It was once said: “Until you know that life is interesting – and find it so – you haven’t found your soul.”

For the last three days, with guide map in hand, I have been exploring the artist side of the County.  It has all been a part of the 19th Annual  Prince Edward County Studio Tour.  I have climbed stairs up into lofts.  I have followed well-worn paths around back. I have watched my step and ducked my head and poked  my way into a large diverse collection of wonderful private spaces.  Spaces reclaimed by artists and used as their studios.  The exploration and treasures discovered have been both exciting and inspiring.  

For example:

Margaret McFetridge’s has a clever white-washed 1880 drive shed behind her Wellington home on Consecon Street which she uses as a gallery.  It is bright and open and perfectly displays her large, rich vibrant floral oil paintings.  The gallery is a garden within a garden. www.margaretmcfetridge.com

Margaret McFetridge’s Bloomin’ Barn Studio

During the studio tour she generously showed us where she does her painting.  OMG – this was the real treat.  What a lovely space she uses to paint her large joyous canvases.  Her studio is the back half of her Victorian home.  It is beautifully decorated with soft yellows and expansive windows and the walls are lined with her own paintings.  This is where her inspiration must come from.  Her personal surroundings and her paintings are bursting with colour.

Bruce Milan is another artist involved in the weekend studio tour.   www.pec.on.ca/islandforge  His gallery “The Island Forge” is located in Bloomfield at 332 Main Street.  We were treated to a peek into his blacksmith artist studio. A hidden private spot tucked down a narrow garden path.  Within this old red barn he hammers out his original iron sculptures, gates and trellises using an anvil and gas-powered forge.

Another artist – this time a wood turner; Paul Ross’ gallery is located at 212 Main Street in Bloomfield. www.paulrosswoodturning.com   We toured through his large uber- clean workshop where every tool and lath has its own space and the floor is totally dust free.  A highly  efficient workshop perfect for creating  his one of a kind, beautiful salad bowls and urns.

Also worth mentioning:

• www.galleryonmain.ca and the work of Sharon Fox Cranston and Guy Cranston (painters)
• Tess Moffat (painter)  tess@tessmoffat.com
• Maggie Murdoch & David Drown (potters) www.wellingtonpottery.com

We saw many other artist studios.  Each one was a delight and as unique as its owners but I will finish off with one that left a particular impression.  North of Bloomfield and located beside a 66 Gilead Distillery is The Carriage House Cooperage.  Not only do they handcraft barrels for winemaking, but they also sell one of a kind barrel furniture and barrel aged vinegar, all within a humongous towering pre confederation barn.  The building is magnificent.  The 150 year old structure was clad in 15 inch barn board soaring 60 feet over head.  It made me feel like opening my arms up wide and spinning. So spaceous!  A cathedral for the artists soul.    http://www.thecarriagehousecooperage.com

The Carriage House Cooperage

No argument –  Warren and I are extremely fortunate to have our wonderful new home.  There are ample rooms to sit quietly reflect but in addition….we each have our own spaces.   Warren also has his 1200 sq foot addition which was added onto the existing 760 sq foot garage.  In this space he will dream and build one-of-a-kind original street rods.

And, I have my own future secret spot.  It is a loft which hangs over our family room, complete with beautiful pine beam floors and ceiling, and a sky light.   I haven’t set it up yet.  There are book shelves to paint and art supplies to unpack, but it will get there. This will be my space to paint, to experiment, and to expand my uniqueness. 

We are all singular entities that need to be nurtured.  A space of your own helps.