PAST ARTISANS GALLERY

For Cecile, the process of creating a work is as important as the finished piece. Painting is a sentient experience and when she immerses herself in a canvas, she allows all of her senses to express themselves. As such, her paintings have a certain whimsical style that seeks to captivate the senses of the viewer. It is her intention to convey beauty in a multi-sensory fashion.

Cecile’s paintings are acrylic and oil on canvas and are created with the intention to convey a complete visual, emotional, and tactile experience. When she’s exploring abstract impressionism in large canvases or small, her foremost consideration is the colourful expression of the beauty she perceives in her subjects. Cecile gets her inspiration from nature. As a reference, she pulls from her memory, sketches, and photography. Her paintings are created intuitively, and the images evolve as she paints.

From her studio in Montreal, artist Karla Morales Rios uses her knitting machines to create beautifully knit pieces. Karla designs all of her pieces and participates in the entire process, hiring temporary help for small tasks with an eye on all stages.

“Since I was young, I have always been attracted to the world of crafts, without realizing it at the time. I loved working with textures and colours, but most of all, I always loved the idea of making my own designs. Once my mom introduced me to knitting and crocheting, my love and passion for the craft has done nothing but grow.  All the knitting work I have made so far is the result of self-taught training and a continuous exploration of the craft. I love knitting and crocheting by hand as much as I love working with my knitting machines.

Ampara was founded as an expression of my passion for knitting and design. The word “Ampara” means “Hand” in the Aymara language. It was chosen because it represents the craftsmanship displayed in our products.” – Karla Morales Rios

Artist Amy Gaulin draws with charcoal on paper. She uses charcoal, erasers, and her hands to saturate the paper with values from crisp white to velvet black.  Adding that extra touch, Amy is also a framer and will build frames for some of her artwork. Her drawings are inspired by her own sketches, photos, and imagination.

Andrew Glazebrook is an Alberta artist who spent most of his growing-up years in the hamlet of Rosebud, Alberta. He is inspired by craftsmanship of any kind and draws from the satisfying feeling of being a maker of things which others can see, touch, feel and cherish.

Andrew has recently expanded his business to include the manufacturing of wooden kitchen products. Using the lathe as the primary design tool for each product, his line of kitchen products is intended to be functional art, yet keeping design, quality and craftsmanship in the forefront.  To remain food safe, and uniquely different to common kitchen items, many processes had to be developed further and in many cases, the machines to assist had to be made or modified.

Over the years of learning his craft, Andrew has made a name for his work and has been recognized for his high quality of craftsmanship and willingness to share his knowledge with others. Andrew has taught the art of Woodturning at many schools, universities, and conferences across North America.

Andrew currently resides in Red Deer County with his wife and three children.

At Apple Island Naturals, they believe that everyone deserves to enjoy the beauty of nature and are committed to creating special products for you using natural ingredients. All are handcrafted and never involve animal testing or synthetic ingredients. They are constantly searching for new ways to “go green” and reduce their environmental impact. They use only ethical Canadian suppliers for their ingredients, supplies, and equipment because they believe in employing Canadians. We support local businesses as often as possible.

“I still make everything in small batches so it’s always fresh. I have learned a lot more, and continue to learn, and though I’ll always miss nursing, I still get to help people with my products.  I especially like helping people with skin conditions and allergies, and getting people to switch to natural products by teaching them about synthetic ingredients which are often irritants at best – many are even cancer-causing.  There is no need for anything like that to be in our skincare.   Because I’m getting older, I’ve developed a strong interest in anti-aging ingredients as well and look forward to creating more facial products.”

We are all on this life journey together and my goal is to help as many people as I can, any way I can while also trying to be easy on our planet.  I’ve learned that change happens, that’s just life.  You can be bitter and fight against it, like I did for a while, or you can adapt to it, change yourself, go with the flow, and turn lemons into lemonade.  Apple Island Naturals is my lemonade stand and proof that you can survive and thrive as long as you don’t give up.  Follow your dreams!  If I can do it, you can too!” – Kathy Lind

We are Neil and Tracy the spirited team behind Artrophy from Okotoks! ARTrophy is all about turning “disability” into “possibility,” blending our unique strengths to create something truly magical. Our art embodies a harmonious blend of perspectives, bridging the sighted and partially sighted worlds. Painting side by side on a single canvas, we alternate brushstrokes, weaving our visions into a seamless tapestry. In this collaborative process, individual boundaries dissolve, revealing a unified story that celebrates our shared reality and collective experiences. Neil’s eye condition, Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy, inspired the playful name ARTrophy. Just add one letter and new possibilities unfold!

Our paintings are our love letters to the world, especially the Rocky Mountains, our favourite playground. As nature lovers, we channel the beauty of the outdoors into vibrant, playful acrylic paintings that exude joy, innocence, and freedom. With exaggerated colours, whimsical shapes, and funky patterns, we reveal the familiar in delightfully unexpected ways. Painting helps us find inner peace and discover stillness amidst life’s chaos. Our journey is full of twists and turns, but art is our guiding star.

Fueled by a passion to prove that limitations are just in our minds, we use our art to spark conversations about inclusivity, collaboration, and the beauty of being unique. We’re self-taught artists who left the classroom after years of international adventures and unexpected detours. Though we’re no longer teaching, our learning never stops. This is just the beginning of our story, and there’s so much more to explore. If we’ve tickled your curiosity, come along for the ride! Our backstory will take you to places you never imagined. Visit us at www.ARTrophy.com.

Artist Olufunke Olotu has been sewing for seven years and her sustainable clothing brand is three years old. Her sustainable clothing brand uses organic fabrics to create beautiful day wear and accessories that are super soft, breathable, and comfy with a touch of heritage.

“The climate change and fast fashion negative effects, plus the birth of my last child, made me to consider how I can affect my world positively. I source eco-friendly fabrics such as bamboo from BC and ethically create in Calgary beautiful pieces that are soft, breathable and comfy.” – Olufunke Olotu

More than fifteen years ago, at their kitchen table, CJ’s Pampered Pets was started with their first product, Pet Bandanas. As the years passed they have expanded their “Made in Canada” line of unique pet accessories.

All of their products are sewn by artist Cindy Arsenault and the woodworking is done by her husband.

Artist Leanne Droder is involved with every element of Clayfun Creations ornaments from designing the new styles to hand sculpting each ornament. Leanne receives all the clay in bricks and everything is hand-rolled to create each piece. No moulds are used in their process.

Christine, using Soft Pastels as her medium, creates animals with character and personality, whether that be sweet and peaceful or weird and quirky! Her ultimate goal is that the viewer connects with these little souls she’s created, forging a relationship between them and the little character looking back. She is a 2-D visual artist and the work is created by her.

“I’ve always been fascinated with animals. My body of work is my often whimsical take on the beings that live amongst us, big, small, fur and feathered. I love their quirks, head tilts, little paws and soulful eyes. In my work, I strive to convey the spirit I see in these animals and give a glimpse into their character. Sometimes sweet, sometimes funny, sometimes peaceful. I hope it brings a smile to you. That’s the goal anyways…..” – Christine Normolyle

Artist Amanda Webster designs cosplay-themed aprons – princess, cartoon, anime, sci-fi, superheroes and more.  She designs the patterns and sews them together. Some have vinyl images that she adds to them.

The jewels created by Christophe Poly stand out at first glance thanks to their unique design. Their architectural compositions result from the addition of aluminum, brass, acrylic, leather and rubber. Each model is made from plates, wires and tubes. The entire collection is entirely handmade in Montreal. This artisanal production combines both tradition and innovation. Comfort, originality and avant-garde are at the heart of Christophe’s creative process.  He cuts the metal, shapes, solders, polishes and adds glass stones and aluminum accents to complete the work  Depending on the item, such as a necklace or a bracelet, different elements are used, such as stainless wire and leather cords.

Daddy C’s Jerk Sauce is very versatile and spicy. It is gluten and dairy free and can be used on all meats, seafood, vegetables, and beans, as well as a dip. Daddy C’s Jerk Sauce also comes in a Vegan version.

Dean McLeod is a landscape and nature photographer specializing in limited edition gallery-quality acrylic and metal fine art photography prints that are engineered to last for generations.

Dean was born and raised in Saskatchewan, where he still resides today. His wonderment of the natural world began at a very young age. A childhood filled with camping expeditions across the prairies and beyond helped to instill the deep appreciation that he holds for our natural world and its preservation.

Landscape and nature photography has enriched his life in countless ways; his self-taught exploration with the camera has brought him back full circle to the joys of his childhood, magically combining his love of nature and the creation of art.

“It is very liberating to capture a fleeting moment in time that can be preserved forever as a beautiful fine art photography print. There’s nothing like witnessing a burning sunrise or gazing up at the stars with fresh air in your lungs to help de-stress and reconnect with this amazing planet that we call home.” – Dean McLeod

Working from his home office while collaborating with award-winning master printers allows him to produce breathtaking art pieces from two to twelve feet wide at the fraction of the cost of similar prints from a gallery.

Artist Marina Ortman creates upcycled and new leather apparel and accessories. Her studio production carries a distinct design and look created by her. Her involvement in the design and production starts from scratching a design and bridging it to a final product. She also prints her artwork on fabric that they use for the production of t-shirts and accessories.

No boring Salsa here! Just flavour-packed goodness! All El Gringo’s salsas and corn tortilla chips are plant-based and made using 100% gluten-free ingredients.

In early 2018, frustrated with boring old salsa, Connor started making delicious, flavour-packed salsas.

They wanted to keep their product as local as possible, so they started pairing with local growers and farmers across Alberta and BC to source premium produce to make their salsas.

There are just fresh fruits and vegetables in their salsas. There is no oil, no MSG, no added sugar and no preservatives. Just real goodness!

Emily Lozeron is an artist from Northern Alberta.  Her paintings are all of the places that she has visited and experienced.

“As an artist who deeply resonates with the nuances of nature, I explore the profound beauty that lies within imperfection through my oil paintings. My work captures the transient elegance of the natural world, embracing its varied forms, textures, and colours in a celebration of individuality and authenticity.

In a world that often seeks perfection, I am inspired by the irregularities and unique patterns found in nature—the jagged edges of a leaf, the unexpected bend of a tree branch, or the intricate lines of a weathered stone. These elements speak to the inherent beauty of imperfection and the stories they whisper about resilience, growth, and change.

Oil painting allows me to convey these stories with its rich textures and vibrant hues, offering a medium through which the complexity and depth of nature can be felt and seen. Each brushstroke is an exploration and a deliberate embrace of the unpredictable, much like nature’s own hand.

Through my work, I aim to evoke a sense of connection and wonder in the viewer, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the imperfect elements that surround us. It is my hope that my paintings serve as a gentle reminder of the beauty in our own imperfections and the intrinsic value they bring to our lives.” – Emily Lozeron

Artist Philippe Charmet found his home in Salmo, BC, Canada, in 2018. Driven by his deep passion for showcasing the innate beauty and vibrancy of wood through exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive designs, he established Emotions in Wood, an artisanal wood shop, in 2019.

At Emotions in Wood, the focus is on creating products that resonate with our spirits. Philippe transforms woods like maple, cherry, walnut, birch and others into artistic, sensual and practical objects.

From the distinctive signature butter dishes to versatile cutting boards, classy magnetic knife racks, and charming coaster sets, each piece is designed to bring joy to daily life.

Beyond these everyday treasures, Emotions in Wood also crafts sophisticated furniture pieces, including coat and hat racks, exquisitely designed kitchen islands, and top-quality butcher-block-style countertops.

Owned and operated by Vivien and Richard, European Flavour Factory expands on the sauce recipes produced by Richard’s parents in Europe with a special twist you can only find when you experience one of their sauces.  They have flavours for everyone, and best of all, their hot sauces are non-vinegar based, vegan, and gluten-free – except for their BBQ sauce, which they simply couldn’t keep the gluten-y goodness out of!

“We have a passion for gardening and cooking, with the determined spirit to create a hot, aromatic, spicy experience that no one has created before.  Our Carolina Reapers are homegrown and added for heat and flavour.  Turn up the volume by tasting all of our hot sauces, and feel free to use them as a dipping sauce or marinade too!  The flavours incorporated in these best hot sauces will transport your taste buds to Hungary, Germany, Turkey, France, and the Caribbean, without you having to book a plane ticket.” – Vivien & Richard

Inspired by the copper paintings that Kerry has been developing since 2015, she introduced a collection of jewelry in November 2019. The work explores Sterling Silver, Antique Bronze, and Copper and endeavours to juxtapose harder geometric shapes with organic fused metal while playing with depth through textures and patinas. Kerry has included a variety of casting and fabrication methods in her new collection, each of which is a unique one-of-a-kind piece. Kerry’s works are finished with various types of patinas to enhance the depth and textures and create a rustic or antique feeling in each piece.

Each piece is hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind silver, copper, antique bronze, or a combination of each. Like her ceramics, it is important for her to have the history of the making process evident in each piece. Most pieces are finished with an antique patina so that you can see all of the textures created through the process.

Indian Good Food learned from their ancestors. Honing their skills with their mother and backed by a certified chef degree, and being true Indian, they love to handcraft Indian chai from scratch by using the highest-grade spices and blending them together in the right manner. They provide caffeine-free, healthy Indian Ayurvedic drinks for those who want to quit caffeine or want something healthy for their mind and body.

Their artisanal caffeine-free Indian chai is a perfect gift in the festive season, in stocking stuffers, gift baskets, for holiday parties, corporate gifts, or maybe just for yourself to enjoy with a nice piece of chocolate on a cold winter day.

All the products are 100% handcrafted and hand packaged.

“My art is an expression of my Inuvialuit heritage and the lessons I’ve learned living on the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Growing up in Tuktoyaktuk, I learned the art of carving from my family and began creating art at a young age.
My style of carving is unique, evolving from my views and experience of Inuvialuit traditions and beliefs including hunting and fishing, travelling, and watching wildlife in the Arctic.

As an Inuvialuit, my traditions and art styles are different from many other Indigenous communities. After moving
to Calgary, I continued to create art using the materials I had available. With little traditional materials to carve with, I began making beautiful jewelry from the pieces left from carving antlers, Ivory, and Muskox Horn.

As an urban Inuvialuk, I am constantly learning how to balance my traditional way of life with modern living. It is important to me that I pass on my knowledge to my daughters so that they can continue to learn and celebrate our heritage through art. My goal is to create art that not only celebrates my culture but also creates a connection between the viewer and the Arctic environment. Through my art, I hope to share the richness of my culture with others and keep the legacy of my great-grandfather alive for future generations.” – Priscilla Boulay

JJ Stone Craft creates handmade, one-of-a-kind obsidian knives, designed by flintknapping artist JJ Heo. JJ has crafted stone knives for 20 years, and his work can been found at Granville Island Public Market, online, and at various trade, craft, and art shows around North America for the last 12 years. The business is run by JJ and his family in Vancouver, with family members assisting in design, sales, e-commerce, and marketing. Their knives are a symbol of Vancouver’s rich history and culture. All knives are made using obsidian stone, also known as volcanic rock or glass. Handles are commonly made of antler, cactus, animal jaw, bone, horn, and wood – all sourced legally from Canadian hunters. Wood handles are decorated with carvings and wood burnings of images depicting Vancouver’s diverse culture. With the many assortments of obsidian stones and handle materials, every knife is unique.

“The historical significance of Obsidian Knives is derived from our ancestors who used flintknapping skills to survive for more than 2 million years, creating stone tools such as arrowheads, projectile points, and hand axes. The obsidian knife is a reminder of the wonderful survival tool inherited from our ancestors during the Stone Age. While humans have lost many survival skills since industrialism, flintknapping remains an important sustainable skill that is still used today. The depletion of natural resources today brings an increasing interest and focus on basic survival skills like flintknapping. This skill is mainly used today by outdoorsmen and hunters as a survival tactic, but also by hobbyists and archeologists to better understand how these tools were made during prehistoric times. At JJ Stone Craft, we’ve transformed this ancient tool into art pieces, both for practical use and showcasing.” – JJ Stone Craft

Flintknapping is the process of creating stone tools by chipping away small flakes of stone. It begins with knapping a piece of stone through direct percussion – striking a large stone with a tool, such as a hammerstone or antler billet, and removing large flakes to thin the stone. The next step is pressure flaking – applying pressure on the stone using an antler tine or copper-tipped pressure flaker, and removing thin flakes of stone to shape and refine the point. Finishing the blade can include notching, stemming, fluting, etc.