The Arts Station in Fernie is a vibrant, happening venue, and with the recent opening of the “On the Wall – Off the Wall” show featuring Eileen Gidman, Laura Leeder and Win Dinn it’s even more so. These three Creston valley artists are showing at Fernie’s Arts Station through June 22, and it’s a show you’ll want to see.
An eclectic mixture of mediums, it features colourful dyes-on-textile paintings by Gidman, dreamily timeless watercolours by Leeder and richly textural mixed media by Dinn.
Leeder’s vintage-style teacup paintings, long a favourite of her followers, are now being joined by works in a style that is reminiscent of stained glass that might have been created by members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. These paintings incorporate ink and occasionally acrylic for a luminous portrayal of flora and fauna. A favourite by opening attendees was Pearl Blossoms, a jewel-toned blue and green fantasia of a floral.
Gidman’s work, of particular interest to many members of the quilting community in attendance, is fascinating for the unique painting with dyes on fabric. Her saturated colours bring life to her nature-based works, and the overstitching on her art cards highlights these beautiful vignettes. Watch for her sunflowers on a blue background when you view the show — it was a huge hit at the opening.
The textural work of Dinn begs handling, and that’s encouraged. Layer upon layer of mediums, stamps, stencils, papers and found objects keep the eye wandering through a painting or over a three-dimensional surface. Her diverse use of found objects include buttons, coins, semi-precious stones, bottle caps, metal embellishments, chains and costume jewelry. The floral landscape, Garden Patterns, had attendees bemused with the extensive shapes and styles of handcrafted flowers, all made from her hand-painted papers.
Visitors will be delighted to find a range of note cards by both Leeder and Gidman, prints by Leeder, and smaller paintings and dimensional works by Dinn, as well as the larger pieces that are the more usual fare. There’s something here for everyone, and it’s all a feast for the eyes. Looking for inspiration, colour, texture, or just plain fun? This show is the place to find them all.
Oh, and keep your eyes peeled on the Fernie Arts Station Facebook page — there’s a rumour afloat that both Gidman and Dinn will be presenting workshops there in the next while.
For more information on the artists, visit www.lauraleeder.blogspot.ca, eileengidman.blogspot.ca or windinnart.blogspot.ca. For more on the Arts Station, visit theartsstation.com.
—ARTS STATION
