It was a veritable who’s who of talented artists at the Lighthouse Community Centre June 23 and their incredible pieces of art.
Several renowned local painters created masterpieces inspired by some of the gorgeous gardens in Lighthouse Country for an event organized by the Bow-Horne-Bay Community Club.
The G-art-den tour saw about 150 people visit 13 inspirational gardens in Lighthouse Country.
Each garden had local artists painting “en plein air” a French expression which means in the open air.
Seventeen artists, many of them members of the Canadian Federation of Artists, spent the day capturing the beauty of what was in front of them.
The public got to watch them in action and following the self-guided tours there was a strawberry tea and art auction at the Lighthouse Community Hall.
The artwork produced that day, fresh from the easel, was put up for sale in a silent auction with partial proceeds going to the fundraiser.
Watercolour artist and instructor Greg Swainson didn’t have to go far to paint his piece which sold for $80.
The owner of the Raintree Studio & Gallery in Qualicum Beach chose a beautiful spot on his property to paint his canvas.
Swainson who opened the studio and gallery on the seven acre waterfront location in Qualicum Beach in May 2012 said he usually works from his studio which overlooks the ocean but he enjoyed stepping outside with his easel for the event.
Swainson said he also liked checking out all of the other artwork created that day and mingling with his fellow artists.
It’s the first time Swainson has participated in the event and he said he would love to do it again.
Sales from the tour and auction raised $2000 which will go towards projects including the annual Lighthouse Country Fall Fair which this year turns 40.
Organizer Terri Bowen said the tour featured some spectacular gardens including hers and despite the wet weather that day they had a good turnout.
“It was really successful,” she said.
Bowen said this is the third time they have held the event and they will definitely do it again probably in two years time.
