THE PORCELAIN CANVAS! Group Show

THE PORCELAIN CANVAS!
Group Show
by The Rideau Guild of Porcelain Painters
Saturday, October 10 - Thursday, October 29
Carleton Place Gallery
210 Bridge St., Carleton Place, ON
613-253-2080
http://www.cpgallery.ca/rideau-guild-of-porcelain-painters.html
Vernissage: Sunday, October 18 1:00 - 4:00 pm


The Rideau Guild of Porcelain Painters is a group of artists in the Rideau region, dedicated to the traditional art of hand-painting on porcelain, transforming everyday items into unique art pieces.
Porcelain Art, although not well known these days, survives in Eastern Ontario with the Rideau Guild of Porcelain Artists. This unique 2,000-year-old art form embraces painting and decorating glazed and unglazed (bisque) porcelain, as well as hand building using porcelain slip and clay. It has changed from the days of the factories in China, England and Europe, and modern techniques and materials have influenced the design of the artworks.

The exhibit will include 'old fashioned' as well as modern techniques using paints, lustres, metallics, and precious metals (gold and platinum.
The purpose of our Guild is to preserve and teach this challenging and time consuming art form.

?Members of Rideau Guild of Porcelain Artists, Ottawa

Debra Button, Stittsville
My interest in porcelain painting began when I was invited to observe a class on painting cardinals given by Marlene Eagan. The welcoming atmosphere and enthusiasm of the participants had me interested in giving this medium a try. I was hooked from the very first brush stroke!
During my years of involvement with this medium, I have studied with some of the best porcelain artists from North America and Europe. This was made possible by the Porcelain Artists of Canada, which runs an annual school (currently held this July in Ottawa) aimed at expanding the knowledge of the porcelain art form.
I find the process of producing a useable piece of art enormously rewarding. Each piece requires several firings to build an amazing product. The variety of techniques that can be used is challenging. I have found the porcelain art community to be friendly and open, willing to share their knowledge and experience when asked. I do not believe it will ever be possible to learn it all – but I will be forever striving to improve my grasp of the art form. It is my great pleasure to be able to share my passion with you.

Patricia Robertson, Carleton Place
It happened by accident. In 2007, a neighbour invited me to try china painting on a Saturday morning; we worked on holly. A couple of sessions later, I couldn’t put my brush down! After investing in porcelain, paints, brushes, tools, and a kiln, I haven’t looked back. Most of all, I like creating useful pieces and have decorated many unique mugs and trays for friends and relatives. I also teach the basics of porcelain art to beginning china painters, focusing on the technical side of this amazing and quite difficult art form. It has become my life!

Lorna Maclaren, Ottawa
Lorna loves roses … actually, any flowers – and she loves animals and modern art, too. She is in her happy place with a clean palette, paint on her brush, and porcelain in front of her!
Lorna Maclaren was introduced to oil on porcelain in 1978, and Marlene Eagan was her first teacher of many. Because of Marlene's love of teaching, it excited Lorna to want to become a better painter and teacher herself. Her work has been published in all the major porcelain art magazines, and she has taught for over 40 years across Canada.

Marlene Eagan, Gatineau
Marlene is a Master porcelain artist. Her natural artistic talent and ability as a wonderful teacher, have influenced hundreds (if not thousands) of porcelain artists across North America. Marlene is famous for her birds – you can hear them sing! But for her, no subject is off the table. She has a complete understanding of art and design, and the many techniques required of a porcelain artist. She diligently sketches or paints every day in her studio on the Ottawa River, keeping her skills active.

Angela Chiu Duttmann, Toronto
I was born and educated in Hong Kong where I worked until retirement in 2012. Five years later, I accidentally stumbled into porcelain painting in a window display and was fascinated by its beauty. Out of curiosity, I decided to take classes as beginner, although it didn't turn out as I expected, and I decided to import my first kiln and restart as self-taught in 2019.
Over the three years of the pandemic, I found myself in a confined environment that allowed me to focus on my personal journey to improve my porcelain painting skills. During this time, I was free to paint subjects that interested me without traditional limitations. These years proved to be the most significant period in my development as a porcelain painter. In 2022, I settled with my family in Canada, and by 2023, I began actively participating in related events and occasionally teaching.
I'm heading to my eighth year as a porcelain painting artist and often reflect on my journey with same goal to continue to exceed where I am with patience and determination.

Sue Hoegg, Ottawa
Sue started her artistic journey in photography. One day, a watercolourist came to view her exhibition. She walked up one wall, down the other, paused and said, “You are not a photographer; you are a painter. You’ve never held a brush. Come see me.” So, Sue learned to paint with watercolours. Then, one day, Paddy Robertson came to visit Sue. She saw Sue’s photographs and paintings and said, “I can teach you to paint porcelain. Come see me.” And Sue’s been painting porcelain ever since.
Always up for a challenge, Sue explores themes of space, time, life under the sea, alternate realities and interior journeys of the mind. When you can only go home in your dreams, her hand-made porcelain Dream Ponies will take you there.

Anne Nicol, Ottawa – hand-built porcelain
?Anne Nicol is a multidisciplinary artist who creates whimsical functional and ornamental ceramics that often evolve into sculptural narrative pieces. With a background in calligraphy, mural painting, graphic and conceptual design, food styling, interior design, and fine art, her work emphasizes inventive surface design and storytelling.
Working with clay for over eleven years, she combines wheel-thrown, hand-built, and sculptural techniques, enriching surfaces with overglaze decoration, lusters, and traditional porcelain painting. In 2021 she began exploring china painting, first connecting with Paddy Robertson, who introduced her to members of the Leeds China Painters and the Rideau Guild of Porcelain Artists. Through seminars and mentorship from this generous and talented community, she experienced the welcoming and inclusive spirit of the guilds. Their kindness and willingness to share knowledge nurtured her love for the art form and the joy of painting on porcelain pieces she has created with her own hands.
Anne is a studio potter and instructor at LOAM Clay Studio and a member of the Rideau Guild of Porcelain Artists, Leeds China Painters, and the Ottawa Guild of Potters.