Artist Marie Oickle holds one of her paintings tit.
Most people may find it hard to get inspired by rocks.
But not the painters who are members of the local artist co-operative Artists Round the Sound (ARTS).
"Once you see those rocks (of Georgian Bay) you never forget that Precambrian Shield colour," says artist Mary Jane Zissoff. "Those pinks, browns and yellows."
Georgian Bay "Rocks," a collection of work from ARTS, debuts at the CP Station on Avenue Road this month and will be on display until July 29.
And while the magnificent Canadian Shield rocks inspire most of the 43 paintings by 22 artists, they don't have to be just about the earth, said ARTS president Jane Jones.
"Georgian Bay, the place rocks," she says, saying the skies, rock formations and water are a draw and inspiration for artists.
"We have painters who are more abstract artists, so we left it a bit open for them."
The six-week show is the first of three the artist co-operative will display at the CP Station this summer and fall.
In August, they plan to present a show about the seasons called the Fantastic Four and in September, a Parry Sound heritage display in conjunction with Heritage Week.
Since the town took over the CP station, the artists rent the walls and volunteer to curate the gallery while showing their works to visitors from around the world — a guest book from last summer had 1,500 names.
This summer, tourists will have another venue to visit as well.
Beginning July 1, ARTS is also running a summer show at the old Pollard's drug store.
They've elegantly termed the old Pollard's store the James Street Gallery, in downtown Parry Sound.
This show doesn't have a theme, says Jones, but instead is a collection of the works of area painters, potters and more. They held a widely popular show there in December. "We're hoping that it will give more notoriety to the CP station. We had great attendance at the CP, but there are still people that don't know about it. It's fun to have two venues."
With so much wilderness to paint, there's no doubt they'll be able to fill it. "Georgian Bay is an attraction. There are so many artists up here and I mean the vista is incredible. It's one of the most beautiful places in North America," says Jones. "I just never get tired of it."
"You can get into finer lines and the metamorphosis of rock; how they have formed over the centuries," adds Zissoff. "I think that's what really inspires the painters up here."
The CP gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and the James Street Gallery will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.