Artists have ‘different approaches’ at arts market

Debbie Near is one of 23 artists and artisans currently exhibiting and selling at the Capitol Arts Market. 

Chris Abbott

Editor

Capitol Arts Market in Simcoe can be an inspiration for both artists and artisans, and the community as a whole.

Debbie Near, one of 23 artists and artisans currently exhibiting and selling at the Capitol Arts Market, paints in all mediums, including acrylic and oil. She has been at the Capitol market for two years.

“I’m doing watercolour now,” said Near. “And I do something different – sumi-e. It’s Japanese brush painting done in ink. It’s something different for me, and I started collaborating with my husband to make these (collectible) boxes.”

Karen Stewart has been displaying her at the Capitol Arts Market for about a year.

“I love colour… vibrant colour,” said Stewart. “Fun and whimsical, and my main subject is cute animals. The reason why I paint them is because I love them, but I am also desperately allergic to most of them.  So, I paint them as a way to have a pet I can tolerate. I paint them because their cute little faces keep me company!

“Partly what I like here is that it’s a bit eclectic,” said Stewart. “So you have an opportunity to see different art forms, craft forms and subject matters. So usually, everybody finds something they like in here. More than one thing usually. I think it helps to reach more people.

“It’s one of a kind art here, and there is something kind of precious about that. That’s what we like about art. It’s a one of a kind piece – you have it, nobody else has it – and there is a connection. These are all local. To me, that makes it super meaningful.”

“I do like audience that we get,” said Near. “This gallery, people like coming in just to have a look. There will be people that come in once a month just to see what’s changed. People are happy to come in just to look at the art, and I like that people talk to us – it’s fun talking about your work.

“I like having my work displayed, I want people to see my work, somewhere outside of my home,” said Near. “Yes, I can put it on Facebook, but it’s not the same. That’s why I really value this venue – just having the opportunity to show my work and I get to talk to people.”

Some people coming in are actively shopping for art, some are looking future purchasing ideas.

“It is good that people come in, they get an idea. Sometimes people will say ‘Oh, I saw something and it’s gone now…’”

Near said she has been painting nearly 30 years, but it’s something she really got into since retiring eight years ago.

Stewart’s art background goes back to an injury that impacted her reading and TV time.

“I couldn’t even follow an audio podcast,” she said. “It hurt my head too much.”

She could hold a pencil crayon and slowly colour.

“That started eight years ago, I’ve never stopped,” Stewart smiled.

“She (Stewart) is very prolific, she’s probably got a bigger portfolio than I do after 30 years,” Near laughed.

“I’m obsessed,” Near admitted. “If I am not using my hands, if I do not do art every day… I have to do art every day.”

Near said she tries to change her work at the gallery seasonally, typically four times a year.

“I’m a little more frequent because I have a little more… I have a lot,” Stewart smiled. “I have a lot of art.”

Being a member at Capitol Arts Market has extra benefits for Stewart.

“It’s been interesting. For me, it’s been a way to make a few friends. It’s a good way to feel part of the community here, which is nice.”

In addition to their regular work on display, Stewart, Near and a friend, Dan Stewart, recently had an exhibit in the featured artist gallery room – Artistry Unbound.

“Three approaches,” said Near. “We each came at art from a different perspective. Dan took lots of art classes, and Karen jumped in and is self-taught. I just keep trying different mediums.”

The Capitol Arts Market, located at 13 Norfolk Street South, is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10-3:30, and is closed Sunday and Monday.

For current workshops and classes run by Capitol artists, visit capitolartsmarket.com/workshops.