Byron Villager – February 2016
Artist Alley – Featuring Michelle Haley
By Jim Kogelheide
Peaceful
Reflections of Nature
Most people think about planes, trains
and automobiles when conversations focus on topics like transportation, but
when I stepped into the home of Byron artist Michele Haley I grew to appreciate
that the best form of transportation is a painted canvas. As I stepped nearer the small cluster of
cedars that seemed to welcome me into a lazy late summer daydream, I could
almost hear the scratching and pecking of feeding chickens coming from the
farmyard in the distance. This painting
transported me through time as well, and my eight year old belly began to
grumble as I had been stomping through these fields, chasing mice and frogs for
several hours. Was that my Aunt’s voice
calling me in for lunch?
Michele Haley’s convictions for expressing
herself in paints are neither politically nor socially motivated, although I
believe that inadvertently she may be having a stronger influence in both of
these arenas than she may realize. “My
goal, as an artist is rather simple,” Michele tells me as we laugh at a
squirrel scurrying across her back porch.
“I paint landscapes as a way to explore thoughts of peace. This practice is a form of meditation.” The fact that her paintings can be found in
several London restaurants and businesses including the Mayor’s office make me
think that our community leaders are being offered rare moments for peaceful
reflections of Nature. Are these moments
the key that is needed to influence their decisions in ways that will lead our
community to become sustainable?
Painting landscapes that capture the raw beauty
of London’s natural environments have taken Michele from the rolling hills
surrounding Boler Mountain down to the meandering Thames River through
Springbank Park, into Gibbons Park and throughout many rural settings
throughout Southern Ontario.
Several years ago, Haley became a member
of the Gallery Painting Group and these
experiences have challenged her to paint in new and exciting ways. “Painting on location with a group of peers
is a wonderful way to spend a morning,” reflects Haley as she talks to me about
the challenges of time and the ever-changing nature of sunlight. “We often spend our last half hour critiquing
each others’ works with suggestions about composition, colour blending and
other techniques.”
Haley believes that the creation of art is not
so much about competing with other artists but more about finding opportunities
to share and work together so that everyone involved can grow as a person and
as an artist. I asked her if this
philosophy held true while she was teaching children’s art workshops in several
of London’s Catholic French Schools and I gathered that these experiences were
where this philosophy may have been partially born. I also gained the insight that, “sharing and
working together” was a trait that was a part of Haley’s childhood as she
talked about her mother’s painting ambitions and how this lifestyle was adopted
by both Michele and her two sisters. As
we ventured from room to room throughout Michele’s home (which I felt could
have been aptly described as an historical art gallery), she spoke with as much
passion about the other artists decorating her walls as she did about her own
works.
Whether it’s painting in oils, acrylics,
watercolours or pastels or whether it’s painting landscapes, still lifes,
portraits or scenes from her lively imagination one elemental truth can be
found within each of Michele Haley’s art creations and that truth is for each
of us to discover in our own unique way.
To learn more about Michele Haley’s simply
write to michelemhaley@gmail.com.
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