Art
Local decoupage artist looking to retrieve lost works of art
An Orillia artist who has spent decades perfecting her craft is looking to enlist the public’s help in retrieving some of her lost artwork.
Peggy Little, 83, began her lifelong decoupage hobby nearly 50 years ago, fashioning realistic birds, plants, and natural scenery out of little more than paper, and transforming desks, dinner plates, and more into impressive works of art with influences from around the globe.
For the uninitiated, the art of decoupage involves using paper cutouts, paint, and even gold leaf to transform ordinary objects into artwork – all of which Little has incorporated into her work.
Over the years, Little has created countless pieces, often with great sentimental value. Her living room, for example, is currently adorned with a piece she created out of a relative’s antique desk, and a heron crafted from a photo taken near her home.
Several years ago, however, Little lost a number of pieces that she loved.
When she and her husband were looking to downsize from their Washago home to their current condo in Orillia, Little fell ill and had to be hospitalized.
Although she had planned on downsizing her decoupage collection, as well, Little said auctioneers sold off a large portion of her work during that time without consulting her.
“These are personal things that I’ve worked on for years, and they should have been boxed and brought to me,” she told OrilliaMatters.
Beyond her artwork, Little also lost the Langman family bible that had been in her family for generations.
“It had been in the family for years and years – generations – and it’s gone. Now why would somebody want to buy somebody’s Bible? It should have been returned to me,” she said.
Her hope is that if anyone has a piece of her art that’s missing (most of her artwork is dated and signed, she said), she would be willing to buy it back at the price they paid for it.
“If people had it in their hearts and knew what it meant to me, I would be willing to pay whatever they paid for it and buy it back,” she said. “It’s not like a piece of furniture. When people bought these things, they knew what they were buying.”
Little described decoupaging as a “passion” of hers, and said many of her pieces involve extensive work – the birds she crafts can take several weeks to complete, and other pieces have dozens of layers of varnish, which is then finely sanded, to produce the effect she desires.
“Your heart goes into it. It’s like somebody that does woodworking and finishes things off, and they take great pride in doing that sort of thing,” she said. “The birds and the frames … that takes probably a couple of weeks to do the feathering.”
She has travelled to the United States numerous times to learn new techniques from members of her decoupage guild, and taught numerous classes in Scarborough, Markham, and Maple over the years to anyone looking to learn the craft.
Even today, Little has numerous decoupage projects planned for the summer, and although she has retired from formal teaching, she said she is still open to sharing information about the craft with others.
Some of what Little lost during her hospital stay is as follows:
- A varnished cat, 10 inches high, with pure gold leaf;
- Two music boxes, one with a black background and “oriental” design, and another with a green background and floral design;
- A glass plate designed with flowers in a hexagon frame;
- A fire screen with three panels, with a green background and an oriental design on the front;
- A glass lamp with small red flowers and black paint transitioning to green at the top;
- A tilt top black tea table with a gold top;
- Numerous Fabrege Ostrich and Rhea eggs;
- The Langman family bible; and more
Should anyone have one of Little’s pieces of art, and would like to return it or resell it, OrilliaMatters can put them in contact with Little.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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