Colour and light captured by members of the South Delta Artists Guild are a sure way to lift the spirits. And with over 125 paintings gracing the walls of Gallery 1710 in Tsawwassen, the current Presents of Mind show is an oasis in late fall.
Artists Ailsa Brown, Lynn Barnat, Diane Akey, Kathy Swift, Trish Murphy and Sandy Taylor offer abstracts, which are usually painted in acrylic and swirling with colour.
Landscapes by Geof Hacker and Gordon Richards come with surprises that will capture your imagination, while ceramic plates hung on the walls and shining portraits are not forgotten.
New techniques are readily displayed and Bonnie Terry’s Downtown Train exemplifies her joy in modern art.
Most think painting involves paper or canvas and brush, but think again. Several guild artists have used Yupo paper, which is made of plastic. It’s completely archival, meaning it’s made of acid-free materials that will last for years. This paper takes to lovely pourings with watercolor paint, but the actual painting is an act of will, and takes skill to pull it off.
Marlene Strain and Doris Wright have offerings that are sure to please the viewer. Roxanne Tiernan has mastered collage using torn papers and weaving these into stunning landscapes. Some works are paint pourings. Note to self: check out Sharee Reynolds.
Can watercolour paper be mounted without glass? Yes. A time-consuming technique, it is usually mounted on board, which is coated with a sealant to prevent any chemicals from leaching into the image.
A watercolour painting starts with a detailed sketch, and the artis paints with care and dries the paper thoroughly. The board is coated with glue or acrylic medium and the image is laid on top. To prevent bubbling, weights are applied until the glue is set.
An X-acto knife and a steady hand are needed to trim the image to fit the board. A spray varnish is applied. A frame is chosen, and we see the painting mounted and displayed.
Look for Gillian Olsen’s work, with scenes from Haida Gwaii to see the technique in action. Traditional works by Anne Hilton, Laurel Johnson, Enya Jorge and others also fit into the show.
Pastels are a forte of many artists, and the work of Catherine Shepard really shines. Shepard’s students are proud to fill the gallery’s walls with their adept renditions of birds, animals and any subject that makes them smile, and it will tickle the viewer, too.
Oils are an old and timeless medium, and have a wonderful sheen that’s difficult to duplicate in other mediums. One has to be careful when carrying and drying these works or the paint might wind up on the sofa, the car and the artist. Check the title cards to see the technique used and ask our docents to explain the process.
Presents of Mind is on view until Dec. 16. Gallery 1710, which is at 1710-56th St. adjacent to the South Delta Recreation Centre, is open Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
