Fergus artist Dennis Novosad produces paintings and drawings which allow one to look deep into his or her surroundings.
A collection of his artwork is now on display in the Centre Wellington council chamber.
Recently Beverley Cairns, of the Elora Arts Council, introduced Novosad to council members. The arts council offers quarterly artwork exhibits in the council chamber and other locations in Centre Wellington.
Cairns said Novosad lives in a beautiful stone heritage home on St. Patrick Street in Fergus. He has participated in the Fergus-Elora Studio Tour and has been active for years in the arts community.
Cairns noted she has talked to the township clerk about the potential of expanding art exhibits to possibly include sculptures … and possibly textile arts, which “all represent our amazing artistic community.”
Novosad said it was an honour to have his work shown in the council chamber.
Novosad said his gallery and studio is in Fergus, where he has lived for the past 20 years. His work is described as stimulating the visual sense, helping the viewer appreciate the beauty around them.
“Nature’s colours and composition are always there to discover and work with.”
The desire to draw and paint has been with Novosad from an early age. Following his devotion to a growing family and career at the University of Guelph as a mechanical designer, he now directs more energy and talent to visual arts.
Fine art courses at the University of Guelph and numerous workshops have helped develop his keen sense of colour and composition.
Novosad said a teacher exchange program for his wife allowed the couple to live in Australia in 2005 and 2012. During that time, he was able to paint with local artists. It was also during that time he produced enough watercolour paintings for a solo art show.
“The inspiration for the paintings comes from our travels – other countries and camping in northern Ontario, along with scenes in Centre Wellington,” he said.
Novosad is an avid photographer which is a big part of his art. Most of his paintings are water colours, though he enjoys drawing and painting with acrylics and pastels.
“I’ve been drawing and painting for the past 30 years, mostly self-taught,” he said.
He currently paints with 11 other artists – who call themselves “the Monday Night Painters” – on Monday evenings.
“As a group, we have had a number of successful shows,” he said.
The artwork in the council chamber represents locations Novosad has visited.
“I hope you enjoy them while they are hanging here,” he said.
