First Fridays in the Exchange Distrct in Winnipeg, Manitoba

On Friday November 4th I decided to take in a self tour of First Fridays in the Exchange District. As an artist and an advocate of the Exchange District I wanted to explore the many studio's and artists displaying there new works of art. The great opportunity about visiting these artist's is the abundance of art in various styles, mediums, and prices. For collectors, friends,other artists and Winnipegers to not only see some terrific art, but meet the artists in their studio. It surprising to see the eclectic styles and make up of the studio space. Many of the studio's in the exchange are with 2 or more artists sharing their space. This collaborative approach stills inspiration and a creative community in the Exchange District.
I was able to visit artists Marlene A.Campbell (marlene.campbell@mts.net) and Gaetanne S. Sylvester (gaetsyl@mts.net)at 70 Arthur Street. Both these women have been on the art scene for more that 30 years each. These two talented artists bring beautiful and intriguing art in Ceramics, with Print making.
In the same location, but different floor, are creative artists Nora Korbinsky (www.norakorbinsky.com) and Peter Graham (www.petercgraham.blogspot.com). Both use very different styles in the visual work. Painting and print making are the mediums of choice.
Louise Kollinger (www.lkollinger@gmail.com)and Michael Joyal (www.leadvita.blog.com) are also two artists who are located at 70 Arthur Street.

Outworks Studio had artists Karen Wardle and Susan Birdwise displaying landscape paintings in Oil and Encaustic. See more information at Outworks on Face book or on Google.

These are but a few of the artists that I met in their studios that evening. With some studios that prepared food, some light beverages, I found the evening to be very enjoyable with conversation and the opportunity to see varieties of skill and talent in the art that these artists who choose to bring to Winnipegers. For a pleasant evening out, this self tour is a great way to learn more about the art community and the artists who have a great passion to share their world of art.

For more information on First Fridays go to : firstfridayswinnipeg@hotmail.com

Clyde D. Finlay
http://www.imagineartbyclydedfinlay.com.

Having a Great Opportunity

While being apart of the Linkedin site as a member,it has brought new and exciting opportunities to my art world. I am pleased to say that my wish for many years has been granted through my marketing and the opportunity in meeting Gallery Director, Sharon March of ArtView Gallery in Chatham , NY.

I have always wanted to have my art work go to New York. A chance to let the art world see my art and what better place than in Chatham, NY to have my art seen with a international viewing audience. With patience on my part, my wait for someone in the art world like Sharon March with her expertise and experience has given me this fantastic opportunity.

ArtView Gallery will have a group show with six different approaches to contemporary art by six creative artists,they are; Susan Woods, Thomas Witte, Jeremy Foster Fell, Jeff Britton, CC Arshagra and Clyde D. Finlay. The title, "Art Ensemble" at ArtView Gallery, 14th Main Street, Chatham, NY, starts on September 6th to November 11, 2011, Opening Reception on September 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

It gives me great pleasure to send my abstract oil painting, "Blind Gestures" to ArtView Gallery.

With this great opportunity this September at ArtView Gallery, I am proud to have my art work represented by ArtView Gallery and with my pursuit, to have my art recognized around the world.

I bring more exciting news and opportunities to my readers, that here in Winnipeg for next fall. I have been chosen to have a solo show at Great West Life Insurance Company for the fall of 2012. Here I will be able to create many new abstracts paintings , as well as representational landscapes that will astound my viewers with color and composition.

I am very happy for these opportunities and look forward to the future for the opportunity to create and share my art with the rest of the world.

My next challenge - Going Forward: Without looking I found a Pearl in my Oyster.

My next challenge - Going Forward: Without looking I found a Pearl in my Oyster.: "While I spoke of my new challenges in art in an earlier blog on June 17th, 2011, I found myself with an opportunity to look for a Pearl in a..."

Without looking I found a Pearl in my Oyster.

While I spoke of my new challenges in art in an earlier blog on June 17th, 2011, I found myself with an opportunity to look for a Pearl in a ocean of Oysters. In other words an opportunity to start creating more art with the passion and emotion I felt while in my studio and again create enough art to have a solo show in 2012. Floundering about with my thoughts, I wondered about this obstacle ahead, where was my next venue going to be?

Within weeks of my departure from Outworks Gallery I found my Pearl in an Oyster, through friends, family, colleges and the art community. I was inspired by them to see and have optimism about the when, where and how this pearl will appear. As in a saying that I have heard so many times throughout my life," When a door or window is being closed, another is being opened".

Well a door has opened and I am proud to say that my destination for my next solo show will be at Great West Life in Winnipeg in the fall of 2012. While riding this wonderful wave, I am lucky enough to have another opportunity to show two of my abstract paintings in a group show at ArtView Gallery in New York this fall. Today, I am given another pearl.

How wonderful it is to have the belief from others that I will achieve through these powerful challenges and obstacles that come before me.

In my ocean of Oysters I've been fortunate to be given numerous Pearls.


" Imagine Art",captures the experience of passion, a rhapsody of intrigue in art.

Clyde D. Finlay

Let my Art World be my Oyster.

While contemplating my next challenge

My Next Challenge - Going Forward

As a Professional artist I have enjoyed the excitement of not just being an artist, but a member of Outworks Gallery. Creating my art in an open studio space in the heart of Winnipeg Exchange District and the hubbub of the Art Community was a very exciting time. With the Outworks Gallery / Studio space and members, I had the delightful experience for 7 years. My growth as an artist surpassed any of my expectations in creating new art of various mediums. Which brought me to discover my ability to experiment, focus, adapt and use my inner emotions and personality to create the art I wanted too.

As I move forward as an artist without being a member of Outworks Gallery, I have come to realize that I don't need to be apart of Outworks Gallery or in fact any gallery to challenge my self as an artist. These challenges can happen any where I choose, as they have in the past, as they will in the present and into my future.

With my summer days now ahead of me and the excitement of re organizing, preparing my studio at home, as I had done before being apart of Outworks Gallery. I will settle into my creative zone, continue to journal my emotions, creative ideas, as I prepare for my next future art show. I have created a pattern in my past as an artist while attending the University of Manitoba in Fine arts by writing and sketching in my journals to assist me in my process of new and exciting art.

As I write this blog I am excited to move forward now and leave you with the joy of knowing that I have already started creating my new series of representational landscapes. I will sometime in 2012 have enough art work for a solo show, the destination will follow in the near future. So, stay tuned.

Going forward.

Clyde D. Finlay