The Gold River Gals present Experiment in Art at the Pearl Ellis Gallery from Aug. 17 to 29.
This art exhibition displays the work of Pat Buzit and Tarana (Freda Rajotte) from the Gold River Art Centre.
Both work primarily in acrylic and oil, along with pen and ink drawings, collages and paper tole. Both have painted with various art clubs in many parts of the country before moving to Gold River. Their works have sold throughout Canada and the U.S., and in Rajotte’s case, worldwide. Examples of their work can be seen in Haven Gallery and the Pottery Cafe/Gallery in Gold River.
Both are also members of Pearl Ellis Gallery.
Buzit works mainly in oil using a pallet knife.
She experiments with different shapes and sizes, different techniques and various themes. Her work moves seamlessly from landscape to abstract, leaving one pondering if this is a real or mythical landscape that you are looking at.
Whimsical Walking Sticks are part of Buzit’s art work. Using peeled alder branches, she paints cartoon-like figures on them and then varnishes them. They are sold under the name Bear Bashing Cougar Poking Walking Sticks at the Haven Gallery in Gold River and also at the Ladysmith Art Gallery.
Her pen and ink drawings of the buildings in Gold River and the surrounding vistas have been made into cards and prints and have been very well received by tourists and locals alike.
After a six-week tour of the art galleries in Europe, Buzit has been inspired to try several new approaches to her paintings as she continues to explore and grow as an artist.
Rajotte’s (Tarana) works are mainly acrylic on canvas, but ink drawings and watercolours have also been included.
Her circular canvasses attempt to present two concepts simultaneously. Based on a Chinese coin, the larger outer, circular canvas symbolizes eternity and permanence, while the inner, square canvas represents the terrestrial and more transitory.
Rajotte likes to experiment, incorporating found objects into some of her paintings, and enjoys working with differently shaped canvases, as in her Thin People paintings measuring 5.5 by 36 inches.
She also likes to use the technique of multiple canvases to reveal sequential or different aspects of a narrative, as in her painting of Stone Henge, which displays dawn, noon and night — both of the ancient great megaliths and of human life.
Large canvases enable Rajotte to explore the human journey in all its complexities, bringing the viewer a glimpse of the larger life outside of our concept of the world from our “front porch” perspective.
While both artists display and sell their artwork at Haven’s Gallery and the Pottery Cafe Gallery in Gold River, Rajotte and Buzit also participate at various venues wherever artists gather to display their creations. Belonging to the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox allows them to participate in a broader platform for their work, while interacting with other artists from the Comox Valley.
The show will run from Aug. 17 to 29. A reception/meet the artists reception will be held Aug. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The gallery is located in the lower level of 1729 Comox Ave. and can be reached from the parking lot at the rear. More information can be found by visiting www.pearlellisgallery.com.
The gallery also wants to remind visitors that there is no tax on all purchases.
• • •
The Comox Archives and Museum, along with the Pearl Ellis invite the public to attend the grand opening of the first exhibits in their new location, upstairs in the old library (dollar store) space. The opening is on Sep. 10, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m.
Watch www.pearlellisgallery.com and the newspapers for further details.
— Pearl Ellis Gallery
