Artist and climber聽Jenna Robinson聽is on the move.
In this series of acrylic paintings titled聽Chasing Light,聽Robinson explores the local聽landscapes and then paints that exploration in a progression of sunrise and sunset scenes with detail verging on hyperrealism.聽
Her work will be on display at The Foyer Gallery until Nov. 28.聽
Robinson plays with composition in unpredictable ways. She exploits the theme of contrast (contrast of light, contrasting colours, saturation, smooth blending juxtaposed sharp lines)聽pushing the realistic landscapes towards dreamlike, un-earthly surrealism.
Robinson says that the presence of light plays a critical role in creating the feeling of the scene.聽
鈥淟ight has a way of keeping the same landscape unfamiliar, directing attention differently each day. The intensity of light at the beginning and at the end of the day is what drew me to most of these landscapes. I am a climber, which feeds well into my passion for landscape painting as I am usually out and about and ready to capture an amazing shot,鈥� she says.聽
Robinson鈥檚 first step in her creative process is the exhilarating research phase.聽
鈥淚 get outside at all times of the day to get photos for inspiration. I play with cropping the images that I collect on my computer before getting them developed, buying the canvas and sketching out the plan. I paint systematically from the points in the distance to the foreground last,鈥� she says.聽
And like many perfectionists, Robinson often works obsessively on a painting, forgetting to eat or drink, culminating in absolute burn-out upon completion of the piece.聽
In the future, she is planning on moving away from painting predominantly mountains to explore a tree series.
顿辞飞苍-迟辞-别补谤迟丑听
Is it just a clich茅, or are potters down-to-earth?聽
In this case,聽Emily Tolmie聽celebrates culinary rituals, presenting her classic variety of stoneware, distinctive modern designs in a relaxed, homey style.聽
Her work is presented at The Foyer Gallery until Nov. 28.
Often Tolmie whimsically embellishes these wares in her signature style of 鈥渋nk look鈥� stencils or letter-stamped messaging.聽
Each piece is聽created with mid-range clay聽that is hand thrown on a potters wheel and then cut, shaped and sealed in loose creamy glazes, sometimes with a timeless ombre effect.
Tolmie is sensible and realistic and, yes, she is down-to-earth. She is broadly inspired by society, rituals of eating and family.聽
She describes her current creative stimulation: 鈥淭his series is a reflection of society coming together with food. This work reflects the importance to pause and reflect. I am influenced by the need for humans to celebrate handmade locally produced objects.鈥�
Tolmie鈥檚 work is constantly evolving as her skills improve. For 15 years she has worked part-time in ceramics but recently took the plunge to become a full-time artist, narrowing her focus.聽
鈥淚 am a craftsperson. Craft is not a bad word. A craftsperson is filled with knowledge and skill and a passion for their material. I鈥檓 enamoured with the material and the history of clay making, which is why I strive to identify with potters/craftspeople,鈥� she says.聽
Tolmie鈥檚 goals are to聽bring people together to feast and use handmade objects, to perfect the relationship between form and function. Her pragmatic future includes more and more pots.
Toby Jaxon is the curator of The Foyer Gallery, located at the entrance of the Squamish Public Library.聽
