The annual Images art show and sale will take place from 3-9 p.m. Nov. 25 and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 26 at Rotacrest Hall, where eight artists will show their work.
Images is pleased to have Carol Schloss as this year’s guest artist. Schloss is a well known Creston artist who is a professional illustrator and fine artist.
“As a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, I am allowed to sign my name with these letters following (PSA), in art-related matters,” she said. “There are not many signature members worldwide, so it adds value to the work.” And interest!
“Lately I've been thinking about edges,” she continued. “I live on land bordering a woods, adjoining a wetlands, at the end of Kootenay Lake, at the southern edge of the province, an inland rainforest (unusual in itself), and on the border of two countries. These are such interesting places to live in and paint because they are areas of change, of transition. Step left and you're one place, turn right and you're somewhere very different. Edges can be scary places, but if you embrace the mystery, they can be quite exciting.
“In art, edges are the boundaries that define objects but can also be quite vague and ephemeral. It’s that fine line you walk that can make beautiful drawings (or terrible disasters!). The colors of edges I find especially fascinating as light moves around a form, changing color, picking up reflections, then disappearing into space. Those intangible qualities of the everyday things I draw are most interesting.”
Elaine Lester: “This year I have been focusing on drawing and using sketchbook references in my paintings. This summer I went to Red Deer College and took ‘A Week With The Model’, which was fantastic.”
Gunda Stewart continues exploring the potential of her recently built wood-fired kiln. New glazes are being developed, resulting in rich colours and varied surfaces. A new line of serving dishes has emerged from a search for pieces that will withstand the fierce heat at the front of the kiln. The full range of new glazes will be on display at this year’s Images art show.
Andy Alfoldy continues to find inspiration in the nuances of his environment and delight in the humour that comes often when least expected. The expression of these things in the medium of paint is the challenge.
Ute Bachinski: “I paint with watercolours because it offers tremendous control — it lets me do very detailed, ‘realistic’ work. And that’s fine. But then I get fed up with the control and all, and reach for the pastels. I can’t get too fussy-assed with them. And that feels really good. But that isn’t enough either. In order to satisfy my need for bold design and a certain simplicity, I turn to fabric — beautiful, touchable velvet, batik, silk and all the rest. That feels good. So it isn't that I can't make up my mind, I need the variety (but not all at once).”
Karen Arrowsmith has been painting from images from her trip across Canada. She is trying to give a feeling of the places she has been and pushing herself by using a pallet with new colors. She has been teaching throughout the Kootenays and Southern Alberta and feels that she has learned a great deal from her students and that teaching helps her grow as an artist.
Elaine Alfoldy: “From drawing sessions with fellow artists I have created mixed medium paintings this year. I keep my scissors busy cutting shapes from paper to use as ‘resists’ in semi-abstract floral watercolours. In some of my My Farm Lady watercolours, I have her busy inside the house as well as on the farm because she leads a balanced life!”
Living in the Creston Valley continues to influence Eileen Hirota’s paintings — flowers, animals, textures and vibrant colours. There have been more paintings of people in various configurations emerging this year. At the Hirota Gallery, follow-up classes on Saturday/Sunday afternoons continued last winter with the focus on skill development along with trusting one's intuitive senses. Through the local college, in mid-July, the “Exploring Mixed Media” three-day painting course again was an exciting experience with a creative group of “exploring” artists.
Eileen Gidman’s watercolour brushes have been idle since winter but that is not because she hasn't been creating art. Rather she has immersed herself in painting with dyes onto cotton fabric. Gidman will be away for this one Images show but you can follow the direction of her work at eileengidman.blogspot.com.
— IMAGES