Cathy Dobson
Marilyn Orr admits she doesn’t participate in many exhibitions despite being an accomplished painter.
“It is stressful for me,” says the former graphic designer and retired art teacher.
There were several times Orr would have pulled the plug on an upcoming show if it hadn’t been for her friend and fellow artist Lynne Brogden.
“When the Gallery in the Grove approached me, I immediately thought of doing the show with Lynne,” Orr said. “I’m so glad I did. It’s been a lot of work.”
She has produced 71 paintings in preparation for “Follow Our Footprints Beyond the Horizon,” the exhibition she launches with Brogden on Sept. 8.
Brogden, a former city art gallery owner, has painted 30 new works just for this show.
“These are different from all my other work. Very minimalist paintings,” she said. “I’m hoping people will feel as if they are part of the universe when they look at them.”
Much of the show is inspired by the stunning views they enjoy from their properties facing Lake Huron.
“I’m fascinated by the horizon,” said Orr, who likes to work in all sorts of media including photography, acrylic, clay that adheres to her canvas, pastel, chalk pastel and alcohol inks.
Orr and Brogden are neighbours and met in 1983 when Brogden’s Kenneith Gallery hosted Orr’s first show. In more recent years, they struck up a friendship and fell upon the theme for the joint show one icy evening as they walked along the lakeshore together.
“It was freezing cold,” recalled Orr. “Lynne was wearing a big fur coat and hat and I took a photo of our shadows as we walked on the moonlit snow.”
She manipulated that image and reproduced it on metal. That and other photos on metal will be shown with the paintings.
Gallery in the Grove is a non-profit art gallery operated by volunteers. It’s located on the second storey of the historic Faethorne House, which also accommodates the Bright’s Grove public library on the main floor.
WHAT: Follow Our Footprints Beyond the Horizon, an art exhibition with Marilyn Orr and Lynne Brogden
WHEN: Sept. 8 to Oct. 19
WHERE: Gallery in the Grove, 2618 Hamilton Rd., Bright’s Grove.
DETAILS: Artists opening reception Sept. 8, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.