Exciting News for Whimsy Wednesday

Exciting News:

I am delighted to share that my artwork,, Shell Whimsy 4 (above), has been chosen as the feature artwork for the 25th Annual Vancouver Art Guild Salon and appears on the posters and flyers.

Join us on Sunday November 1, from 10 am to 3 pm 

at the Floral Hall in Vancouver's beautiful Van Dusen Gardens for a wonderful celebration of art and creativity. 

The Vancouver Art Guild will bring together talented local artists and art show and sale, offering a chance to discover unique artworks, meet the artists, and perhaps find a special piece to take home. 

I'm honoured to have Shell Whimsy 4 featured at this milestone event and look forward to sharing this special occasion with fellow artists and art lovers.  

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But I'm getting ahead of myself! Before the excitement of the upcoming Vancouver Art Guild Salon, I wanted to share a little of what I've been working on in my studio lately.

It's been a busy and inspiring time, with several projects taking shape, each exploring subjects, techniques, and subjects dear to my creative heart. 

Forest Scenes:

First, I have and still am working on a series of Forest Scene paintings.

Dragonfly 2

Hollow Forest Elder

Drawing inspiration from walks in the forest near my home, and a fascination with ferns and the lushness of the forest floor, I started a new series this year.  

Have you ever stood before a painting and felt like you could step right into the scene? This is the feeling I am striving to create in my watercolours.

I love how the rhythm of the seasons, the quiet strength of forests, and the delicate hues of wildflowers can be translated into expressive, layered compositions. 

Rich washes of green evoke the lush forest floor, where ferns, mosses and new growth create a vibrate tapestry of life. Beneath the layers, the remains of trees logged many years ago emerge as subtle forms, weathered stumps, fallen trunks: the traces of the past activity embedded in the landscape.

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Ink Drawings:

Bark Face

 

Tree at Spanish Banks 

I found inspiration for this drawing on a walk near a local pond. The rough patterns in the tree bark seem to form the features of a face. The knots and cracks resemble eyes, a nose, and a mouth, making it look as though a face is hidden within the bark.

It begins with a line,

before there is form, there is a line.

A single stroke, quiet and unassuming,

reaches across the page.

One line becomes another until shadow appears,

light finds its place,

and a simple drawing starts to breathe.

These drawings are an invitation to pause,

to notice the elegance of a feather,

the strength of a weathered branch,

the character of a face.

Every line records a moment of seeing.

Together the lines become a conversation

between the hand and the heart,

 between observation and imagination,

 between the visible and what is waiting to be found.

It begins with a line and 

each line tells a story.

 

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Shell Whimsy Painting Series:

Collected along the tideline, shells, sea-worn stones, fragments of driftwood and delicate strands of kelp have become inspiration for this series of layered watercolour paintings.

Working in the vibrant language of abstracted realism, transparent washes of colour are built layer upon layer, allowing forms to emerge gradually while retaining the sense of movement and light.

Tide line Treasures

Along the edge where sea meets shore,
I wander where the waves have been,

following the tide line's scattered trail
of things unseen and things between.

A shell, pearled smooth by years of tides,
a fragment worn by salt and sand

seaweed ribbons, driftwood curves,
small gifts delivered by the ocean's hand. 

Shell Whimsy 4

Shell Whimsy 3

Inspired by the shells scattered along the beach of Wander Island, Haida Gwaii,
 this painting offers a more realistic interpretation of the beautiful array of shells that cover that shore.

 

Red Turban Shells and Abalone

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Inspired by Travel

Another wonderful trip to Haida Gwaii this summer inspired these paintings, with more to come.

A trip to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve  offered an unforgettable opportunity to explore the ancient village sites, marvel at towering Sitka Spruce, and wander through moss-covered Cedars. Immersed in the beauty and remoteness of this remarkable place, surrounded by its rich coastal landscapes and seascapes, I returned home with lasting memories and fresh inspiration for my work.

Balance Rock, Haida Gwaii

Echoes of Tanu

We were fortunate to witness the raising of three new poles in Skidegate during our visit to Haida Gwaii. It was a memorable experience to see this important cultural tradition unfold. Here are some views of the first.

  

 

 

Our visit began at the museum, where we saw one of the poles nearing completion in the carving shed. The next photo shows the pole ready to be raised, followed by a closer look at the central section.

 

It is fascinating to witness this process and to appreciate the skill, artistry, and cultural significance embodied in these remarkable works.

 

I also have a video of the experience, which i will share in a future post!

 

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The colours, textures and quiet magic of this extraordinary landscape will continue to find their way into my paintings.

 

 

That's all for this time,

happy Wednesday, 

  with whimsy,

Gillian