Artists & Artisans

Artists & Artisans: Donald Pettit

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I met Don several years ago when we were both exhibiting in The Bay Studio Tour. Since that time, Don and his lovely wife, Mara, have become wonderful friends. My first chance to photograph Don was alongside his son, Matt, for a magazine I was publishing called Neighbours in the Heart of Tiny, back in 2018. A few of those images from that session are also included in the gallery here.

Don’s studio is richly packed with a fascinating collection of memorabilia, ranging from unique art pieces and vintage cameras to a vast array of vinyl LPs accompanied by a classic record player. It also features intriguing historical items related to auto racing, WWII, and various other genres. You could easily spend hours in there just exploring the impressive assortment and listening to Don’s captivating stories about each and every item on display. Throughout our visit we were joined by the couple’s two charming rescue dogs, Woody and Joni. Can you guess the legendary musicians after whom they were named?

Don lives and works from his cozy home located just steps away from the serene Georgian Bay, nestled along the beautiful Tiny Beaches area, not far from Midland, Ontario. You can view a selection of Don’s remarkable work and reach out to him through his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/donald.pettit.756833.



Artists & Artisans: Ross Skoggard & Ginette Pelletier

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The Artists’ Atelier

I feel like I truly hit the jackpot when I managed to book two incredibly talented artists together for this project. I paid a visit to their charming home to scout out their studio, and it was exactly as I had hoped it would be. The space was filled with beautiful natural light, surrounded by paintings, drawings, and art supplies scattered everywhere, creating an inspiring atmosphere. I also enjoyed hearing about the fascinating history of their home, known as “The Captain’s House,” where they warmly welcome guests as hosts for a cozy B&B. The old wood panelling, the impressive three-storey staircase, and all the stunning art on the walls—created not only by Ross and Ginette but also by Ross’s mother—added a deeply personal and artistic touch to the entire setting.

Rather than simply telling you about them here, I’ll encourage you to explore their impressive work firsthand through their own individual websites:

Ross Skoggard: https://www.rossskoggard.com/home

Ginette Pelletier: https://www.ginettepelletier.space

We had a great chat during the photoshoot, covering a wide range of topics. We talked about many aspects of Ross’s history and background, his mother’s rich art experience in China, and we delved into thoughtful discussions about art itself. It was truly enlightening to listen to their stories and reflections while I quietly moved around, capturing moments as unobtrusively as possible.

Here are some of my favourite images from the session.