The Kootenay Gallery will launch two exhibits by well-known local artists, Barbara Brown and Jenny Baillie on Aug. 1.
Barbara Brown is an artist and author residing in the Slocan Valley, where she paints and writes about the forest where she lives. Her show at the gallery is entitled Sylvan Reflections exploring her intimacy with the woods which are reflected in her paintings.
Brown expertly captures the enchantment of the forest with her juxtaposition of realism lovingly rendered, with other-worldly symbolism and/or geometric elements – sometimes hidden, and always spellbinding.
Brown has exhibited and won awards in juried exhibitions in the past and she shows her work annually during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour.
Online she exhibits at Manhattan Arts International, The Healing Power of Art and Artists (where she has won a Special Recognition Award in the Healing Power of Elements exhibition), Awards of Excellence in the Healing Power of Art 2020, and Spirit of Resilience shows. Her work is in private collections across the country.
In addition to her exhibit of paintings, Barbara will also be launching her book Volume II, Sylvan Reflections, Wanderings, Paintings and Ponderings from the Forest along with a companion film entitled On BEAUTY As We Come to It in the FOREST. The book launch will take place at the gallery on Aug. 8 at 6:30 pm. All are welcome.
Jenny Baillie has lived in Rossland for the past 40 years drawn by the skiing and the West Kootenay vibe. She has been painting consistently for twenty plus years, first in watercolours and then acrylics, which remain her preferred medium.
Initially inspired by the mountains and flowers of the West Kootenay, she has also delved into a variety of art streams such as early mountaineering women, wildlife (especially bear portraits), faces of interest, and super heroes.
Her work is well received and has found homes throughout North America, the U.K, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
“My art journey has been one of experimentation. Public feedback has been interesting," said Baillie.
"I try to explain that I am 'evolving' which is what I believe an artist needs to do. Hence the title of this latest exhibition: Evolution is not a Theory. My paintings will hopefully provide a visual story that change/evolved as an artist is an integral part of the creative process. The subtle, or not so subtle, reference to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is intentional.”
This exhibit represents both recent and previous work.
Both shows will open on Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m. with a reception, to which all are invited.
