Is that a face? A flower? Or perhaps a colourful blob?
Sometimes abstract art can be a bit difficult to figure out but that's part of the appeal, according to UpStares Gallery owner Linda Bachman.
"I love the rhythm of abstract, I love the colouration and depth of abstract. I love a real good balanced piece even thought it doesn't look like anything specific. They're very decorative," Bachman said.
Starting Wednesday (April 21) the UpStares Gallery exhibits multi-medium abstract art from more than 25 local artists.
"It's an invitation to all artists to actually push the limits," said Bachman.
"It's bringing a contemporary edge with local artists. We just want to take it up to another level with no limit and push ourselves and see where we can develop into the abstract mode.
"It's learning how to stop detailing when you get in to abstract or looking at it in a wider scope through shadows and shapes so it's almost like an exercise for us."
With an abstract art submission deadline of Sunday (April 18), Bachman said she expects a wide variety of abstract work to be submitted for the showcase.
Thus far, the UpStares Gallery has received pottery from Kay Austen, jewelry from Susan Remnant, a few woodcarvings from Martin Thorne, some metal pieces from Fran Solar and a few paintings from Toby Jaxon.
"It's really a whole wide of styles because some are whimsical, some are very geometric, some are very colourful and it's unlimited subject matter, but I've requested Squamish abstracts hoping that we'll see some scenery in the abstract mode because that's always popular here," said Bachman.
The Squamish Abstracts show hangs from Wednesday (April 21) to Monday May 31.
Also this month, local painter Zoe Evamy will host a crash course on watercolour at the UpStares Gallery on Saturday (April 24) from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"It's absolutely my favourite medium and I use all the different mediums. Watercolour is really fluid. I love it because it's so clean, you just add water. It's very versatile too. You can use it for developing ideas as well as making finished paintings," said Evamy, a painter and art director.
The one-day course will take participants through the stages of creating a painting from drawing to completed artwork.
"It's quite intensive because it's quite a lot of work to get done and a lot to pack in," said Evamy.
The watercolour specialist said anyone could join her workshop - a skilled artist, or just an art lover.
"It's for anyone interested in what goes into making a painting."
The watercolour course costs $75 per person and most materials are included, however, Evamy does ask attendees to bring in a mid-sized (No. 7) watercolour brush as well as a one-inch soft bristle watercolour brush.
Anyone interested in participating in the watercolour course can register at the UpStares Gallery or directly through Evamy at [email protected].
For additional information on upcoming exhibits, workshops or to rent a room in the Cleveland Avenue UpStares Gallery visit www.upstaresgallery.com/.
