An award from an annual local contest rekindled one artist’s passion for painting in watercolours.
Shameem Khan painted the watercolours in the show, called ... A Journey, over the course of one year.
The works transport viewers around the globe, from the sun-drenched plazas and cafes in Italy and Spain, to the grey, wet streets of London.
The bustling city of New York contrasts with the lush greenery of the waters of Kerala, India.
Khan derives inspiration from architectural styles of historical landmarks, urban scenes and the relationship to people.
The light and shadow created by the buildings offer unique compositions for intimate street cafes, six-lane highways or rugged mountain monasteries.
Sketching and rendering were part of Khan’s work in professional design, for which he has a degree in architecture, that took him to jobs in India and Dubai before Canada.
Last year, Khan participated in the annual Nanaimo Heritage Paint Out, Shoot Out, where artists and photographers are given a location in Nanaimo and expected to come back with finished artwork.
Khan’s effort earned him an award and since then he has been painting on a regular basis, using traditional method of watercolour.
An opening reception will be held Friday (Aug. 5), 7-9 p.m., at the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery in Nanaimo North Town Centre. Khan’s artwork will be on display throughout August.
For more information, please visit www.nanaimoartscouncil.ca or call 250-729-3947.