If you love the peacefulness in what you see in nature, then enjoy, with my compliments, this small collection of what I love to paint and how beautiful my backyard is.
Arno has painted nearly 500 paintings. He was also commissioned to paint 9 murals for the town of Alberton as well as one for Summerside and Bedeque.
Arno was born in Germany in 1937. In 1957 Arno came to Canada. While working at a hardware store in 1961, in Hamilton, Ontario, Arno took home some painting kits that were being thrown away because some of the little paint pots were missing. Arno taught himself how to mix his own colours together and began to paint with them.
As a child, Arno developed a keen interest in the arts. This passion eventually started him earning high marks at school.
"Stepping Stones"
It wasn't long before people started to commission pieces from Arno. Germany, Canada, and the United States have all given good homes to Arno's art.
Yet, it would still take thirty more years to pass by before Arno got serious about his art.
Arno studied under Guy Ducornet at Brock University in St Catharines, Ontario. Under the direction of Ken Gent at Niagara College, also in St. Catharines, is where Arno also took up watercolor. Landscapes are a favourite subject in all mediums for Arno.
A move from the province of Ontario, to the province of Prince Edward Island, in 1997 had Arno cooking up a storm. Another passion realized. Arno, and his wife, Linda, operated the "Art Gallery Bed & Breakfast".
The year 1998 is special. That year Arno realized a life long dream to become a teacher. Nine more years passed when Arno first opened his own art studio. Studio 407. He still teaches a number of art classes in the community, and continues to be part of the PEI art scene. Arno's daughters (Cindy and Esther) are artists too, in different mediums. They always smile when they meet a stranger in the art community that knows their dad and his art. They feel proud and impressed.
As a little girl, Linda, my wife was "Looking For The Boys". This is where she stood, looking out for the families fishing boat coming into shore. Her mums instructions were simple. "Go check and see if they are back from away. When you see them, come and tell me. I'll get dinner started". And so, the wood stove was lit.
Below you can 'tap' or 'touch' a photo and browse all the paintings individually. Prices for the paintings are just a phone call away. I hope you enjoyed this art story presentation, and feel inspired.
This home is where we woke early in the morning. It welcomed us home from school and the sea. We stoked the fire, tuned our instruments, ate the days catch, danced and sang. We all played a different 'down home' instrument. We were a family. What a great family we were. Time took its toll on the homestead, but not the love that was inside. Thank you for putting it on canvas for me Arno. Linda XO
