Thursday, December 1, 2011


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.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Phyllis....


...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

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Back at the bench.....


....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 )

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!


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...

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

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

Ken Faulks Plein Airing....


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

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

Thursday, October 27, 2011


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!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Happy Birthday to us!

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.

Friday, August 19, 2011

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



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.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Saturday, August 6, 2011

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

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

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Monday, July 25, 2011

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

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Jack Wise and "Old Boy"


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

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

JACK WISE:RECONVERGENCE...on the horizon



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...

Monday, June 20, 2011

Land(scape) Rush!




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!!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Ken Faulks at Havenwood, and after



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.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Ken Faulks:Bringing Home the Light


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.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Gaze Deep...


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!

Monday, April 25, 2011


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.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Serota Held Over

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.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Serota Springtime

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!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Phyllis Serota

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!

Monday, March 7, 2011

goodbye, hello...


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.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Mood ..



Indigo ..

Another great painting by Sophia Morrison.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Robert ..


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

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Abstract ..



Expression ..

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

Enjoy!

New Year's Day Salon!












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!










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!


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.

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