Spirits Sheltered

Its exhibition season in the summer here and the last couple of weeks have been busy, along with regular painting, private teaching and just life in general. 

On July 9th, I attended the opening of Spirits Sheltered at Salmonier Nature Park.  I participated in this exhibition with other instructors of Anna Templeton Centre.  Salmonier Nature Park is a provincial wildlife rehabilitation center where visitors can hike a 3 km boardwalk trail and view wildlife along the way.

I explored new avenues in this exhibit as boats and water, my usual style, weren't appropriate. I put two pieces into the exhibit.  The first a palette knife painting depicting the dense tree coverage throughout the park which is home to so many animals.  The light coming through the trees is what caught my eye and the quiet of the woods, inspiring the title, "The Cathedral".

 

The Cathedral

14" x 18"    oil on canvas

The second piece is a relief print of a cross cut tree stump.  There was a fair bit of work and learning that went into the piece both in prep and after the printing.  I added colour with watercolour pigments and the final touch was gold leaf.  The wood is a Balsam Fir, known locally as Var.  A process shot of the printing as its pulled off the wood is shown in the poster for the exhibition.  More of these prints will be available soon.  I'm waiting for an order of Japanese papers to arrive and Canada Post keeps threatening strike action.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Where The Light Gets In
Multimedia on Japanese paper   8" x 10"

The title of Where The Light Gets In was inspired by the Leonard Cohen song of the same name.

Multimedia on Japanese paper   8" x 10"

Funds raised from this exhibition help support Anna Templeton Centre, Salmonier Nature Park and the artists.  There is a wide range of styles and interpretations of "Spirits Sheltered" and the exhibit runs until October 7th, so lots of time to visit, walk the trails and see the exhibit yourself.