Al Van Mil and Annette Blady:

Al Van Mil, oil painting

Al exhibited at the National Gallery, the AGO, and painted onstage with the Canadian Opera and National Ballet. Annette's mixed media paintings use exotic papers, fabrics, stained glass and acrylic paint, linking ancient motifs with contemporary design. Both of their recent paintings create unique variations on the sensual heart of the Highlands.

Directions to studio: 1034 Miskwabi Lake Road. 12 Minutes from Haliburton village. Hwy 118 southeast from Haliburton to Trappers Trail Rd. then 3 minutes to fork and left to first house.

Telephone: 416-516-0404

Web Site: www.alvanmil.com

Annette Blady:

Annette Blady, mixed media paintings

Telephone: 416-725-2622

Web Site: www.annetteblady.com

Sandy Slote:

Sandy Slote, acrylic & oil

Over the years Sandy has developed a distinct signature style. Always learning and never timid about experimenting with mediums and techniques. She captures the magic in the mundane, the mystery in the ordinary and the soul of her subject. Her bold use of color and line, and strong design aesthetic allow her to create pieces with movement and intensity. Since graduating from the U of W with a BFA Sandy has been living and creating in Haliburton for over 25 yrs. Art has alway been an important part of my life. I hope to successfully engage the viewers curiosity and ultimately challenge them to contribute to my work.

Directions to studio: 1020 Irish Line, 14km west of Haliburton on Hwy 118, left onto Irish Line, 1st house on right.

Telephone: 705-754-4728

E-mail: inchsun@sympatico.ca

Guest Artist:

Pat Hemphill, photography with mixed media

Born in England and moved to Canada in 1979. My first trip was a long weekend to Haliburton. I recall thinking "I could live and settle here......" I enjoy many aspects of photography but like many other artists, there was never enough time due to working commitments. I have always had an interest in taking a photo beyond just the printed version and recently have been experimenting with blending watercolour and pigments, allowing them to flow and form into natural abstracts, and then photographing them to use as backgrounds for photographic collages. I am also experimenting with "hands on" aging techniques.

Telephone: 705-457-8896

E-mail: pat@imagesbyhemphill.ca

Web Site: www.imagesbyhemphill.ca

Laurie O'Reilly:

Laurie O'Reilly, acrylic, encaustic, mixed media, figurative work and landscape

Laurie would describe her art works as observational. However, they read as concerns about our physical, social and emotional environments. Her figurative work captures everyday moments in life, lent poignant by expressions, postures and the juxtaposition of the painful with the sweet. In 2006 Laurie started experimenting with encaustic media. She is now using an encaustic process for a series of new works entitled "Scars". On summer weekends you will often find Laurie's West Guilford studio doors open. At other times you can arrange, by appointment, to visit her at work.

Directions to studio: 1513 Eagle Lake Rd., Take the West Guilford turn off Hwy 118. Stay East (right) on Cnty Rd. 6/ Eagle Lake Rd. Travel East towards Eagle Lake 2.6km. Studio is on the left.

Telephone: 705-754-0444

E-mail: dhs.lor@sympatico.ca

Web Site: www.laurieoreilly.ca

Guest Artist:

Colleen Ferdinands, pottery, simple strong, functional pieces

"Cofepots" - pottery designed by Colleen Ferdinands. Creative, functional, thrown and hand built pieces that blend art and craft to guild standards.

E-mail: cofepots@yahoo.ca

Susan Hay

Susan Hay, textured acrylic Haliburton landscapes

Susan hay is a full time painter, with studios in Haliburton and Benmiller, Ontario. Specializing in landscape painting, Susan's style has evolved with the mentoring of professionals at the Haliburton School of the Arts to a distinctive, vibrant, impressionistic depiction of the Canadian landscape, with Haliburton scenery being her favourite. Over the past several years, Susan's work has been recognized for its quality and is for sale at the Ethel Curry Gallery and the Rails End Gallery in Haliburton, the Main Street Gallery in Bayfield, and Elizabeth's Gallery in Goderich, Ontario.

Directions to studio: 1063 Porter Rd. Hwy 118 east from Haliburton, left on Kennaway Rd, left on Porter Rd. to the end. Studio on left.

Telephone: 519-525-7337 or 705-754-3553

E-mail: hayfield@tcc.on.ca

Web Site: www.susanhay.ca

Guest Artist:

Susanne James, stoneware pottery

In her work, Susanne seeks to evoke the beauty of her natural surroundings -- the water, granite and leafy forests of this Canadian Shield region. Susanne's work is almost always made to be functional as well as beautiful to look at. She concentrates on simple forms, subtle and natural colours, and organic shapes. For well over a decade Susanne has studied and worked with many artists, primarily at the Haliburton School of the Arts. Her work is featured in shops and galleries in the Haliburton area as well as at the annual summer Haliburton Tour de Forest.

E-mail: susanne@century21granite.com

Web Site: www.susannejames.com

Guest Artist:

Paul Diamond, woods turned into simple and beautiful vases and bowls; photography

Diamond is a self-taught wood-turner and cabinet-maker and has been in business since 1990. He gathers wood mostly from the forest around his home in Coboconk and occasionally uses exotic woods. He likes to experiment with simple, pure forms with Asian and modern influences. His work is sought by collectors worldwide, including Canada, the United States of America, Japan and Switzerland.

Telephone: 705-454-2095

Barbara Joy Peel:

Barbara Joy Peel: pottery and sterling jewellery

Barbara Joy began her clay studies in 1971 and in 1979, she opened her home-based studio-gallery in the Village of Haliburton, nestled in a cedar grove, high atop a scenic hillside overlooking the heart of the Haliburton Highlands.

Barbara Joy's love of the rugged, natural beauty of Haliburton and her desire to unite beauty and function is evident in her distinctive glazing techniques and designs which are simple in form, yet elegant in style. In the winter of 2008, Barbara Joy enrolled in an intensive 14-week Jewelry Essentials program at the Haliburton School of the Arts and she is now incorporating metal work with ceramics. "I've been inspired," she says. "I will always be first a potter and teacher, but I will be spending part of the year working in silver, producing one-of-a-kind pieces.

Directions to studio: 36 Skyline Park Road (Lookout Park Road) East of Haliburton off of Hwy 118

Telephone: 705-457-2752

E-mail: bjpeel@sympatico.ca

Web Site: www.barbarajoypeel.com

Guest Artist:

Susan MacDonald, Sue Mac designs, wearable/useable felt

Susan MacDonald has achieved international recognition in Canada and Australia as a multi discipline artist. Sue's artistic abilities were born in Haliburton and developed internationally. Sue's artistic endeavours evolved into Felting were she combined the textures of Merino, Silk, and Alpaca using traditional hand felting techniques.

Sue's unique creations are now available in some of Toronto's most exclusive fashion houses further promoting the Highlands as a centre of creative excellence. Sue teaches at the Fleming College, School of Fine Arts and is a featured artist at the Ontario Crafts Council's Guild Shop in Yorkville.

Telephone: 705-457-2758

E-mail: snickers56@me.com

Web Site: www.suemacdesigns.com

Guest Artist:

Terry Wright, acrylic painting

Terry's focus as a painter is on the figurative, and that, combined with her interest in the local community, has led to studies of ordinary people from Haliburton's past and present, often rendered in muted earth tones on a highly textured canvas. Currently she is developing a series on music and musicians using a brighter palette.

Telephone: 705-457-2047

E-mail: terry.wright@vianet.ca

Guest Artist:

Dianne Mathes, felted nests and tapestries

Dianne's felted and knitted nests are symbols of moments and times in our lives, our first home, places that nestle us, times that celebrate life. Found objects and "critters" that show up are her playful connection to nature and the world we live in. Passionate about life, individuals and relationships, Dianne uses colour and texture in her tapestries to share her love of nature and all of the life and wondrous moments that exist within it.

Telephone: 705-286-4980

E-mail: dianne.mathes@gmail.com

Jane Selbie:

Jane Selbie, fabric layering

Come see Jane Selbie's newest works at this "not to be missed" destination. Through a unique fabric layering technique, Jane creates memorable scenes of the northern landscape. You will find a wide variety of framed art and other one-of-a-kind items in Jane's spacious studio/gallery. There's something for everyone! Take home a little bit of Haliburton.

Directions to studio: 87 Bayshore Road, North from Haliburton on Hwy 118, left onto Bayshore Road, first right to end

Telephone: 705-457-3412

E-mail: jselbie@halhinet.on.ca

Web Site: www.jselbie.com

Guest Artist:

Charlene McConnell, porcelain and stoneware pottery

Using stoneware and porcelain, Charlene enjoys working on the wheel and with clay slabs to create fun and functional pottery for home and garden.

Telephone: 705-448-2966

E-mail: charmcc11@gmail.com

Guest Artist:

Laura Trach, textile and wearable art

Featured Artwork: 24" x 36" created from fibre, thread and leather. Laura works with a variety of textile materials, creating exquisitely detailed landscapes using fibre and thread in a unique combination of needle felting and thread painting. Laura also makes handcrafted Art Wear, hand bags, totes and many other fabulous fibre and fabric creations. Have your own idea for a garment or a favourite highlands scene? Custom Clothing and Commissioned Art Works are welcomed. Workshops and garment alterations are also available from Orange Cat Studio. Laura is a guest at Jane's studio for the Tour De Forest but can be visited at her own studio throughout the year. Orange Cat Studio is located at 1153 Dennison Road, Minden, ON, K0M 2K0, 1 km from Hwy 35 off the north end of Horseshoe Lake Rd. Watch for the studio sign on the left side of Dennison Road. Laura is in the studio most days and welcomes you to drop by. Please call ahead so we don't miss your visit.

Telephone: 705-286-1725

E-mail: info@orangecatstudio.com

Web Site: www.orangecatstudio.com

Guest Artist:

Marty Gryciuk, hand knitting

Marty is a hand knitter of over 50 years using color, texture, handspun and hand dyed materials to create one of a kind accessories and garments.

Telephone: 705-457-2804

E-mail: fibersden@gmail.com

Web Site: www.fibersden.com

Glass Eagle Studios:

Tom Green: stained glass art & glassblowing

Encounter the magic at Tom's studio again this year as his love of stained glass and glass-blowing continues to evolve.

Celebrating 30+ years experience in glass art, his studio, in a renovated, century-old school house is not to be missed.

Directions to studio: 2801 Blairhampton Road, on the corner of County Road 21

Telephone: 705-286-3628

Guest Artist:

James Goodliff, oil on canvas

James Goodliff paints landscapes and wildlife using oil on canvas, his work is heavily textured and strong in colour and light

Telephone: 705-488-1915

E-mail: thatguy@jamesgoodliff.ca

Web site: www.jamesgoodliff.ca

Guest Artist:

Markus Leydolt, acrylic on canvas

Telephone: 705-887-6910

E-mail: markusangello@yahoo.ca

Web site: MarkusLeydolt.blogspot.com