Victoria Art Salon

Barbara Wilson made her Victoria debut on Sunday September 15th with an “art salon,” which opened at The Aria on Humboldt Street. The exhibition consists of 44 paintings, of which 25 are new works created in July and August. Cutting the ribbon for the gala occasion was Jack Lohman, newly appointed director of the Royal BC Museum. Victoria Councillor Pam Madoff (photo) was a guest for the evening. The paintings were given a second viewing to many artist friends and their friends on September 22nd.

Contact Barbara for a private viewing by appointment.

RibbonCutting_low

Transformation

There comes a time when the canvases pile up, some finished but unsigned, some good, others  passable but  in need of  some tweaking , and others that have gone nowhere and need to be painted over. Those of you who paint will know the value of painting over old works. There is an energy that comes through the gesso one may apply to create a fresh surface but often a completely new work results from painting directly over the old painting and transforming it to something completely new and wonderful.

Transformation

My last posting of over a year ago was “Government House”: look how that experience  transformed into an unrelated non- objective work. For me painting is a process of layering and building up. My new exhibition  consisting of   20+  works, all abstract,  was painted  this summer in a period of  five weeks thanks to studio space at Vancouver Island School of Arts.  I invite your comment..

Spring plein air painting

Early morning rain didn’t stop a spring plein air painting date at Government House in Victoria. This official residence of the lieutenant governor is endowed with well maintained formal gardens, but on this particular visit the actual residence structure became the subject of my painting. Interestingly the soft light of the damp foggy morning allowed one to see the forms more clearly without intense shadow. As the building could only be seen at close range the view required a “fish bowl lens” approach to arrange such a large subject on the 24 x 30 canvas. The porte cochère was of special interest and I understand it was the one element which survived in this new official residence built  after fire destroyed the earlier Rattenbury-Maclure designed structure in 1957.

In this year of the diamond Jubilee it is an honour for everyone to be able to visit Government House. The grounds are open to the public. We thank the many volunteers who labour with love in the gardens.

Address: 1401 Rockland Avenue Victoria, British Columbia

 

Welcome

Welcome to my new website. Those of you who have known my past work may see how the urban landscape of Victoria has inspired  a new painting experience. Witness the change of focus from mountain ranges  of the BC interior to an interest in bold  heritage architecture Legistature

Winter so far has been kind despite predictions for snow. Recently, one cold morning I painted with a group of plein air enthusiasts on the grounds of the Legislature. The Empress Hotel, just out from my back entrance, remains a favourite subject – year round. While I continue to paint outdoors I do enjoy studio work, life drawing and abstract composition. Currently I work mainly in acrylics just for the convenience of cleanup and transportation.