PORT MEDWAY – “It's not hard to be inspired living on the South Shore and all it's beauty,” says Port Medway artist Janet Clattenburg.
Together with her husband, Laurie, Janet created Chisel and Brush Artisans as a way to represent the carving and artwork they create. The couple did not start off making art together – rather, they were high school sweethearts and have now been married for 47 years, she says.
Laurie was born in Liverpool, but his family moved to Ontario while he was still young. He spent summers in the area with his grandparents. He met the love of his life in Welland, Ontario and, in 1980, the couple moved back to Nova Scotia to take a job at Michelin and to raise a family here, says Janet.
Janet has always loved art and has been painting off and on since high school. After the children were grown, she spent more time at it. Her most popular creations, though, are her carved Santas and her note cards of her painted seascapes and lighthouses.
In contrast, Laurie’s passion for carving and upcycling silverware started after his retirement from Michelin. His most popular items, says his wife, are the carved Santa ornaments and his unique spoon rings.
Janet says the recycled silverware for his pieces are hunted down everywhere and some clients bring theirs in to have special mementos made into such items as rings, bracelets and pendants.
Both Clattenburgs have had their art end up around the world. Janet’s paintings, in particular, can be found in Switzerland, United States, Spain, Brazil and across Canada. Laurie’s carvings have also travelled the world and are enjoyed by many.
Anyone interested in checking out the artwork of this husband and wife duo can find them at chiselandbrushartisans.ca or at the Port Grocer, the White Point Gift Shop, the Shelburne Museum, or at the Port Medway Crafters and Vendors Market. Janet's cards are also sold at Memories Café in Liverpool, at local shows and by appointment at their home.
Learn more about Chisel and Brush at https://www.etsy.com/ca/people/ChiselandBrush and
