Patricia Johnston presents her sixth solo exhibition at West End Gallery starting March 17.
Capturing arresting images of the West Coast, Patricia’s paintings have an other-worldly glow. Her mastery and sensitivity to colour and light enables her to paint harmonious and contemplative landscapes that suggest tranquility and peacefulness. Whether capturing a calm, still evening or a tumultuous West Coast storm her paintings offer magnetic vistas drawing each viewer further into the landscape.
There is a crossing over of two different worlds and of the mysterious possibilities to be found beneath the surface.
Liminal Spaces is at West End Gallery, 1203 Broad St. March 17 to 29.
There is an opening reception Saturday, March 17 with artist in attendance from 1 to 4 p.m.
Andrea Russell is the featured artist at The Avenue Gallery from March 12 to 19.
Forest Guardians series incorporates mixed metals, mixed processes, gems and fossils, each with their own unique character.
Russell has been a professional visual artist for the last ten years. She works primarily in metal, gems, found objects and leather, creating unique contemporary jewelry, sculpture, kaleidoscopes, and most recently, masks. Andrea is interested in art that lifts the heart, sparks the imagination, and stimulates the spirit. Curiosity is her primary motivating force, and inspiration is drawn from the awesome and entertaining forces of nature. She designs many pieces that involve interaction or play, and enjoys transforming passive viewers and wearers into active participants.
Her home studio is on the beautiful island of Galiano, Canada. Her work is often directly inspired by the spectacular natural surroundings just outside her door.
The Avenue Gallery is also preparing for upcoming feature artist Lorna Dockstader from March 20 to 27
Dockstader is an Edmonton-born, Calgary based, visual artist, who works in acrylic paints and mediums. Her subject strength is landscapes, currently those of Western Canada. And her recurring themes are about purity and solitude. Certain places have the ability to increase our sense of peacefulness, in an unpredictable world.
As well as her fine art practices, Dockstader was employed as a geophysical technologist. She has continued the use of her technical skills when designing many of her compositions. She believes that subtracting non-essentials, as well as the use of elegant colours, and neutrals, achieves her desired result.
“I create fictional visual events, inspired by nature. Through the mediums of paint, and technology, I can discover endless means of expression. Using colours and contrasts in unique and unexpected ways, enchants me, and also engages the viewer,” she says.
Dockstader began exhibiting in commercial galleries in 1991. In 1994 she received signature status with distinction, from the Pastel Society of Canada. In 2002, she received senior signature status from The Federation of Canadian Artists.
Eclectic Gallery presents two artists this month, Sheila Watson and Stephanie Harding now through April 7.
Watson brings bold colour to her work which spans abstraction, impressionism as well as figurative realism. Taking influences from surrealism, or figurative works across the centuries, her art is intended to uplift and expand the consciousness.
Working mainly in acrylics, Watson is an established artist who has shown in local galleries.
Harding was born to a creative family in White Rock, BC. Though generally an oil painter, her earliest paintings were watercolors and acrylics. Her interest in drawing and painting led to a fine arts scholarship upon completion of high school. After a 15-year visit to Victoria, she moved to the Okanagan where she paints a variety of styles from classic to contemporary, often exploring themes of nature and humanity.
Artist Robert Bateman explores early career with 20 rare original works at the Robert Bateman Centre this month.
A series of over 20 never-before-seen paintings from Bateman’s impressionist past comes to Victoria, exploring his earliest works from 1942 to 1965.
Bateman’s Beginnings, an exhibit at the Robert Bateman Centre now through June 10 shows the rich depth of Bateman’s artistic talents that have spanned his entire life. Taking a deeper look at Bateman’s impressionism, cubism and abstract landscapes, the exhibit highlights his long journey into nature realism. From early childhood doodles, to impressionist landscapes and abstract wintery scenes, he has always painted what was close to his heart: the natural world.
A public opening takes place on March 10 with a talk and tour by the artist, delving deeper into the en plein air experiences that inspired his earliest translations of nature onto canvas.
In addition to Bateman’s unseen original landscapes, visitors will see highlights from well known artists that have influenced Bateman and helped shape the artist he is today. American painter Andrew Wyeth would serve as one of the pivotal transitions along Bateman’s journey from abstract impressionism to realism. Kimon Nicolades’ book The Natural Way to Draw from 1941 was a major influence during Bateman’s university years. It pushed him to capture the essence of his subject matter with just a few bold strokes.
The public opening of Bateman’s Beginnings – Early works and inspirations is March 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Robert Bateman Centre: Steamship Terminal, 470 Belleville St.
An exhibition of new paintings by Rick Rivet appears at Alcheringa Gallery next month.
The series is soft and sensory and highlights Rick Rivet’s emotive exploration into Shamanistic beliefs in a contemporary Canadian context.
Set in his distinctive expressionist-primitivism style, the mix of Aboriginal imagery and abstraction creates a dreamlike canvas that captures an otherworldly aesthetic.
“Through the creative experience and its profound link to the unconscious, artists confront the on-going history of the human spirit. The search requires not imitation, but the revelation and expression of those intangibles which can only be conveyed through poetic meaning,” he says.
There will be an opening reception April 7 at 2 p.m. and the show runs to April 27 at Alcheringa Gallery, 621 Fort St.
The Victoria Sketch Club hosts its 109th annual Art Show and Sale at the Glenlyon Norfolk School starting March 20.
The 109th show is in the GNS gymnasium, 1701 Beach Dr. with an opening Tuesday, March 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. The show continues daily from Wednesday, March 21 to Sunday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing on Sunday at 4 p.m.). Visit www.victoriasketchclub.ca to learn more about the group.
History and Post War Canadian Art runs through March 17 at Madrona Gallery.
In this annual exhibition, Madrona Gallery is pleased to present a cross-section of important historic Canadian art from many of Canada’s most influential painters. This exhibition will feature works by Members of the Group of Seven, Beaver Hall Group and west coast masters including Maxwell Bates, Ted Harrison, E.J. Hughes, Toni Onley, ,Gordon Smith, Takao Tanabe and other artists from across the country.
Visit online at madronagallery.com or in person at 606 View St.
