Sheree Jones presents her first solo exhibit of succulent oil paintings, titled "Textures and Terrain," a diverse discovery of colourful textures in nature, journeys around the world as well as still life. The parallels between these unlike subjects are evident in Jones's compositions. In one piece the patterned quilt used as a backdrop in a still life beckons a landscape formation similar to that of an impression of a coastal island.
Over the years Jones has explored various media: fibre arts, silk painting, watercolour and acrylic.
"I began a mentoring program at the Holland/Croft studios in North Vancouver in 2009. There I was introduced to the luscious and buttery quality of oils. I have never looked back," said the evolving artist of her recent initiation into the enchanting medium. Her inspirations are numerous, including thriving in a mentoring studio and working near other determined students offering critiques and encouragement.
Outdoorsy and informal, Jones often paints in the field en plein air during her travels along the 小蓝视频 coast and around the world. "The art of painting outdoors with constantly shifting light is an invaluable way to study the subject and edit composition," she says, noting that she is in a mentorship with North Vancouver artists Dene Croft and Kiff Holland, as well as studying under several plein air painters in the U.S.
Jones, a coastal kid and former yacht racer, deferred companionship on the ocean to focus on painting.
"While I dearly miss being on the water, I am now dedicated to the profession of my art. It is a solitary profession, but painting in the mentoring studio provides a kind of camaraderie that continues to help my painting growth," Jones said of her professional journey.
Jones believes that her practice of painting daily has given her oils an accelerated evolution, prompting a rapid boost to her development. She endeavours to work alla prima ("first attempt" in Italian), creating a direct wet-on-wet painting in a single sitting, as opposed to many layers of thin washes.
Her goals are to continue her oil-on-canvas exploration and inspire her fellow painters in the studio.
In the future Jones sees herself as a teacher and aspires to travel and teach around the world. For more information contact: www.shereejones.com. Jones will be in attendance at the exhibit of her work on Saturday (June 9) from 1 to 3 p.m.
In the cases, Maureen Carey, creator of "leafpetalleaf," exhibits her mixed-media series of delicately embellished pressed leaves and petals. Each piece is a composition in a vintage or modern frame, which allows the "organic portrait" proper prominence.
Carey is a film industry professional and perpetually artistic. In the past she has worked in design installation, fabric and fibre arts and is also a former painter. She says the current collection of fitted work has been an evolution.
"I used to be amazed at how perfectly different plant species matched or fit together and that was almost enough. Now I feel I can embellish with more of the same. I try to see art or potential art in nature and in the everyday. I think that anything can be deconstructed and re-presented."
Carey says her leaves and petal series began as a pleasant surprise, a seminar exercise over which she had no control. She says, "People responded emotionally to the combinations. They could see movement or read stories in them and never could a combination be duplicated. I enjoyed the newness of each piece and each one was a surprise to me, as well."
Unpredictable in design, Carey admits she is inspired by other artists, general imbalance and a disturbance in beauty.
Her pieces are an unconscious juxtaposition of dissimilar elements such as manmade linnear silk or gold threaded into the organics and she has also developed a coordinating line of archival giclee prints depicting enlarged views of the same.
Carey's creative objective is to deconstruct and recreate to make people look at something differently and she is excited to continue to explore the infinite amalgamations of leaves, petals and grasses.
For more information contact [email protected] or phone (604) 738-8716.
Toby Jaxon is curator of the Squamish Public Library Foyer Gallery. She can be reached by email at [email protected]
