Powell River artist Meghan Hildebrand was grown in the Yukon, and went on to study art in Nelson BC, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Over the past 10 years, Meghan's work has changed from simple and squarely structural to what could be described as a landscape-exploded. This is the place where all her personal symbols have come to mingle and converse. Animal ghosts happily inhabit our ruins. Trees take root below basements, offering cities to the sky.

Meghan likes to work on multiple canvases, often replacing brushstrokes with collage, representing fragments of time and space. The acrylic & collage under painting is finished with oil glazes. Her sunny Powell River studio is a tornado of paper scraps, paint, tools, books, sewing and music. Paradise.

www.meghanhildebrand.com.

Click Here to view CV

Arlene McLeod grew up in Courtenay from age nine and feels eternally grateful to be living here in what she considers a paradise. From the first day she moved to the Valley, she was inspired by the variety and lusciousness of the scenery which was a huge contrast to the plains of Manitoba where she last resided.

From hours on the beach examining tiny shells or watching the endless ever-changing surf, to long walks in the woods surrounded by all manifestations of her favourite colour (green), Arlene finds endless sources of inspiration. Add to that the people of the Comox Valley – this talented, vibrant, creatively burgeoning community -- and she has all the stimulation she could wish for.

Arlene works in the abstract/non-representational style. Her paintings have been said to capture the energy fields around her. She has been playing with paint for thirteen years. The most recent technique she practices is drizzle – where the paint is drizzled instead of brushed onto the canvas.

Arlene rarely knows what she is going to do when she picks up a brush; it is this uncertainty that keeps her engaged and enthusiastic. As she says: “I just hold the brush”.

View Arlene's Work at www.arlenemcleod.com

Shirley Dickie Artist Biography

Generally Self-Taught Generally I am a self-taught artist. My art educational training comes from life experience. I have been art-making since grade school. So I have been an artist for the past 50 years; practicing as a professional artist since 1996. I have received numerous and participated in a large amount of art exhibitions both locally and internationally.

As an educational component to my website I share my story to encourage emerging artists - www.dickieart.com.

Intuitive Artist Information

Composition, colour and form come naturally to me. I paint intuitively often creating work as I go along. I paint images that have appeared in my dreams and meditations. The composition and colour are decided during the painting process itself.

My Abstract Work - educational

I paint my feelings which usually manifest as complex and intricate marks, lines, colour and image. I feel I am a complex person and reach deeply within myself to express my complexity, sometimes revealing an unknown side or shadow side of myself. Our times are complex -- people today operate as multi-thinkers, using the brain to solve problems, live life physically and spiritually all at the same time. It is no wonder that we, as artists today, seek to embrace a universal language based on image and word.

Art as Experience

My work represents my experience and in doing so represents the experience of others. The images themselves hold the power to heal, reveal, and care for the people who see them. I bring an honesty and straight forwardness to my art process and often people are grateful for that. But the most thankful person involved is me...

Come on by take a look at the art and have a fabulous specialty coffee in the Bistro...

Artist Statement

I began working in textiles about 6 years ago.  At that time, I intuitively gathered supplies and tools - like remnants of textiles, beads, glue and my sewing machine - and just started layering colours, textures and shapes into different designs.  My first textile piece took years to finish, working on and off.  However, I was moved to start new pieces and enjoyed the creative process immensely. Since then, I have been inspired to continue to work with textiles.

One of the most gratifying parts of this experience has been donating pieces to raise funds for those struggling with different challenges, like the devastation of aids and war in Africa.  Much of the impetus behind my urge to create has been expressing and exploring the questions I pose to the universe:  why  do some of us seem to be given far greater challenges than others?  Who will care for the children?  Questions like these and simple daily observations of the beauty and joy all around us become subjects for my work.

Less than a year ago, I started acrylic painting and have had a wonderful experience using this different medium.  I have no formal art training, though I have always worked with colour, texture, balance and design.

Drop by The Gatehouse Bistro & Gallery to see Kim Limber's art pieces...