NICK BANTOCK

A couple of weeks ago I took a 2-day workshop with Master collage artist and author Nick Bantock. The class was a lot of fun and we worked hard. I learned a lot and returned to my studio full of steam and inspiration.  Nick is a great teacher.

Nick and his partner Joyce live on Salt Spring Island and on June 2 they will be opening in Ganges their brand new gallery, studio and workshop called "The Forgetting Room". Nick will be offering workshops there and for information email Joyce: jcanterbury4@telus.net

Nick Bantock

Childhood collage

When I was cleaning my Mom's house 2 years ago I came across an old art portfolio of mine from when I was 14 years old. This image would probably be my first collage ever. It is glued onto the cover of a scribbler - the kind with plain unlined newsprint paper inside. The back cover has Elmer's Safety Rules. Elmer is an elephant telling you the pedestrian safety rules; look both ways before you cross the street, obeying signs, etc. This scribbler collage has a black cord, a chain attached to the letter "J" with Jill etched on it - probably something I won at the 5 cent digger at the Calgary Stampede. As well there is a heart, eight pennies, copper glitter and small orange mosaic pebbles. My art teacher wrote in the bottom right corner "tres bien". It is such good fun to look through this little treasure of art bits - I can't believe that I found it after 40 years.

The Robert Genn Twice Weekly Letter

By subscribing to this free online newsletter by Robert Genn you will join a world-wide community of creative people. They are mostly painters, but there are also a large number of sculptors, writers, photographers, and to a lesser degree collectors and art dealers and others who are just interested. There is an excellent resource of art quotations, a worldwide artists directory.

As well you can list your website there for free! It costs nothing. A free listing will help you to be found online. Their free listings will show up in the top 5 search engine results. You need to supply them with a brief statement-- about you and your art, and any websites (up to five) you wish to be connected to. They may add an illustration to your free listing at their discretion.

I found that a couple of hours after I submitted my information and added their link on my website that when I googled on my name "Jill Ehlert", my website, link to their site and other sites were front row and center where before nothing came up in my name. Great results.

Bloomin Art

I have been asked to be part of an abstract show called "Bloomin Art 2007". This is a third party fund raising event in suppprt of Haven Society which provides services to women and children who have experienced violence. http://www.havensociety.com/index.html

This event will take place from Thursday August 16th to Saturday August 25th 2007 , at the Port Theatre, 125 Front Street in Nanaimo, BC, Canada.

This group show will include 18 abstract paintings 36" X 36" or larger along with a section of miniature works smaller than3" X 5". Together these paintings will be interpreted with appropriate floral arrangements ranging in style from traditional to Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.  

"Spanish Wall" - Jill Ehlert © 48" x 36"