Henry Prudy and the Ellen’s Creek Gallery.

Great article in The Buzz on Henry Purdy
March 2016

The Guestbook: Lee Ellen Pottie

How to walk

There is a badly-kept-secret club in Charlottetown. It meets two days a week, afternoons and evenings at Ellen’s Creek Gallery. At the appointed times, groups of 12–16 people shuffle into the back room, extend the club greeting, set up equipment, wave their #8 wands, and paint.
It’s been going on for years. You’ve probably met some of the club members in your daily walks or visits to Island galleries over the years.

Of course, this isn’t a secret. Henry Purdy, club president, has been offering painting sessions at the Gallery for over 20 years. If you’ve walked into the gallery, you’ve seen our motley selves in various stages of bliss or despair over our canvases.

I’m a member; have been since January 2013. The lessons and equipment were a present. Unfortunately, I couldn’t draw a straight line and had always had problems staying within the lines of my colouring book. But, I had enthusiasm.

I was not the only newbie that first day and, after Henry gave the seasoned painters their assignments, which looked terrifyingly difficult, he set out to teach four of us how to use a #8 brush, recognize shapes, look for the direction of the light, and mix our four colours so that they didn’t look like mud.
Henry, with his wife, Gertie, moved to PEI in 1958 to work for CFCY in graphics and signage. He was a founding staff member of Holland College and created the Commercial Design Program. He was the director of the Centre of Creative Arts program from 1977 to 1982. He was and still is a tireless volunteer for several organizations.

Richard Lemm, UPEI English professor, commented that when he sat on the PEI Council of the Arts, he immediately noticed that Henry was a force with which to be reckoned. When something needed to be done for the arts and arts culture, Henry was there provincially, regionally, and nationally. He had the best interests of Island arts and artists at heart.

Don Glendenning, former president of Holland College, stated, “Henry was creative and tireless in his efforts to provide short courses and night classes in halls, basements, and schools throughout the Island… [His] objective: to help others grow in and through the arts, and to recognize the arts as an integral part of both one’s education and the Island’s economic development.”

Doug Cranford, owner of Ellen’s Creek, said he’s sure that if an Islander is painting or doing visual art, Henry has had a hand in it. His former students include Brian Burke, Susan Christensen, and Maurice Bernard. Others, not professional artists, include Daphne Dumont, Dr. David Stewart, and Brent MacLaine. Students today include government employees, retirees, teachers, more professors, lawyers, medical staff, and bed-and-breakfast owners.

I still cannot draw a straight line but I can fake it. I think I speak for everyone in those classes: Henry give us a sense of purpose and accomplishment, no matter what our end products look like. We hate missing a class because it’s a joy to participate and to work with Henry.

When someone new stops by the studio and says they can’t paint, Henry responds with “Well, you weren’t born knowing how to walk, were you?” So he teaches people to walk, er, paint with patience, enthusiasm, and humour.

A show by Henry’s students will be at Ellen’s Creek on May 8, and the next session of classes starts in April.
—Lee Ellen Pottie is an editor, writer, dog walker, part-time instructor, and student painter.

In Memory of Barry Jeeves

As published by The Buzz June 2015

Artist and potter Barry Jeeves died on May 10, 2015. Born in Toronto, Barry moved to Prince Edward Island in 1971 and had a great influence on the PEI art scene as a teacher and mentor. He studied at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and the Sir George Williams College of Art in Montreal and was an instructor at the Island’s School of Visual Arts.
Reflecting on her relationship with Barry Jeeves his student and friend, Arlene Rice, owner of Details Past and Present, says:

“I first met Barry Jeeves many years ago when I enrolled for an evening pottery class at the School of Visual Arts. Barry was the instructor. He was one of the most encouraging people I have ever met.

He was always in a positive mood and made you feel like your work had great potential.
“Years later I met Barry again when he approached me to carry his work in my gallery; I was thrilled. Whether it was a streetscape or a floral, his paintings always had a fresh, painterly look. He usually grew the flowers that he painted.

“I remember being at his home one time and admiring a large floral painting. I asked him if he had just finished it. He had a little smile on his face and said no, he had done that piece 40 years ago. That was a great testament of the timelessness of his work.

“When he started having difficulty getting around he would paint small streetscapes from his car, sizes that were small enough to handle within the confined space. They sold as quickly as he brought them in. He would call me when he was coming to town and I would meet him at his car to collect the paintings.

“Barry was one of the kindest and most talented people I have ever met and he leaves a great legacy to the art and craft world of PEI. There is a saying that those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach. Barry Jeeves was a man who did both with creativity, integrity and modesty. I will miss him.” Artist Richard Vickerson continues, “I met Barry about 1980. At that time Holland College School of Visual Arts was offering evening workshops and I decided to take Barry's painting class. I had always had an interest in painting, but I didn't really know how to get started. I had  some cheep oil paints, but found them impractical, so I began using a set of watercolours that I had purchased a few years before . Barry would have us paint still lives. I can still remember the subjects, his old lumberjack coat, work boots, flowers too old to sell from a local shop, a broken pot. I still have these paintings and come across them when I am in a mood to organize my chaotic studio. Barry's love for the process of painting was infectious. He would tell us stories of meeting a farmer who wondered what this man with flailing arms was doing in his field. He would find Barry vigorously painting a sunset before the colours faded. He instilled in all of us the idea that even the most modest subject was worth exploring, and in so doing, he opened up a new way of seeing the world around us. Over the years I have met many artists who have similar memories of Barry.  It would be difficult to measure the effect that Barry had on so many lives. I don't know when I would have come to watercolour, but my first efforts were with Barry. I will always remember his kind encouragement and guidance.”

Henry Purdy adds his comments: "I met Barry Jeeves in 1971 when he was hired as the Pottery Instructor for the Handcraft Training Centre. I was on the interview committee. I remember the committee being extremely impressed by Barry's personality and his desire to teach. Later, after he had left the teaching end of things to run his pottery business with Joan, he proved to be a great craftsperson." Purdy continues, "I hired Barry for Holland College to teach part time Pottery & Painting. He was an inspiration to all those students who came in contact with him. To this day I still have people mention the fact that Barry was so helpful, patient and encouraging to them as a teacher. The Island arts community has lost a very genuine, dedicated and gentle member....he will be missed."

Robert Doddridge - Wood Apple - PEI Art Auction

A unique piece of work by the late Bob Doddridge is up for auction at the annual PEI Art Auction organized by Gallery 18 in New London, PEI each summer. The piece is a wooden apple turned out of - you guessed it PEI apple wood.

Steven Stairs Walnut Desk Set - PEI Fine Wood Craft

A fine example of work by Canadian woodworker Steven Stairs when he was still a student at Holland College School of Visual Arts is now for sale. Part of their annual PEI Art Auction, Gallery 18 is offering a beautiful 4 piece desk set.