Another Award for Mount Pleasant Artist JoEllen Brydon

The accolades continue for the work of Mount Pleasant Artist JoEllen Brydon, as last month one of her pieces earned top place in the 2016 Canadian National Exhibition Juried Art Show. Entitled “My Grandmother was a Beekeeper”, the acrylic work continues Brydon’s exploration of everyday rural life. The drama in her work stems from her use of vibrant colours and sensuous shapes rather than the content of her images. Her pieces demonstrate nostalgia for the simple pleasures of rural life in times past and her images are whimsical delivered with her own unique style. Because she finds inspiration in simple tales, her works are accessible allowing us to relate to their content. This recent piece was prompted by a story she heard about beekeeping, and off she went…

Brydon’s appreciation for rural traditions is reflected in her efforts to revitalize a traditional rural institution, the Women’s Institute in her Mount Pleasant community, where she now serves as President. Their monthly meetings connect her to women in the area and the organization’s tradition of service to the community also resonates with the artist. The group’s efforts to preserve the WI hall in Mount Pleasant are also a testament to the members’ respect and appreciation for the past.

Brydon has exhibited in both publicly funded and commercial galleries in Canada, the US and Ireland since 1985 and has given many artist talks to accompany her exhibitions. Her work resides in many public and private collections here and abroad, including the Art Bank of Canada and the Canadian Museum of History.

This award-winning piece was exhibited earlier this month at Artworld Fine Art in Toronto, but has now found a permanent home in a private collection. The artist is represented by the Michael Laconte Gallery in Chicago, USA, Black Canvas Gallery in Hollywood, County Down in Northern Ireland and Christensen Fine Art in Peterborough. She will be participating in a group Christmas exhibition at Christensen Fine Art located on George Street North which runs from December 2^nd until Christmas. To see more of her work, visit her website at www.joellenbrydon.com. KG