Three new exhibitions are on display at the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville until March 27.
Linda Greig: “Flower Power”
Greig previously owned a bookstore, worked as a teacher-librarian and French immersion instructor, reviewed books and taught at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After taking an art course at The Old School House Arts Centre (TOSH), she developed a love of painting.
“I am very fortunate to live on Vancouver Island, where I am surrounded by lush forests, blue sea, and where breathtaking flowers come to life each spring. The natural beauty around me never ceases to amaze and motivate me to create.
One of my favourite places is my garden. Many of my paintings are inspired by rambling, colourful garden vistas, or vases overflowing with brightly hued blooms. I paint mostly in acrylic, sometimes watercolour or pastel, and often embellish with torn paper, fabric, yarn and other found materials.”
Greig also has work displayed in MLA Adam Walker’s Qualicum Beach office and TOSH.
Katherine Meredith, “Explore with me, lasting Impressions!”
Meredith’s work is an exploration into the study of water and surrounding scenery, as seen over the past year during camping trips and exploring parts of the Island. It is also an exploration of techniques and styles to produce different effects, feelings and emotions.
Born in 1958, Meredith was raised in the beautiful Gatineau Hills. She is the daughter of an accomplished architect and has been surrounded by architectural and artistic people most of her life. Meredith is a graduate of Fine Arts, John Abbott College in Montreal. She then pursued her degree in commercial art from Algonquin College in 1980. Over the years she worked for various graphic studios and printing companies and was marketing manager for a national company for 15 years before retiring to a new career of renovating homes.
Meredith has since retired and picked up her brushes full time. She and her husband moved to the Island in 2012 and it has become the backdrop to her inspirations. From cityscapes in Victoria to water scenes to the local area’s scenery, all provide her with ideas for her creative interpretation. She tries to capture the moment or memory on canvas and to explore various techniques to reflect the mood.
Meredith’s medium is acrylics, but she has also produced many works in watercolours, pencil, and carvings. She has a wide range of styles from impressionism to abstracts based on the inspiration of her surroundings.
“Nature when looked at closely, very closely, shows spectacular shapes and colours that we tend to miss or ignore,” Meredith said.
She has sold many originals and commissioned works over the years and welcomes anyone to her Nanoose Bay studio. She has shipped many paintings across Canada in the past few years as her works online are being found.
Meredith is a member of the Nanoose Bay Studio Tour, a previous member of the Merrickville Artists Guild and a past member of the Group of Six Chicks (Gallery 6 – Kemptville).
DeCosmos Fine Arts Society, “Our Backyard”
The MAC is also hosting an exhibition by the DeCosmos Fine Arts Society.
“Our Backyard – it’s where we’ve all been spending a lot of time lately. Come see what your local artists have created around this theme. All the art in this show is either 12 X 12″ or 6 X 6″ so easy to fit in any small spaces you have in your home.”
The society began in 1966 when a small group of artists decided to get together to share ideas and inspiration. The group was instrumental in the establishment of the Parksville and District Arts Council and continues to be part of the Oceanside arts community.
