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Painting, photography blend in perfect harmony for Diewert

Acrylic on canvas art for sale, with proceeds to CATastrophe
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Samples of Kathi Diewert’s photography on metal in the Chemainus Theatre’s upstairs lobby. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Kathi Diewert’s art is a perfect blend of her two areas of expertise - painting and photography.

“Painting is my first passion,” she said. “Photography started more seriously with grads and weddings and stuff.”

Diewert is thrilled as a hometown artist to have her work on display at the Chemainus Theatre during the current production of Lumberjacks in Love.

It’s actually the second time she’s had a show at the theatre. The first was with Front of House manager Johnny Lee.

Diewert was born in Winnipeg and her interest in art developed through courses at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. She later attended Red River College in Winnipeg and specialized in advertising art.

Instead of winding up with an art career of some sort, Diewert ended up in dentistry. “I never did figure out how to do the art world,” she laughed.

Many people with great artistic talents never go into the art field full-time so she’s not alone.

But art always remained a big part of Diewert’s life and the combination with photography just clicked. She has examples of her photography on metal art that has quite a unique look and features local scenes and landscapes.

“I like to celebrate the local area,” Diewert confided. “I don’t think it’s done enough.”

She’s done a series of four acrylic on canvas paintings displayed in the Chemainus Theatre Gallery gift shop.

“These ones I call it the costume series,” Diewert said. “They’re all past shows of the theatre.”

The paintings depicting costumes from the musical productions of Twist & Shout, Footloose, All Shook Up and The Sound of Music are all available for sale, with proceeds going to the CATastrophe organization in Chemainus that feeds members of a feral cat colony.

“I’m trying to plug that,” Diewert said of the group. “Anybody who has money and likes cats, please buy a painting. I would like to see these go and the money go to that.”

Photography actually consumes more time than her painting now and all are done with her iPhone 6, showing just how much the technology has developed. “That’s what I shoot with all the time,” Diewert said.

As an added feature, quotes from famous personalities like Mother Teresa who are near and dear to her heart appear beside the photography on metal pieces.

The quotes bring another element to the art, connecting with some pertinent saying or concept.

“I think people like a story with their art,” Diewert offered.

She considers the theatre the ideal setting for the display.

“I love this theatre,” Diewert enthused. “It’s one of the best parts of Chemainus as far as I’m concerned. It’s amazing to have my stuff up here. It’s a beautiful venue to showcase. The lighting here is great. It’s a special place, for sure.”

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Quotes are added to Kathi Diewert’s photography on metal pieces for effect. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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