Artists at Art 10 Gallery have embraced the colour blue for the gallery’s latest exhibit.
The show, Primary Elements II: Blue, runs at the gallery until the end of July.
“We challenge our members a couple of time of year,” said artist and Art 10 Gallery member Mary Ann Fleming. “This time it’s a challenge to work with the colour blue, or predominately blue.”
Members previously worked with the colour red in February for an exhibition and this fall will be challenged to work with the colour yellow.
The exhibit showcases the work of more than 10 artists who use various disciplines including acrylic, oil and watercolour paints, pottery and other mediums.
Fleming’s painting, titled The Home Coming, depicts a dog waiting in the snow for its master to come home.
“The dog waits for its master and my dog used to do that for my father,” said Fleming about what inspired her painting.
Fleming is a self-taught artist. Her journey into the creative realm started as a child.
“When I was about five, my grandmother gave me a set of oils, a miniature set of oils. It went from there,” she said.
To learn painting techniques, Fleming read books, mostly step-by-step books. She would try to match the paint strokes on the page to her own art. She said with more material on the Internet now, it’s a bit easier to learn.
Fleming’s life inspires her work.
“I see things and they stimulate my imagination,” said Fleming.
She also exhibits her work at the Ladysmith Arts Council gallery and Imagine That in Duncan. Fleming is a member of the Nanaimo Arts Council, Ladysmith Arts Council and Federation of Canadian Artists.
Art 10 was founded in 1983 when 10 artists came together to create their own gallery. Now there are more than 20 artists who are members of the organization.
Artists interested in becoming a member can contact the gallery by calling 250-756-6136. Members must pay a one-time fee of $100 to join, a monthly fee of $20 and commit to volunteering for three four-hour shifts per month at the gallery.
Before being accepted as a member, work must be juried by a committee comprising of Art 10 Gallery artists.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com