By Melissa Smalley
If there’s one thing life has taught Lynne Flanders, it’s the importance of following your heart.
The Sheridan Lake artist, whose work is on display at the Showcase Gallery throughout the month of October, has long had a yearning to create artistically, coupled with a love for the beauty of nature.
But for many years, living in Alberta and raising three children while juggling a career in nursing meant Flanders’ passion for art was pushed to the sidelines.
Some painful losses – including the passing of both her father and first husband at young ages – spurred Flanders into embracing her love of painting and desire to be closer to nature.
“I realize that we only think we live forever – we’re only here for a short time.
“If you have a song in your heart, you’ve got to let it come out. If you don’t you’ll die with it unsung.”
It was through her father, Alex – a commercial artist, cartoonist and wood carver taught by one of Canada’s well-known “Group of Seven” – that Flanders inherited her penchant for art.
She recalls seeking out inspiration with her father in the early morning hours on the quiet shores of Lake Superior, adventures that instilled in her a love of her natural surroundings.
Though inspired by her father, she notes her painting style is much less “conservative” than his, describing her mixed-media work as high-realism, impressionism, a lot of abstract and plenty of nature.
“I’m a very high-energy, spiritual-type person,” Flanders says of her personality shining through in her work.
“I believe very strongly that we’re supported by the universe. One of the reasons I live here is I have the opportunity to be close to nature.”
Flanders moved to the Cariboo six years ago, working as an acute care nurse at the 100 Mile District General Hospital and living in her dream home on Sheridan Lake, where she met her current husband, Richard.
Now, with a lakeside art studio, and surrounded by a world of inspiration, Flanders says she is thrilled to be living the life she was meant to, painting from her heart.
As a member of the Cariboo Artists Guild, she was delighted to be asked to display her work at Showcase Gallery for the month. Flanders says she’d like to hold another show sometime next year in collaboration with other CAG members, and plans to see where her work might lead her in the months and years to come.
One thing she believes for certain is she will spend her time making the most of her life in the Cariboo.
“There’s so much we have given to us while we’re living, we just have to open up our eyes.”
To have a look at her work, which runs until Nov. 1, check out the Showcase Gallery on the main floor of the South Cariboo Business Centre at 475 Birch Ave. in 100 Mile House.
