Duane Hicks
Pepper Hinrichs has brought her brand of “recycled art” to the Fine Line Art Gallery here as the newest part-time member of the local co-op.
Hinrichs, who moved to Alberton Township from London, Ont. with her husband, Rod, about 15 years ago, set up a wealth of her crafts at the Mowat Avenue gallery last week.
Among her most eye-catching pieces are a near life-sized, red-headed mermaid whose “fish” half is made of tin lid “scales.”
This piece was brought in for the “Orange” art show that is set to open there this Saturday (May 7).
Hinrichs also has a large fish with the same type of scales.
“I had every neighbour and every friend and every relative saving tin lids for years,” she said of the tin scale art, noting she has sold many of her fish in Thunder Bay.
Several people also have bought her mermaids, putting them on their boathouses or saunas. And she has one at home, which is suspended from a tree by the river and twirls, holding a Canadian flag.
Hinrichs also has a wide selection of “hummingbird suncatchers” available at the gallery, many with at least a bit of orange in them.
These are long strands of beads, polished stone, mirrored pieces, and other ornaments. which can be hung up inside or outside.
Some strands have been attached to pieces of driftwood.
Hinrichs explained where she came up with the name for them.
“When I started doing them, I hung them from the tree by my deck,” she recalled.
“I’m sitting there and all of sudden the hummingbirds are attracted to them, looking at themselves in the mirrors.
“They weather really well,” Hinrichs added. “I’ve had the original one seven years now and it’s still hanging.
“I prefer to hang them outside because then they reflect and blow in the wind,” she noted.
Hinrichs said she tends to get into a certain type of art or craft, then focus on it exclusively for a time.
For example, she might set aside two weeks and create a whole slew of hummingbird suncatchers.
“I go off on different avenues,” Hinrichs admitted, adding she recently started to make baskets out of coiled pine needles.
Hinrichs said she wants to perfect her technique before trying to make pine needle baskets for sale, but it’s possible she might make some made in time for Christmas.
Hinrichs also noted she’s lived here for 15 years, but only found the Fine Line Art Gallery a few years ago and was amazed by the selection of artwork available there.
“It’s a great venue for people to show their wares,” she remarked.
As noted, the Fine Line Art Gallery is getting set to hold its “Spring Fling 2016”—showcasing the colour orange—this Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Most of the art will be on sale—perfect for a unique Mother’s Day gift.
To enter your orange art in the show, call 274-2242.
