Ed Bartram

King resident Ed Bartram spends his summers on Lake Huron capturing nature at its finest. The Precambrian rock formations
that surround his island – yes, ‘Bartram’s Island’ – named for his family when they acquired it in the early 1960’s – is a rich source of inspiration for the artist. In fact, the artist has been devout to
painting only ‘the rock’, better known as the Canadian Shield, since he first laid eyes upon it. And who can blame him, since it is “the nucleus of the continent... (made up of) molten chocolate ripple like swirls, and pink and black”.

“My work interprets the forces of nature found on these Precambrian surfaces (which have been) revealed by the cleansing and polishing power of ice and water,” Bartram explains.

Bartram paints in the open air facing the water, often along side his wife, King artist Mary Bromley.

Bartram's paintings don’t just resemble the rock, but are made from the rock. “I use black sand from the island to create
the lichens found on the rock formations. For the purposes of realism, I literally throw the sand at the canvas,” says Bartram,
of his unique approach.

Precambrian rock god
by Wendy Soloduik

Bartram has spent the past 40 years painting the ‘rockscapes’ of the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay. J.E.H. MacDonald, a member of Canada’s famed Group of Seven artists, also transferred the rocks’ likenesses to canvas. However Bartram’s interpretation has been described as “more abstract, using contemporary techniques.”

The rock formations have also been of interest to geologists who arrived at Bartram’s Island for scientific purposes. “A group of students from Dartmouth University arrived here in May. They were geologically mapping the area and came here because they knew this place was one of the most fascinating and complicated
geological regions in Canada,” says Bartram. “Isn’t it funny how things work? What they arrived at scientifically, I arrived at visually.”

Bartram, who was delighted by their company, sent the students home with a painting to remember their experience. Quite a valuable token, since his paintings price up to $6,000.

Although Bartram spends his summers north, his winters are spent at his residence in King, working to reproduce the summers’ oil on canvas creations into original mixed-media prints.

“Although they are referred to as prints, these are reinterpretations,
rather than reproductions,” Bartram points out.

Bartram blends European printmaking techniques with his own
unique approach to printmaking to create his ‘reinterpretations’. A
time consuming, yet rewarding process for the artist. Bartram’s
mixed-media prints are created in a historical cottage, the last of its kind in King Township, that sits next to his winter home.

Bartram begins his prints by carving a basic outline of the original painting onto a plate, made of either plastic or steel – a process that can often take weeks to complete. Each of the painting’s original brush strokes are then hand painted onto the template, a process that is repeated for each reinterpretation. An antique
machine is then used to transfer the image from the plate to heavy print paper. The print is finished by hand, using oil pastels, a process that takes several hours and sets each piece apart from its predecessor.

To help maintain their value, no more than 12 reinterpretations,
which sell between $1,600 and $2,500, are ever created.

Born in London, Ontario, Ed Bartram graduated from Western University and completed his Masters in Fine Art at the University of Toronto. Bartram has taught printmaking, in a career spanning 40 years, at prestigious Ontario schools, including the Ontario
College of Art, and Central Tech.

Bartram retired five years ago, and no longer has to split his time between work and printmaking. He now happily devotes his time to family, and creating art.

When asked if he could ever find inspiration in painting another subject, Bartram replied: “I’d need another lifetime.”

La Cloche Range #2

The Outer Archipelago, Georgian Bay

Where to find... Bartram’s art will be featured at The McMichael Art Collection & Gallery in an exhibit entitled ‘The Eye Within’ beginning October 17. Bartram is the first local artist to ever show a curated collection at the McMichael. Seventeen large-scale prints by Ed Bartram and two Georgian Bay prints by J.E.H. MacDonald of The Group of Seven, will complete the exhibit, which will remain on display until January 3, 2010. Ed Bartram and Mary Bromley will also participate in the Art Society King (ASK) Studio Tour & Workshops beginning in November. Bartram will open his home,
and the cottage where his cherished mixed-media prints are created. See www.artssocietyking.ca for more details.
Ed Bartram will exhibit at the Mira Godard Gallery in Toronto, where he has been represented for over 40 years, beginning November 7, 2009. Visit www.godardgallery.com/bartram.htm for more information. For more information about the artist, visit Ed Bartram’s website at edbartram.brinkster.net

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CELEBRATE THE CREATIVE SPIRIT AT THE McMICHAEL
Anyone who has gone through the school system in southern Ontario fondly remembers their first visit to the McMichael. For most, it was also their very first introduction to Canadian art, and it had a profound impact. And many who visited the gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario, in the 1970s were even lucky enough to meet members of the iconic Group of Seven.
Today, Ontario residents have a chance to relive their youth and refresh their interest in Canadian art at the annual McMichael Fall Art Sale. Scheduled for October 23rd to 25th, this major fundraiser for the McMichael Volunteer Committee will feature 50 of this country’s most talented artists and sculptors. Now in its 19th
year, this sale has raised over $200,000 to help fund educational programs, and to enhance the overall visitor experience at the McMichael with special events such as the Sunday music concert series.
The three-day sale opens with the always popular Friday night gala on October 23rd from 6 to 10 p.m. Free parking is offered along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The sale continues on Saturday and Sunday from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Every year, more artists vie for a position in this prestigious juried event – over 250 applied this year alone! Clearly, the creative spirit is alive and well at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. As Tim Packer, the top selling artist for the past two years, explains: “The grand hall of the McMichael is like a cathedral to me. I remember
visiting this gallery as a student and it changed my attitude towards art. To be able to display my work in this annual art sale is an incredible privilege for me.”
For more information or to preview this year’s artists visit
www.mcmichaelvolunteers.com or contact Geoff Simpson, Volunteer Committee Chair, 416-997-3159.