Appearing May 29 at the Pearl Ellis Gallery are oil paintings of artist Sofie Skapski’s favourite subjects.
With three distinct series of new works, it will be like three shows in one; flower studies, images of childhood, and west coast scenes where trees predominate.
From local wild flowers to exotic Australian native species, Sofie’s flowers series brings the viewer up close into a world of delicate shapes and vibrant colour. Sofie’s background in horticulture is reflected in these works with her attention to botanical detail, yet at the same time allowing the freedom of her artistic expression.
Her childhood paintings, rather than portraits of the children themselves, are portraits of moments in childhood, those magical times imbued with imagination and discovery. The west coast scenes take you from Nymph Falls to Ucluelet, echoing warm bright days of summer sun and shadow along with starker images of rugged shores and winter’s chill.
Sofie’s style flows from soft-edged representational works to lyrical mosaic-like paintings, all executed in water miscible oils.
She explores colour, light and shade, concentrating on the spaces between her subjects as much as the subjects themselves. She likes to bring small things close and look at her subjects from different perspectives as she shares her visceral reaction to the natural world in her works.
Sofie is an international artist with work in private collections in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia and England. Sofie has lived in the Comox Valley since 2004 and paints out of her home studio in Courtenay. She is also a regular contributor to Island Arts Magazine, and has work on display year round in a number of Comox Valley venues, as well as galleries in Qualicum Beach and Ucluelet.
Visit her website at www.sofieskapskiart.com to see more of her work.
Favourite Things is on display at the Pearl Ellis Gallery from May 29 through June 17. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 4 daily. Admission is free.
A Meet and Greet opening reception takes place June 3 from 1 to 4. Come and chat with the artist while enjoying tasty snacks. There is also a door prize, an original oil painting of columbines. Each time you visit you are eligible to enter the draw.
Sofie will be in attendance at the gallery throughout the show, painting on location and answering your questions. Her works are available in a wide range of sizes and prices, and cards and prints are also available.
The Pearl Ellis Gallery is located at 1729 Comox Ave. in Comox. For details or to see a virtual tour of Sofie’s show, go to www.pearlellisgallery.com or look up the Pearl Ellis Gallery on
