Painting and sketching up a storm
By Chris Simon

Art Unique owner Ruth Draper stands in her shop recently.

Two local artists are making big waves in Cookstown's painting and sketching scene.

Pencil sketch and portrait artist Tim Coulter and landscape oil painter Rose Schenk both unveiled their work for the first time recently, during the opening of Art Unique's Christmas in the Country exhibit.

Coulter, a truck driver, has been sketching for about the last year. His art, while shades of black and white, stand out to viewers with detailed intricacy and realism, said Art Unique owner Ruth Draper.

"He hasn't ever shown before," she said. "He's brought in some excellent portraits. He does some really detailed portraits of people. He has yet to add any colour in, to accent the picture, but he hasn't reached that point. He does a number of portraits. He's been commissioned to do many privately, but this is the first time he's been in the public (forum)."

His sketches of a seashell and a sunflower, among other items, are expected to be on display at the gallery.

Schenk, who lives near Barrie, has only been painting professionally for about one year. While her work has appeared in a few art shows, the Christmas exhibit is also her first gallery appearance, said Draper.

"She likes the oils, but uses very strong detail and colour. Usually with oils, the colours are blended a bit more ... but she doesn't blend a lot of colour," said Draper.

Schenk's painting style is strong, with sharper lines and crisp colours.

The Christmas exhibit features several handcrafted paintings, jewelry, cards, glassware and pottery, in addition to holiday-themed art and decorations.

Draper says the gallery regularly gives new and developing artists an opportunity to display their work.

"We are providing a service to the artists, for old and new artists to have a place to show everybody their art. It's not easy to get your art in place where people can come and see it," she said. "We get a lot of tourists and we're building up (clientele). We don't accept everything. If people bring something in, and there's things in it I don't like, I try to make them better."

For more information, call the gallery at 458-4466 or visit www.artunique.ca.