A Touch of Whimsey

I began my Artistic endeavors in 1981 at Camosun College in Victoria where I studied for 2 years. Learning Perspective, composition, life drawing, & watercolors. 

In 1985, I took courses with 2 very different artists. First studying with well known Victoria botanical watercolour artist Bryony Wynne-Jones. Next Allan Mark Cross, who was the opposite, very loose, mostly Landscapes and old houses.

After I took some time to explore what I learned. I practiced daily.

My husband and I moved to Parksville in 2006. I took acrylic painting with Devon Featherstone, and Elissa Anthony a landscape artist whose style I admired. 

A few years ago, I developed and co-ordinated the free art program for seniors “Aging Artfully” and “Seniors Art Program. I taught classes at both Stanford Village in Parksville and The Gardens in Qualicum Beach, where I taught students with a range of disabilities including, blind and stroke victims, even some with dementia. Soon I had seven places to teach.  Articles about the programs were featured in the PQB News. We had to close the programs when Covid began. Today a couple of programs are still running via the MAC.

I am currently a member of OCAC, DECOSMOS and TOSH.

Covid brought isolation and a lack of social interaction. I started a group of seven ladies, we painted challenges all via internet. These social interactions though not in person satisfied our net for human contact. We chose the name “The Other Group of Seven”. We each challenged each other to paint things we didn’t paint and timelines varied on how long we had to paint the challenge. Today the group still continues but one challenge monthly. 

I have participated via the MAC’s in Exquisite Corpse Event since its inception. These three- artist-one-painting are revealed at a Gala Reception and prizes awarded. What a fun event! I gained some attention the first year with my head. I developed a semi abstract style of my own. It is in this style that I have a solo show at The MAC in September. Titled “Women’s Faces of the World, Abstracted”. I also have a banner in Parksville with one of my faces which received much attention 

Though my passion is painting flowers now-a-days, I will paint or teach any subject and I can paint in many different styles such as impressionist or abstract, watercolours, acrylics and multimedia.

Currently taking a break from Tueday painters so I can travel for longer periods. Recently while I was on vacation in Rarotonga I was invited to teach there at Gallery Tavioni, which I am giving some consideration.