Each month, one of our DeCosmos members’ art will be exhibited in the lobby of the Beach Club Resort in Parksville, B.C. All art is for sale; please see the front desk for assistance in purchasing. Located at 181 Beachside Drive, Parksville BC.
OCTOBER 2026
HELEN GOLDRING
I am a self‑taught watercolour artist working in a realistic style inspired by wildlife and the natural world. I also paint vegetables from my garden, bridging a fascination with both flora and fauna. I am drawn to the intricate details found in nature — the colours, patterns, textures, and individual characteristics that often go unnoticed. I immerse myself in each subject, taking time to observe and appreciate its unique beauty. Many of the subjects I paint also have a personal connection or hold a particular fascination to me.
Originally from Toronto, I’ve called British Columbia my home for over twenty years and on Vancouver Island for the last eight. Surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and abundant wildlife, I find endless inspiration here.
My work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout the Oceanside community and is held in private collections on Vancouver Island, in the Yukon, and in Ontario.
SEPTEMBER 2026
SAMANTHA THOMAS – West Coast Art
Living on Vancouver Island, I have been inspired by the diverse marine life that thrives in our ocean. From the bull kelp swaying on the waves to the giant Pacific octopus to the tiniest crab on the beach, all of these elements inspire my creativity.
These underwater landscapes evoke a sense of tranquility and connection to nature. Each piece I create aims to immerse the viewer in the same sense of awe and wonder I experience observing these magnificent creatures.
To capture the vibrant colours and patterns of this underwater world, I use acrylic paint and handmade paper. Through my work, I hope to capture the beauty of the local marine life and the importance of safeguarding this precious ecosystem. What we fall in love with, we protect.
AUGUST 2026
DONNA MCDONNELL, AFCA
https://www.arrowsmithfca.ca/donnamcdonnell
Growing up in Ottawa, Ontario, Donna created art in one form or another for as long as she can remember, and always felt the challenge and excitement of trying to draw and paint what she was seeing in the world around her.
Through the years, she studied art in various subjects and mediums while working as a registered nurse. In 1987, she enrolled at Algonquin College in Graphic Design to finally make a career of doing what she loved, winning numerous awards and finishing top student in her class.
She was employed as a graphic designer and illustrator in Ottawa for over ten years before moving to Qualicum Beach in 2006. She is a printmaker and artist, working in pastel, water media, and oil, and enjoys painting outside during the dry months of summer. Most recently she has studied printmaking at North Island College in Comox, and has won awards for her woodcuts.
Donna is an Associate Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA), a member of the Comox Valley Printmakers Association, and a resident artist at the Side Door Studio in The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach.
Her paintings, drawings and prints are in private collections across Canada.
JULY 2026 – LIZ ANDRUSIAK
JUNE 2026 – SHARON BARRETTE & JANICE WALLMAN
Whimsical Art by SHARON BARRETTE
My art is inspired by my love of all things whales, the Salish Sea and my family adventures. I have been fortunate enough to display and sell my art in galleries across Western Canada from Calgary to Vancouver Island. My playful and lighthearted paintings and clay sculptures can be found in private collections throughout North America.
I also enjoy participating in public art and have done paintings for charity, as well as banners for Nanaimo’s waterfront boardwalk, creative fire hydrants and a bench by Craig Bay’s seashore.
I’m happy when my art adds whimsy to your life and brings a smile to your face!
Sharon Barrette
WhimsyArtBySharon@gmail.com
ART BY JANICE WALLMAN
I am an acrylic artist based in a Nanoose Bay. I love to create art that is vibrant and bold, characterized by saturated palettes, sharp lines, and high-contrast composition that commands attention. I am a self-taught artist and developed my skills by taking online classes, the occasional workshop and many years of studio practice.
MAY 2026 – MARY-ANN QUIST
It is such a pleasure to return to the West Coast. Born and raised in Vancouver, life has taken my family and I all across this great country, finally returning to Parksville. Travelling through these various regions has inspired my art to capture the local beauty.
I have been painting for over 40 years, since I received my grandfather’s painting supplies. The instructors that I have studied under and the opportunities to be creative and capture the natural world around us motivates me to paint. I love sharing these experiences both through my work as well as stirring the creative juices of both adults and children.
I have used various mediums over the years but have focussed on oil on canvas because of love the strong, bold, vibrant colours that I can use.
This display at The Beach Club celebrates primarily local scenes, evoking memories that people can carry home with them.
APRIL 2026 – ROSEMARY FONTENLA
MARCH 2026 – VAL WHEATER
Val Wheater Art
Hello!
I was born in Comox, on beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The daughter of an RCAF Air Traffic Controller and a stay-at-home mother. We moved a lot in my childhood, and I lived nine years of my young life overseas, mostly in West Germany.
I started painting later in life and discovered that it brought me great joy and grounding. Retirement provided me more time to paint and volunteer in the art community.
In 2025 I moved from Maple Ridge to Parksville and find myself thoroughly enjoying being a permanent resident on Vancouver Island again.
My preferred medium is now acrylic on canvas or wood. I paint in a realistic style, sometimes adding a touch of whimsy, as I try to evoke a story for the viewer. I am inspired by my passions for nature, gardens and travel, painting plein air and from my photographs.
For this display I have included a selection of Salish Sea themed artwork.
Always curious about new mediums, I recently took a workshop about Encaustic Painting and really enjoyed the textured and luminous effects. This painting technique uses melted beeswax, blended with resin, which is layered onto a prepared wood surface. Colors are achieved using little bricks of solid paints that are melted, with the wax added as the medium. Natural bristle brushes are used to “paint” the melted wax mixture. Each layer must be fused using a heat gun or blow torch. Endless options are available to the artist to embed fabric or paper into the wax layers, and to carve into the set wax. Once complete, the finished piece is gently buffed with a soft cloth. It is a very playful and highly creative process.
Thank you for your interest!