Lake Virginia

Virginia discovered vibrant felt pens as way of expressing dreams, impressions, ideas, encounters and visions.

Article by Greg Peerenboom
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October 3, 2014

Last weekend's Apples and Art Studio Tour was a kind of coming out party for three artists and one of their spouses.

The living room of VirginiaLake's home and recently converted bed and breakfast, Misty
Meadow, exhibited the work of Lake, her sister-in-law Joanne Quick and Betty Healey, who has some local claim to fame as a writer and business consultant.

Lake's spouse, Tom O lien, acted as the greeter and also wash Happy to share information on their new bed and breakfast, which also features a labyrinth in the back yard. "We thought this would be good time for Virginia to come out publicly with her work," Olien said, noting the couple moved into their Pilon's Point home two years ago.

Lake's exhibit was the only one of the trio to be included in Apples and Art's official list of participating artists, so it was a pleasant bonus for visitors to enjoy, as well, the offerings of Quick and Healey.

Lake's exhibit showcased her felt pen work, including a grouping called, 'boobahkoo'.
"They are faeries she developed with her (four-year-old) granddaughter Rachel," Olien said, explaining the name 'boobahkoo' was the name, Rachel "mumbled" as she
watched the work in progress.

Lake had shown her creations at last spring's TAG (The Art Gallery) juried show, but the tour is the first time they've welcomed people into their home. "It was actually during last year's (Apples and Art) tour that we met (Healey) that we got to know her and decided
to combine our work," Olien said

Olien's sister, Joanna Quick, could be considered the 'guest' artist, as she came up from Brampton to take part. Most of her work on display was 'fibre art" that is a creation woven from different materials. It is Quick's first public showing as well. "I sold one piece," she said with a smile and touch of pride.

Olien said the experience was very worthwhile, noting that Saturday alone saw about 100 people come through their open front door, and a fairly steady stream by early Sunday afternoon. Olien and Lake had lived in Toronto for a long period, but decided the eastern end of the St. Lawrence Seaway would be good semi-retirement locale, close to family in west Montreal. "We've found it to be a very friendly community," Olien said.