Ralph Simpson

Wood fibre (black ash, maple, beech & willow), bark (eastern white cedar, birch, willow & poplar) & plant fibre (marsh grasses, common rush, dracaena leaves, iris blades, and papyrus)

Inspired by the local environment and nature’s forms, I create contemporary sculptural forms that arise from a deep curiosity and emergent understanding of my chosen materials.

My work varies in form and style but what resonates in all my pieces is the underlying investigation into ways that plant materials can be used to spark interest or insight into the natural world around us.

Ralph is a full-time artist and works out of his studio in Fredericton, NB.

Phil Savage

'Flock'
Butternut,Walnut,Cherry & found steel

This piece is a combination of themes that I have explored as a sculptor. First is that of evoking animation from simple, organic forms. The birds in this composition are abstract and smooth, almost like driftwood or beach stones. By creating the right balance with each one I feel that they are readily perceived as being engaged in lively bird activity. The second theme is that of multiple small, sculptures placed together to create a larger sculpture composition. This larger composition has the ability to transform into multiple arrangements yet will always maintain its essence of a 'Flock'.

Melanie Craig Hansford

The Mother Earth Series

Mixed Media

In many belief traditions the Earth is a living, breathing organism that contains divine consciousness.
In this series of mixed media paintings I have personified and re-imagined this organism: its feelings, postures and angst.
I have hung the paintings on a clothes line to represent the feminine face of our planet and also to illustrate our actions as “hanging Mother Earth out to dry. How can we change our perception of this planet so that we no longer destroy her, rape her, ignore her cries, steal her gifts and exploit her bounty? I believe the only way to do this is for each of us to awaken to the idea that we are all connected. Without an acknowledgement that we are all one and that our individual actions affect all of us our species will not survive.

Liane Thibodeau

"Rock Flower Reflections"

This series joins my love of flowers with my passion for kayaking and the beauty of water reflections. On calm summer mornings when the water is still, I gather flowers from my garden and transport them in my kayak searching out interesting rock formations to place them on, making sure they don’t fall into the water, and I don’t fall out of the kayak.

"Grapesicles"

Mother nature’s ice creations on the grapevines outside our home are a recurrent source of inspiration for me as soon as the snow and icy winds of winter arrive. It is as though the vines make up for the loss of their leaves and grapes by adorning themselves with sparkling jewelry for the winter season.

Brian Comeau www.duckcovephotography.ca

Brian lives along the Bay of Fundy in Saint John with his wife and three children. His inspiration is drawn from the natural beauty of the Maritimes, with its picturesque landscapes, majestic coastlines and beautiful lakes and rivers. The Bay of Fundy, with its highest tides in the world and rocky rugged coastlines, is a favourite destination for Brian. 

Rob Roy

Well-known New Brunswick photographer Rob Roy lives and works in the historic Trinity Royal area of Saint John. Although Rob has worked as a commercial photographer, he is best known for his artistic projects, which are particularly evident in his book Saint John (first published in 2004 and reprinted in 2013). This much loved book brings together everyday scenes of Saint John and has been a must-have book for visitors and residents of the city. 

Fred Harrison

Fred says of himself, “I love to paint big.” A native of London, Ontario, Fred came to New Brunswick to take part in the Sussex Mural Celebration. While working here, he became captivated by the beauty of this province, and he is now at home in a small cottage in the wilds of Goshen. 

Although Fred has done many pieces of public art, his paintings can also be found hanging on the walls of many homes in New Brunswick and beyond.

Michael McQuay

Native to Waterloo, Ontario, Michael worked as a commercial photographer in Toronto for many years. Sixteen years ago, seduced by the open space and brilliance of the Saint John River Valley, he traded urban life for rural. A self-taught artist, since 2001 he and his partner Cyndi Brittain have designed and produced original work from their Queenstown studio.