VISUALS -the Squamish Valley Artists Society -presents a home-grown exhibit of locally inspired original art beginning this week. Persuasive visual images and objects of clay, paint, jewels, glass, fabric, metal and photographs create a diverse collection just in time to get ready for the holidays.
Sue Pedersen presents her granite-inspired modern quilt-art. She says, "I see patterns formed by the rock types and wind, whereas my climbing neighbours see routes and sanctuary points. Walking the endless trails of Squamish, I am bombarded by the constantly changing array of colours. I try to capture the light as it pours through the dappled alders and penetrates through their leaves."
Painter Leilani Finch says she is inspired by West Coast sunsets. "The colours of the sky are no exaggeration; the scene ridiculously vivid. I love the way the ocean ripples up onto the shallow sandbanks I want to capture the tranquility of the scene by simplifying the elements into simple shapes and use oil paints because of their rich colour and superior blending qualities."
Hot out of the kiln, Lisa Elbertsen describes her clay works: "I am always influenced by the beauty of nature that surrounds me. The flow of the glaze on my hand-built textured pitcher reminds me of the ever changing waters of the Stawamus River where I walk every day."
Zoe Evamy says, "The expressive nature of watercolour continues to fascinate me and allows me to explore new ideas and themes. It is a way of thinking and problem solving for me. I particularly enjoy a fluid, slightly unpredictable way of using paint whether it is watercolour, oil or acrylic. My paintings are often in response to a sense of impending change or at points of transition - a sense that life may not be the same tomorrow." Evamy's paintings explore the familiar, the controversial or simply the breathtakingly beautiful.
Multi-facetted artist and songwriter Joanna Schwartz presents her landscape photographers from a different perspective. She says, "I am inspired, in each of my photos, by the beauty of the scene and the contrasting colour of the foreground. My aim is to keep this sharp and the background less so, to create more depth."
Michiko Splinter's locally inspired luscious oils, reflect true Squamish.
She says, "I painted 'Home' along the theme of the show 'Home for Holidays.' I like this house in my neighbourhood. It looks very cozy and is always taken care of nicely - a home, a place to enjoy moments with family."
Metal artist Fran Solar recycles her way through snippets of odds and ends to assemble modern, industrial wall hangings and loom-created sculptures. Playing with unexpected colour combinations, she says, "The first multi-coloured vessel was woven as part of the collaboration between local visual artists and the Sea to Sky Singers. I also had found a source of coated copper wire in fabulous, brilliant colours, and a whole series of these vessels was the result."
Describing her proficient painting technique, Wanda Doyle says, "Garibaldi Lake was inspired by a photo by Jim Webster. With his permission, I painted it with oil and palette knives. This collaborative effort was a delight. I am very much enjoying palette knife work these days for its many advantages such as yummy texture, no brushes to clean and working quickly wet into wet."
Photographer Greg Wint admits he is exceedingly aware of his surroundings -visual stimulation - and that he communicates to others by what he sees via the instantaneous entrapment allowed by his camera. His artist statement reads, "My interpretation of the magic of light and its effect on how we see things is what I capture to make you stop, look and consider." Moments are fleeting, Wint says, "we turned around we saw a horse-drawn sleigh approaching us. I raised my camera and within a couple of seconds the image had disappeared but was captured within my camera."
VISUALS contributing artists are amateur and professional, spirited and creative. The local artists' society provides a forum that supports the development, education and promotion of local visual artists through mentoring, networking and sharing expertise. The artists are making a notable contribution to the community by elevating the artistic strength of our Squamish Valley and coordinating events such as ArtWalk and Art at the Market that encourage cultural tourism. It's all "Made in Squamish" in a home for the holidays!
The Squamish Valley Artists Society's group show "Home for the Holidays" is on display until Dec. 3 at the Library Foyer Gallery. A Mini-Christmas Art Market is planned at the opening reception today (Thursday, Nov. 8) from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Toby Jaxon is curator of the Library Foyer Gallery. She can be reached at tobyjaxon@shaw.ca
