Studio Tour: Welcome Back to Otterville is unique

Original watercolour artist Sue Goossens is welcoming guests back to Otterville for the village’s annual art and specialty shop tour, Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. More information can be found on the website: https://www.welcomebacktootterville.ca. (Jeff Tribe Photo).

Jeff Tribe

Mae Leonard’s art reflects its creator: unique, with more than a little character.

“They’re out of my head,” said the retired educator, whose design of distinctive wire sculptures sources internal inspiration, rather than the parameters of a pattern.

Leonard is one of eight artists sharing their unique creative visions on the Welcome Back to Otterville Studio Tour, Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

A tour map, descriptions of each participant and contact information are available on the website: https://www.welcomebacktootterville.ca. Tour sites will also be marked with yellow flags during the two-day tour. For more information, interested persons can call 519-879-6352.

It’s a cozy, concise collection says founder Sue Goossens, harkening back to when a variety of artists, specialty shopkeepers and antique emporiums agreed to co-ordinate Christmas open houses.

“We just kind of thought, does everyone want to do it on the same weekend?” she recalled.

That collaborative foundation spawned an intimate 29-year year village institution with an evolving list of artists and vendors. This year’s group features the art of Goossens, Leonard, Liane Todd, Linda DeJonghe (Sunday only), Shirley Hokke, Joan McQuiggin, art cards and more by Trudy Verberne, pottery from Susan DeRoo, and Plaid Shirt Farms Ltd.’s berry products.

Located just east of the village along Otterville road across Oxford Road 59, Plaid Shirt was established in 2017 as a black currant producer. Haskap berries were added the following year, expanding a range of fruit-forward jams, pure juices and sparkling black currant and haskap drinks.

“They’re great on their own, or with a touch of whatever… gin… vodka - just saying,” smiled Plaid Shirt’s Patricia Van Diepen.

An operation focussed on natural, chemical and preservative-free produce and sustainable farming practices supplies juice for brewers, distillers and wineries and also offers frozen berries for sale.

“Things are finally coming along,” said Van Diepen, of a passion project which is beginning to, well, bear fruit.

The paths to Leonard’s ‘barn’ are a contemplative labyrinth of lovingly-tended trees and plants, living art if you will, part of the natural world where she finds inspiration. They lead to a structure hosting not only her and a gathering of friends’ artistic pursuits, but also a local wood carvers group. Her world is one of original creations: acrylic paintings - often complete with mystery ‘guests’, stained-glass windows and afghans, punctuated by distinctive coloured wire sculptures.

Leonard introduced the concept to her ‘art girls’, and while no one else connected with the medium, she appreciates its inherent challenge.

“And I like a challenge.”

Leonard lays down a base framework of heavier wire, starting with the legs.

“From there on the body part is whatever comes to mind.”

Fine chicken wire and screening build out her creations’ structural frame, with the detail work a combination of pliable coloured aluminum and other wires.

“Copper wire has become so costly I might have to melt pennies,” she joked.

Leonard repurposes a variety of items for eyes, for example, craft shop offerings, marbles or even covered golf balls.

The process is free-flowing, and while Leonard is never entirely sure where the creative path is taking her, it’s a given it won’t be finished quickly. The wing of a smaller bird might take her an evening, the entire sculpture the equivalent of a standard work week. And the two-and-a-half-foot owl in her dining room a labour of love taking an estimated 400-500 hours.

“It was a long time because every one of those loops is done by hand.”

Her family members tend to be either musical or artistic says Leonard, the latter prevalent on her father’s side of male woodworkers. During her teaching career, she focussed on topic and skills rather than specific projects, a creative journey followed in her own creations.

“It’s whatever turns up,” Leonard smiled.

Goossens is hoping good weather ‘turns up’ for the tour weekend, encouraging people to spend a morning, afternoon or day ‘welcomed back’ to a long-standing tradition.

“Come and enjoy it,” she smiled in conclusion.