Castlegar Art Walk 2014 runs until September 14, featuring more than 30 local and regional artists and artisans, displaying work at 26 venues around Castlegar. Maps for this self-guided art tour are available at the Castlegar Visitor Centre. For more information, please visit www.castlegarculture.com/culture-guide/castlegar-art-walk.
Each week, The Castlegar News is featuring biographies from various artists in the show.
Barbara Legg:
BIO:
I started painting in my teens as a form of expression, never realizing it would develop into a life-long activity. My first medium was oil, until I later began using acrylics and eventually chalk pastel after taking a portraiture course in the 1990s. I’m fascinated with how chalk pastel can portray light and texture in hair and skin; and also reflections in glass and metallic surfaces.
What began as a simple way of expressing my feelings in my youth has continued into my retirement as a way of communicating how I feel about the people in my life and the beauty surrounding me. I hope my paintings convey the joy of these relationships.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
My paintings’ inspiration comes from my community activities and experiences in everyday life. Nathan plays the Blues, was inspired by a fellow band member from the Stanley Humphries High School Band, where I play the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Family also serves as subject matter and in Embracing the Light, I have tried to symbolize and depict the accepting spirit of children.
The act of painting has always been more important to me than the finished product. Pond at Kohan Gardens, for example, was painted after I found myself needing to relax after an intense morning of clarinet practice. In Eagle-eye View of Brilliant, I have expressed the ever-changing vista I see on my daily walks near my home at the convergence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers.
Diane Robinson: (Pictured below: "Rose Quartz on Zebra)
BIO & ARTIST STATEMENT:
I am an avid “rock-hound” and a member of the local Selkirk Rock and Mineral Club. I collect the base rocks for my trees myself and I’m always ready to go look for new specimens. I “grow” my trees from the roots up and every tree is unique. Each tree comes with a description of the powers associated with the stones used to create the tree. Trees may be special-ordered with specific semi-precious stones for birthdays and family trees.