Flower Power - Mixed Media $1,400.00

Raised amongst the temperate rain forests, mountains and endless shorelines of Vancouver Island.  Christine Stufano Simpson has always been deeply moved by nature’s immense beauty. 

The Raven - Mixed Media - $1, 400.00

Since her adolescence she has attempted to express this wellspring of sinspiration through photography, painting, and mixed media.  A self taught painter, she prefers to work primarily with acrylics. 

Recently she has been moved by the synergies between nature and the grace of the human form.  This has precipitated an artistic process which she calls body printing.  Christin’s art attempts to simultaneously capture and inspire the human spirit.  Here art is an alchemy of awe, respect and th eoverwhelming power she perceives in nature. 

"Moments to Rest" medium Gouache $325.00 CAD

Patty Patching moved to this area from the prairies to do her Master’s degree in Fine Arts at the University of Victoria.   Afterwards she continued her study of Art by becoming a Registered Art Therapist.   She paints because it feels good!  In this series of paintings Patty took her inspiration from the flow of life so visible on the West Coast…the ebb and flood of tides, lush vegetation, a  nd thirst quenching rainfalls.

"Summer Spray" medium Gouache $200.00 CAD

Being true and present to the muse of the moment, her work celebrates the spontaneity and abundance of nature.   She paints with intuition, like a bird builds a nest, one stroke fitting into another until it feels just right!

"Spiral Dance" medium Gouache $200.00 CAD

"Tropical Girl Squirrel & Gnome" Oil on Canvas $1,800.00 CAD

Raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Carollyne Yardley completed two years in the Faculty of Fine Arts, and is a graduate of the University of Victoria, where she completed a double major in Psychology and History in Art. Most recently, she has taken art classes at the Victoria College of Art and studied with Tony Ryder at The Ryder Studio School in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Since 1997, she has been the founder, business owner and creative director of a software application & web development company which provided her with a strong foundation in the visual communications industry.

“I view art and design as a process of thinking, creating, problem-solving, and communicating,” says Carollyne.

She cites a wide, ecclectic range of influences that inspire her work—not just Dali, Mark Ryden, Todd Schorr, Pop Surrealism, Raphael, Ingres and Norman Rockwell, but also Lucille Ball, Elaine from Seinfeld, Wonder Woman, Elvis Presley, and helicopter rides.

In September 2010, Carollyne launched her new business as a visual artist, and began to remove the mask of technology to emerge as her true self, standing with her hands on her hips, yelling and laughing at the squirrels in her yard.

She lives in Victoria, BC, with her husband.

"Centre Piece" original acrylic on canvas - $1,295.00 CAD

    Marilyn is an expressionist painter working and residing in the Comox Valley, British Columbia. Art has been a strong passion for her from a very young age. In the 70’s, she majored in Fine Art in high school with the dream to further her art studies, but life chose a different path for her at the time.

"Cedar Rest" Original acrylic on canvas - $1,595.00 CAD

    Her and her husband moved to the Comox Valley in the early 80’s. Yet, she continued to put her art dream on hold to start a family. When their children reached elementary age, Marilyn extended her knowledge in art working as a versatile artist throughout the Comox Valley. She volunteered with a theatre group where she gained extensive experience as a set designer and painter. With this experience, she was offered many mural jobs from the downtown Courtenay and Campbell River BC merchants. Soon after, she decided to complete her studies of Fine Art with North Island College and Emily Carr University and completed her BFA in 2009.

"Standing Tall" original acrylic on canvas - $1,595.00 CAD

    Today her art reflects on the environment with her passion of nature in her non-traditional landscapes with paint. She explores a sensorial perception of the forest through her painting process. The qualities of the landscape elevate her imagination and positive energy becomes the driving force in the creation of her work. Each painting refers to a particular place in nature, yet they are unidentifiable taken from its specific location. She paints with bold, vivid colour that allows a luminosity to vibrate and each piece has a strong sense of light. Working in a large-scale format allows her to work with a loose, gestural brushstroke.

     Marilyn has exhibited her work on canvas in Courtenay at the, Comox Airport, St Joseph’s Hospital, Grottos Restaurant, Muir Gallery, and the Comox Valley Art Gallery, she has also exhibited in Dubai commercial galleries, Victoria and Nanaimo, and private collections.

Magic Trails Acrylic on Canvas 40" x 30" $3,200.00 CAD

My abstract paintings explore different ways of expressing beauty and innovation through the choice of colours, textures, movements, and compositions.  Painting in an abstract language is a liberating process because it is reactive, intuitive, and sensual.  At the same time, the thoughtful control of composition makes it as invigorating as puzzle solving. 

That Bubbly Feeling Acrylic on Canvas 24" x 24" $1,530.00 CAD

"Birds" $995.00 CAd oil on Canvas

Lisa Hebden is a figurative oil painter working in Victoria, BC. She works from drawings, photographs, and memory to make paintings that have a sense of otherworldliness to them. She is fascinated by narrative, which carries over into the paintings: something is always happening beyond their surfaces.

Victoria figurative painter Lisa Hebden is a 2003 recipient of a Painting on the Edge Award from the Federation of Canadian Artists. Lisa holds two degrees, in Fine Arts & Graphic Design, from Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. Her work has been featured in International Artist Magazine, Applied Arts Magazine, Art Avenue, Ceramics Art & Perception, The Vancouver Sun, The Halifax Herald and the Claremont Review.

"Birds" $995.00 CAD oil on canvas

Her paintings can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Germany and Australia.

"Life on the Edge" Oil on Canvas $2,675.00

Linny D. Vine’s distinctive contemporary paintings are known for their joyful energy. Cherry blossoms in full bloom, warm curving paths that invite exploration, each building and tree alive with its own special personality. The hour of day and the time of season both captured at their fullest and most colorful.

"Red Railing" Oil on Canvas $1,175.00 CAD

Linny’s inspiration is the visual world, its

beautiful rhythmic patterns of color and light, as well as her intrigue in discovering the unusual within the usual. She combines these inspirations with her richly imaginative narration to create paintings that are full of life and joy.

"Amber Sky" Oil on Canvas $ 2,400.00 CAD

Linny’s past careers in goldsmith and garden design, plus her experience in commercial photography, contribute to the original perspective and strong design of her work. Whether Linny is painting en plein air or in studio, with oil or with acrylic, her expressive brushwork and unique vision of the world combine to create paintings that celebrate the wonderful character and joyous imperfectness of life.

Linny was born in Saskatchewan, grew up in and around Vancouver and has lived in Victoria since 1992 where she shares her love of painting with her life partner, Jeffrey. Linny’s paintings are treasured in private collections across North America and abroad.

"Dreaming of Provence" $1,450.00 CAD Oil on Canvas

 Lucy moved to the Comox Valley in 1990 after graduating from university in Edmonton.  She immediately fell in love with the beauty of the natural surroundings as well as the vibrant arts community.  A lifelong love of drawing, painting and looking at art came to fruition ten years ago when she began painting in oils.  This new medium offered the luscious, strong colours and layering ability that would enable her to develop her personl voice. 

Working from her imagination, Lucy delights in creating works that evoke a sense of  joy through colour, shape, and line.  She is immensley grateful for the opportunities she has had to pursue her passion.

"Swim" $925.00 CAD Oil on Canvas

Albuquerque #2 - original Acrylic & Resin - $1,700.00 CAD

Ira was born and raised in Bavaria, Germany. She studied French and Economics and worked as a translator in France before she became head of publicity at Warner Bros. Germany. Before Ira and her family moved to Canada in 2004, she worked as a freelance marketing consultant with her own company for the movie industry.  Since 1987 she has worked for Warner Bros., Walt Disney Company, Columbia Pictures, Constantin Film, Fox, United Artist and with several other production companies

In the Park #3 - original Acrylic & Resin - $1,900.00 CAD

After 15 years in a professional career Ira was finally able to turn intensively to what has been her lifelong interest, art. She studied art at the Vancouver Island School of Art with remarkable artists like Wendy Welch, Xane St. Phillip, John Luna, Inga Roemer and others. Independently Ira studied with Sara McIntosh Robichaud. Before she decided that she wanted to put all her concentration on painting and to become a professional painter, she also had an opportunity to study independently with Xane St.Phillip.

   Once I got the opportunity to study the work of fantastic artists like Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Hans Hofmann, Nicolas de Stael, Robert Rauschenberg it was like a door opened and lead me into the vast land of  inspiration. In my art I don’t focus on copying the realistic. I love the abstract expressionists, their work is about creation and interpretation. 

Lightness of Being orginal Acrylic & Resin - $1,200.00 CAD

I want to be part of this creative process and create something that has not existed before and that comes from  myself. Coming from a different life I understand my chance to be able to create a piece of art as an incredible priviledge.“

Beachcombers Moon $700.00 CAD

My paintings are abstract landscapes done in collage and acrylics. Collage is exciting because I feel unlimited in what to use to make a painting rich in pattern, colour and texture.

“I apply paper and other material to stretched canvas, then pour, roll, sponge, brush and drag acrylic paint over this textured, gessoed surface. Stencils, printing blocks, monotypes, rubbings and hand-painted papers are sometimes added. A coat of varnish is applied to protect and enhance the beauty of each piece.

Stream (set of 4) $115.00 CAD

“Interest in archaeology, architecture and Buddhism have influenced my work.”

Kim McVicar grew up in a pastoral setting in southwestern Ontario, Canada, surrounded by creative and imaginative people. She was always drawing and painting, particularly her own imaginary super heroines.

Space Between Things (set of 4) $320.00 CAD

Kim currently lives with her husband on Vancouver Island.

Stuffed Grizzlet

Dinah Giffin was born in 1954 in Toronto, Ontario.  While she was in elementary, junior and high school her entire focus was art, art.  In 1983 she graduated with Honors from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.  Followinmg graduation, Dinah represented the Fine Art Department for the Helen Pitt award in Vancouver, B.C.

Fish Bench

Dinah paints on recycled wood which is salvaged from old buildings, fences or is washed up on local beaches.  The paintings are framed in alder twigs or in Pacific Willow branches.  Pieces of wrecked boats which are washed up on shore and weathered boards present a natural beauty that represents years of history that blend into the ambience of her unique style of painting. 

Bear

“My roots are firmly and happily planted on our beautiful island.  There is a great feeling of inspiration from walking the beaches and enjoing the natural beauty of the ocean.  Each piece of wood has its own imperfections, nail holes, scrapes and marks which I include in my paintings.  I hope you enjoy my art.”  Dinah!

Golden Koi $1,300.00 CAD

Kimiko Ziolkowski was born in Kumamoto, Japan, and moved to Canada in August 1997. Kimiko studied oil painting with Tomoko Sakaguchi, Tokyo, Japan from 1991 and studied Nihonga (Japanese-painting) with Kiyoharu Inoue, from 1994 in Tokyo. 

Path of the Koi $1,500.00 CAD

Kimiko specializes in the medium of Nihonga, translated as traditional Japanese painting. The features of Nihonga are its use of powdered, organic mineral pigments instead of oils, bound to Japanese parchment with unique, natural glue.

Kimiko specializes in flowers, although she has done extensive work also in landscape and figures. Since coming to Canada in 1997, Kimiko’s subject matter has embraced West Coast themes.

Tumbo Channel Afternoon Glow $1,500.00 CAD

Kimiko is a regular entrant to Vancouver Island art exhibitions including the Sooke Fine Art Festival and Art in Bloom at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.  Kimiko sells through Sooke Harbour House Hotel, Peninsula Gallery, and others. Kimiko  also teaches regular classes in Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting).. She has also exhibited in many Japanese exhibitions.

Kimiko was awarded the first place (Mayors Trophy) from among the approximately 250 entrants at the Tokyo Kodaira Art Show in fall, 1996 for the Nihonga (Japanese-painting) work, Jakujo (from a Buddhist term, translated as Silent Solitude).

Blue Hat

I have been a studio potter since graduating from Kootenay School of Art, Nelson, BC in 1976.

My Work combines my love of drawing and painting with my passion for clay work.

My method of hand building using thinly rolled slabs of white earthenware clay, images are carefully drawn and incised, and textures are then rolled and embossed into the wet clay.

Working in short series I use the playful imagery and fabulous textures inspired by art deco and the “Flapper” era to showcase my eccentric imagination.  Each piece is painted with various underglazes and oxides and then fired in an electric kiln several times to develop the rich detail.

"Single Red" $900.00 CAD

Deborah is a Vancouver Island born British Columbian. At 18 she decided to see the world and joined the Canadian Forces to pursue this journey. During her 20 years with the military, Deborah traveled extensively across Canada, from West to East, North to South, and to including various parts of Europe. The diverse scenery she encountered in her travels inspired her to become a full time painter. In 1992, having decided to give her all her time to painting, Deborah retired from the Forces, went to art school and became a full time artist.

"Red B" $600.00 CAD

Formal Education -
1997 & 1998 – Ottawa University – Fine Arts
1995 & 1996 – Mission Renaissance School – Old Masters’ Techniques
1992 to 1994 – Fine Arts Diploma, St Lawrence College – Graduated with Distinction

Independent Studies
2000 – University of New Brunswick – Art Educator
1988 & 1989 – Winnipeg Art Gallery – various art courses

Teaching-

Deborah has also been on staff as an Art Instructor at Orleans Visual Art Centre, Art Study Giverny France, Ottawa Continuing Education, Coast Collective Art Centre Victoria.

Memberships -

Coast Collective Art Centre – Vice President
Colwood Art Network – Board Director
Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts – Board Member
Ottawa Art Association – President 2004-2006
Ottawa Art Festival – Board Member, 2003-2005
Ottawa Tulip Festival – Art co-chairperson, 2004-05

Dockside Ballet original Acrylic on Canvas - $395.00 CAD

Vedrana was born and raised in Croatia (former Yugoslavia) and immigrated to Canada in 1992 at the tender age of 21. The war which erupted in her country of origin acted as a catalyst in fulfilling her lifelong dream of making Canada her home. Thanks to the love and support of her uncle, aunt and extended family in Sudbury Ontario, this little dot on the map in the heart of the lake studded and wildly beautiful part of the world became her “Canadian home town” and the “mile 0” of her new life’s journey.

Many years of traveling across Canada and residing in a number of cities and towns from Ontario to B.C. added rich visual and emotional content to her “inspiration well” and deepened her appreciation of the beauty and diversity of this country’s landscape, nature and people. But it was her affinity with the ocean and the West Coast that ultimately brought her to Vancouver Island where she now lives with her husband and their two children.

Oriental Poppy #1 - Acrylic on Canvas -$465.00 CAD

Creating art has always been an integral part of my soul’s journey. It is my meditative tool, my path to discovery and understanding of self and the world around me. When I’m in alignment with something that needs to express itself through my brushstrokes on canvas, it feels as if my paintings are painting themselves and I am merely an instrument in this creative process of turning a “feel good” state of being into a material form.

I have been painting and drawing from a very early age, intuitively learning as I continued to explore different styles, techniques and subject matter.  Although I worked with oils, pastels, chalk and digital media, acrylic on canvas is my favourite medium, due to its versatility, fast drying properties and layering ability that adds a desirable dimension of depth.

Etched deepest into my creative subconscious are life’s simple pleasures: taking a closer look at an intricate flower, feelings of awe evoked by elements of nature, comfort found in past memories, beautiful scenes or familiar places, people and objects that surround us in our daily lives. While the list of things that inspire me to paint is ever-expanding, colourful still life infused with a sense of movement, gardens, landscapes and marine themes frequent my canvases as symbols of sustenance, abundance, connection with the land and fruitfulness of human endeavours.

Drenched in vibrant colors, each piece I create is a celebration of life in itself.

My hope is that the patrons and viewers of my art will be touched by the joy I feel when bringing it into existence.