El Parque Condominiums
El Parque Artists, Poets, Authors and Musicians
Our community has always been blessed with residents of extraordinary talents.
This page is dedicated to all of our talented friends and neighbors that are willing to share their stories with us.
To access our wonderful collection of Poetry, click on the button below.
Tony Oorschot
Casa 68
![8660995_orig.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_3827b5f4ad2f414ea5b925573340c18d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_215,y_0,w_556,h_673/fill/w_300,h_363,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/8660995_orig.jpg)
Growing up in the Netherlands I was the youngest daughter of 5 in a family of merchants. In kindergarten I was introduced to textile and handcrafts where I found my passion, working with my hands. When I tried clay, I loved the feel of it as a medium, but didn’t explore it until much later in life. In 1966 my husband, two oldest children and I emigrated to Canada; initially to Hamilton for the first few years. In 1971 the call of Northern Ontario, beckoned my husband and we decided to move to Commanda Lake. With, our now, 3 children in tow, we purchased a hunting camp. Rockcliffe Cottages became our families’ seasonal business. In the early years of our growing family I had become a very accomplished textile artist, making clothes for our children and selling handmade crafts at local craft shows. This skill has influenced my work today as evidenced in my designs using textile imprints in clay.
It wasn’t until our youngest; our final and 4th child, went to grade one, that we decided that I would go back to school. In 1979 I attended Canadore College to obtain my diploma in Crafts and Design in Ceramics. I was fortunate to be under the instruction of Keith Campbell and Jane Agnew. It was then that I decided that stoneware clay was my medium as it was tough like me.
I became a production potter inspired by the ceramic artist Michael Casin, from England, who visited while I was still at Canadore College. I loved his forms, functional works and the reduction process of his finished pottery. He was so generous with his knowledge; a really nice down to earth gentleman. Right after college, in 1981, we opened up my first studio called Rockcliffe Pottery.
I continue to be passionate about working with clay and will keep pursuing my work as long as I am able. I enjoy making more one-of-a-kind pieces now that I have the creative freedom and ability to do so. I spend 6 months in Lakeside Chapala, Mexico rejuvenating.
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Lois Schroff
Casa 89
![Lois bio.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_052f8d62988c448f8ff5e6f9710a5ecc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_408,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Lois%20bio.jpg)
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"Goddess of the Lake" by Lois Schroff
Steve Motenko
Casa 104
![steve motenko.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_a9871dce2367401794e029249661e962~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_325,h_308,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/steve%20motenko.jpg)
When he was in his 20s, Steve dreamed of being a rock star (much to the chagrin of his parents who had sent him to Harvard for four years). But for Steve, life got in the way of the dream, and he chose more reliable careers – first as a newspaper reporter, then a music teacher, then a consultant, teaching leadership to managers in a Fortune 500 company. But he never stopped singing. Now retired, Steve is dusting off the dream of becoming a rock star (well, folk-rock, anyway). First step: El Parque. Next step: Carnegie Hall! BTW, how do you get to Carnegie Hall?
![steve.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_51bcc99bc96c41d6af66e8cca009d2ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_100,h_59,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/steve.jpg)
Mick Hall
Casa 40
![Rooster.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_4adabb8195834fa197b262934691d807~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_400,h_324,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Rooster.jpg)
Rooster by Mick Hall
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![Trees.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_906d814654e949d7a0b6f3392663aa4a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_400,h_396,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Trees.jpg)
Trees - on silkscreen by Mick Hall
![Pub.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_ba13ccc2e30441e6aaa5ff0259c28690~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_650,h_298,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Pub.jpg)
My Brother in Laws Pub in England
by Mick Hall
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![Ian Anderson.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_c1326e5e76a84aa9909c4a85fd346db5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_500,h_500,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Ian%20Anderson.jpg)
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame.......
Painted back when the world was still young! By Mick Hall
![Edinborogh Castle.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_243a9138a2974725819bf6854b64b9f7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_450,h_620,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Edinborogh%20Castle.png)
Edinbrough Castle by Mick Hall
![1857738.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_fb4ab3720b664288942d8459a19f86e3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_274,h_398,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/1857738.jpg)
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Cartoon cutouts based on the old Bamforth "Saucy" seaside postcards.
By Mick Hall
Arlene Holden
Casa 72
![Ardelle.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_c1466556894f46369858d8e445cb7ab4~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_2027,h_1435/fill/w_670,h_474,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Ardelle.jpg)
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Adelle's first portrait painting
![A4.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_83b8f164b202440aa433d20d7f703f2c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_268,h_360,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/A4.jpg)
"The Caballero" is a photograph which won first prize at the ASA (Ajijic Society of the Arts) Judged Art Show in 2015
![a1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_b3b4861a320843bf88f6484c65d86c99~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_391,h_315,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/a1.jpg)
The second painting Ardelle ever produced
![A13.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_9bc8859f485d4830b2864d99a7091050~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_261,h_485,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/A13.jpg)
Confirmation Day
![A7.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_adc4bc1845094b39ac508a42a128955d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_500,h_333,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/A7.jpg)
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"Malecon de Ajijic" was purchased in a silent auction for the benefit of the The Token Store Feed Program.
Principe del Camino Real - Received 2nd prize at the ASA Judged Art Show, 2016.
Wading egret
Glacier Bay
![A5.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/113e01_279232868dbc4a6e859588e3b160c778~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_329,h_235,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/A5.jpg)
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