VISUAL ARTS COLUMN

AS SEEN IN VANCOUVER ELITE MAGAZINE

Have you ever asked your self what makes one artist more successful than another?

 

Sub Visual Arts

Sculptures, canvasses, trompe l’oiel… the perfect piece awaits to decorate your home.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What we identify with isn’t always light as the beauty of art is often found in raw expression. Though we all love it, we may not even always understand what it is that we love. Does it really matter though? Isn’t it sometimes nice to just feel without having to rationalize?

UP AND COMING ARTISTS

Katherine Holmes is one not-to-be missed, up-and-coming artist who’s name will soon grace many nursery and children’s rooms with her vibrant colours and whimsical creatures. Whether attempting to capture the vibrancy and movement of birds amongst foilage, or the  curious antics of colourful felines, these pieces are being scooped up far before Katherine place her last drop of oil paint or presses her last ounce of pastel colour on to any of these canvasses. Be sure to view some of her work and other new artists at the Night of Artists website www.nightofartists.com.

Internationally recognized artist, Ella Files, speaks from far within with her landscapes as she explains, “I don’t just paint how people or places look, but how they feel in connection with the ambience around them.” Her mood setting canvasses are really a diary for her as she captures her travels from such countries as Greece, Mexico, and Yugoslavia. Ella’s diary of her journey is not what she sees but what she remembers. Referred to as, “The air of light”, mood and lighting is what Ella captures best and will bring out in any room that exhibits her work. Her collection is available for viewing at www.myfanwybekker.com.

Helene Bourget’s artwork awaits to bejewel your home the way her jewelry will ornament your perfectly manicured hands. From your living room to bedroom, kitchen to dining room, Helene’s works will add that perfect final touch. From ‘trompe l’oeil’ mural evoking the misty hills of Tuscany, to her small oil paintings of fruit, each piece created by Helene, take intricacy to a whole new level of classic and contemporary refinement.

Seemaa Mehra’s fanatic love affair with natural fabrics comes from her homeland in Bombay India. These hand-dyed masterpieces feed her endless creative hunger to go on entertaining and expressing herself through the medium of art on fabric. Using only the best quality of Italian silk, her creations result in the most exotic and poignant stories unfolding on the richest and softest canvasses that wrap around the body and accessorize perfectly event he most discriminating outfit.

As the Jennifer Kostiuk Gallery, contemporary art is the focus, with almost twenty artists represented, more than two hundred pieces provide a historical reference presented in a contemporary format. Highlights include pinhole photographs, to oil & acrylic on canvas, to thermoplastic wire sculpture. Featured here is David Burdeny, who focuses on the study and exploration of quiet, innocuous space at dusk and dawn, where the land is momentarily held – emerging from and receding into darkness. He searches for ephemeral moments when space, light, and texture come together to give pause. Using black & white photography that is printed on coloured paper, these works depict subtle hues that will add to any room. Framing can be done in a traditional style or in a very contemporary one by museum mounting these photos direct to aluminum, which is then float mounted to the wall.

Jacana is pleased to introduce realist painter, Pim Sekeris. Influences by the 17th Century and romantic school of Dutch painters n the treatment of light and composition, Pim offers three qualities that distinguish his work. Beginning with the balanced composition of his paintings, a profound understanding of the principles governing the diffusion and refraction of light, and the ability to depict a wide variety of subjects in a very realistic manner are injected into each image adding fluidity, depth, and emotion. Sekeris’ style has been described as romantic which is indicative through his treatment of light. He tends to create a lyrical world in which he invites the observer to fantasize about a specific moment of the day or season represented in his painting. You may have a hard time choosing where to hang your new painting though it will work in any room used for sitting and contemplating.

Considered one of the greatest seascape artists’ worldwide, Russian artist, Sergey Koval’s seascapes arouse every sensory perception. Locally exclusive to the walls at CH Art Gallery, looking at one of his paintings, it is easy to get lost in the smell of the salt air, the feel of the cool fresh water on our skin, and the soothing sounds of the waves crashing upon the rocks. These pieces are perfec tfor almost any setting (except maybe the ultra modern), especially one with large windows or even in a study with darker walls. Condominiums and street side dwellings are especially popular choices to house this artists’ work.

At the Stone Age Art Company, owners Peter and Angie Vickery, both born in Zimbabwe, have brought not only the highest quality Zimbabwean art to our homes, but also a passion for this culture. This well documented gallery is full of biographical information that draws you right into the hearts and homeland of these indigenous  artists. There are two distinct groupings of work carried here. The Shona Abstract Sculptures work very well in a contemporary environment. Many of these pieces look Picasso-esque and because of the variety of sizes and styles and value for your money, are popular with the expanding condo-owner’s market. The realistic pieces – busts and animals – are more suitable for African tribe theme rooms, which are quite popular, and are generally included as reminders of the owner’s visits to Africa, along with other collectables purchased from around the world.

At the Inuit Gallery, sculptures fit beautifully into any contemporary setting. This art form is very versatile – especially its homeland on the West Coast. From the classic to the very modern, art pieces here compliment all. Traditionally, these pieces can be very small and are perfect for grouping together on a nightstand or showcased in an impressive display cabinet. Larger sculptures are quite simple in their form and can therefore fit or stand out almost anywhere. Stones that are not polished and do not have a high gloss finish can look great in the garden though it would have to be a substantial sized sculpture to work. As this art is from our area, placing these piece in front of any window should create a fitting theme of West Coast scenery and culture.