With over 100 fans in attendance, four solo artists and one duo participated in Southampton Arts Centre's 2019 Battle of the Brushes fundraiser. 

Hub Staff

Four solo artists and one daring duo competed in the Southampton Arts Centre’s Battle of the Brushes on Saturday, August 24 at the historic Southampton Arts School on High Street with experience ranging from highly accomplished artists to amateur paint daubers. The event was catered by the Elk ’n Finch and local musicians of the Mike Grace Duo provided the acoustic delights that accompanied the painters' visual pursuit.

With a one-hour time limit, painters were pressed to carefully, yet efficiently, create a masterpiece under the scrutiny of spectators and a smattering of heckling from fellow competitors. At the end of the night, guests voted on the painting of their choice and the artist with the most votes received the 2019 Battle of the Brushes Trophy and enough glory to last the evening. The finished pieces were auctioned off by Pat O’Connor with proceeds going to the youth programs offered by the Southampton Arts Centre.

Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau accentuated the importance of exposing children to the arts at a young age and referred to the younger generation as the “future of the art school." Charbonneau mentioned he was surprised by the invitation to participate in the event and joked that by the end of the night, everyone would understand why.

“And if you need evidence of why it so important to introduce the arts at a young age, I again invite you to take a look at my painting at the end of the night,” commented Charbonneau, who admitted he had very little artistic education as a child. Because of his handicap, Charbonneau was allowed a painting coach who was none other than Southampton's award-winning painter Paul Mondoux.

Local comedian Jen O’Reilly acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and blended humour with sincerity to stress the purpose of the event. “Creativity is something you can’t learn in a science class,” claimed O’Reilly.

Program Co-ordinator Emily Laur acknowledged the 62 years of arts and entertainment the Southampton Arts Centre has brought to the community. She noted the 35 artists featured in the Gallery and 300 children who enjoy the art classes every summer.

“I truly believe is it important to enrich the minds with art at a young age,” announced Laur.

With over 30 years of art instruction, both at the high school level and at the Southampton Arts Centre; knowledge of many different mediums and previous participation in similar fast-paced painting events, Battle contender Marion Anderson's experienced brush left a stroke of trepidation among the other participants.

Although fresh on the painting scene, the duo of Bob ’n Ross (Rob Shular and Gerald Guenkel) had undergone intensive training under the skillful instruction of Ross's wife, Kathy Guenkel. Their comical guise portrayed a picture of incompetence but months of dedicated practice, not to mention substantial hair growth, proved these new kids were serious competitors.

Marianne Gibson had her own unique challenges as she created an encaustic piece for the competition. While her opponents were enjoying pre-painting appetizers and drinks, Gibson was dealing with power failures and the threat of not having enough of her beeswax/tree resin paint melted in time. As she worked with a hot iron and blow torch on her piece, she described the art of encaustic painting as a high risk activity where “you can completely destroy your painting at any time."

President of the Shoreline Artists Debbie James shamelessly attempted to win votes by bribing guests with a basket full of candy. Once the battle began, James went straight to business and produced a beautiful floral acrylic painting within the 60 minute time restraint.

After the votes were counted, Marion Anderson was awarded the 2019 Battle of the Brushes Trophy and her artwork contributed $400 to the overall $950 raised from the auction.

Local comedian and Southampton Arts Centre Comedy Improv instructor, Jen O'Reilly entertains the crowd at the 2019 Battle of the Brushes.

Emily Laur, Program Co-ordinator at the Southampton Arts Centre, expressed her appreciation to sponsors and participants at the Battle of the Brushes in Southampton August 24.

Debbie James attempted to bribe spectators with candies for votes at the Battle of the Brushes in Southampton August 24. She even managed to sway the vote of fellow competitor, Gerald Geunkel of Bob ’n Ross.

Painting duo Bob ’n Ross (Rob Shular and Gerald Guenkel) were primed and poised to create a “Happy Mix” masterpiece at the 2019 Battle of the Brushes, organized by the Southampton Arts Centre.

The Mike Grace Duo created a delightful soundtrack to the evening as guests witnessed a night of frantic painting.

Saugeen Shores Mayor and Battle of the Brushes contender Luke Charbonneau loaded his brush under the watchful eye of his painting coach Paul Mondoux in Southampton August 24.

Debbie James set the joking aside and got to work at the Battle of the Brushes fundraiser at the Southampton Arts Centre.

Marianne Gibson used an iron to smooth out the wax on her encaustic painting for the Southampton Arts Centre's Battle of the Brushes competition.

Artwork produced by local artist Marianne Gibson (left) and winning bidder Jennifer O’Reilly (right). Photo submitted

A stunning acrylic piece finished in only 60 minutes by local artist and President of the Shoreline Artists, Debbie James. Photo submitted

Gerald Guenkel (Ross), traded in his chainsaw for a paint brush and partnered up with Rob Shular (Bob), President and Vice Chair of the Southampton Arts Centre Board of Directors, and transformed into painting duo Bob ’n Ross to help raise money for children’s art programs at the Southampton Arts Centre. Photo submitted

Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau (left) posed with painting coach Paul Mondoux in front of his entry for the 2019 Battle of the Brushes at the Southampton Arts Centre August 24. Photo submitted

Marion Anderson held her completed piece that won her the 2019 Battle of the Brushes Trophy August 24 in Southampton. “My world is not smooth, polished or unmarked. Likewise, my canvases feature created or actual surface textures describing nature's continuous change,” said Anderson. Photo submitted

Marion Anderson (right) accepted the 2019 Battle of the Brushes Trophy from Southampton Arts Centre from Program Co-ordinator Emily Laur August 24 in Southampton. Photo submitted