Saturday, December 1, 2012

One Man's Junk... Is this Bright Young Woman's Treasure Trove

Penny Gorman - Architectural Folk Artist

"The material is my inspiration, it has such character. One can easily imagine the history behind each piece and by incorporating it into my artwork means that I'm a part of its continuing story."

This creative young woman's own words deeply and eloquently convey the very core of her feelings and vision in creating her unique art. As I first looked upon a wall of her salvaged and reclaimed works of art... they do, in fact seem at first glance to follow a tradition which would classify them as "folk" art. Perhaps, it is merely the fact that the antique, weathered patina of the materials themselves elicit a folksy connection. But as one looks past the surface of the work... one begins to perceive a deeper intrinsic quality which melds together whimsy and a highly selective and informed use of materials... and in an unexpected fashion. It is this fusion of Penny's respect for the past with her always present... but capricious sense of humour which separates and carries her works beyond the usual naivety and often awkward constructs evident in the world of pure folk art.

The success that Penny currently is experiencing in her world of whimsy can be directly attributed to the mentorship she has enjoyed over the past twelve years at The Balleycanoe and Co. where she was guided by an equally talented artist and respected architectural salvage business owner, John Sorensen. He and his lovely wife Molly have offered Penny their home, workshop and friendship over these critical years of transition from student life in high school and later in the Early Childhood Diploma Programme at St Lawrence College in Brockville.

John's impeccable knowledge of architecture and lengthy career dealing in antique furniture... plus his energy...passion and support of the Arts offered a perfect vessel for Penny to gain knowledge regarding form and function as it applies to architectural structure and detail. Her innate sense of design and joyous joie-de-vivre provided everything else that was necessary to transcribe these necessary and learned ingredients. These elements are essential for artistic growth and development in any genre of art making. Given this push-start artistically... Penny has created her very own eclectic world of wonder and whimsy. And judging by her sales success(es) at The Eagle Point event just passed in November... a great many other people also admire her work greatly!

I chose to profile Penny and her work... not based totally upon the obviously high quality of her oeuvre... but more because "She"... as an artist demonstrates all of the qualities which I admire... and expect from family, friends and artist peers. Those qualities... with humility coming at the head of the list, also include integrity, consistency, flexibility of thought, tolerance and a work ethic which fuses all of the other attributes into a pursuit which pushes well beyond a state of mere avocation. Simply put... Penny... like her mentor doesn't simply wish things could happen. She... as regularly as an antique clock... makes things happen!

 Shades of "West Wind"... by Tom Thomson...

Architectural Angel ...Piece(s)... on Earth!


 More Marley... "Rise Up"!

 Sexy Sax... Wailing n' shakin!

 Caught... (and released)... on the St Lawrence River!

 "I hear the train a' comin'... Comin'  on down the track!"

Our ol' tractor is still... somethin'... to crow about!

In closing... since pictures are indeed worth a thousand words... I'll offer these few examples of her wonderfully whimsical Gormanesque world of wooden things! Enjoy other samples by visiting Penny's web site at www.pennygorman.com  or if you are further interested... John Sorensen's web site is found at www.balleycanoeco.com

 Jive talkin"....

 Christmas... planked!


"American Gothic... Recycled"... I think that this would cause Grant Wood to smile!


Good Painting to ALL!

12 comments:

  1. What a fun post...Bruce! I visited Penny's and John's sites..very interesting work and yes, "Whimsical" ..love sexy sax and of course, American Gothic...All wonderful for the season.

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  2. Good Morning Hilda!... So nice to hear from you you! Glad to know that you are safe "after Sandy"!

    It is wonderful to discover new friends whose innovative work and joyful presence inspire new thoughts and directions!

    I am glad that you enjoyed visiting and seeing their worlds. They share our passion for making art and sharing ideas freely!

    Good Pastel-ling!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. These pieces of Penney's are a joy to behold, Bruce! Not a "downer" among the lot! Very colorful and creative.
    As always, your commentary is excellent.

    Blessings

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  4. What a fabulous showing of her work, Bruce. I like every piece but admit that the first is my favorite. What a unique artist Penny is!!

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  5. Good Morning Sherry!.,.. I'm most happy to share Penny's work with my blog family members! Thanks for sharing your impressions!

    She is indeed talented... beyond the ordinary... and humble, yet confident about her Self as an artist. "She" exemplifies what I most admire in artists: an unbridled passion for what she believes in... and yet a willingness to share her ideas with others!

    "Oh... that there were more Pennys... or is should that be Pennies in the art world! Whatever makes sense... or is that cents??? HA HA!!

    Penny would love this playful interchange and "word smithing!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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    Replies
    1. You're right Bruce! I do love your play on my name- it could be and has been worse as my full name is Pennelope- that is pennelope as in cantelope, not for me the normal, more familiar pronounciation of pennelopee.
      Thank you to everyone for you're wonderful comments about my work.
      All the best,
      Penny Gorman

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  6. Good Morning Dean!... I knew that you'd "get off on" Penny's whimsical world view!

    She certainly shares a similar joie-de-vivre which I much admire ion your own work!

    Each piece is indeed a joy to behold... and her presence further increases that feeling of joy!

    Her art is "simply"... beautiful! Living paradox: something entirely new... outta something old and (almost) forgotten!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Good evening Bruce. It's nice to hear about a young person being able be creative and successful. Her work is very original and seems to be in tune with the times, when we are all looking for ways to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible.

    I like the new design of the blog with its watery theme.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  8. Good evening Keith!... Thank you for dropping by and for making your very astute observations about Penny's work... and for recognizing my bringing my blog's appearance into line with our new home here on the water's edge in the Thousand Islands. It also as melds well with the intended change in look for our web site! We think that the new look befits the need for change!

    Penny is a humble soul as well. She works combining her young family's needs with her very intense need to create. It is a pleasure to feature her work on my site! I believe that she is the way of the future for artists... and ahead of her time really.

    We could all take a page from her book regarding recycling not only materials... but ideas as well. Many people dwell upon the past to their detriment. Penny reshapes the past into new and exciting art forms... with new functions!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Very talented young lady. It's always a treat to see new and unique work.
    Love your new blog, beautiful blues, it's a great place for me to study water, the close up of the waves are great.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

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  10. Good evening Joan!... Thank you for dropping by and leaving encouraging comments!

    Penny is indeed a very talented and dedicated artist... who constantly strives to put a new spin on an old idea! She certainly succeeds in doing that!

    Thank you for your gracious comments about the water effects and blues! We hoped that this change would enliven our own Hillsdale look which needed dialed up a notch too. I agree... the water certainly adds a lively and fresh appearance to both sites... while at the same time adding unity of the two.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Bruce- This is very late in coming but I wanted to Thank you for making me look and sound so good! Not an easy task due to the
    unconventional medium that I choose to work in and being untrained as an artist.
    I have great difficulty writing an impressive curriculum vitae but you have done it so wonderfully.
    Can I quote you?!
    Your humble friend.
    Penny Gorman

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