Mercurio Gallery

2011-12-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

settling in to our new home among the trees...from Dec 10 to 31 Le Soleil Jewellers will present Stuart Duncan's designs in silver, gold, and stones at the gallery location. Come and check out his beautiful and affordable work. And stay tuned for word about coming events in the New Year.

Phyllis....

2011-11-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

...Serota has created wonderful book!
"Painting My Life" arouses curiosity and lends understanding about how creativity happens. Her distinctive paintings become even more interesting and engaging after reading this autobiography. And to top it off, Annie's layout is superb! Check it out ~ an important text about an important contemporary Canadian artist based in Victoria BC!
We have a number of paintings in stock by Phyllis Serota, the one above is titled "Tableau"
It is 12"x24", acrylic on board.
Price : $1190
Call the gallery for purchasing information about this piece,to learn about other work by this artist or to find a copy of the book mentioned - 250-388-5158

Back at the bench.....

2011-11-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

....and lovin' it!

Our Hours during November:
Open Friday and Saturday 12-7pm and Sunday 12-4pm
other times by chance or arrangement....phone 388-5158
Closed Remembrance Day ( Nov. 11th )

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

Greeting from Metchosin! I'm about to go check out the giant bonfire at the firehall but before I do, thanks to all who came for the opening. I'm hoping the great deals made up for the clutter around the place!
The picture, taken among that scary disorder that has persisted since the move, are haunting pieces by Ricky Ciccimarra and fellow Limner Myfanwy Pavelic. Are you able to tell who made which ones?

for the archives...

2011-10-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

....this Times Colonist article by Robert Amos.
here the link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/mercuriogallery/VictoriaTimesColonistNewspaperArticleAug2011

Ken Faulks Plein Airing....

2011-10-31T15:50:00.000-07:00

.....for an interesting look into the process, now in progress, try this link:

http://kenfaulks.com/PaintingTrip_2011/index.html

2011-10-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

GRAND REOPENING!
SUNDAY OCTOBER 30 2011 COMMENCING AT 11 AM
Refreshments will be provided.

MERCURIO WILL PRESENT A
WIDE VARIETY OF OPENING SPECIALS
INCLUDING FINE ART AND VINTAGE CERAMICS
FROM THE COLLECTION.
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Happy Birthday to us!

2011-10-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Going from Four to Five....Having done our four years downtown we are most joyous to enter our 5th year here, in our new digs at 4357 Metchosin Road. October 17th marked the anniversary of Mercurio's opening in 2007.
To celebrate this special occasion we offered some excellent deals for those excellent Mercurio people...unframed works selected for this occasion, gems from gallery drawers and folios as well as from Kym's personal collection, and made viewable in a special picassa album. The response was great, and a number of our treasured customers walked away with some truly fabulous deals on some very unique and interesting pieces.
Stay in touch regarding our Grand Reopening October 30th.

...they don't call 'em "Brown" Bros. for nothin'

2011-08-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

As you have probably heard, Mercurio is moving to a new space in Metchosin.

The opportunity is a God-send. I am most eager to be rid of parking commissionaires, seagulls, "Tourism" Victoria and traffic jams, but most of all look forward to having a healthy place to do my work, my goldsmithing....and having a safe place for Mercurio, fine art supplier, to establish headquarters.

It should be known that the Windsor Block (600 blk Courtney St.) had become a less than ideal place to run an art gallery. Even Le Soleil Jewellers, the "Mothership" operation next door was being crippled in a slow but sure manner. Crumbling infrastructure within the building (involving ventilation, bug infestation, sewer back-up, waste disposal, security and electrical issues) has been growing unchecked for some time. The landlord constantly refused to fix problems and declined our offers to do so ourselves. We were forced to shut down the unsuitable premises. We apologize for any inconveniences arising from our sooner than later address change. While we are delighted with opportunity of our new location, the timing of the move was accelerated inappropriately by Brown Bros, the company hired to "manage" the Windsor Block property. We are letting the lawyers deal with their startling behavior. We have better things to do; there is new shop space to construct and jobs at hand to finish!
Stay tuned to the blog for further progress reports or, if you'd like to speak with the boss (that's me!)(Kym) feel free to call.
The number for le Soleil is 250-388-5162.
For Mercurio: 250-388-5158.

2011-08-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

GOING TO THE COUNTRY, GOING TO PAINT OUR MAILBOX GREEN.

2011-08-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Mercurio has been presented with an amazing opportunity to occupy a new space in Metchosin so, along with the mothership operation (leSoleil), we are moving... and planning some new operational modes for the year to come. Stay tuned to the website and blog for information on those changes which will include a focus on a selected few, exceptional special events during 2012-2013.
We’ll continue to source and present the work of a significant group of 20th century Victoria artists, including the Limners Group and their contemporaries and successors. as well as contemporary artists Ken Faulks, Miles Lowry, Phyllis Serota, and others.

stay tuned:
www.mercurio.ca
250.388.5158 - mercuriogallery@gmail.com

stayed tuned...

2011-08-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

change is in the air!

2011-07-25T00:02:00.000-07:00

lovely gathering today to view and discuss the Reconvergence show...we're holding it over until July 31st.
pictures to follow...

Jack Wise and "Old Boy"

2011-07-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is Jack Wise at his metaphorical best; originally untitled, this piece has acquired the name "Old Boy" as an identifying title.

Oil on canvas, image 12" square, framed 16.5" square

This piece has sold since the opening on Tuesday, July 12, 2011

JACK WISE:RECONVERGENCE...on the horizon

2011-06-28T01:04:00.000-07:00

left: mixed media on paper from the "Lake Series", 1980.
Our next big show is in the works: a new retrospective of paintings and ink drawings by the West Coast Master, Jack Wise. We are preparing an exhibition and sale spanning Wise's career and a variety of media.
July 12-24th, join us for another look at the complex and beautiful ouevre of this respected artist...

Land(scape) Rush!

2011-06-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Staff at Mercurio are wrapping up an exciting and successful Ken Faulks "Bringing Home the Light" show. His fabulous oils are now on their way to adorn walls from Hawaii to Colorado, Edmonton and Toronto. The show, presented both at Coast Collective's Havenwood and at Mercurio was a great success, with a large number of sales and a positive response from the many viewers at both venues. Very gratifying all round!!!

Faulks at Mercurio

2011-05-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Ken Faulks at Havenwood, and after

2011-05-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

A very successful weekend at the beautiful Coast Collective Gallery overlooking Esquimalt Lagoon...again, our great appreciation and thanks to Coast Collective, and the Plein Air Painters as well, for making this special event possible.
Many visitors, a large number of whom were making their first visit to Havenwood, and good sales - but there are still lots of very fine paintings, now installed at Mercurio downtown. This show looks great in the recently roomier, brighter Mercurio space. Come see it during gallery hours until June 4th.

Ken Faulks:Bringing Home the Light

2011-05-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Opening weekend at the amazingly beautiful Coast Collective gallery, Havenwood, on Esquimalt Lagoon. The show looks fantastic in the oak panelled gallery - it's open tomorrow (Sunday) from noon to 5 PM.
On Tuesday we are back with the full exhibition at the regular location. Come see these beautiful recent landscapes in a variety of sizes, strikingly framed by Martin Batchelor.

Gaze Deep...

2011-05-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

the House Collection boasts some new acquisitions of work by various Limners - including this newly created vase from Walter Dexter... lighten up your spirits during this cold grey spring by gazing into Colin Graham's whimsical tempera painting "Aquarium" or examining some of Stuart Duncan's beautifully wrought jewellery.
And of course, we're gearing up for the big, beautiful Ken Faulks show, opening before the end of the month...see the website for the details, or stay posted here as it draws closer!

2011-04-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

While spring is (finally) arriving, the 3rd annual pottery and ceramics sale is on at Mercurio!
We've been adding vintage stock....Beswick Pitchers and lustreware, a lovely Japanese salt-glaze vase..... to the fabulous house collection, and new work from the local masters will be arriving throughout the show. Just arrived: brand new pieces from Walter Dexter. Come and see us during this event, we'll make it worth your while! Til April 30th, enjoy a 15% saving everywhere in the store.
above, a handled bowl by Tobias Tomlinson.

Serota Held Over

2011-04-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

Pears! Pomegranates! Pescatores! People!
The Phyllis Serota show is extended through Sunday, April 9th.
There are special prices for select customers.
It's a great time to get out and about, and Phyllis' works are just the thing to inspire that Springy feeling.

Serota Springtime

2011-03-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Here we go - a beautiful exhibition of Phyllis' work spanning many years, subjects and moods, from playful to deeeply contemplative. The pieces sparkle in the newly opened up gallery space.
There will be an Artist's Reception Thursday March 24 from 5-8 PM - do think about dropping by!

Phyllis Serota

2011-03-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

After a visit to Phyllis' studio to look at current and past work, we're excited about the show we're putting together...we have some classic pieces from her still life, memory and dream inspired genres, and some fresh, luscious new pieces as well.
During the last year, Phyllis has been focusing on writing her memoirs, slated to be published in the fall by Sono Nis Press. She has, however, been recently working on a series of new paintings, as always taking a fresh creative tack.
This year she was featured at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, but did not hold her usual at home exhibition in February. We'll have a selection of paintings and monotypes avialable in a range of sizes and subjects.
March 22nd!

goodbye, hello...

2011-03-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

Our all purpose wonder woman Kimberly Bryant has shipped/slipped off to the Orient, if you check her Facebook page you'll see Bangkok's her hometown now.
Hey, maybe someday we'll get a Facebook page...meanwhile, we've made some other changes, whitening and brightening like a really effective dentifrice; there's more space and more light in the Gallery. Just in time for a show of classic work from Phyllis Serota...see our web page for info on that and some more upcoming events.
And say hello to Terry Rodgers, who'll be keeping the gallery warm and welcoming with her presence for the next while.

Mood ..

2011-02-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

Indigo ..

Another great painting by Sophia Morrison.

Robert ..

2011-01-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

Amos wrote a lovely article about our Ina show in the Times Colonist. Check it out!

Abstract ..

2011-01-05T14:13:00.001-08:00

Expression ..

Another cool work by talented Victoria artist and teacher, Sophia Morrison.

Enjoy!

New Year's Day Salon!

2011-01-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

For a look at the work of Ina Uhthoff currently in the gallery, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFQQpcRaJyg to see Efren Quiroz's video documentation.

More N.Y.D. Salon Pics!

2011-01-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Among the many starring players in these photos .. Mercurio owner Kym Hill, artist Dorothy Field, Ina Uhthoff's grandson Michael Uhthoff, the fabulous Gillian Tucker, artist and jeweller Stuart Duncan, pianist Tzenka Dianova and her wonderful daughter Isis, potter Tobias Tomlinson, artist Sophia Morrison, writer Mona Fertig and her husband, our favourite Polish transplant Hanna W., and the lovely Sylvia Graham. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate the new year and the work of Ina Uhthoff!

Happy 2011 :)

Sophia!

2011-01-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

Shown here is a fabulous work by Victoria artist Sophia Morrison.

Sophia uses images from photographs as inspiration for her paintings. She interprets the imagery in an abstract way on canvas by using geometric shapes and bright colours.

More ..

2010-12-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

beautiful Wren pieces here at the gallery!

Letting..

2010-11-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

Go!

That's the title of this free-fall aqua painting by Phyllis, complete with horizontal string lines and beautiful blue gradation.

This is a versatile work that could also be displayed horizontally for a different look!

Letting Go
P. Serota

The..

2010-11-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

original mango painting! Much softer than the experimental one seen below, yet still bold.

Image: "Large Mangoes", Phyllis Serota

Some..

2010-11-26T16:17:00.000-08:00

more groovy fruit!

Here's a peak at another fab Serota piece. In this she's experimenting with texture, colour and shape, and the result is still life with a twist.

Composition and colour use, superb as always.

Nice job, Phyllis!

"Small Mangoes" by P. Serota

Phyllis..

2010-11-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

Serota is a fabulous Victoria-based artist. Currently writing her memoirs, Serota is deserving of a wider audience for her work. Using flat-plane perspective, bright colours and soft brushwork, she creates modernist paintings with matters of subject like still-life imagery and scenarios from her personal life. Her work is in the vein of pros like Matisse, Chagall and Picasso, but never without her own special twist.

We were lucky enough to take a recent fruitful trip to Phyllis's abode, where we acquired some stellar pieces. Shown here is a wide and luxurious acrylic on canvas that boasts a mix of hard and velvet-like textures. It would be fabulous featured in a dining or living room of any design genre.

Image: P. Serota, "Plums"
Foreground: Ceramics by Wayne Ngan

We're in..

2010-11-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

this season's issue of Boulevard magazine! Writer Alicia Gordaneer - daughter of admired Victoria painter Jim Gordaneer - has written a great article on the ins and outs of purchasing art as gifts and the do's and don'ts of starting an art collection.

Check it out online at http://www.victoriaboulevard.com/

The time..

2010-11-18T16:33:00.000-08:00

to hesitate is through! Our graphic designer Andy Graffiti has many talents. Among them is a penchant for producing funky and innovative clocks, like the one shown here. Mercurio will be featuring these neat functional sculpture throughout the Christmas season.

Tick tock!

Mutual appreciation..

2010-11-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

Here's Miles Lowry's favourite Ken Faulks work currently in the gallery. This piece works very well at distance, where you get action happening in the water. One of Ken's best, and most challenging, yet.

Rocks & Surf, Sunset Point
12 x 16"

Brand..

2010-11-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

new winter jewellery from Stuart Duncan is starting to trickle into the shop. Stuart is amazing at creating one of a kind intricate pieces, wearable all year round.

Great for gifts and more to come!

Notable..

2010-11-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

quotables!

Here's a lovely little quote from an article by Brian Grison on our recent exhibition in the latest issue of Galleries West:

"This little exhibition at Mercurio Gallery offers collectors, curators, connoisseurs and students of painting and art history an intimate insight into modernist practice among the few serious artists residing in Victoria a generation or so after Emily Carr's important and still controversial contributions to visual culture in this city."

Thanks Brian!

To see the article online, visit
http://www.gallerieswest.ca/Departments/ExhibitionReviews/6-108172.html

Photo: Untitled, Margaret Peterson

Inter..

2010-11-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

View!

This marks the beginning of a new feature on the blog, a series of “5 questions” with local artists and figures in the Victoria arts community.

Our first artist is one of our favourites: local plein air hero Ken Faulks!

MG: Hi Ken, thanks for doing this!

KF: No problem.

MG: How do you think the hard times you've been through have affected your work?

KF: I don't look at having had next to no money, or having spent 5 years sleeping in my van 'hard times'.
It was all good. It was a choice to paint and that's what I did. I let other things slide down the priority list in order to do so.
It was a good time for the most part.
Not much money isn't a problem if one keeps their hamster wheel small.
With a really low overhead, I was able to make it all happen.

MG: If money were no object, would you still keep your graphic design company?

KF: I may still do some illustration and design, but if I did, it' wouldn't be much... maybe a bit of non-profit/volunteer stuff.
I'm sure the focus would be my own work for the most part.

MG: How do your goals as a graphic designer differ from your goals as painter?

KF: Illustration and graphic design are all about achieving someone else's agenda, ideas and goals.
As a painter, the agenda is my own, and therefore the focus is to fulfill my own goals.

MG: What importance does painting with the plein-air group hold for you?

KF: I like the people.... the camaraderie. It's a great gang of people who all enjoy painting outside.

MG: I find you use fairly bold colours. Can you tell me something about your process when making colour choices?

KF: I guess I use bold colours at times. With my non-representational work, I use stronger colours on a more regular basis.
With the plein air work, I tend to go after the 'local colour'... the colour I find in the subject I’m standing in front of.
In general, I don't consider these paintings having strong colour, but I do try to achieve a strong sense of the colour that was in front of me while I was painting.

MG: Thanks Ken!

KF: My pleasure, anytime.

New..

2010-11-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

work by Ken Faulks!

Ken's recently been up in lovely Tofino painting away.. Here's a sneak peak at one of the pieces he'll be bringing down to the gallery this afternoon!

This weekend we're having an impromptu mini show featuring Ken's latest work. They'll be cream puffs and refreshments too!

Image: Ken Faulks, Surf and Surfers, 8x10

A little..

2010-11-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

gem by Colin Graham, RCA (1915-2010), new to the gallery!

Here's a quote from Colin during his time as Director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1951-'73), about artist Maxwell Bates:

"The remarkable achievements of these six or so years have scarcely been seen in the rest of Canada. For this reason The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has chosen to organize as one of its 1966 centenary projects a retrospective exhibition stressing this period which will subsequently travel to other Canadian centres."

Mercurio is currently showing works by Colin Graham, as well as Max Bates and other Limners members as part of our ongoing house collection.

Excerpt: Colin Graham, "Maxwell Bates" (Victoria: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1966).

High..

2010-10-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

praise from art critic Robert Amos.

Here is a look at the Victoria Times Colonist article he wrote on our current Victoria Modernists show, Oct. 09 2010.

We're blushing!

Coming up..

2010-10-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

at Mercurio.. new work by Glasgow-born and Emily Carr contemporary, Ina Uhthoff!

Shown here is a close-up of Uhthoff's vibrant 'Esquimalt Fair'.

Also, swing by the gallery this Sunday to jump on some of our amazing fall deals on all ceramics, art, and jewellery!
And while you're downtown, walk a few blocks to the Strath to hear our graphic designer, Andy, and other great musicians from around town play some killer blues, from 2-6pm. Last week it was really cookin', so don't miss out!

Happy..

2010-10-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Birthday to us! October 17th marked Mercurio's third year anniversary - quite a milestone in the gallery world.

We are very excited to be entering our fourth year of providing beautiful and affordable works of art, and a relaxed atmosphere to examine the history and connections of the last half century of Victoria fine art!

Here are some pics from the anniversary party...

Featuring..

Kym Hill, Sylvia Graham, Jim Gordaneer, Michael Morris, Pat Martin Bates, Jan and Helga Grove, Godfrey Stephens, Laird Campbell, Miles Lowry, Ken Faulks, and more!

Photos courtesy of Ken Faulks, Hanna, and Kimberly B.

Sunny..

2010-10-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

fall days are here in lovely Victoria!

This bright yellow graphic piece is one of Mel Munsen's kiln-formed glass sculptures.
Originally from San Diego, CA, Mel is a unique artist whose work is as technically impressive as it is aesthetically beautiful.

Metallic..

2010-09-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

ceramics! Tobias Tomlinson is one of the many amazing local potters we feature at Mercurio Gallery.

Our latest collection of his work includes this funky bowl, which shows Tobias's signature hand-molded organic clay shapes juxtaposed with a jazzy bronze sheen.

Come by to see more of Tobias's newest work, including platters of ocean- blues and sea-greens. Great for gifts!

Emily's..

2010-09-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Revenge! Our new show coming in October will feature fantastic artwork by the cream of the crop of Victoria modernists.

The collection will include art from members of the Limners group (Siebner, Spreitz, and more), as well as important Victoria women Molly Privet, Ina Uhthoff, and Margaret Peterson.

Poster image courtesy of Mr. Andy Graffiti.

Kym..

2010-09-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hill is the owner of Mercurio Gallery, and also of Le Soleil Jewellers. She has been specializing in custom jewellery since 1976!

Seen here is one of her works: a shiny piece of eye-candy featuring a stunning multi-faceted light-blue sapphire, gently nestled inside strong waves of white gold.

To see more of Kym's work, and to learn more about gems, metals, and the like, head on over to www.lesoleiljewellers.com.

A taste..

2010-09-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

..of the latest and greatest from Ken Faulks! This is a close-up of a section of his newest 36 x 40" oil on board plein air.

Working with a gorgeous sunset as his subject matter, Ken exploits the scene's delectable jewel tones in another one of his triumphant skyscapes.

Stuart..

2010-09-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Duncan is one of our jewellery heroes around here. He does stunning silver work with a true artisan's touch.

Pictured is one of his beautiful showpieces. Sterling silver with 18k gold and pearls, this piece would be a gorgeous compliment to any lucky lady.

Swing by to see more great work by Stuart!

Miles..

2010-08-31T14:31:00.001-07:00

Lowry is one of our favourite local artists here at Mercurio. One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive about his work is "..how did he do that?!"

The answer lies in the following Youtube video from A-Channel's interview with the artist, this past spring:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK12Xc1_qyI

Pictured is one of Lowry's cotton fibre sculptures from his ongoing Faylin series.

For more info on the endeavours of multi-talented Miles, please visit his website at www.mileslowry.ca.

Some love..

2010-08-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

and appreciation for our great graphic designer, Mr. Andy Graffiti. Andy designs all of Mercurio's excellent posters that you see around town and for sale here at the gallery.

To check out more of Andy's fab visual art, http://www.flickr.com/photos/agwerkedesigns
To hear some of his music, www.myspace.com/andygraffiti.
Enjoy!

Limners..

2010-08-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

everywhere! Here's a striking large-scale sculpture ("Synergy", 1963) by Elza Mayhew, recently installed in the new Humboldt Valley, downtown Victoria. Elza was a member of the Limners, a group of community-based artists in Victoria, formed in the 70's.

We are fortunate to have some of Elza's miniature sculptural works featured in our house collection, here at Mercurio. The miniatures are wonderful pieces of portable art; proof positive that size doesn't matter!

Entwined..

2010-08-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

Birds, by renowned Inuit artist Pudlo Pudlat. Print, stonecut and stencil, 1991.(Close-up)

Beautiful!

Spirit Hunting..

2010-08-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Our annual Inuit Show is off to a fabulous start! We have pieces from Cape Dorset, Baker Lake, Arviat, and Povungnituk, just to name a few. This amazing collection includes striking stone carvings, stunning large colour lithographs, and more!

Fresh..

2010-08-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

paintings! The great Ken Faulks dropped by the other day and brought with him some fabulous new oil plein-airs.

Check out the luscious green tones in this one..

What an honour..

2010-08-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

it is to have piano virtuoso Dr. Tzenka Dianova joining us at the gallery! Born in Bulgaria, Tzenka has a PhD in piano performance and has played concerts all over the world. She is also an art collector, with an interest in work by our favourite Victoria group, the Limners!

If you're interested in learning more about Tzenka's studies in 20th century avant-garde music, I encourage you to visit her website at www.tzenkadianova.com. It's quite a treat!

A photo of Tzenka, preparing her piano..

In bloom..

2010-08-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Kym’s husband Charles is the man behind the glorious flower displays right outside of the gallery. The beds are filled with a neat mix of flower species like Mimulus (“monkey flowers”), Salpiglossis, Begonia, Nemesia, and Petunia F3 Hybrid (“space flowers”).

Come by and check them out while they’re at their peak!

Great...

2010-07-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

news! We are holding over our Estelle Curwen show due to its overwhelming popularity! We have had visitors from all over the world at our gallery in the past week, and they have all been blown away by Estelle’s beautiful wearable art.

A picture of my favourite piece in the collection..

Art of Enamel..

2010-07-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here’s a pic of one of Estelle Curwen’s enamel pieces. These pieces are just gorgeous. Must be seen in person to appreciate the workmanship. Coloured in sumptuous jewel tones, they shimmer like nothing else! Wow.

In honour of Estelle’s amazing achievements in the art of enamel, we are hosting an artist reception for her this Thursday July 29th, between 5 and 8pm. Please feel free to join us for an evening of wine, warmth, and jewellery!

A fond farewell to...

2010-07-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

...our lovely and talented Nusha! Nusha has been with Mercurio almost from the start. She and her hubby Thomas have just moved to Vancouver's west end, where they are starting their new life with a baby on the way! We send her a huge congrats and lots of love. Thank you Nusha for all your hard work! You are missed.

I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself, as I'm taking over for Nusha. I'm Kimberly and am more than happy to currently be spending my days at Mercurio in beautiful downtown Victoria..

We invite you to take the time to come down to the gallery and see what's new!

All the best to you and yours on this sunny day..

PS: A pic of two fearless ladies: Mercurio's owner Kym and Nusha :)

Saints of Circumstance Held Over!

2010-05-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

To give you a few more days to enjoy Miles's fabulous work. The pieces will be up until May 29th so please drop by again or for the first time. We're happy to report that the work has been getting the attention it deserves and there have been many local people and travelers who have been thrilled with it. We'll see you before May 29th... when we may possibly have a little closing get-together. Stay tuned!

Here are some snapshots from the opening reception which was filled with friends and warmth.

The wonderful musicians who played guitar and bass for us all evening - thanks guys!

href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q6D604tIt60/S_MuC_Ezz-I/AAAAAAAAhh8/8fxU719hqlU/s1600/DSCF2033.JPG">

Kjerstin (who you'll be seeing around the gallery a lot more soon!) and our talented framer, Matt

Kym and Miles deep on conversation

Miles Lowry's "Saints of Circumstance" Opening!

2010-05-04T12:32:00.001-07:00

Starting this Thursday May 6th, we're very excited to be exhibiting new work by Miles Lowry in our show "Saints of Circumstance" Miles will be showing his haunting, lush new paintings on distressed paper as well as a selection of his well-known cast fibre figures. We're closing on Wednesday May 5th to set up... but if you're passing by, pop in for a sneak peek. The show will start when we open on Thursday at 11am. But it will also be fun for you to join us at our artist reception from 5pm onwards to have a glass of wine in honour of the great work Miles has done. See you on Thursday!

Last Day for Ken's Spring Works!!!

2010-05-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today, Tuesday May 4th, is the LAST DAY that we are showing Ken Faulks' gorgeous new spring works. Several of you have your eye on a certain piece, so please remember to come down today (...or if you come tomorrow we can probably find it for you...) as over the weekend a many pieces have been sold and we expect more of the same today.

Of course, if you are find yourself caught up in other endeavors today and don't make it in, we will be showing selected works by Ken on request. A number of pieces will remain at the gallery (since they're too beautiful to give up!) so for those of you who have been dropping in throughout the show to visit a particular piece, remember that we are open to discussing loaning you the piece for a few days so you can get the feel of it in your home.

We'll look for you in the gallery today - this afternoon is also a lovely time for a walk!

Springtime Jewelry from Stuart

2010-03-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

The other day Stuart Duncan brought us over some of his new new work... Wow. The one of a kind pieces he brought feature delicate stones and fresh springtime imagery. Here are a few of the, set against some spring foliage.

(Blossom and Bee pendant with garnets and large amber)

(Moondance pendant with moonstone)

(Two Hummingbirds pendant with 14k gold and semi-precious stones)

Our Second Annual Ceramics Sale!

2010-03-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been wanting to pick up a piece by one of our brilliant local artists - Walter Dexter, Wayne Ngan, Gordon Hutchens, Robias Tomlinson, Mary Fox and more are all represented here.

(Vintage pieces from Jan and Helga Grove)

Until March 31st, we're offering 10% off one piece, 15% off a second piece and 20% off a third piece. Whoa!

(Small, beautiful pieces from Mary Fox, Gordon Hutchens and Tobias Tomlinson)

Welcoming ourselves back!

2010-01-14T17:10:00.001-08:00

Hello! It's been 6 blog-free months for us but we're happy to say that the blog is still coming up in searches (Thanks, internet) and that people are still reading it once in awhile. (Thanks, friends!) So here we are.

We'd like to continue welcoming ourselves back by telling you about our current show, Other Places: Abstractions. The piece up top ("Image 17", acrylic on archival paper) is from this brilliant show of abstract works by Ken Faulks. This piece in particular, as well as a few others, have been likened to Seibner, among others. But, well, we prefer to say that it looks like a Ken Faulks.

We're open this rainy winter so come by. We're here right now, in fact, singing a few songs.

Hey-oh!
Nusha

Rocky Mountain Picture Show

2009-06-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

We're very pleased to invite you to the Rocky Mountain Picture Show: Canadian Alpine Landscapes. You'll see a carefully chosen group of artists including William Garnet Hazard, Marmaduke Matthews and Ken Faulks, as well as two exquisite and mysterious unsigned watercolours, possibly by CPR artist and RCA founder Lucius O'Brien. And as always, interesting selections from our house collection are on display.

Rocky Mountain will be showing until July 11th. You can visit us Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, and from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.

A New Max Bates Piece

2009-06-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

Price Upon Request

Going Places Closing Reception

2009-05-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Hosting the Going Places show was an absolute pleasure. We were honoured to show Ken's fine work, and look forward to watching where he will go next. We showed our enthusiasm with an evening reception on May 9th.

2009-05-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

We're holding over the fabulous Ken Faulks show until May 17th...more wonderful work is available to view and purchase...hours are Tues-Sat 10:30-5:00.

Going Places

2009-04-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

GOING PLACES
an exhibition and sale
of exceptional landscape paintings by
KEN FAULKS

May 1 – 10th 2009
10:30-5:00 Daily
10:30-9:00 Thurs and Fri

Faulks’ has captured the always mutable aspects of the hills, fields, skies and beaches of our region by creating paintings filled with spontaneity and brio, lush brushstrokes and a bold sense of colour and light. He is an accomplished artist who delivers confidence, skill and joy in equal measures, and, we believe, an important artist poised to achieve wider recognition and success both in Victoria and on the larger stage.

We are most pleased to offer you an opportunity to discover recent work by this fine Victoria artist.

You are invited to attend the Artists reception for this event:
May 7th 7:00 – 9:00

MERCURIO GALLERY 602 Courtney Street, Victoria , 388-5158

Coming Soon...

2009-04-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ken Faulks, "Victoria Sunrise 5", oil on canvas, 40"X48"

Ken Faulks, "Cattle Point", oil on board, 12"X16"

The work of Ken Faulks will be featured in our next show beginning on May 1st. Look forward to more of Ken's plein air landscapes as well as some of his abstract pieces.

"Victoria Sunrise 5" is also part of our current show, Surreal Estate, so you can read a little bit about Ken below.

Bios of Surreal Estate Artists

2009-04-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Herbert Siebner, "The Survivor", oil, casein, wax on board

Surreal Estate is here, and so is further information about the artists we're showing. It's a large, interesting and varied group, and these are just a few.

James Gordaneer
Painter (1933-)
Jim Gordaneer was born in Ontario. He lived in Kitchener and taught at the Doon School of Fine Arts. In 1975 he and his wife moved to Victoria, where he became the foremost teacher of oil painting. He still often paints plein air in his neighbourhood, working in a loose yet sophisticated impressionistic style. Jim has been painting for five decades.

Dorothy Field
Printmaker, Textile Artist
Dorothy Field has an MA in Design from UC Berkeley. She has studied paper arts in Japan and Nepal, apprenticed in a paper mill in Korea, worked at a papermaking collective in India and taught at Columbia College, Chicago Centre for Book & Paper, and Rhode Island School of Design.

Jack Wise
Painter (1928-1996)
Wise came to Canada from the US in 1963 and tried homesteading in interior BC. This and his time studying in India led him to the spiritual, archetypal art he is known for. He has made a significant contribution to the “Pacific Northwest School” tradition of art.

Chin-Shek Lam
Painter (1918-1990)
Lam was born in China and immigrated to Canada in 1970. He had a distinguished career that included founding the Institute of Oriental Art in China and Hong Kong. His work is rooted in Chinese calligraphy but Western elements were incorporated after meeting such artists as Picasso and Miro.

Ken Faulks
Painter, Graphic Designer (1964-)
Ken Faulks has worked as an artist since 1984. Originally he worked only en plein air and still produces many pieces this way, although he moves gracefully between traditional and digital mediums. Ken produced the two abstract murals outside Mercurio. He lives in Victoria, where he was born.

Jack Shadbolt
Painter (1909-1998)
Shadbolt established himself in the 1930’s in Vancouver and taught at the Vancouver School of art from 1938 to 1966. He and his wife Doris founded the Vancouver Institute for the Visual Arts in 1988. He has received honourary degrees from SFU, UBC and Uvic. He received the Order of Canada in 1972.

Surreal Estate Opening!

2009-03-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

Please join us this week for our brand new show, Surreal Estate. We'll be featuring West Coast artists who share a taste for abstraction mixed with examination of the natural world. Many of the pieces will come from our house collection, so Surreal Estate promises to be an eclectic and lively show.

A little update...

2009-03-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

...about the Street Where We Live Show. Because of the interest and enthusiasm about the show, we're going to extend it at least over the weekend until March 23rd, so you'll have a few more days to check it out.

On The Street Where We Live Opening

2009-03-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

The artists: Jim Gordaneer, Robert Amos and Linny D. Vine

Thanks to everyone who came to the opening of our current show, On The Street Where We Live. It was a wonderful evening with a lively group of people!

The show continues until March 21st (or possibly a little longer...) with works from Robert Amos, Jim Gordaneer and Linny D. Vine. The pieces are warm and vibrant and really illuminate our space, so come by for a visit!

Spring is here...

2009-02-24T15:42:00.000-08:00

Linny D. Vine, "Mount Doug Market" (plein air), acrylic on canvas, 10x8

... and with it comes sunshine and walks through our neighbourhood - so keep an eye out for our next show, "On The Street Where We Live: The urban landscape of Victoria" featuring Linny D. Vine, Robert Amos and Jim Gordaneer. More info coming soon.

2009-01-31T21:56:00.000-08:00

2009-01-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

The Limners show has aroused great interest and enthusiasm, and we will be holding it over through the rest of the month.
A reception was held Thursday the 22nd at which Limners members Colin Graham (and wife Sylvia), Walter Dexter, Pat Martin Bates, Alex Lavdovsky and Carole Sabiston were present, as well as Robin and Sylvia Skelton's daughter Alison. Also among the many others attending were Phyllis Serota, who created a painting of the event for the event, Robert Amos, who documented the occasion on the spot with his ready brush, and artists Godfrey Stephens and Laird Campbell, who regaled us with a touch of the sparkling Limners spirit of old...
thanks to all! Here are a couple of pictures, with more to come.

Kym and Phyllis Serota with her Limners 2009 piece

Colin Graham and Kym

2009-01-11T21:34:00.000-08:00

Maxwell Bates: more work by this artist...
"Woman and Still Life": lithograph 6 of 25 1966 32"X26"
"African Head": lithograph 2 of 14
Untitled drawing (couple) graphite and conte crayon 29"X24.5"
"Autumn Wilderness" drip painting 40"X 28"
"Cock and Hens": lithograph (Artist's Proof)1955
Untitled monoprint 1970 20"X30"
Untitled lithograph (couple) 13"X10"

2009-01-10T17:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all involved for the enthusiasm surrounding the current show. The Limners retrospective has drawn interest beyond our expectations.

Ongoing sales and trades amongst the inventory have made it rather impossible to present a comprehensive catalogue during the event. Please allow us to tempt your curiosity with the following list instead:

The Limners Group – a sample of work available as of Jan 10th/09

THE VETERAN
by Max Bates
O/d 24" x 20"
Produced in 1961, there was a very limited run of this intriguing image; this print is number 4 of the 16. It is framed simply and modestly priced at $1100.

SIX FIGURES
By Richard Ciccimarra
O/d 13" X 15"
A classic example of this artist's work; it was likely produced in 1965. Pat Bovey featured a version of the piece in her book “The Limners - A passion for Art” (1996, Sono Nis Press). The work is newly framed featuring perfect proportioning and highest-grade protective glass. This rare find is $3700.

BAD GIRL PLATES
By Walter Dexter
Diameter: 11.5"
Apparently Walter is still having fun. We are being offered an opportunity to share the joy…there are two plates with similar images. Each is $310.

JD READING
By Myfanwy Pavelic
7600.00

Limners Opening

2009-01-06T15:59:00.001-08:00

As you know, our Limners show is now on. Thanks to everyone who came out for our opening on New Years Day, it was lovely. The show continues until January 22nd, so please stop by anytime before then. As pieces are bought, they come off the walls and new work goes up, so the show is changing nearly everyday.

Elza Mayhew, "Celebrant" (front) and "Amulet" (back)

Anne Mayhew, Kym and Carole Sabiston

Champagne and chocolates -- everyone had a good time.

2008-12-30T16:32:00.000-08:00

...we'll be playing around a little with the look of the blog...hope you stay in touch.
Don't forget...we open the doors to the
Limners' show at noon on Thursday - New Year's Day!

(right: Don't Forget by Karl Spreitz)

2008-12-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

well, thanks to the v-e-r-y slow steps everyone had to take in the deep, deep snow, some of you are just arriving; so we're holding over the Small Pleasures show through the 30th. Open noon to six, or thereabouts...
On New Year's Day the long awaited Limners' Group show starts at noon. We're very pleased to have found works that represent everyone from the Society. Since there is such a large catalogue, during this show you can take away your purchase at any time after making it....
The Limners' show runs Tuesday through Saturday from the 1st to the 22nd, noon to six.

2008-12-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

Art day and night...
Mercurio will be open peculiar hours for particular shoppers! Starting Friday Small Pleasures are available from Noon to Midnight straight through to Tuesday the 23rd...snow or shine.

2008-12-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

hello.

2008-11-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

thanks for stopping by. we are mercurio gallery, and we are located downtown on the corner of courtney and government streets. you can usually find us here at night... or sometimes during the day. but really, we like the night better.

thanks everyone who went on the gallery walk - it was our first time on it, and it was wonderful. we're also looking forward to our upcoming show, 'small pleasures', which will feature inuit carvings you can hold in your hand, jewellery, little prints, tiny paintings... and lots of other small things. this show will run from friday december 19th until tuesday december 23rd, and we'll be celebrating the small pleasure of staying up late and drinking wine, as we'll be open until midnight every night. we'd love it if you can come by and join us.