Every piece in the show started off as a photograph.
‘Following My Heart’ is the name of the new exhibit of enhanced photography in the Chilliwack Art Gallery featuring recent works by Cindy Stiffon.
“All the images are things I love,” she says. “So if I don’t love it, you won’t find it up on the wall.”
Horses, landscapes, florals and vintage cars are a few of her favourite things, and they all began as images she photographed. Like old cars, which are often visually appealing, she often seeks to capture a different angle.
“I love the chrome and insignia.”
Vancouver-born Stiffon moved to Chilliwack about 10 years ago, and owns Kiliban Designs, where she offers her interior design services. She enjoys living on an acreage, and is currently developing a vineyard.
Stiffon has always expressed herself artistically, exploring photography, pen & ink, conte, charcoal, water colour oils and acrylics. She’s done some pottery by hand and paper making, but these days, it’s photography that beckons, and the creative process that follows using her Canon ipf 5000 printer with a dozen colours or more.
Stiffon started harnessing the technology to enhance her images using programs like Photoshop and Painter10.
“They can turn anything into a painting.”
Some even look like oil paintings or water colours, as she explores the beauty, captures the moment, and intrigues the viewer.
The artist has whittled down pictures from more than 80 images, down to 51 for her first solo show, which opens Saturday, Feb. 18 and runs until March 26 in the art gallery in the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
She loves the quote by Aaron Rose: “In the right time, in the right light, everything is extraordinary.”
‘Following My Heart’ by Cindy Stiffon, opening reception Feb. 18 from noon to 3 p.m
