Skye Skagfeld and Dennis Brown are teaming up for an art exhibit that’s sure to brighten these darker days.
Vibrant colours and interesting textures will be featured in their work during the winter solstice art exhibit, taking place Friday, Dec. 18 through Monday, Dec. 21 to coincide with the solstice. There is no admission charge.
“Something like that to cheer everyone up a little bit,” Brown said.
Hours are 2-7 p.m. each day at the St. Joseph’s Artist Studios Gallery, 9735 Elm St. in Chemainus. All COVID-19 safety procedures will be in place for gallery visitors. Follow all directions and signs for entering and exiting the building.
You can also arrange to attend by appointment by contacting Skagfeld by email at SkyeSkagfeld@hotmail.com or calling 250-668-6880.
This is somewhat of a four times a year art exhibit tradition for Skagfeld. Her last one in September just happened to coincide with the fall equinox.
“I like to have them on the equinox or the solstice,” she confided.
September’s event was rather low-key in the midst of COVID protocols but Skagfeld hopes to make this one a little more prominent just before Christmas.
“I always like to keep doing them,” she said. “It forces me to do new work.”
The timing of the exhibit marks the transition from the shortest day of the year and the longest night to the impending brightness of days ahead under the Landscape Is Forever moniker, providing a colourful showcase of intriguing and vivid artwork.
Skagfeld will be sharing a series of contemporary landscape paintings, inspired by the simplicity of nature. Brown reacts to landscape in an abstracted form with shapes, colours and lines to express a feeling.
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“I’ll have abstract landscape paintings – all sorts of sizes,” said Brown.
So will Skagfeld, with many smaller pieces priced to sell and ideal for wrapping up as Christmas gifts.
“Even when people say they have no room, they’ve got room for these,” she laughed.
“Not so many bigger pieces. Still kind of using different techniques and having fun with it.”
A visit to Skagfeld’s art studio provides an instant adrenaline rush for the senses with wall-to-wall colour and splashes all over the artist as well.
“I really love abstract and colour,” she professed. “I’ve worked these with the water colour techniques on canvas.”
Brown and Skagfeld will provide some guiding light at the door with flashlights at the ready for those unfamiliar with the location to find their way as it gets darker.
“We’ll go down and get them,” said Skagfeld. “It’s a bit tricky to get up here if you don’t know it.”