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Coe Hill area painter/jeweller, Courtney Reynolds experienced very early exposure to art as a child in Lindsay, Ontario because of her grandmother being an art teacher and painter—who had her model for her for paintings on a regular basis; and her mother creating stained glassworks. And to complete the aura of creativity that surrounded her as a youngster, her dad was a musician. Art classes in high school helped enhance her creativity; but rather than pursue the arts, she decided to move to practical training for employment at the end of high school. And enrolled to study cosmetic techniques at Sheridan College in Oakville—learning makeup courses on prepping brides for weddings and actors for theatre productions. She graduated in 2005. Early employment—and work that became a career for her—was hairstyling at a variety of salons across the City of Toronto over the course of ten-year period. Then, in 2015, she opened her own salon in the Little Portugal area of the city and “developed a local following of clients that loved [her] cozy boutique which was personable and also delivered high end results.” Then, like too many small business, COVID shut her down and forced her to work from home. She had married in 2007 and she and hubby, Ricardo searched for and found a get-away property near Steenburg Lake (south of Coe Hill) in 2021–to which they and their first-born son got away on weekends—staying in a trailer, as Ricardo used his spare time to renovate and enhance the existing house. And they moved there permanently–with two boys now–in 2025. And about her art in her own words she says: “I have always had a love and obsession with creating art. I have made and sold beaded jewellery since I first lived in Toronto in early 2005; and painted art in various media and sold pieces to various collectors. I’ve held a few private art shows in Toronto at salons I worked at, and also collaborated with other artists in a couple of outdoor shows in gardens as well as at annual craft shows and sales. Since moving up north, I have narrowed my focus to what I love most and am surrounded by here: winged creatures and my favorite faces. I currently do accurate watercolour paintings of butterflies and moths and other creatures to resemble real specimens. Also, I paint portraits of my favorite people as well as commissions for gifts and memorials. I still find some time to bead butterflies and moths, birds and forest things, and sell those wearable art pieces at The Muse Cafe in Bancroft.
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And she says forthrightly to those who may be considering dropping by her place during the Tour that she is a “Detail-oriented artist and beader with a passion for creating intricate, nature-inspired pieces; skilled in both visual arts and customer engagement; and consistently delivering high-quality, personalized creations that celebrate individual client visions.” Look for Bancroft and Area Studio Tour signs on the last two weekends of September on Highway 62 southbound to Highway 620 (turn right, west) through Gilmore and then turn south on The Ridge Road to North Steenburg Lake Road and turn east (left) to her place. To connect with Courtney, send her a message at paintingpixi@gmail.com (Profile writing and photo by Allan O’Marra) |
