After spending a full year painting 100 portraits, Summerland oil painter Bill Hibberd was ready for a change.
“I think any artist always explores and tries to find new ways to communicate what they are doing. Right now I am doing landscape. I like landscape because it speaks to me,” said Hibberd, during an event at the Tumbleweed Gallery in Penticton last week.
“I was painting people’s faces for a year and it was time to get back outside.”
The Summerland man has joined a collective of artists at Tumbleweed Gallery to show off his latest in regional landscapes. Currently Hibberd has two pieces at the Tumbleweed Gallery including an oil painting of Vaseux Lake and a larger piece that is overlooking Okanagan Lake off a bluff between Summerland and Peachland
“I often paint from the forest and find neat spots I like. I try to find something that speaks to me then try to get it down on paint,” he said.
The collective at Tumbleweed Gallery includes Margo Cooper, Kate Kimberley, Jill Leir Salter, Liz Marshall, Loraine Stephanson, Susan McCarrell, Jan Little and Hibberd. When an opening to join the collective arose, Hibberd submitted his curriculum vitae and was chosen. They were looking for an active member who could work one Friday a month at the gallery and an artist and person who would fit in well with the group.
“We like his style of work and believe he will be a good fit with the group of artists,” said Marshall.
“We took note of the fact he is always moving forward and open-minded with his art. As well he is trying different things, but largely does landscape and figurative work and that fits well with us.”
Working in oils primarily, Hibberd attempts to connect with whatever subject he is interested in and fashion a visual poem. He believes painting should open the door for others to enter into a unique space. The artist has called Summerland home for well over 20 years and has a studio on Johnson Street in Trout Creek.
“Painting has always been a passion of mine, but I had to get into business to support my family. I always painted when I could and then when I was able to I shut down the business and became a full-time artist,” he said.
Hibberd’s 100 portraits, My Tribe, was recently part of an exhibit at the Penticton Art Gallery and Summerland Art Gallery. Earlier this summer, Hibberd was informed the Summerland Art Gallery acquired some of his work for their permanent collection.
“I am committed to a life long adventure, standing on the shoulders of great painters from the past, honing my skills to be a better painter and hopefully, an artist,” said Hibberd.
