Vancouver Island artist Jennifer Hedge brings her The Landscape Reflected show to the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre from Sept. 14–Oct. 5.
Hedge told the Times Review she’s earned a reputation as a leading scenic artist in B.C., working in theatre and dance to create backgrounds and scenery in dramatic venues for the past 27 years.
The work, which involved lots of painting to others’ specs, took its toll on her personal painting career. Advice from a friend in 2007 helped her pick up the brush again. “He told me that I should just put the paint on the canvas and not worry about it,” Hedge said. “It turned out be be good advice. I did just that, and haven’t stopped since.”
Hedge’s works depict the beaches, seas and forests of her coastal environment on the Island, searching out a connection with the natural world around us. “I believe that when we connect with the place that we live; the landscape plays an important part in not only determining our sense of identity,” Hedge said in a statement, “but also has an impact on our sense of belonging within our environment, but also has an impact on our sense of belonging within our environment.”
She’s influenced by the Romantic movement for, “their pursuit of personal ideas, visions and expression; imagination governed the creative act, rather than convention.”
She’s particularly inspired by the works of J. M. W. Turner , whom she reveres for his ability to imbue his works with his appreciation for nature. “My main inspiration comes from nature, its many tumultuous forces and our effect on wild places and the creatures inhabiting them,” she said.
Revelstoke artist Rachel Kelly displays recent works
Revelstoke artist Rachel Kelly will displaying her recent works at the same show.
Kelly told me the show features new developments in her style, including an effort to simplify her style and process.
Her feature piece at the show is a triptych she was commissioned to create for the new Mica Heli Skiing lodge, which is currently under construction.
The work features Sir Donald, stripping down the rock landscape into monochromatic colours and focusing on form —”I’m just thinking form, form, form,” she said, “I enjoyed doing it so much.”
Other works focus on the alpine, including a depiction of the Bugaboos Spire and Mt. Begbie.
Kelly has also stripped her palette down to four colours (it’s a secret) and has revised her process, focusing much more on smaller studies, reigning in a natural artistic tendency to overdo things. “I’m always surprised with what ends up coming out,” she said.
Peter Blackmore is the third featured artist in the show.
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The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre show opening reception is from 6–9 p.m. on Sept. 14.
