Visual Arts in the
Cape Breton Economy

Artist ~ Kenny Boone

Climbing the stairs to his gallery/studio/home, a visitor is immediately greeted by this humble self-taught , and self-employed artist.  Born and raised in Dominion , Cape Breton, he cites the fact that "this was always home" as being the main reason for not living elsewhere... where he might not face the problems he faces here.  The main problem , as for most artists is a financial one , but as Kenny explains,"I don't need that much money to live ...choices are based on lifestyle...based on freedom."  When he speaks of "need" he sites other artists having to provide for families. 

Boone states that because there is no one to take courses from,"My education is from my books."  He was not exposed to art in a formal school setting, but students of today are more fortunate.  "I participate as a visiting artist through VANS .  I'm alotted 17 hours,   which gets eaten up very quickly."

His "representational art" is mainly in watercolors, but he insists he is  "going to oils" when he learns how.In a financial breakdown of his work, he says approximately 20%  of his income is from commercial work, airbrush and signs, 35% from Images( numbered  and signed prints), 20% from tourists,and 30% from gallery shows.

Supplies are mostly bought off-island because of quality and selection.Locations include B.C. , Halifax , and U.S. Boone uses local businesses such as City Printers and S.O.S. He distributes his work to sites in Cape Breton as well as Antigonish , Halifax, and Ottawa.

He believes there are lots of opportunities to showcase his work.  The only problem being , "in small places, you can quickly saturate the market."   As of great benefit to the area , he notes that the new curator of the UCCB Art Gallery, Beryl Davis, has done a wonderful job.  Although Boone says the Nova Scotia Arts Council is a new change , "it has not been beneficial to me yet."