last update - oct 27.08

Barbara Bickell at the 100 Mile Diner

pines-in-snowSpirit of the Hills announces a show of paintings by Barbara Bickell at the 100 Mile Diner, 17 Main Street, Warkworth (705 924 9605). Getting us into the changing season, snow and ice figure largely in a number of the landscapes. You are invited to the OPENING RECEPTION at the diner on Thursday, November 6 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Cash bar. Nibbles provided. Everyone welcome.

Barbara Bickell was born in Toronto, Canada and embarked on her art education at Sheridan College School Of Crafts And Design and at the Ontario College Of Art. Besides having served as Artist in Residence at Artpark in Lewiston, New York, she has given workshops at the Haliburton School Of Fine Arts and at The Ontario Science Centre.

Her work has been selected to appear in The Canadian Museum Of Civilization, in The Royal Ontario Museum, and in numerous galleries and juried shows in Ontario. Her works are included in The Jean A. Chalmers Collection, as well as in private collections in Japan, Australia, the United States, Europe, and Canada.

Fall Into The Spirit

Spirit of the Hills presents our “Fall into Spirit” art show at the Art Gallery of Northumberland, Upstairs Gallery – Port Hope, Thursday, Sept. 11th through to Sunday, Oct. 26th.

Location: 38 Walton Street, Port Hope. More information will be provided when the Gallery moves to its new street level location. The show runs until Sunday, October 26th at 5:00 pm

Gwen Dubay at Campbellford Seymour Library

gwendubayshowSpirit of the Hills is pleased to present and exibit works by Gwendolyn Dubay at Campbellford Seymour Library, 98 Bridge St. E. Campbellford, with opening reception to be held on Tuesday, October 7 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Art has always held a fascination for me, I was forever trying to draw and paint, so much so that my parents got me an artist kit with easel and oil paint in a box, with all of the trimmings, for my 10th birthday. I tried very hard to love oil paints but kept coming back to my watercolour paint box. I confess that I made up for lack of talent by my enthusiasm.

I was born in and lived in Campbellford, Ontario, from 1936 until entering The Peterborough Civic Hospital School of Nursing, in 1955. I graduated in 1958, and immediately began my 30 year career as a Registered Nurse on a medical ward at Civic Hospital in Peterborough, Ontario.

In 1960, I began a second career as a wife and soon, a third career, as a mother to three wonderful children. Nursing took different forms during this time, Private Duty, Office Nurse, Nursery, and Emergency. Life was very hectic for a few years. Suddenly art became colouring books and crayons.

It was being retired unexpectedly with Rheumatoid Arthritis that made me turn to watercolours for relief of my pain and total escape from my problems. It is an amazing thing and it actually works. I began to take lessons from Loyalist College in 1990-91 with an excellent teacher, Mrs. Margaret Macmillan. My family and friends have dubbed my art form as Primitive; other people call it Naïve art. To me it is mainly an interpretation of things that have taken place in my lifetime. I cannot describe the satisfaction and pleasure I feel while I am creating each piece. More often than not one or two of my family members are represented in the picture.

I really love painting. I have been accepted into juried art shows at The Art Gallery of Northumberland in Cobourg and also at the Spirit of the Hills show at the Maple Syrup Festival in Warkworth. I have, in recent years, had my paintings displayed in a few local show and sale venues. I have observed at these shows, while listening to the comments at that time, that people in the senior age group, who recall some of the places in my work, appreciate the memory.

New Executive Elected

The Directors of Spirit of the Hills met and elected the following slate of officers as of April 30, 2008:



^ top of page