth Day

The Quintessential Canadian Helmet:

I have covered this helmet with one of Canada's precious, renewable resources, the Beaver. Worn on the outside of the helmet, it has an amazing ability to deflect branches, and falling objects. The fur is aerodynamic, and good camouflage. It is beautiful, and can be comforting. The touch of fur is relaxing, and meditative.

In super cold weather, the cover can be removed, turned inside out, and worn under the helmet, for the most excellent cold weather protection. I was raised in Labrador, and to me, fur is "best" worn next to the skin. It becomes a survival tool.

Fur, the natural choice
Supporting people on the land
Only abundant furs are used
Never endangered species
A proud tradition of sustainable use of Canada's remarkable, renewable resources.

www.furisgreen.com

Victoria Marshall

Artist Biography

My name is Victoria Marshall and I'm 13 years old. I'm in grade eight and I go to Dr. S. J. Phillips School. Some of my interests are drawing and sports. Outside of school I'm in a bowling league and a park soccer league, both of which I have played for 10 years.

Inspiration for The Canadian Military Helmet

The helmet was painted for the troops who are fighting for our country, to show our support and show that everyone is thinking of them. On the back of the helmet, there is a mask with warrior paint on, which represents fighting for Canada and the other mask beside it, illustrates Canada being a proud country. On the sides of the helmet, there is a maple tree blooming to show the past, present and future and the growth of our country. The other side with the bird holding onto the maple leaf shows the strength of our country. The two trilliums represent Ontario. In the middle of the two trilliums there is a mask with a yellow ribbon on its face and around the mask it says, "Support Our Troops." The top of the helmet has a maple leaf turning grey to red which also represents the past, present and future of Canada. As well, there are poppies around the whole helmet which symbolizes the soldiers who lost their lives. Around the whole rim of the helmet it says, "Support Our Troops." The design on the helmet looks like camouflage but the colours have been changed to represent the life and happiness within our country.

Claire Phillips

Artist Biography

My name is Claire Phillips and I am 14 years old. I go to Dr. S. J . Phillips Public School. I am an enthusiastic musician Ð playing grade 10 piano, jazz piano, trumpet and alto sax. Sports are also an integral part of my week, where I participate in rep soccer, cross-country running, tennis, skiing, snow boarding, volleyball and basketball. I love to be out in nature at my cottage, where I will often draw or paint. I am looking forward to attending Queen's University and studying either engineering or art restoration.

Inspiration for The Canadian Military Helmet

The Canadian Military helmet shows support for those we love who are fighting or fought on behalf of Canadians. On the helmet there are several symbols including Ontario's Trillium as well as the Crest of Canada to represent our province and our nation. The different coloured hands on either side of the helmet holding up the crest are to show how the different cultures of people in the army support us and protect our home. The sunrise in the front with the black, grey and white background represent how our Canadian Soldiers fought for us in the past. The middle of the helmet represents the present and the future is represented on the back of the helmet with the sun setting along with symbols of technology. The whole helmet really shows how we appreciate these people risking their lives for us. It shows how we wish for them to remember their beautiful homeland, and the ones they love whom they are fighting for - as we remember them.

Michael Pitropov

Artist Biography

Michael Pitropov is an 18 year old student planning to attend university in September to study Fine Art. He currently attends D.A. Wilson S.S. in Whitby.

Inspiration for The Canadian Military Helmet

His inspiration for this piece comes from witnessing the overwhelming respect shown the fallen soldiers on their journey back home.

Lee Bruncke

Artist Biography

My name is Lee Bruncke, I am 19 years old and currently a returning grade 12 student at Eastdale C.V.I. I have been passionately involved in the arts since elementary school, and have aspirations to pursue further education in the arts after high school. I chose to take part in this project because I think its important that we as a country recognize the courageous effort our solders have put in to make Canada what it is today.

Inspiration for The Canadian Military Helmet

The title of my helmet is "Heart Never Dies." and it was meant to represent the lasting impact our soldiers have had. This helmet honours our soldiers, their efforts and their dedication. I wanted to find a way to show that the courageous work, tireless effort, and supreme sacrifice they make lives on. I used an anatomical heart on my helmet to symbolize this passion. The heart reflects the fact that these dedicated men and women put "their hearts into their jobs," and that their effort doesn't ever lose importance.

Don Chase

Don's work shows a deep spiritual emotion, with intensity of colour, often surrounded by black. He describes his expressions as, "Windows of My Soul". His contribution for A Tribute to Our Troops is dedicated the to his father, who volunteered for the armed services during the Second World War. His father served overseas in Europe with a First Nations regimentÑthis regimental badge is incorporated in the design of the helmet. The feathers which cover the surface of the protective headgear are all collected from the shores of Lake Ontario over a period of many years.

Born in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada in 1938 to Ojibway parents from the Alderville Reserve on Rice Lake, Don's Native heritage along with his Anglo Christian influences make for a unique genre in modern art.

"I try to create a Spiritual connection with the person viewing my work, it's not necessarily a religious thing, but I want to interpret my inner most emotions that live inside all of us. I'm compelled to express how I feel and present it in a bold manner. I think that makes for interesting art work ....." His passion for the fine arts was fuelled through his business career in the graphics arts industry, where he started to experiment with different media. From oil and acrylic painting, epoxy sculptures and bronze reproductions to his dramatic cast paper sculptures.

Don Chase's talent has taken him across the country displaying his pieces in a number of art shows and exhibits. His works have been exhibited in a number of art galleries in and around Toronto, as well as the Canadian National Exhibition. His dedication to Native art resulted in a half hour TV special called Native Express.

Don's phenomenally successful work can also be found in galleries and private collections across Canada, The United States, Europe and Australia.

Next Level Art

Next Level Art consists of three inspired siblings who combine their talents, feelings, and energies. The collective is comprised of Tyler, Spencer and sister Maddi-Jo Tilley When painting, the group collectively offers everything they have as individuals into each piece; resulting in one piece of artwork created by three different sources. Each source brings a different frequency to the piece giving the observer a unique and emotional viewing experience.

Maddie-Jo Tilley arrived at the Shoreview Apartments in Parkdale, Toronto, mid-afternoon Saturday, April 17, 2010 to visit her brother, Tyler Tilley and to complete a custom art piece for the Canadian military. A great story, get this ...

Over a month ago, our brother, Snips, 3rd member of Next Level Art, recently joined the Canadian military. Two days after his departure, we got an email from Olexander Wlasenko, curator from Station Gallery in Whitby, exclaiming he wanted Next Level to produce a custom art pieceÑa custom art piece for the Canadian military! It just so happens that the military is having a high-end gala at the end of May 2010. There, they auction off official military helmets painted by select artists. It was then that we told Olex of our brother's own journey and how significant this opportunity truly was.

We started the creation process by capturing our colours and energy onto a large 3.5'x2.5' masterpiece which we called "layla" (named after a famous Eric C. track). We used the very same style as "layla" and delivered it to the helmet. We beat that helmet with paint and raw emotion. In fact, I wore the dripping shell while M-J stuck me over the skull with a piece of wood creating the effects we needed. We unleashed our next level style all over this helmet.

Thus... we dedicate this helmet not only to the military, but to our own brother ...

You are now looking at "the helmet".

Jennifer Waterman

Jennifer participates in Station Gallery's Open Studio sessions which is designed for practicing professional and emerging artists, or anyone interested in having the space to create art and develop their artistic skills in a healthy, fostering environment. Jennifer's helmet submission features a figure reminiscent of the classical sculpture "the Winged Victory of Samothrace." This simultaneously apotropaic and angelic form acts as a benevolent and sentry guarding the tenets of democratic values espoused by the ancient Greeks.

Janice E. McHaffie

Janice has been a member of the Oshawa Art Association for over 16 years, the Station Gallery for over a decade, the Ajax Creative Arts for the same time and the Pineridge Arts Council for around five years. In 2007, the artist won the second place award in the Acrylic category at the 39th Annual Oshawa Art Association. Her helmet submission features her characteristic style of paint application. She has been delighted with the opportunity to participate in this worthwhile cause A Tribute to Our Troops.

Sheri Gundry

Sheri calls Whitby her home and is part of the developing arts community in the Durham Region. Sheri works in a wide range of media, from pencil/pastel, watercolour, acrylic, marker, mixed media, modern batik art and water soluble oils. Sheri paints Plein Air at various locations in Durham and in her studio. She has also been teaching art privately, through workshops, as well as through a variety of community based programs for over ten years to children, youth, and adults. In 2009 Sheri established a charity called Art With A Heart Inc. dedicated to using the talents and resources of creative individuals to empower others and to build self-esteem, to bring healing and also to bring awareness to their cause (www.artwithaheart.ca).

Henry Raetsen

An interest in painting showed itself in Henry's teens but career and family quickly took priority. After retiring, he blew the dust off his brushes. Henry's paintings reveal a fascination of people and place, capturing diverse moments in time. His work often echoes those who have come before us. This project provided an opportunity to explore one of his recurring artistic themes, the military. The helmets reflect military symbolism from two different eras - WW2 & contemporary

Karen Bigelow

Thank you for asking me to paint a military helmet in "Tribute to Our Troops: Past, Present, Future." An honour and an amazing experience for me. This is my first artwork on a 3D platform... designed around a theme... with loads of symbolism... from 1856 to current... a narrative in images and placement. This theme is one close to my heart since my nephew celebrated his twenty-first birthday on tour in Afghanistan and both of my sisters served in our military. Every single day that my nephew served on extended tour, I wore a poppy, as a pin and a veteran day poppy. When he came home, I forgot to take it off for months. So it was easy to choose a theme... Poppies... Afghan poppies...red for blood and remembrance... white for peace and hope... a badge for our military... medals of bravery, valour, honour, gallantry, sacrifice from 1856 "Victoria Cross" to the "Silver Star" ("Memorial Cross") with ribbons interconnected with... operation and mission ribbons representing... past, present and ongoing commitments of our forces...from Cypress Peacekeeping, (1964-UNFICYP)Ña ribbon draped from the back of the helmet of the Canadian flag and above Flander's fields to segment the helmet... re-enforcing Canada as a peacekeeping nation... to Afghanistan (South West Asia Service), Gulf and Kuwait, Somalia (we will fight as need be.) Deployment of our troops and presence in the world... air (Hercules troop and materials carrier), land (Sherman tank) and sea (Intel battleship). And through it all, the "Poppy Grows"... a symbol... of hope, remembrance, a living for poor countries... a drug that kills our youth in far cities... that funds arms and weapons of destruction that threaten innocence and freedom. This military helmet is "Lest We Forget: A Tribute" to our gallant, strong and free... a promise of Freedom, Peace.

I write an inspirational piece, a few words, a poem as part of my creative artwork process. This invitation generated a poem... to inspire me... keep me focused.

The Poppy Grows
In Flanders fields white crosses stand
In Afghan fields the poppies blow
Perpetuating crosses, row on row
In distant land...
Amidst rubble, street, hill and road
Our troops still bravely patrol,
Bear-arms,
A promise ... Freedom... Peace.
The torch was passed. We hold it tight
You did not shed your blood in vain
We stand for peace, and as need be...
We send to fight our gallant, strong and free
Lest we forget...
The poppy grows.

Karen Bigelow, April 14, 2010

Karen Bigelow is a Whitby resident artist who grew up on a farm near the military base at Petawawa Ontario. She enjoyed a career as a Health Information Professional. Her career took a detour and she plunged into the introduction, development, and implementation of computers in Health Care in North America. She is a Practitioner of Cranial/Sacral Therapy and Therapeutic Touch. She has returned to creating art, never abandoned but often on the backburner during her career. She has had a passion for drawing since adolescence, dedicated to capturing the wonder of nature. The pursuit of finding rhythm in form and light parallels her practice in healing. In 2005 she took her first art class. Inspired she went on to enrol in an 18-month Creative Studies curriculum. She has recently added Silverpoint fine drawing to her palette of acrylic and watercolour creations. Her artwork has been accepted in local juried art shows and is currently in The Crowne Gallery Minden, Ontario. Karen is co-facilitator with Marc Schroetter, owner of The Crowne Gallery and in partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Minden in the on-going campaign "Paint a Postcard from Home" for our troops abroad... a connection to home... a reminder we care. Her artwork is a celebration of life, freedom and intrigue, be it landscape to cityscape, still-life to wilderness flowers, portraits to architecture. Karen is a member of Station Gallery, Whitby, Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden, Rails End Gallery, Haliburton, and a member of PineRidge Arts Council (author of the column "Musings of an Artist"), and an associate member of The Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. Her artwork is in private collections throughout Canada and abroad. She is currently designing her website and can be reached by email bigelowki@yahoo.ca or in her studio by phone 905-432-7348.

Bill Fitches

To create something on the Canadian Military helmet was a bit of a challenge. Going by instinct, two images came to mind.

A few years ago, we were at an outdoor wedding on the shores of Lake Ontario, sitting under a maple tree. It was early September and it looked like the leaves were turning colour. When the music started, the tree came alive with thousands of Monarch butterflies that had gathered there before heading south. At first we thought the bride had rented them but were amazed by this natural occurrence. We will never forget that sight.

The second image was of a hat designed by Philip Treacy in England. It was worn by one of the Royal princesses to a wedding. It was outstanding.

I call this piece "A Different Kind of Camouflage". I realize that it is not practical but hopefully interesting to look at.

Biography

Bill retired 11 years ago after teaching Art for 33 years, from Grade 2 to OAC. This has given him more time to work in the garden and travel with his wife, Better, as well as sew. Bill's interest in fabric began when he was 8 years old. He would go through the rag box to find pieces for doll clothes or whatever craft projects he was involved with. When he was working on a Zorro costume for himself, he ran out of black fabric and had to borrow a pair of his Dad's pants to complete the cape.

Nothing much has changed in the last 56 years. The rag box now consists of numerous baskets and shelves of fabric. The clothing is fabricated for real people in the form of wedding dresses, appliqued jackets, evening wear and sweatshirts. There are still craft projects - dried and fresh flower arrangements, twig furniture and accessories, crochet and knitting, decorative painting and found object garden pieces. The costumes Betty designed and both constructed for many plays and Arts Balls have led to the making of vestments and hangings for various churches.

Bill Fitches, 716 Regent Drive, Oshawa, L1G 1H4
Tel: 905 728 8242

Pamela Meacher - Artist, Author

Floral Emblems of the Canadian Provinces

'We Stand on Guard for Thee'

Pamela grew up in southern England during the war years 1940-45 and moved to Canada in 1951. Her passion for all things natural began with the wonder she felt as a child. Pamela's high school years were spent in Montreal. She studied Interior Design at McGill University and Oil painting at Carlton University. On the move once more she took up Life Art studies at Seneca College. Watercolours became Pamela's new found choice with a weekend workshop with the late Jack Reid and a few years later she went to Wyoming to study with Carl Brenders. These magic weekends unlocked the mystery of this almost illusive medium.

Pamela's passion for nature resurfaced when she became one of the founding directors of the Canadian Wildflower Society. She is presently a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Botanical Artists of Canada. Pamela donned yet another hat with her foray into the book world. IT was met with great enthusiasm. The first book that she wrote, illustrated and published, won a bronze medal for illustration from the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards USA. The second garnered a 'gold' medal for illustration, again from Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. Many followers are eagerly awaiting the third book.

She has had her works shown at many illustrious places:

• The Royal Horticultural Society - U.K.
• The Confederation of Arts - P.E.I.
• The Roger Tory Peterson Institute - U.S.A.
• The McMichael Gallery - Kleinburg
• The Robert McGlaughlin Gallery - Oshawa
• The Roycroft Museum - U.S.A.

www.pamelameacher.com
905 985 8851

META4Gallery, Port Perry

This helmet was a collaborative effort by META4 Gallery owners Jennifer Hardie, Bonnie Thomson and Birgitta MacLeod.

Words, paper, colour and symbolism come together in this piece. The predominant colour is light blue, the colour of UN peacekeepers. The bits of map illustrate the many places around the world where Canadians have served. The flowers symbolize remembrance, gratitude and peace. The many thank you's are self-evident.

Artisans and artists often live in a rarified world where we ponder meaning and message. Our work is to create images and forms that stimulate the mind and senses. Beside us there are people who are called to address conflict and injustice, whose work is to put themselves in harm's way so that the rest of us can live in comfort and security. For this we give thanks.

Jen, Bonnie and Birgitta

META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery Inc
200 Queen Street
Port Perry, Ontario L9L 1B8
Tel: 905 985 1534
email info@meta4gallery.ca
www.meta4gallery.ca

Justin Oliver

Highway of Heroes

Art to me is an expression of form. Creativity stems from the shape of a piece of wood, the branch of a tree or the image I see in a piece of driftwood. Each piece of material speaks to me and gently guides me in creation.

As a young child I was drawn to wood, making cars and silhouettes of trees. Nature has always been an inspiration to me, and it is very ironic now that I turn to nature for many of my creations. I am well known for my artistic tables, many of which now sit in homes across the country.

It was in the creation of one table that found me looking for something more, that something turned out to be metal. In adding a small piece of metal I was struck by an awareness of a deeper connection to nature with the hard yet soft curves of metal and the soft and subtle grains of wood - the two were a perfect pair. This began an exploration with metal and to this piece - "Highway of Heroes".

This piece is created using iron, copper and slate, embracing a soldier's helmet. My inspiration for the piece came from the many supportive Canadians who line the overpasses along the Highway of Heroes in support of our fallen soldiers. I created this piece to represent a "place" in time, a place to show our respect, our admiration and our love for those who give selflessly of themselves.

I feel such a strong sense of accomplishment in completing this piece - it a piece that will remain in my heart forever.

J Oliver Designs - One of a kind designs in wood
905 983 1162