Wardrobe Malfunction At Clearbrook Library

By Doreen Jung, Arts Editor. I was visiting the Fraser Valley Watercolour Society’s 2014 Spring Art Show at the Clearbrook Library when I encountered a Wardrobe Malfunction. A watercolour painting by Cheryl Shaw, this image elicited both a chuckle and a sigh. Capturing a happy moment of childhood and the innocence of youth, her subject charmed viewers and sparked conversations.

Cover Photo: Wardrobe Malfunction by Cheryl Shaw

The Fraser Valley Watercolour Society is celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this year and their Spring Show features many original new paintings by local artists. “The show is fabulous,” describes Shaw enthusiastically. “I think the members have outdone themselves for the 25^th Anniversary of the Watercolour Society. The show is a wonderful salute to the versatility of watercolour. In the fall we are moving into water media which means other mediums such as acrylics will be welcomed into the Society.”

When Lyn Bryan was travelling across Canada in a motorhome, she took many photos of the beautiful scenery she saw. Painting “Lake of the Woods” was both a pleasure and an opportunity to tap into her creativity.

She used washes for the beautiful colours of the evening sky. Then misket and masking techniques allowed her to create dramatic silhouettes of trees and the rocky shore.

Carol Portree was fascinated by the way her neighbour, Suzanne did her hair. “She just ran her fingers through her hair, lifting it up like this,” demonstrated Portree.

“She was wearing a silver turtleneck and she looked fabulous.” With her ballet-looking physique, Suzanne inspired Portree to do a quick painting using white ink with watercolour on black pastel paper. Portree began by drawing Suzanne’s silhouette.

She then started with Suzanne’s hair which fascinated her the most. Moving onto Suzanne’s neck and then her face, Portree said the painting took her only 15 – 20 minutes to complete. I think she may have used a magic wand in place of a paintbrush.

Feral cats live in the barn and wander the fields near Rita Carrington’s house. One day Carrington saw a cat climb the tree in front of the main entrance of her house. As the cat sat quietly, tucked in the leaves, she saw a bird approach the tree. “I knew he was waiting for the bird,” says Carrington. “It caught my eye and once I see something that attracts my eye, that is what I paint. Carrington first captured “Cat in the Act” with her camera and then painted it in watercolour.

Inspired by the views while walking along the top of the wall surrounding the city of Dubrovnik, Marilyn Vooys created a painting of the front entrance to a church.

“I was captured by the unusual colors of the bricks,” explained Vooys. “They looked a bit blue and pink and the stairs looked so inviting. I love the tile roofs and the look of old European buildings.”

Vooys has always been attracted to watercolours. “I enjoy the challenge and I think it takes a lifetime to master it.”

Members of the Fraser Valley Watercolour Society inspire and encourage each other in their artistic endeavours. There are many intriguing stories behind the paintings in their Spring Show. The show runs until May 31^st. For more information, visit www.fvwatercolours.com.