An Okanagan artist has made a name for herself through her unique technique utilizing a black canvas, and will be showcasing her work at Nadine’s Fine Art and Frames for the month of August.
Colleen Dyson’s Okanagan Valley upbringing has offered her many areas of inspiration. Dyson’s ever-evolving style began with painting realism, for which she earned a few awards, and has morphed into oil paintings. For Dyson, the need to constantly push and grow is overwhelming.
Painting on a black canvas has proven successful for Dyson, as it adds drama to the piece and exaggerates the lights and darks. She has been studying the work of the old masters, and using a black canvas is Dyson’s way of achieving those lovely darks and solid forms in her own work. Dyson shares her expertise by teaching a colour theory class as well as hosting a workshop using her black canvas technique.
Dyson holds memberships in several art organizations and heads an art group in her hometown of Kelowna. Her work is often selected to exhibit in juried shows and can be found on numerous online art societies. Her work is also held in private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom, and has been featured in a variety of publications.
Dyson is Nadine’s Fine Art and Frames(3101-31st Ave.) artist of the month for August, with an open house Aug. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., otherwise by appointment.
