Who’s afraid of a little opera?

If you’ve never attended an opera but are thinking of giving it a try, a new company in Victoria, BC could make you a believer. Fear No Opera is a ...

Portia White, classical singer 1911 – 1968

Portia White was a Canadian contralto singer who overcame the obstacles of gender, race and the exclusive nature of the classical music world to gain international renown, and recognition as ...

The Magical Paper Creations of Elly MacKay

Elly MacKay makes magical, atmospheric worlds – enchanting images that tell stories, and portray quiet moments in nature and childhood. Creating tiny drawings, she positions them in layers, skillfully lights ...

In the Spotlight

Romancing the Squirrel in the Studio

Pop surrealist painter, Carollyne Yardley, is sometimes referred to as “The Squirrel ...

Katherine Penfold Shares the Love with a New Album

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and Katherine Penfold is bringing the ...

Irene Suchocki: Capturing Dreams with a Camera

With a list of clients that includes Ralph Lauren, Urban Outfitters and ...

Maureen Washington: Loving This Life

Singer/songwriter Maureen Washington has been described as having ‘the soul of Etta ...

Erica Ehm: Yummy Mummy

One of Canada’s most recognized personalities, Erica Ehm began her career as ...

Bif Naked: Creative Strength

Bif Naked is a multi-platinum selling and Juno Award winning international singer, ...

Latest News

It Doesn’t Matter When You Start, Only That You Start

Victoria, BC artist Deborah Leigh is completely self-taught, with the exception of one course (to learn how to apply paint). She didn’t begin drawing until age 55, with no previous creative outlets. She began by drawing playful, detailed images and within just a few years she was exhibiting and selling her work. Now represented by [...]

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Megan Matheson and Compañía Azul: A passion for Flamenco

Flamenco. The word conjurs up images of swirling skirts, clapping hands and stirring music. Today, this energetic Spanish style of music, song and dance is popular worldwide, and is performed by flamenco companies in many countries. One such company is Compañía Azul, based in Halifax. Megan Matheson, nicknamed Azulita for her blue eyes, is the [...]

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Kenojuak Ashevak: visual artist, 1927 – 2013

Canada lost a national icon this week, with the death of Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak on January 7. Many Canadians are familiar with her image “The Enchanted Owl,” which appeared on a Canada Post stamp in 1970, but few know the name of the artist – a pioneer of Inuit art whose drawings, prints and [...]

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Julie McIsaac: The “Ordinary Days” of a Director

Multi-talented. It’s definitely a word you could use to describe Julie McIsaac. Currently directing Relephant Theatre’s Ordinary Days in Vancouver, she also shares musical direction credit and joins the cast on stage each night, playing the show’s piano accompaniment. In addition, her talents include playwriting, song writing, singing, and she also plays oboe and violin. [...]

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A Look Back at 2012: Twelve Months of Creative Canadian Women

What a fun year it’s been at Pennello Lane! I’ve had such a great time talking to so many talented, inspiring women and learning a little about each artist’s individual personality through their words and images. I get such a kick out of it, and I hope you enjoy them, too! I’m often asked how [...]

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Elle Strauss: Teller of otherworldly tales

Elle Strauss writes time travel, chic-lit, science fiction and historical fiction for middle grade and lower Young Adults. She also writes mature YA historical and science fiction as Lee Strauss. She calls herself a late bloomer, who started writing after marrying and having four children. Her first book was published in Germany while she lived [...]

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Prudence Heward, painter 1896 – 1947

Born in Montreal, the sixth of eight children, Prudence Heward developed an early interest in art. She was schooled at home due to her severe asthma, but in spite of her delicate health her ambition was to become a painter. Her formal training came at the Art Association of Montreal (AAM) where she received instruction [...]

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Deborah Danelley: From Winnipeg to Havana

Deborah Danelley’s art combines rough, organic textures with minimalist elegance. Based in Winnipeg, she was a Gold Medalist at the University of Manitoba School of Art, where she studied printmaking. She progressed towards mixed media, applying the Japanese principles of ‘wabi sabi’ which roughly translates as the art of finding beauty in imperfection and the [...]

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Nell Shipman: the Girl from God’s Country 1892-1970

Many artists are inspired by the legacy of those who went before, and Canada’s history is rich with talented, creative women.  This post is the first in an occasional series celebrating some of those pioneers… in the visual arts, music, film and more. Today is the birthdate of Nell Shipman (born October 25, 1892), so [...]

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Sharon Dudka: Metal Rocks!

As a fan of silver jewelry, especially clean lines and designs that let the metal really shine, I’m the proud owner of more than one of Sharon Dudka’s creations. The Ladysmith, BC artist is busy keeping up with the demand for her work through her online shop, Metal Rocks. She’s had to work hard to [...]

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