For four days people can follow a path of artistic discovery leading to the homes and studios of potters, sculptures, painters and fine jewelry makers.
More than 30 artists are showcasing their work in the 24th annual Cedar and Yellow Point Artisans’ Country Christmas Tour Thursday (Nov. 15) to Sunday (Nov. 18) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s tour features 21 destinations and various artistic mediums.
For painter and photographer Nicole Vaugeois, it’s the third year she’s participated in the tour. Vaugeois, the owner of The Broody Rooster Gallery, is displaying her work as well as two guest artisans at her gallery, Lesley Lorenz and Marci Leighton.
“It’s nice to have that shared community energy,” said Vaugeois about the artisans’ tour.
Her gallery is a barn nestled on her farm. Vaugeois said she enjoys speaking to visitors to the gallery about her work because her inspiration comes from the rural landscapes surrounding her. It gives people the unique opportunity to see some of the landscapes and objects that are depicted in her work.
Vaugeois said it’s hard to pinpoint when she started on the path to becoming an artist.
“I’ve always been a doodler and sketcher,” she said.
In recent years, she has pursued acrylic painting. Her pursuit of photography began when she decided to take out the camera and capture some images to paint. While capturing those images she discovered the joy of photography as an art medium in itself.
Fellow tour artisan Claudia Lohmann, of Claudia Lohmann Gallery, started painting 10 years ago. She grew up in an artistic household with a father who was a painter and a sibling who was a potter.
It’s the second year she’s participated in the tour. Lohmann said she enjoys talking to visitors who drop by and discuss her work. She upcycles, taking old pieces of furniture and painting them.
“I choose a couple of colours and just go wild,” said Lohmann.
Lohmann starts her design by getting a pencil and pressing it into the wood to sketch a pattern. She creates geometric abstract paintings on the furniture pieces or on canvas. Her gallery is a little cottage located on her property. However, she paints in a studio located in her home.
The tour also includes work by Snuneymuxw artist Noel Brown, who hand carves copper, silver and gold jewelry and traditional cedar carvings. His gallery, like many on the tour, is usually open by appointment only. People can also check out paintings and pottery by artists Tom Daly and Sue Thomas at the Blue Ox Studio or the work of print maker and painter Kathy Barnson at Barnson Studio.
Tour brochures with a map and artist descriptions are available at www.cyartisans.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
