Email lestall@cogeco.ca

artwork by lyn estall

The Oakville Beaver, April 9, 2009

Lyn Estall is probably best known for her cat paintings and her well-known and internationally distributed TC & Friends cat calendars and stationary line.

She has also painted many public murals, including at OTMH, and has won awards for her encaustics and environmental art.

Her paintings and sculptures are in collections around the world.

For those who have followed Estall's artistic career over the years, it will coe as no surprise that she is now turning her highly creative hand to jewelry, as she is always trying something new.

But when asked "why jewelry?" the answer is surprisingly practical.

"My husband is retiring soon and I suppose this is my 'feeble' attempt at downsizing.  I have always been prolific and earrings are easier to house  than sculptures and large paintings, and I still get to play with colour and natural elements like stones and metal.  Earrings are like mini-sculptures - art-for-ears!"

Her spring/summer line is largely comprised of combinations of semi-precious stone - amethyst and jade, turquoise, aquamarine, carnelian plus lots of fresh water pearls, quartz and crystal and art-glass, etc.

Estall will be serving wine and cheese for a fun night for people to try on her new work in her new "mini-ship" located within CH's Cafe in Bronte.

Owner CJ Martin and Estall have known each other for around 10 years, first through the Visual Word group for poets and painters, then as friends and fellow artists.

"I have three gallery spaces within the Cafe," explains Martin.  "The front is for paintings, the back is usually photography and I wanted the section in the middle to not be art for the walls, but to be art you can wear or give as a fun gift.  And who better than the highly creative Estall to do that?  Everything she does is fun and creative!"

CH's Cafe in Bronte is located at 2416 Lakeshore Road West, just east of Bronte Road.  There is a map on http://www.cjscafeinbronte.com/

The April 30 launch of Lyn's line is open to all, and will feature additional items that cannot normally be on display in the Lyn's Line Gallery on a day-do-day basis.

"A few new beautiful accessories can perk up an old outfit or become the basis for a whole change in wardrobe," says Martin.  "There is something for almost everyone in the Lyn's Line collection."