Nestled into one of the most picturesque locations along the Bay of Fundy, the landscape surrounding Parrsboro, Nova Scotia has proven to be a dream for visiting artists. Since 2017, the community there has officially embraced their status as a getaway destination for artists when Parrsboro Creative organized the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival, the largest plein air art festival in Canada.
Each year, Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival invites thirty juried artists from across North America to capture the beauty of the Parrsboro Shore. Held along the Bay of Fundy, with the highest tides in the world, the Minas Bason right on their doorstep and Cape Sharp off in the background, the ever-changing scenery provides incredible views and no shortage of inspiration.
Juried by this year by art expert Ian Muncaster, owner of Zwicker’s Gallery, the oldest commercial art gallery in Canada, the artists compete in six different categories: Best in Show, Best Nocturne, Best Use of Light, Best Watercolour, Best Seascape and People’s Choice. The entries this year provide an exceptional look at the natural appeal of the region.
Meet the winners of the 2021 Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival:
Don Pentz
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Don Pentz is a Nova Scotia painter (oils, watercolours, acrylics) currently living in Halifax. A graduate of Mount Allison Univiniversity (B.F.A.) and the University of Regina (M.F.A.), Pentz is also an elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy and the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour.
A hiker of shorelines and paddler of waters, Pentz has an intimate understanding of what he paints; striving to capture a convincing sense of light and composition in his work. As well as studio work, Pentz enjoys embarking on wilderness canoe trips to paint en plein air. This allows for a more spontaneous approach to his art and offers a refreshing change from the controlled studio environment.
Pentz participates regularly in group and solo exhibitions. His work has been featured in galleries across Canada, and as far afield as England, Japan, Cuba, France, China, and parts of the United States. His work can be found in many private and corporate collections.
Winner | Best in Show – “Rock Face”
“Sky, woodland, water, log, vegetation, rock cliff – it was a scene/pattern of separate components but each contributing to the overall whole — a contrast of texture and colour,” says Pentz. “An overhead cloud mass was constantly opening and shutting down. I opted to stay in the mid-range of light and colour and not chase after the fugitive light and shade patterns.”
Don Pentz | WEB
Michel Doucet
Weymouth, Nova Scotia
As a self-taught artist, Michel Doucet grew up admiring the paintings in his family home and discovered his own passion for painting at the age of thirty. With the beauty around him, he discovered that his inspiration—painting outside—is like no other.
His body of work reflects an awareness of the history of art and the artist’s continuing passion for enjoying and creating that which is universally recognized as beautiful. Common to all his work—be it the oils or sketches—is his desire to communicate.
2nd Place | Best in Show – “Advocate Harbour, NS”
“The creative process for me is ‘I want to bring the outside in’ so others can see what I see,” says Doucet.
Michel Doucet | FACEBOOK
Louise Hicks
Sackville, New Brunswick
Louise Hicks was born and raised in Northern New Brunswick and eventually settled in Sackville, New Brunswick.
It was only within the last ten years that Hicks began painting; first in-studio with acrylic—but she was missing the outdoors. She had never even heard the term “plein air painting” until she stumbled upon an event being promoted online and to be held in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. She packed far too much gear, headed out then sheepishly painted and submitted her first plein air painting. It sold… and she was hooked.
Dozens of workshops, events, sales and hundreds of painting hours later, Hicks was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2018 Points East Plein Air and then Best Agricultural painting at the 2019 Elora Plain Air. With those accolades encouraging her to continue to improve and the beauty of the Maritimes calling out to be painted, Hicks looks forward to many years of wearing out her boots and brushes.
3rd Place | Best in Show – “Opening Act”
“PIPAF boundaries offered a true buffet of scenic landscapes! And the locals were so supportive and inviting – twice inviting me to set up on their property to paint their amazing views,” says Hicks. “Painting in and around Parrsboro is like bringing a tiny dessert plate to a huge buffet – just no way to get all that eye-candy onto your plate – so pick a few fantastic views and savour every moment. Thank you PIPAF for the feast!”
Louise Hicks | WEB
Sharon Fox Cranston
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
A Signature Member of the Society of Canadian Artists and the Pastel Society of America, and a designated Master Pastelist member of Pastel Artists Canada, Sharon Cranston is a multi-disciplined artist, who works in oil, acrylic and pastel.
Her impressionistic painting style retains the integrity of “the place” while still being loose enough in application to actively challenge the viewer to interpret the work for him or herself. An avid plein air painter, her focus is on the texture, colour and rhythms of the rural and urban landscape. Her work hangs in private and corporate collections both here and abroad.
“Creating art brings me joy, it gives my visual perception of the world a voice,” says Cranston. “Therefore, the more I paint, the more I want to paint, and it’s perpetual.
“Since I’m constantly thinking about art, I identify the world as value scales and colour harmonies. I enjoy challenging myself to grow, to experiment, and explore new ways of looking at the world. Making art has become my legacy, Each piece a visual record of my life, where I’ve been, what I’ve seen, and how I’ve tried to express that moment to others.”
Winner | Best Nocturne – “Parrsboro Moon”
“This was my first nocturne painting. I had never painted at night before and had no idea of the challenges ahead,” says Cranston.
“Arriving at my destination before sunset, I wanted to check and make sure I was happy with the scene I chose. It was a grey day, and night fell quickly. It then suddenly occurred to me that it was dark! Why hadn’t I thought of the obvious: painting at night is dark. Like pea soup dark.
“I opened the back door of my van and painted in the weak yellowish glow of the tiny interior light on the pop-up door above my head. If this wasn’t bad enough, every two minutes the interior light went off, and I had to put my brush down, walk around to the driver’s door, open it, and close it so the interior lights came back on again.
“This went on for about half an hour, the rhythm of the light becoming a part of the work. Then things got much better. A fellow artist who was painting nearby, and had finished their painting, loaned me the use of their two little LED easel lights. Magic! I could now see my canvas in a bright white light that was consistent.
“About ten minutes later, the moon decided to make an appearance, which in my opinion, was the cherry on the top of a most educational and eventful night.
“I was honoured to win the award for Best Nocturne for Parrsboro Moon. Next year I shall come prepared with lights in hand!
Sharon Fox Cranston | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Oliver Hatton
Parrsboro, Nova Scotia
Oliver Hatton’s father was an Art College Lecturer. So, as a child, Oliver explored art college when most people had gone home. Among other things, this fortunate introduction inspired in him a relationship with Art & Design.
In the mid-’90s, Hatton started work as a traditional concept artist for a video game company and fairly swiftly made the move over into the digital world. For the next two decades, he made 2D and 3D digital artwork, usually for video game companies. In 2012 he began painting again, and every year it becomes a more serious endeavour.
Originally from the UK, he lives with his wife Alice in Atlantic Canada.
Winner | Best Use of Light – “Distant Cape Split”
“I got up early that morning to try and find somewhere before the wind picked up,” says Hatton. “This strong image of the distant cape between buildings has always stuck in my mind since I first saw it, so as I found myself in the area that morning I went to see how it looked and it didn’t disappoint. The wind didn’t really pick up that day, much to the pleasure of the mosquitos, too!
“I remember Christopher Gorey stopped by for a chat and they swarmed us faster than we could waft them off. It would have been a conversation of ‘there’s another few on your temple’ if I had mentioned them every time.
“It was such a beautiful morning though.”
Oliver Hatton | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Christopher Gorey
Ingonish, Nova Scotia
Christopher Gorey is a well-known Nova Scotia watercolour and oil painter. His work, mainly traditional, depicts the beautiful light and landscape of Northern Cape Breton as well as other locales.
He has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada and is the designer of the 1981 and 1987 Canadian commemorative Silver Dollars. His work has won awards at La Societe canadienne de l’aquarelle, the Watercolor Art Society of Houston and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolor.
Christopher Gorey’s paintings can be found in the collections of Anne Murray, The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Seneca College and Acadia University Art Galleries. He is also a signature member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour as well as La Societe canadienne de l’aquarelle.
He resides in Ingonish, Cape Breton with his wife Lynn. The Goreys have two children and three grandchildren.
Winner | Best Watercolour – “Moonrise Over Parrsboro”
“‘Parrsboro Moonrise’ was my Nocturnal entry at this year’s event,” says Gorey. “The painting won for Best Watercolour though.
“I set up at night using an LED lamp to see my paper and palette. The moon was just starting to rise through the clouds as I started to paint. The whole composition and execution were done within forty-five minutes.
“Sometimes working quickly crates a certain freshness that can’t be achieved in the studio. I was pretty happy with the results.”
Christopher Gorey | WEB
Denise Lanterman
Falls River, Nova Scotia
A lifelong love of art and a desire to paint led Lanterman to years of exploration and innumerable workshops to find my creative voice. Through muted colour, simplicity and balance, Lanterman’s goal is to convey a sense of calm, peace and quietness in her work.
Using acrylic paints, liquid inks and subtle washes on canvas to paint impressionistic and envisioned seascapes and coastal horizons, she describes her work as usually not site-specific. but rather an emotional response to her environment.
“It always amazes me when one of my works reminds the viewer of a specific place, especially since it is imagined and minimalistic,” says Lanterman. “When my vision resonates with someone I am always gratified, honoured and humbled.”
Winner | Best Seascape – “Fundy Shore Near Parrsboro”
“The Bay Of Fundy near Parrsboro is spectacular at any time,” says Lanterman. “On this particular day, I was moved by the almost pastel colours of the sky, water, the salmon pink mud. The billowy clouds.”
Denise Lanterman | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Alexander Koltakov
Hubley, Nova Scotia
Alexander Koltakov is a Canadian artist, born in Crimea. After living for many years in Israel, Koltakov moved to Toronto in 2012. Four years later, however, he visited Nova Scotia and fell in love with the beauty of the province. He has since settled into his new home in Hubley, Nova Scotia, where he continues to create his paintings and bas-reliefs.
As a child in Crimea, well known for its wonderful mountains and sea views, Koltakov ‘s grandfather introduced him to painting at a young age. During his school years, Kotakov studied painting in the art studio of the Crimean artist, N. Papias.
In Canada, Kotakov took a number of art courses at the Toronto School of Art. His primary work is typically acrylic or oil on canvas an impressionist style paintings, depicting scenes of nature and people’s views, also his special interest in working with plaster on wood bas-reliefs.
Winner | People’s Choice – “Steep Climb”
“The place that I painted caught my attention almost immediately,” says Koltakov. “First of all, seeing people climbing this really steep path to see the beauty of the islands and an ocean, gave me the feeling of hard work and endeavour, that need to be done to achieve something worthy.
“I also really loved the light that appeared at the place. The fast change of the light and shadows, bright and bold colours and hues of this area just look fascinating in my eyes. I just tried to express it on my canvas.”
Alexander Koltakov | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
The Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival, featuring North American’s finest plein air painters, will be returning to beautiful Parrsboro, Nova Scotia between June 22- 25, 2022. Click here to learn more.