Look Out Brides, Here I Come!

Yup! I’ve done parties and corporate events, but no weddings! If you are the first couple to hire me for a wedding I will give you 25% off my usual fee!

photo credit to Craig Knox and Caitlin Varrin

2017 Art Calendars are out!!!

12 month 2017 Art calendars with some of my favorite paintings are now available for $25 each or $40 for two!! Don't miss out!

rock, paper, scissors

Art Prints of "The Party" now available!

Limited Edition, signed, archival art prints of "The Party" In a 19.5 x 19.5" frame! $150 Christmas Special!

Jennie Paints with Lucy (photos by Bri Vos www.detourphotography.ca )

When I was first asked to paint with Lucy the elephant, I had some reservations. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding her. Canada's other cities have sent their elephants to warmer more suitable climates and many agree that the same should happen for Lucy.

She's ready to paint away. - www.detourphotography.ca

After meeting with her trainers at the zoo, they made a good case about her old age (she's 40!), and her poor health being a problem with the move. It sounds like a stressful 4 days in the back of a truck and it's believed by many that she would die. They also said that as an orphan, Lucy never socialized with other elephants and it didn't go so well when they tried to connect her with others. Her trainers, some who have been with her for many years, have become her family.

www.detourphotography.ca - After I painted a circle, she tried out some swirls

To be honest, I've not completely made up my mind about Lucy. They take the best care they can of her at the zoo, and they've stated that they will never again bring an elephant to live in Edmonton which is good news. Is it worth the risk and to try to move her? I don't know. 

I decided to paint with her after all since painting is an activity that she enjoys. She's free to paint however she wants and can reject colours she's not into. It keeps her brain active while she's here and the paintings are sold to raise money for the 96 Elephant Campaign, an elephant conservation effort.

Not bad, Lucy. www.detourphotography.ca

It was a privilege. 

Documenting the Heart Garden

Taking inspiration from the Heart Gardens (http://www.fncaringsociety.com/honouring-memories-planting-dreams) that were 'planted' across Canada during the TRC Closing Ceremonies, RISE (Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton) invited community members in Edmonton to create their own hearts to plant. The hearts include messages to residential school survivors and commitments to reconciliation in words and imagery. Over 1000 hearts were planted in various public places in downtown Edmonton to create a garden of reflection and hope.

They have gone through wind, rain, and perhaps even some stomping, but they are still beautiful if broken. We are working on documenting all 1000 of the hearts to create a photo mosaic that will also travel to different public locations as the words of encouragement from all ages and walks of life continue to spread love and understanding.

Jennie teams up with RISE

RISE - Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton is a group of citizens in the Edmonton region committed to supporting reconciliation in words & actions.

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Reconciling Edmonton will bring together four collaborators: Anna Marie Sewell, Miranda Jimmy, Danielle Metcalf-Chenailand Jennie Vegt – two Indigenous, two settler – to explore the intersections of these threads of history in the city through public art. Too often Edmonton's story is presented as one of pioneers, homesteaders and settlement that ends with the Second World War. In addition, textbooks, heritage institutions, and popular media have also relegated Indigenous Peoples to the distant past. We want to help shift these perspectives through visual art and poetry grounded in the historic record. What were moments when Indigenous individuals and settlers came together in Edmonton's past? What can we learn from how they were photographed and documented?

Jennie is set up with her easel at Treaty 6 Recognition Day

What we envision is a series of seven panels based on seven historic photographs that Jennie, the artist in residence at City Hall, would render in her inimitable style. These seven paintings would represent seven generations – roughly the 150 years since the late Fort Edmonton period and Treaty Six signing, as well as the 150 years the Truth and Reconciliation Commission found the Residential School system lasted.

Process photo of first panel

After narrowing down the topics/eras, we will secure the archival photos for Jennie to work from. She will then begin preparing a panel to be working on at the August 21st Treaty Six Commemoration event at City Hall. During that event, the other project partners will be on hand to discuss the initiative and solicit anonymous reactions – a word, a phrase – from attendees to the displayed historic photos and her paintings. By late September, we will have gathered in all the reactions to the photos and paintings through face-to-face input as well as through social media. These words and reactions will then be weaved into spoken word poetry piece, created by Anna Marie and Danielle.

The photos, paintings, and poetry will then be unveiled as a performance at a Community Round Dance Celebration in City Hall in late November. A true reconciliation of the past, present, and future of better relations between Indigenous, settler, and newcomer communities in Edmonton. #ReconcilingYEG

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Process photo of second panel

Sore Thumbs and Wallflowers Photo Booth Link!

Please copy and paste this link to access your photo from the City of Edmonton Corporate Services BBQ:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxheJeLJvDzzfmlRUUN5ZUdxUGNRQkoxdjVUQy1wNDVEd1pfcEJuQjdycHgtX3lHVWFUYW8&usp=sharing

Here are a couple samples!

Jennie does prints now!

Now available limited edition prints of my more popular works on watercolour paper. See a painting you like? Be the first to own a print of it! "Bart" is the first, but I can do others as well.

New Horizons...