Creative Realism

A creative take on realism, which is generally the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding speculative fiction and supernatural elements.

  • Skinks and Skunk

    Private commission for Artscape Foundation fundraiser

    trompe l’oeil mural of woodland creatures of the Kawartha’s. Several creatures are endangered, threatened or of special concern.

    On painted wood shed.

    Artist: Karen Roberts, July 2020

  • Unity

    The Canadian Heritage Public Art
    Plaza Bridge Steps Project
    Ottawa ( Downtown-Wellington & Elgin St., Rideau St. )

    Artist: Yasaman Mehrsa

  • Red Brick Revamp

    Covid-compliant takeout window with a new, fresh, floral look!
    The Red Brick Café is a Guelph hotspot for fresh coffee, baked goods, and often hosts local artists. With their doors shut for the pandemic, they’ve pivoted to feature artists on the exterior.

    Artist: Amber Ozols, June 2020

  • Great Lakes Cruises

    This mural depicts the interest in the Great Lake cruises of the 1920’s and 30’s. The vessels would pick up passengers at major Great Lake cities and take them to quieter and more picturesque waters. The two cruise ships seen in the mural belonged to the Detroit based Georgian Bay Lines.

    Artist: Fred Lenz

  • Break the Ice (Toronto + Iqaluit)

    Amy Shackleton was invited by the Robert McLaughlin Gallery to create a public art mural commission for the Oshawa Centre Mall.

    Shackleton is an Oshawa-based professional artist with an inventive technique embracing gravity. Videos featuring her artistic process have reached over 15 million people worldwide. Rather than paintbrushes, she uses squeeze bottles and gravity as her primary tools. Liquid paint is dripped, poured and layered to create her urban landscape paintings. Shackleton’s background includes a BFA honours degree, an extensive exhibition history and works displayed in hundreds of public and private collections. Shackleton is the Secretary of the Board of Directors at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington and works from her studio in Oshawa.

  • In Tune With Nature

    The themes of “In Tune With Nature,” painted on the inner and outer surfaces of a purpose-built enclosure, are nature and music. The exterior features a lush forest scene with some of its interested denizens keeping watch, with the music of the forest wending its way through the surroundings. The musical score is from What a Wonderful World popularized by Louis Armstrong.

  • Spitzee Crossing

    Spitzee Crossing was the only accessible place to cross the Highwood River on the old Macleod Trail from Fort Macleod to Calgary. In 1886, when flood waters made the river impassable, Buck Smith built and operated a ferry. A bridge replaced the ferry in 1887

    Artist: STEVEN JONES, 1994

  • New Roots

    The design reflects the unity of the community working together to move forward through spirit and determination. Bold paint strokes encompass a background of a heart, entwined with the horses’ legs to reflect the strength of the herd, young life and new roots. The design was selected by the community from artist submissions from across Canada.

    Artist: MICHELLE LOUGHERY, 2016

  • High River Jubilation

    The mural embraces the concept of community spirit joining together in the celebration of renewal. Featuring a sunny local landscape, a diverse community of dancers invite the viewer in. An inner circle of children, protected by the dancers represent hope, joy and growth for the future. Hot air balloons speckle the sky – a nod to our annual Balloon Festival.

    Artist: ALEX PAVLENKO, 2016

  • The Opening of the High River Club

    In 1905, the club rooms of the newly-formed High River Club (so named in its official charter) were opened with a formal ball. Local ladies were dressed “to the nines” in the latest formal fashions. Local Natives wore their own finery
    for the proceedings. After one more formal reception, and a later visit by the fundraising Sisters of Lacombe Home, women never again graced the premises of what became known as the High River Men’s Club.

    Artist: Zhong Ru Huang, 2007

  • The Medicine Tree

    According to various sources the Blackfoot considered the unique Cottonwood tree to be a sign of prosperity with healing powers from the spirits. They often left offerings of food, tobacco and arrowheads beneath its branches as offerings to the spirits for good medicine and blessings on the land. It has also been said that the tree was believed to have spiritual and healing powers and was a favourite First Nations camping place.

    Artist: Brent Laycock, 1990