John Taylor likes Victoria artist Jim McFarland’s “unconventional” approach to landscape – one reason he’ll feature the Victoria painter’s works in his Eclectic Gallery this March.
“One of the things that I find about his painting is his approach is quite different than a lot of artists … he often looks at the scene and he creates blocks of colour,” said Taylor. “He has the rocks and the trees and all that but they end up being quite abstract.”
His vision, though true to the scene, often renders the subject as abstract masses of colour which harmonize to his tonal palate, the gallery owner said.
“He has an interesting sense of proportion. I like his abstract style… he’s not trying to paint every rock and stick. He in a way gets a bigger picture, so he’s able to glean the colours happening in a scene.”
A respected member of Victoria’s “Al Frescoes” plein air painters, McFarland draws inspiration from the beaches, meadows and woodlands of Vancouver Island.
“It’s a peer group of one of the best painters in Victoria,” Taylor said.
Born in Penticton, McFarland now lives in Victoria and is a signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Society of Canadian Artists. His paintings are in private and corporate collections in Canada and the U.S.A.
“We’ve shown him several years ago … He’s just returned to the fold,” Taylor said.
Eclectic hosts an afternoon reception with the artist on Saturday, March 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 2170 Oak Bay Ave.
“It’s an opportunity for anybody to come meet him and enjoy his work,” Taylor said.
The show runs March 2 to April 4.
