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'1 ~ I 14-The Canadian Champion, Friday, September 26, 2003 iïTe atument ,,Annua1 FASM Studio Tour to feature 38 artists By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion urrounded -by flowers in bright yellows and -~soft pinks, their colours blending 'softly sJtogether, J"Suc McD)çrmott is- in her ele- ment. But ber garden requires nu spraying, weeding or muddy knees, for it's a framed garden in ail ils glory. The artist is sitting in ber living mroo while ail around ber sit ber "babies." The painting of yellow daffudils sits propped on the couch, while the purple irises brighten the wall besîde the living roomn window. "This one's my newest," Ms McDermott said softly, pomnting su a landscape scene with hues of green and blue swirling together. "I FOR ER GE TARN Daîl2ttp GUELPH SasEE 87un.21999 TH SEONHND ONS D aily 645 .m & 9:0 0 p m. .&Sn2:0p Saty700p..& S 00 pm. .&Sn2:0pm Theatre Parking Avouiable et Rear ç .j.7 J...... "The business that considers îtsetf immune to the necessîty for advertismig soorier or later finds itself Immutne to business. Derby Brmwn Arts Mlon present... HOW DO YOU SPEIL ENTERTAI NMENT? www.artsmilton.comi 1/isit our events calendar for full details of this year's performances. Sut. Sept 27, 6:OOpm HALTON MUSEUM FOUNDATION HEARTHSIOE Dinor und Music Featuring Deonis Sema & Croona Tune Hates Region Museum off Tremaine Rd. Seof 401 Roserved tickets: 905-975-2200 eot. t. Sut. Oit 4, tRam THE FINE ARTS SOCIETYO0F MILTON Su. Ott 5.108M Milton Aroa Studio Tour See map for locations 905-876-2837 Soi. Ott 18, 1,0:Spm I.D.E.A BURLINGTON Tun s'o Taies: Multons liornen of Note, and atoryteiler Marina Lloyd Appleby United Ctrarch, Sproce St., Borlington 905-632-1392 FnI. Oct 24, 7:atiim MILTON PLAYERS Sot. Oct 25, 6:3Upm Moiter ot lit Homard Johosonos Son. Oct 26, 7:SOpm Milton Ors Actisity Ctr. CIsild's Dr. Fni. Oct 31, 7:3Opm Resorvatisns call 905-975-0629 Sot. Oct 25, S:0Opm GOEROETOWN BACH CHORALE Concert Georgetown Library Actisity Room 681 Shuttloworth 905-877-0321 Sou. Oct 26, 2:lOiIm? THE CHILORENS HOUA (MCP) Fiddiotiru, Chiidroe concert Sosior's Activity Centre, Milton Child's Drive Craig (905) 878-7541 Ajrtillt Jmni MoDrmott dlsplsys one of lier watrcolour worlcs -1 Nel wlnt.r sone sntitled 'SlIep FoId' - In preparatiora fo next voed's annual FAIM Studio Tour. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE don't know what it is. Is's just something." Ms McDermtt is taking inventury of the watercolour paintings she bas that will be on display October 4 and 5 as pant of the Milton Area Studio Tour. Her bouse will be une of the tour's stops. The ants and crafts tour, organized by the Fine Arts Society of Milton (FASM), will provide a chance for the public tu, step inside tbe homes and studios of some of Miltun's most talented artists and maybe even take a piece of that talent home. Ali participating artists are FASM members. The tour will take place from 10 a.m. tu 5 p.m. both days, and will feature the work of 38 artists in 28'locations thruughout the Milton area. Works on display and for sale include original paintings in ou, acrylic, pastel and watercolour, sculpture in dlay, stone, wood, fab- rie and polymner, garden and inside furniture, cemnent, metals, pot- tery, jewelry, momaics, kites, blown glass and stained glass. The tour is free and self-directed, and can be started frum any of the 28 locations un the supplied map. Each hume or studio wilI be marked with blue, yellow and white balluons as well as a studio tour number at the driveway. Brochures are available at the Milton Public Library, the Tourist Informnation Centre, the Milton Leisure Centre, the Milton Seniors' Activity Centre, Town Hall, the Milton Mail information board and-Galactic Ar-t Glass Studio. The tour wiIl take visitors from locations in the centre of town to the scenic countryside that makes up the Niagara Escarpment. "People pick up their brochure, which has a map, and take what- ever route they want," said tour co-ordmnator Gwen Gent. "You can pick and choose what you go to or visit them aIl." Ms Gent - who will be displaying her pottexy - saîd the pur- pose of the tour is to give exposure to the artists and Io let the pub- lic know what's out there. It makes for a great day, site said. "When you're driving through with ail the colours and the bar- vest bales - it's picturesque," Ms Gent said, adding that last year's response was very enthusiastie. Ms McDermott said she had many visitors at her house during the last tour. "Whetber they mean it or not, people say, 'They're SO lovely' and I feel like a million bucks," she said, laughing. This is the second year Ms McDermnonts upening the doors of her home. This year, fellow painter Jenny Panda will juin her. Although excited about the prospect of sharing her art, Ms McDermott said there's a price tu pay for the privilege - not being able to take the tour herself. For several years before she began showing ber paintings, Ms McDermott said she attended the tours faitbfully. "lis su wonderful tu drivethrough the country," she said, adding that the colourful autumn leaves add tu the thrill. Parsing with her work is neyer easy, Ms McDermont said. She's currently contemplating wbether to let go of une of ber favourite watercolours, entitled 'Sheep Fold.' Ms McDermott said she started painting with oils but was quick- ly drawn to watercolours. "The way the colours flow in the water is just magical," she said, letting ber fingers drift over an unframned painting of, a lily pad fluating atop a reflecting lake. Her work ranges from, realistie and detailed botanical illustra- tions to mure imaginative works. "I tbink it's absulutely -outaide of God - the most important thing (Iu me)," Ms McDermott said of ber painting. "l makes me feel wbole." For more information on the tour, caîl (905) 876-2837. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadi- anchampion.com. j - - - - - - - - - - -