Alma Church Picnic Vignette - 2007

     Kerras' made folk art from memories of his childhood.  This piece is a church picnic scene he knew well when growing up in the 1960-70's in rural Prince Edward Island.  In this piece he has the hallmarks of a church picnic - the cake auction; the homemade ice cream; the knock-the-cats-over game; the man who had too much to drank; the young man giving his girl a flower; a man running to the outhouse, etc. 

Kerras' piece built in April-May 2007

Holy Trinity Anglican Church Alma Church Picnic, early 1900's

Garden planter trellis

     Back in 2001 when Arnold had just finished renovating his house, Kerras built two planter trellis' for him. Being so busy in summers with their motel they never got placed in his landscape until last thursday when he brought them out of storage for his niece's wedding.

Kerras' Racoon

    Our niece saw this piece today at a home in western P.E.I.  It's one of Kerras' earlier pieces 1995-1996.

"Canada's Friendly Giants" Our Canada 2008

    I came across this when sorting through magazines yesterday. I submitted the info for Kerras for Our Canada's "Canada's Friendly Giants" section and they combined it with a photo submission from a lady in Charlottetown for the article.

Vignette: Boy Warming Feet in Oven

     Kerras would often make art from the pictures in his mind from his childhood.  Arnold Smith bought this piece from Kerras in 2002.  
     Kerras was brought up in a large family with four brothers and two sisters - he was in the middle, three older siblings and three younger siblings, and the 5th generation of Jeffery's on their family farm in western Prince Edward Island.  When he was a child the heart of the home was the kitchen with the wood range (stove) - this was the main source of heat in the house and where his mother prepared all their meals.  In wintertime the kids would be outside skating and playing on the ice - their feet would get cold and wet, so when they came in to the house off came the boots and socks, the door to the warm oven would be opened, and a chair pulled up to sit and warm the feet.  The hat and mitts would be placed on top of the "warming oven" to dry.
     The range in this vignette is identical to the one in the Jeffery home where Kerras grew up.

Kerras' work at Iceboat Rarities & Antiques, Cape Traverse

     We were at Iceboat Rarities & Antiques yesterday as this new business opens for the summer season.  We saw lots of amazing antiques and things of interest; Kerras' art including his painted ceiling; and new to us, Bryan Maynard's Photography - excellent Island photographs from Farmboys Inc. https://www.facebook.com/farmboysinc/?hc_ref=SEARCH 
     Below is a photo from Iceboat Rarities & Antiques Facebook page displaying Kerras' and Bryan's artwork.  Be sure to talk to Larry, Jane and Ben Dugdale or any of their staff!

https://www.facebook.com/iceboatrarities/photos/a.361037100964418.1073741827.361013740966754/361037110964417/?type=1&theater

     Also, down the road a few hundred feet is Island Uniquities & Antiques where you'll also find great antiques; unique things of interest; and Kerras' art for sale.

https://www.facebook.com/islanduniquities/

     Kerras built and created many things for both historic buildings for Larry & Jane. Below the exterior features Kerras' sign; gable round window; well-pump handrail, etc.

Kerras Jeffery 1966-2017

     On June 1st Kerras passed away peaceful at home with his wife and daughters by his side - his 4-1/2 year battle with Multiple Myeloma was over.
     Below is a tribute in today's Journal-Pioneer and Guardian newspapers.

http://www.journalpioneer.com/news/local/2017/6/5/alma--p-e-i--s-kerras-jeffery-remebered-for-contribution-to-folk.html

PEI's Kerras Jeffery Remembered for contribution to folk art community

A Prince Edward Island man who turned scraps of wood and metal into beautiful art pieces is being remembered this week for his contribution to the province’s folk art community.

Kerras Trent Jeffery, 51, died at his home in Alma, P.E.I., on June 1.

“I knew him for four years and I came to love him. He was infectious,” says his friend, Larry Dugdale of French River, who delivered the eulogy at his funeral Sunday at the E. Gerald Rooney Memorial Chapel in Alberton.

“Kerras is remembered as the finest folk artist that P.E.I. has ever seen. He is also remembered for his absolute talent.”

Whether it’s the double-headed pigs carvings, the King Tut masks, the Canada Mountie beaver or the bear sculpture that guards his back door, the artist was known for his creative, playful spirit.

“Everything he did was made from repurposed materials. He would take an old gun that had lost his value, carve a moose, put it on the end and call it a moose gun. He made the Guinness book of World Records for building the largest egg beater in the world in 2005,” says Dugdale.

With an exhibition in Calgary and a website, his sculptures have been sold “all over Canada and beyond.” His commissioned work includes pieces created for Kingsbridge Garden, St. Andrews, N.B.

Jeffery, who ran Back Road Folk Art, also received media attention during his 20-year career. He was featured on “Canadian Pickers,” on CBC Radio with Shelagh Rogers and in “Saltscapes” magazine, this past Feburary as well as in The Guardian.

Jeffery, in an earlier interview, said he gradually got into folk art.

“I pinch myself sometimes. I enjoy what I’m doing. I used to be a labourer, but when I got into this, it was like a day at the beach,” says Jeffery in the video, “If You Build It — North Cape Coastal Drive’s Coastal Stories" (see the video below).  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yI5yh8GMAI

The folk artist is survived by his wife, Shirley (nee Hustler) Jeffery and children Courtney Jeffery (Travis Gaudette) and Corinda Jeffery (Matt Capicotto) and his special fur baby "Calvin".

Born on April 6, 1966, he was the son of Wilbert and Verna (nee McDowell) Jeffery of Alberton.  A brother to Carter, Robert (Barb), Randy (Christine), Diane (Glen) Wallace, Kenny (Jody), Darlene (Rheal) Lacroix he is remembered by his grandmother Empress (late Roy) McDowell, of O'Leary. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Nick Doucette (Carl), Roy Hustler (Eleanor), Bernice Costain (Gary), Norma Blacquiere (Arnold), Peter Hustler (Lorraine), Winnifred Hustler (Ivan), Priscilla Handrahan (Wendell), Barry Hustler (Rita), Joey Hustler (Darlene), Normie Hustler (Jaunita).

A carving for a friend..."Larry Here"

     I have a real good friend from Calgary for who I decided to surprise him with this custom carving of himself.
    The parachute is made from an old light shade and has the flags of the counties he's visited in his lifetime.  He's a businessman who needs his phone.

     You can see this carving in person at his antique shop called "Ice Boat Rarities and Antiques" in the old Cape Traverse United Church which will open this spring - it's only a few doors down from his other antique shop called "Island Antiques & Uniquities".