Kristi Bird

Kristi Bird is a wildlife artist whose work reflects a deep and attentive relationship with the natural world. Working primarily in acrylic, she creates luminous paintings that focus on birds and small animals, often surrounded by the quiet atmosphere of their habitats. Her work explores the subtle interplay of light, colour, and layered glazing techniques that allow each subject to emerge gradually from the surface of the painting.

Kristi’s process begins with careful observation. Time spent outdoors studying wildlife informs both the movement and character of the animals she paints. Through many transparent layers of paint, she builds depth and atmosphere, allowing the light within the painting to develop slowly and naturally.

Her paintings are known for their sense of stillness and intimacy. Rather than dramatic action, Kristi often captures quiet moments—a bird perched in thoughtful pause, or a small creature resting within the shelter of grasses or branches. These scenes invite viewers to slow down and notice the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

Kristi exhibits her work across Ontario and continues to develop her distinctive approach to wildlife painting, combining strong drawing, sensitive observation, and a deep respect for the animals and landscapes that inspire her art.

Mike Doxey is a ceramic artist whose studio practice centres on the ancient and captivating process of wood-fired ceramics. One of the oldest methods of firing pottery, wood firing allows flame and ash to move naturally through the kiln, leaving distinctive surfaces that make each vessel unique.

An honour graduate of the Ontario College of Art, Mike has spent decades exploring the relationship between clay, kiln, and landscape. Known for his careful craftsmanship and deep knowledge of firing techniques, he is widely regarded as one of the most experienced wood-firing potters working in Ontario today. His work has received numerous awards, including the Hey Frey Award from the Ontario Craft Council, and one of his ceramic murals is permanently installed in Japan.

Mike is a member of 260 Fingers and regularly exhibits at Art in the Park and other fine craft shows across Ontario. His work can be found in galleries including General Fine Craft, The Tipped Ship, Obsidian Gallery, and Riverguild. His studio practice was recently featured in The Humm, highlighting both his pottery and his contribution to the regional arts community.

Inspired by the waterways and rugged landscape of rural Ontario, Mike continues to explore new techniques while honouring the timeless traditions of ceramic craft.

Robin Laffier is a contemporary realist painter who recently relocated from Hamilton, Ontario to the lakeside village of Portland in Rideau Lakes, where he has become a member of the Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association. Working primarily in oil on canvas, Robin is passionate about recreating historical scenes and transportation imagery with accuracy, atmosphere, and a painterly sense of colour.

His subjects range widely, from epic naval encounters and historic ships to railways, urban landscapes, and local rural scenes. Each painting begins with careful research, allowing Robin to build compositions that are rich in historical detail while still retaining the expressive qualities of a painting. Bold colour, strong composition, and attention to detail define his distinctive style.

Robin grew up in a home where both of his parents were artistically inclined and supportive of his creative development. Although largely self-taught, he has benefited from the guidance and camaraderie of many accomplished artists, including Ron Clark, Rick Cook, Conrad Furey, Bill Powell, Steven Arthurs, and John Stirling.

His work can now be found in both private and public collections. Since moving to Rideau Lakes, Robin has begun creating new paintings inspired by the striking landscapes, waterways, and historic character of his new home.

 Douglas MacDonald draws inspiration from the decorative stonework that adorns historic and heritage buildings. Gargoyles, Green Men, and architectural grotesques found on cathedrals and civic buildings throughout Europe and North America have long fascinated him, and they form the creative foundation of his sculptural work.

For more than twenty-five years Douglas has been sculpting and casting a wide variety of these expressive forms. Working primarily in cast stone and related materials, he creates pieces that echo the character and craftsmanship of traditional architectural carving while bringing his own interpretation to each figure. His sculptures range from whimsical gargoyles to richly detailed Green Men and other mythic faces drawn from the long tradition of ornamental stonework.

Douglas’s work reflects both an appreciation for historic building traditions and a desire to keep those forms alive in contemporary craft. Each sculpture begins as a hand-carved original before being carefully moulded and cast, allowing the details and textures of the carving to be preserved.

His work has received notable recognition, including commissions associated with Parliament Hill in Ottawa, where his sculptural expertise contributes to the ongoing tradition of architectural craftsmanship.

Visitors to Douglas’s studio can see a fascinating collection of gargoyles, Green Men, and grotesques that celebrate the enduring beauty of historic stone carving.

 Lesley McInally is widely regarded as one of the most influential potters working in Ontario today. Originally from Scotland, she earned her Bachelor of Design Honours Degree in Ceramics and Printmaking from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art at Dundee University. Her early career included managing Pitlochry Pottery in the Scottish Highlands, creating ceramic props for the film industry, and producing decorative ceramics for galleries across the United Kingdom.

In 2004, Lesley immigrated to Canada and established her studio practice in Cookstown, Ontario. There she developed the distinctive sculptural forms and richly textured surfaces for which she is now known. Working primarily with hand-built and stretched slab forms, often incorporating paperclay techniques, she combines her background in printmaking with clay to create tactile surfaces layered with slips, underglazes, and expressive mark-making.

Lesley is also a highly respected educator who has taught workshops and masterclasses across Canada and internationally. She has been an instructor at the prestigious Fogo Island Clay Studio, where artists from around the world gather to study advanced ceramic practice.

Her work has been recognized with numerous national and international awards and grants, and she continues to exhibit widely while inspiring new generations of ceramic artists through her teaching and mentorship.

Roberta McKinney began weaving in the late 1980s, and the challenges and opportunities for growth have never stopped. Working primarily with natural fibres such as wool, cotton, linen, silk, and various blends, she creates a range of functional textiles, including household items and clothing. Her work reflects both a deep appreciation for traditional weaving techniques and an ongoing curiosity about the possibilities of the loom.

Roberta works on several looms, ranging from a simple four-shaft loom to a sophisticated thirty-two-shaft computerized loom. This range allows her to explore both classic weave structures and more complex designs, continually expanding her skills and creative expression.

In 1993, she founded Maplecroft Studio, a weaving studio that has become both a personal workspace and a welcoming place for other weavers to gather and work. The studio provides an environment where ideas, motivation, and inspiration can flourish through shared learning and community.

Roberta has been an active member of the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners aandthe Ontario Handweavers and Spinners since the mid-1990s. Through her weaving and her studio, she continues to celebrate the enduring beauty and versatility of handwoven textiles.

Andrew is an Ottawa-born artist who was raised on the Rideau Canal. His impressionistic landscape art focuses on interactions with the environment that surrounds and sustains us, using visual media to weave together the chapters or moments of our life story. His inspiration is drawn from iconic scenes near his family cottage at Davis Lock. These scenes are the central theme that allows him to explore his past, present, and future.

"Every summer and most weekends, for as long as I can remember, I have immersed myself in nature along the Rideau Waterway, its parks, and trails—literally planting myself in a scene and waiting for the perfect moment to capture on canvas. This has impacted my life in immeasurable ways, and it will always be central to my artistic expression." ~Andrew

 Shaun Seaman began painting in 1993 and, now in retirement, enjoys the opportunity to devote more time to his artistic practice. Working primarily in watercolour and acrylic, he has also explored pastel and encaustic techniques. His paintings often focus on florals and the quiet beauty of lake landscapes, reflecting a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Before turning more fully toward painting, Shaun worked as both a physical educator and a Presbyterian minister. Today he and his wife, Heather, spend their summers at their cottage in Chaffeys Lock, where they enjoy time with their three adult children, grandchildren, and friends. The peaceful surroundings of the Rideau Lakes continue to inspire much of his work.

Shaun’s studio is known as Seaman’s Haven, and his artwork can be found on Instagram at Art by Shaun.

John Shea grew up in Montreal and later settled in the countryside north of Kingston, where the historic stone architecture of Eastern Ontario became a central inspiration for his work. After studying at L’École des Beaux Arts in Montreal and at Syracuse University, John went on to teach Visual Art for twenty-five years in Perth, Ontario, sharing his knowledge and passion for art with generations of students.

John’s paintings focus on the distinctive nineteenth-century stone buildings that define much of Eastern Ontario’s rural landscape. Working primarily in watercolour on paper mounted to canvas and sealed with an acrylic matte finish, he creates luminous images that celebrate both the craftsmanship of the original builders and the quiet strength of these enduring structures.

His compositions are known for their thoughtful use of negative space, which draws the viewer’s eye directly to the subject while allowing the surrounding openness to suggest atmosphere, memory, and imagination. Through this balance of presence and simplicity, John captures the essence of place.

John exhibits throughout Ontario, including at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg. His work continues to honour the permanence and integrity of the region’s historic stone architecture and the artisans who built these beloved landmarks.

Havery Shultz is a wood-burning artist and painter whose work explores the natural patterns and possibilities found within organic materials. For nearly two decades, she has been immersed in the art of pyrography, discovering images and intricate designs hidden within the grain of her wooden canvases.

Her creative process often begins by studying the wood itself. The shifting lines of the grain suggest movement, shapes, and patterns that guide the development of each piece. Through careful burning and subtle washes of colour, Havery transforms these natural surfaces into richly detailed works of art.

Always curious and eager to experiment, she continually explores new techniques, subjects, and materials. Recently, she has been drawn to the flowing forms of paisley, weaving swirling lines and complex patterns into her woodburnings. 

These designs move organically across the surface of the wood, enhanced by soft layers of colour that unify the piece.

More recently, Havery has also begun working with leather. The supple surface and the way the material responds to heat allow her to create remarkably lifelike leaves and feathers. Her studio reflects this ongoing exploration, filled with tools, colours, and materials that support a lively and evolving creative practice.

Look what crawled out of the woodwork …

Ted Stewart’s award-winning wildfowl sculptures celebrate the birds of Ontario. Each piece is individually carved from wood, sometimes left in the natural grain with subtle abstraction, but often painted with remarkable realism so that the birds appear to drowse quietly or stand poised as if ready to take flight.

In addition to carving, Ted paints on canvas, creating works that portray wildlife and the environments they inhabit. At times, his paintings also explore more imaginative visions and dreamlike interpretations of the natural world.

Ted was one of the original artists on the Rideau Lakes Studio Tour when it began in 1999, and he continues to be a beloved part of the tour today. Over the years, he has served as Artist in Residence in several national parks, and his work has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles, as well as on an episode of Regional Contact on CTV Ottawa.

Today, Ted also shares his knowledge as a judge at woodcarving competitions across Eastern Ontario. Recently, he has taken up birding with great enthusiasm, photographing Ontario’s bird species and deepening his connection to the subjects that inspire his work.

Visitors to Ted’s studio can enjoy woodcarving demonstrations throughout the weekend.