Aurora
October 07, 2008 10:09 AM
Amanda Persico, Staff Writer
During the summer, about 40 artists went to different parts of the Oak Ridges Moraine to paint the landscape.
Only 20 works were selected for an art book entitled Oak Ridges Moraine Connection with Nature, published by Aurora resident Herbert Pryke.
“The book is 20 different interpretations of my back yard,” he said. “It’s a cool way to give back to the Oak Ridges Moraine and to give exposure to local York Region artists.”
Proceeds go to preservation of Oak Ridges Moraine and is available ater this month.
The art is interspersed with text about the moraine.
“It’s not a history book,” Mr. Pryke, 46, said.
“It’s an art book with gentle reading giving a gentle prod of awareness.”
He set out to publish 1,000 copies, to be sold in art galleries and farmers’ markets in York Region.
“I never thought of the second batch of printing,” he said. “I’ve already sold 30 per cent of my goal before publication.”
The focus of the art book was the vast natural landscape of his back yard, part of the Oak Ridges Moraine. But saving the environment is overdone, he said. The art book visually impresses the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
“This is where I paint,” he said. “We have to take care of what’s on our side of the street.
Last year, Mr. Pryke was diagnosed with cancer. After being declared cancer free, the former chef became more involved in painting in his studio, which faces the McKenzie Marsh at the north end of town.
Art was his cure.
Not only did he set out to paint and promote the Oak Ridges Moraine, but Mr. Pryke also painted the different areas of inspiration and energy of feng shui to raise funds for cancer research and alternative cancer medications.
There is a direct link between physical and emotional health, he said.
“Looking at art makes you feel good emotionally and then makes you feel good physically,” he said.
The featured art on his Art for Cancer website is situated in the element of fire, where the colour red represents happiness and trees symbolize protection and security.
“Art plays on emotion,” he said.
Oak Ridges Moraine Connecting with Nature book launch:
• Oct. 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mill Pond Gallery in Richmond Hill.
• For more information about Art for Cancer, visit www.artcures.ca