The landscape of Nelson inspires many local artists, and painter George Michael Binns is no exception.
Binns has been living in Nelson for 11 years since coming to the Kootenays from the coast.
“Back in the early ‘90s I had tendonitis in my elbow and I was off of work for quite a while,” said Binns. “I bought some primary colours, a few brushes and something to paint on. I painted for a few months, it was just something to do, I was going stir crazy and I rather enjoyed it.”
For several years he put away the paint but a couple years before moving to Nelson, while living in Langley, Binns began to paint again.
“I realized right from the beginning it was a gift that was given to me and not to be wasted,” he said.
Binns is an avid hiker and fisherman and finds inspiration for his work in nature, but finds that his best work is done intuitively.
“I think I tap into this place as Deepak Chopra calls it ‘a field of pure potentiality,’” he said. “It’s that place where you can manifest anything and everything from. I’ve learned when I get my head out of the way. It just flows and my brush and my drawing just does everything for me.”
A selection of works by Binns is on display for the month of March at Oso Negro.
