ARTISTS

Aikins, Marlene	Estabrook, Diane	Landsdell, Joan	Rodgers, Vicki
Albo, Sandra	Ford, Shannon	Leir Salter, Jill	Scheffler, Jane
Austin, Donna	Gabriel, Helen	Leonard, Sharon	Senko, Susan
Avedon-Savage, Carol	Gatrell, Kimberly	Lieskovsky, Viv	Shaw, Grace
Baker, Enid	Gawne, Mabel	Lippert, Shelley	Sherwin, Debbie
Baker, Linda	Gray, Irene	Marand, Lynne	Smithers, Darlene
Baird, Christina	Gray, Nancy	Matthews, Dale	Smithson, Dona
Bateman, Velma	Greenhow, Kim	McIntosh, Angela	Snow, Sharon
Billips, Bonny	Hammond, Myra	Merkel, Debby	Soule, Denise
Boblin, Sandy	Handfield, Bethany	Miller, Julie-Ann	Stel, Peggy
Boultbee, Sydney	Hankewich, Eleanor	Mitchell, Susan	Sterling, Sandra
Bugart, Janet	Haubrich, Thea	Moore, Art	Sutherland, Agnes
Byer, Judy	Hibberd, Bill	Mosby, Barbara	Swales, Linda
Browne, Vivien	Hicks, Katie	Munro, Carol	Tinning, Dorothy
Campbell, Laila	Hild, Caroline	Neville-Terada, Sue	Traicheff, George
Clarke, Elaine	Hillier, Barb	Newton, Sharon	Tucker, Gillian
Cornett-Ching, Janice	Hillis, Brad	Nott, Johanna	Ulasovetz, Roger
Crawford, Jan	Hofer, Barbara	Palmer, Ruby	Wilson, Doug
de Gruchy, David	Inkster, Beverly	Parsons, Libby	Wong, Chandra
Deppisch, Jack	Jorden, Michael	Phillips, Margaret	Zbinden-Scharlock, Lisa
Dockray, Hiram	Joyce, Louise	Rackham, Judith
Doruyter, Karel	Kamp, Greta	Raftopoulos, Kristos
Dubeau, Yvonne	Kimberley, Kate	Richards, Arlie
Duncan, Jeannie	Korsch, Dianne	Roberts, Bonny

Marlene Aikins ~ Marlene's Website

A native of the Peace River country in Alberta, my interest in art began while growing up in Grande Prairie. Having spent my life within the beauty of western Canada plays a large part in the influence of my work and travels have only enhanced it.

Although oils were my training ground medium, I expanded to include acrylics and watercolors with instructors such as Tom Lynch and workshops in Sedona, Arizona. I’ve worked on location with Les Graff and Penticton’s Glen Clark. The FCA has provided instructors like Ken Gillespie and Robert Genn and my latest workshops have been with Robyn Lake and Kindrie Grove.

I’ve earned awards in all three media and have been shown in a published edition of “Contemporary B.C. Artists”. I was accepted into a Federation of Canadian Artists juried show at the Leighton Centre in Calgary and also commissioned for originals and limited edition prints for the Radium Hot Springs Prestige Inn.

My art education has expanded over several years of courses and workshops and I’ve been a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists since 1992. A move to Penticton led me to serve two years as Co-President and I have also become a member of the “Brushstrokes of the South Okanagan”.

Sandra Albo

Sandra Albo is a painter of landscapes and historical subjects in the landscape of British columbia. She uses a distinctive style---heavy pigment water colours, thick (impasto) oil paints, impressionistic oil pastels, impasto acrylicsand detailed black ink drawings. The results are realistic, yet expressionistic and very strong and colourful .

Sandra has a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia with minor studies in Fine Arts. She has two grown children working in the fields of Engineering and Archaeology.She is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and teaches watercolour and oil lessons for the South Okanagan Chapter of the FCA. She teaches Art appreciation and drawing lessons to local Elementary students. She has organized 8 Okanagan Art Exhibitions in the past year for her local FCA Chapter.

Sandra won Painting in the Park awards when she was a student. She has exhibited in a two person show at the Osoyoos Art Gallery, was in the Penticton Gallery of the SouthOkanagan Show called "Osoyoos Select",and she exhibits regularly at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery on Granville Island (Vancouver, BC)

She has won an Award ofExcellence from the FCA and many Juror's Choice Awards. Eight of her paintings were featured in a made-for-TV Movie on CBS in 2001 starring Ted Danson and Mary Steenbergen. The movie called 'Living With the Dead' was the real life story of psychic, James Van Praugh.

Sandra's work is in many private collections in Canada and Europe and on display in the local town office and Gallery and in a mural in the local Elementary School.

She has done ice-painted murals for the local skating club and back-drop murals for local drama productions. She has also done commercial murals and undertakes commission work if it fits into her schedule.

Two favourite influences in her development are Vincent Van Gough and Emily Carr.Sandra has broadened her experience and talents by taking art instruction on a lifelong basis to hone her skills. She has studied some very interesting painting techniques presented by Stanley Knapp, Jack Campbell, Robert McMurray, Rick McDairmid, Donna Baspalay,Zejlko Kudjundzic, and Robert Genn.

In her 40+ years of artistic endeavours, her style has continually changed, and she shows a willingness to experiment and try many different mediums.Her boldness in colour usage and her superb drawing techniques come through in all her work.

Laila Campbell ~ Laila's Website

Laila Campbell grew up in Vancouver, BC, where from childhood she was surrounded by art, especially that of her mother, internationally recognized Minn Sjolseth. She attended the Vancouver School of Art and a series of workshops and seminars over the years. Laila has lived in several southern BC communities and has made her home in Penticton in the Okanagan Valley since 1993.

Her work has been shown in a number of group juried and solo shows in Penticton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Langley, Vancouver and in Sidney, Vancouver island.

Laila paints in mixed media, watercolours, oil and acrylic on canvas, paper, and board. Since 1993 her works have take on a brighter and more whimsical tone, especially in her bird watcher series featuring California quail. Laila is also painting a series of human figures with the Okanagan landscape as a background. These paintings are often of women dancing in a celebration of life and contemplating the splendid views of lakeside hills, vineyards and hills. Laila finds the colours of the Okanagan entrancing with the play of light across the rolling mountains of sage, rabbit brush, russian olive and pine trees.

The reflected light from the lakes presents a fascinating and ever changing palette of blues. Laila's works are in collections in Canada, the United States, and abroad. Her paintings are exhibited and presented for sale at:

The Evans Gallery in Kelowna BC

Gallery Rufus in Oakville, Ontario

Oakleaf Gallery in Chemainus, BC

The Lloyd Gallery in Penticton, BC

Karel Doruyter ~ Karel's Website ~

Karel Doruyter was born in Rotterdam, Holland, and came to Canada at an early age growing up in the interior of British Columbia. He attended the University of BC from 1961 to 1968. During this time he had his own studio and also supported himself as a graphic artist.
For the next 10 years he worked in human resources both in Canada and Australia where he moved to in 1972. During this time he developed an interest in boat building and design as well as continuing to work as an artist. He taught adult education classes in drawing and painting both in BC and Tasmania. Returning to Canada he eventually settled on Hornby Island, BC, in 1980 where he designed, built and surveyed boats while continuing his artistic career. Exploring the Canadian coast line as well as travel to other countries, influenced his subject matter. He moved to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) in 1989 initially to work with the elders. He remained there for the next six years.
At present Karel Doruyter lives in Penticton painting, writing, illustrating and being involved with Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. He is past president of the Island illustrators Society and a signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. His work can be found internationally.

While wandering in and out of real and mythical worlds with the brush or pen, I can’t find any boundaries between them. I receive the same enjoyment out of painting an ocean, trees, or the mythology of raven. Possibly the one constant is isolation, it can be physical, mental or totally imaginary. What holds it all together is the world in which we try to live. Using a limited palette I try to capture the essence of what I experience.

Yvonne Dubeau

Artist Yvonne Dubeau spends winters at her retreat in Bucerias, Mexico. Her location is one of Angie McIntosh's favorite places to paint en pleine aire with many wonderful painting spots within a couple of blocks from her delightful home in the village. Yvonne has hosted a watercolor workshop with renowned painter David Armstrong. Yvonne has enjoyed traveling around the world to participate in art workshops. In the summer, she can be found painting at the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan with the Brushstrokes of Okanagan group in Penticton, BC, Canada with whom she exihibits around the region. Yvonne has a delightful whimsical style filled with interesting shapes and lively color. Her work may be found at the Lloyd Gallery in Penticton.

Diane Estabrook ~

14810 Washington Ave
Summerland,BC
250-494-3293

My work is an exploration of freedom, entrapment, shadows,
light, whole and parts. I like to focus not on the whole but within, where balance can exist.

This rings as true today as it did in university when I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the age of 49!

I have painted watercolour for over 20 years and it seems even though I learned every aspect of every medium, I am still in love with the fluidity and unpredictabilitys I encounter.

My latest challenge is watercolour printmaking. I am fulfilling my never ending passion

Watercolour Monoprint
Allures
12x12 framed 7 X 7s image

Mabel Gawne

Mabel Gawne, a lifelong resident of Penticton, has always been fascinated with the unusual beauty of the Okanagan landscape - its rolling bench lands, sagebrush, orchards, clay cliffs and lakes. She has studied with many internationally known artists and her paintings hang in such collections as those of the Hiram Walker Distillery and Canada Trust. Many are in public and private offices, institutions and homes in western Canada and the U.S.A.

Irene Gray ~

Irene is a talented local artist, born, raised and living in the South Okanagan. Irene has painted all of her life, even during her busy career.

Irene has a unique talent for capturing the essence of wildlife and the beauty of the ever changing Okanagan scenery through the lens of her camera and her sketches, she then transforms these into colourful, dynamic pieces of artwork with her masterful use of pastels and acrylics.

Irene has been an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists for many years during which time she has received many Juried Choice awards.

Irene’s paintings are in private and international collections and often can be seen locally.

Nancy Gray ~ Nancy's Website

Nancy is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists as well as a member of the Osoyoos Painters & Potters. She and her husband moved to the South Okanagan in 2007 and love living here. The area has inspired her to create more and learn more. She continues to take workshops & classes and likes to learn from reading as well. The learning process is never ending and she is truly grateful to the wonderful artists that have shared their knowledge so freely. Watercolour is her preferred medium, although she has worked in graphite and pen & ink. Please click the link above to view her website.

Bethany Handfield ~ Bethany's Website ~

Born in Salisbury, North Carolina, Bethany Sutton has had a nomadic upbringing living in Oklahoma, Colorado, North Vancouver and Sydney, Australia. A fan of the arts in all of its many forms, Bethany has been enjoying encaustic painting for three years and has a background in painting with acrylics and creating mixed media collage. A student of life, she worked for many years in the Vancouver film industry as a television and film editor and more recently as a holistic healing practitioner in Penticton, BC. Bethany sees painting as a form of meditation and hopes that all who view her work are brought to a place of surprise and wonderment within themselves. She is very grateful to the local bees for their part in her creations as well.

Thea Haubrich ~ Thea's Website

I live in British Columbia, Canada, near the city of Penticton – “A place to stay forever!”

I was born in Rotterdam, Holland and being a „Flying Dutchman“ I lived in Austria, Japan and Germany for the past 20 years.
Interested in crafts and sewing I started making dolls and worked with watercolours, but it didn’t fulfill me.
My first encounter with the Encaustic Art was around 1998, as a German friend showed me some small, beautiful shining pictures, painted on sealed paper. The colours were so bright and the details so intricate, that I decided I must have a go at it!

The first results looked quite promising and I decided to enrol in the Encaustic Academy in Weilheim/Teck (Germany) to learn from the experts there. At the Academy I discovered the seemingly endless possibilities of Encaustic Painting. We worked with a painting iron, a hot airgun, a stylus or just our fingertips (!) to create the most intriguing pictures!
I learned that you can apply the molten wax to almost any surface – paper, wood, canvas, glass etc.

After attending several courses at the Encaustic Academy I decided I wanted to share this beautiful art form with others and took a teaching course to be able to teach Encaustic Art myself. Since then I have introduced many people, young and old, to the joy of painting with encaustic wax.
Being a member of the “Kunstverein Encaustic e.V.”, based in Germany, gave me the opportunity to profit from the knowledge of many fellow “encausticer”.

In the summer of 2004 we moved to Canada to start a new episode in our lives.
Here in Canada the Encaustic Art is less known as in Europe and I would like to introduce this art form (which is very easy to learn and gives beginners great satisfaction!) to the people of the Okanagan.

I was very exited that the Leir House Cultural Centre in Penticton agreed to host a series of 5 Encaustic courses in October, 2004. Those classes were very well received and after that Encaustic Art spread through the Valley!
Now I am teaching from Summerland to Osoyoos

Bill Hibberd ~ Bill's Website

Summerland artist Bill Hibberd uses his website to showcase his portfolio of beautiful oil paintings to interested galleries and individuals. His Recent Events section highlights the various awards and recognitions he has received for his art. Browse his inspiring online galleries now...you might just find that perfect piece you've been looking for!

Brad Hillis ~

Brad began painting with oils in the early 1980's and because the turpentine's bothered his nose, eyes and skin he stopped painting in 1985. He tried pastels and watercolours but could not create the same bright effects as well as he had with oils. He started painting again, with acrylics, in the fall of 2005 and has been using that medium ever since. He retired in 2006 and is now painting full time. Brad is an Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and his work can be seen at various shows throughout the Okanagan Valley.

Barb Hofer ~

Barb Hofer grew up in the Similkameen valley and from an early age had a love of art, which has stayed a focus throughout her life. She is inspired by the natural beauty and biodiversity of the landscapes, the seasonal changes, the animals and plants, and the variety of agricultural bounty of the Okanagan Similkameen.
She studied education at UBC and successfully combined her artistic interests in painting and pottery with her teaching talents.

Barb's painting style is continually evolving as she experiments with a variety of new techniques using watercolours, acrylics and drawing materials. She enjoys the versatility and spontaneity of working with watercolour as well as the exciting possibilities of mixing colour and achieving textural effects with acrylic inks on various papers. Mixed media is a recent focus, using vibrant colours on masa paper and using collage for interesting shapes and patterns. Local landscapes and animals as well as the abundance of produce and flowers grown in valley orchards, vineyards, and gardens provide much of the subject matter for Barb's paintings. Light and colour capture the serenity and excitement of the exquisite rural settings depicted in many of her paintings.

Barb and her husband live in Okanagan Falls. The rural setting of this area provides daily visits from birds and deer as well as spectacular views of mountains, lakes, and trees. Her artwork may be viewed in her home studio and at art galleries and wineries in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.

MICHAEL ARNE JORDEN ~ Michael's Website

Born in the Kootenays of British Columbia, Michael lived and worked for most of his life on the coast and now resides on a small ranch near Osoyoos. He has been involved in the raising and training of horses since the age of 14 and now enjoys the trails of the Kruger Mountain grasslands reserve. Michael is a graduate of the University of British Columbia in biological sciences with post graduate work in planning, agricultural economics and resource science and a Masters degree in Business Administration from City University of Seattle. He has traveled widely in North America and Europe with brief visits to Asia and North Africa sketching and painting on many of these trips.

A love of art and a passion for the west have been a feature of his life since childhood. The two have come together in his choice of painting subjects and whether the subject is landscape, horses, early modes of transportation or figurative works, the accurate depiction of the west in its many manifestations is his goal. Recent works include a series of Kettle Valley railroad scenes from the age of steam, early stage coach scenes from the South Okanagan, the depiction of packing and guiding in the Rockies and southern B.C. and interior landscapes.

Michael can be reached at 20901 Kruger Mountain Road, Osoyoos, B.C., Canada. V0H 1V1 ~ tel: 250.495.8184
mike@jordencook.com

Kate Kimberley ~

I started painting in watercolour in 1999. I am a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and have been juried to Active Status. I appreciate the high technical standards of this association and as members we are constantly challenged to put forward our strongest work.

I love the medium of watercolour, sometimes there are surprises but often these too become interesting additions to the painting. I feel very fortunate to live and paint in this wonderful Okanagan valley.

Dianne Korsch ~

It wasn’t until I retired that I decided to take up art and was surprised how easily it came to me. When I moved from North Vancouver to beautiful Naramata in 2000, I became serious about my artwork and started to paint on a regular basis. I soon realized that watercolour was my preferred medium. There is an exciting process that takes place when the paint moves on wet paper. I become part of the action, interacting & responding. Watercolour is a medium that keeps me humble. It is challenging, exciting & fun. At times, a painting calls for another medium. Lately, I have enjoyed working with acrylic, collage & ink, sometimes combining all three with watercolour. I love the depth that can be achieved through this technique.

I joined the Naramata Arts Studio, a group of local artists who get together weekly. Then, in 2001, I joined the Federation of Canadian Artists and the next year, my work was juried into active status with them. Since then, I have enjoyed many juried and non-juried exhibitions and workshops with the FCA and the NAS. I have taken many private commissions and enjoyed the challenge they pose.

I have a studio in my Naramata home called Alpenview Naramata Art Studio, which is open to the public by appointment most days. My work can be seen at the following web site: www.gobc.ca/OkanaganArt

Alpenview Naramata Art Studio
Noyes Road, Naramata, V0H 1N0, British Columbia
Phone 250-496-5188 ~ Toll free 1-877-506-5100

I attribute my progress to such gifted instructors as Kiff Holland, Tom Lynch, the late Toni Onley & Lian Zhen. My journey in the field of painting is ever changing & growing. I am so blessed to live in this most scenic part of the country and to be ever inspired in my artwork.

Jill Leir-Salter

Jill's love of nature and landscape painting is obsessive-compulsive. It often starts with a sudden visual impact then develops into a strong emotion that demands a challenge. The challenge is then life and food for the imagination. She prefers watercolors because they are spontaneous and unpredictable.

Born and raised in Penticton, BC, one of eleven children, she ran free and close to a natural environment. Her large stone family home, now Leir House Cultural Centre, was surrounded by ten acres of pine trees and bunch grass. Drawing and painting were part of childhood

Jill has lived in other parts of Canada and the U.K. where she always took advantage of any formal art instruction. This included two semesters in Fine Arts at Okanagan College.

Her paintings hang in many private collections. They have also hung in Juried Art Shows and at the B.C. Festival of the Arts

Sharon Leonard ~

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Sharon has been drawing and painting since childhood. At age of 3, her family moved to Shoal Lake, Manitoba. At 15 year of age, she moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where she completed Secondary School and took a position with an Insurance Company, on the Corner of Portage and Main Street. Known as the coldest corner in Canada. After many moves with here military husband, Sharon now resides in Osoyoos, BC.

Sharon is an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Secretary for the Osoyoos Arts Council, Curator of the Osoyoos Art Gallery and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists. Sharon has her own Studio Gallery on the East Bench and when she is not painting or attending meeting she loves to kayak, swim and garden.

Sharon continues to increase her skills by taking courses. Over the years she has completed courses with the following instructors: Dawn Carr, Linda Anderson, Tom Huntley, Robert Genn, Ken Gilespie, Mike Svob, Teyjah McAren, Kindrie Grove, Janeice Linden, Andrew Dermott, Susan Northcott, Bonnie Roberts, Dianna Ponting & Kiff Holland.

Sharon has received a Honourable Mention in 2004 People's Choice Awards, Federation of Canadian Artists Jurors' Choice Award, has had work accepted by the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists for the Annual Open Exhibition Master's Gallery, in Calgary, Alberta. Sharon participated in "Five Women and a Mentor" show in Osoyoos. Her work has been displayed in the Osoyoos Gallery, the Summerland Gallery, South Okanagan Gallery in Penticton and Handiwork's Gallery in Oliver. Sharon's work has been shown in a number of wineries: Nk'mip Cellars, Red Rooster Winery, Tinhorn Creek, Hester Creek Winery and Hillside Winery in Naramata as well as some shops in the area.

Mediums used are: pastels, oils, watercolour and occasionally acrylics She tries to capture the essence of her subject, believing the soul is mirrored in the eyes. Portraits of people and animals being her preferred subjects.

Viv McElgunn-Lieskovsky ~

A long time resident of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, Viv's paintings are in public, private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. She holds a B. Ed (Fine Arts) and a M.Ed (Counselling Psychology) from the University of British Columbia and was an art educator, counsellor, and administrator in the public school system for more than 30 years. She is on the Board of Directors for the Penticton Art Gallery; presents workshops locally and has facilitated sessions at provincial and national conferences. She is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and is represented by Tumbleweed Gallery in Penticton.

Viv's art has always been influenced by natural elements and she's particularly intrigued by the designs, colours, textures and shapes found in landscapes and nature.

Viv and her husband Dave enjoy spending time together with their ten year old daughter, Heather (an emerging artist!) View Viv's work at tumbleweedgallery.ca

Lynne Marand

Lynne Marand has pursued her interest in art since her teenage years. Every opportunity to paint or to draw has been taken by Lynne from doing portraits at the church fair to making greeting cards.

More time to develop painting skills became available when Lynne moved to Penticton in 1990. Since that time she has taken courses of instruction from the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts and Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) Rick McDermid, Donna Baspali, Tom Huntley, Robert Genn, David Goatly, Denis Webber and Kindrie Groves.

Lynne’s paintings have hung in galleries in Whitehorse, Osoyoos, and Penticton in various group showings of the Penticton Art Group, Brushstrokes and the FCA. Her work hangs as well in private collections across Western Canada and Ontario to London, England. Two of three panels of a triptych were on the cover of the 2003 Penticton City Map and Tourist booklet. Some of Lynne’s paintings can be seen at RBC Investments Penticton, Athena Framing Kelowna, at her home in Penticton and on her business website.

Lynne works mainly in acrylics enjoying the rich colours and diversity of the medium. Other media used by Lynne include water colour, graphite and pen & ink. Subjects of interest to her include landscapes, florals and portraiture of both people and pets.

Lynne has been leading an art group at the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society since 2004 and has taught art classes at the Home School and Ecole Entre Lacs in Penticton.

Dale Matthews ~

Dale Matthews was born in 1938 at Rossland,B.C. From an early age Dale preferred drawing and painting the mountains than to dig gold from them. He completed high school in Rossland before attending The Vancouver School of Art (now The Emily Carr School of Art & Design), receiving a degree in fine art in 1961.

Dale worked as commercial artist and architectural renderer in Toronto and Edmonton before establishing his own Interior design firm in Vancouver. Dale is now retired and living in Summmerland, B.C., and devoting more time to painting and travelling. His paintings reflect his love and passion for the out of doors as well as the heritage architecture of the West. Western artists such as Charlie Russell and William Matthews have been a great inspiration to him.

His work has been exhibited at the Deep Cove Gallery, the Seymour Art Gallery, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Summerland Art Gallery and theTumbleweed Gallery in Penticton. He has also exhibited in Rossland and Trail, B.C., and Calgary, AB. His paintings are enjoyed in a number of private collections throughout Canada and the U.S.

Angela C. Roth McIntosh ~ Angela's Website

Angie started off training in medicine but when exposed to watercolour painting she found her true calling in life. She took workshops with local artists and then traveled to China to study with artists at the Central Institute of Fine Arts in Beijing. She found inspiration and knowledge in workshops with Zoltan Szabo, Carol Orr, Tom Lynch, Nigel Szeto, and David Armstrong.

Angie has her studio and gallery in Penticton. Her work is available there as well as at Halcyon Hotsprings Resort, The Bear Gallery in Terrace, and HarbourLight Store in Stewart. She also has her own line of artists notecards which are available up north and at the Trading Post at Apex Mountain Resort, Penticton.

Debby Merkel ~ Debby's Website

Debby was born on Vancouver Island at Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada. She was raised in Alberta and returned to the province of her birth in 1972. She currently lives in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia in the City of Penticton.

After many attempts over the years, Debby was able to unleash the trapped artist when she began studying watercolour in 2007.

Her love of deep, vibrant colours drew her to acrylics. She has attended many workshops and taken instruction from a variety of Okanagan artists. In 2010 Debby attended a life changing workshop with a California artist who teaches a loose style of water media painting with a lot of fun and laughter thrown in. Since that time, her style has dramatically changed from realism to a much looser contemporary style. She feels that she is still developing her own sense of style and embraces all aspects of learning the art.

"Rarely is there a preconceived idea of the outcome, which I find exciting. The process becomes more like a meditation. Passion to paint has become my second career -- the more I paint, the more passionate I become." Debby wishes only that viewers feel a sense of the lightness and joy that she experiences when she paints.

Debby is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Her work is found in private collections across Canada

Barbara Mosby ~

Born in Yorkshire, England, the love of the area comes through in many of Barbara Mosby’s paintings.She has been fortunate enough to travel extensively over the years and has lived in many countries, as is evident in her work.

On coming to Canada to live and work she resided in Delta, British Columbia and became a member of various clubs around the area.She exhibited in shows whenever possible.

Barbara joined the Federation of Canadian Artists in the late 70’s and was then able to take classes offered by her peers in the federation.Some of her teachers include Alan Wylie, by whom she was much influenced and Janice Robertson who also taught her a great deal.

She later received her active status and went on to garner several awards in juried and non-juried shows with the federation.Some of her paintings have homes in England, Australia and New Zealand.Barbara paints in oils, acrylics and watercolor.

Carol Munro ~ Carol's Website

Carol Munro has been painting for 30 years. Her original studies were in Chinese free-form brush calligraphy with Master Chin Shek Lam (1918-1990). In the 1980's Carol began painting in watercolour and more recently has been hand-tinting photographs and creating digital photo-compositions. Carol has developed her encaustic painting skills under the tutelage of Thea Haubrich, who was trained at the Encaustic Academy, Weilheim, Germany.

Kristos Raftopoulos ~ Kristos's Website

Artist Kristos Raftopoulos was born in 1988 and lives in Penticton, British Columbia. He discovered drawing and painting while he was still in high school. In the past four years he has gotten more involved into his art. His favorite subjects are landscapes, flowers and has done some wild life of western Canada. Kristos enjoys taking his camera on trips capturing nature which he takes back to his studio to create beautiful works of art by maintaining balance between light and dark. He has been very fortunate to have studied under such fine artists as Denise Soule, Terry Isaac and Kindire Grove. Kristos has dabbled in pastels and watercolors but works mostly in oil. Recently he has set his watercolor paints aside to concentrate on his oils. Painting gives Kristos great joy which is evident in his works. His goal is to create paintings that are unique and interesting to look at. He likes to experiment with his paints and tools to come up with various types of effects. He is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Bonny Roberts, A.F.C.A. ~ Bonny's Website

Bonny has been painting and experimenting in art for as long as she can remember. With a love of all mediums she has experimented in watercolour, acrylic, oil, ink and collage. Recently relocated to Keremeos from the Lower Mainland, she and her husband have built a spacious Studio/Gallery in her home. Having been a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists for many years, Bonny has attained her A.F.C.A. status and has taught many workshops in B.C. In recent years, she and her husband have been doing a lot of travelling and the uniqueness of each place visited is a continuing source of material for new paintings. With a number of awards under her belt and paintings sold world wide, she is currently exploring the world of colour and is turning more to the abstrct for subject matter. Bonny's goal in every painting, whether abstract or representational, is to create excitement for the viewer. Other things may fall by the wayside but a piece must always stir the emotions. Energy and colour are the means by which she tries to achieve this goal.

Grace Shaw ~ Grace's Website

Grace grew up in Ft. Langley, British Columbia, but now resides in Penticton, BC with her husband and family.She is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Grace is a painter of portraits, figurative, still-life, sea and landscapes.Acrylic paint is her medium of choice but she also works in pastel and water-colour.

Her paintings focus on light and she loves to get out her French easel and paint outdoors.Painting “en plein-air” allows the wonderful fast changing elements to surround and envelope me so that I am forced to paint intuitively.She relies on an accurate and proportional drawing loosely rendered beneath layers of rich colours.

Grace has exhibited in solo and juried shows and her works may be found in private collections in Canada and the United States.

Dona Smithson ~

"Painting is an occasion to renew the joy in our life" When l read this quote, I knew it was exactly my feelings as I put paint and brush to paper. I started painting in watercolour in 1999 by taking a summer school course at the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts. I was hooked, and continue to enjoy taking classes from both SFCA instructors and other professional artists. I am an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Naramata Arts Studio and have shown my work in many local and juried art exhibitions.

Living in the beautiful Okanagan Valley gives me plenty of inspiration to pursue my passion for painting. I strive to paint with detailed realism to capture the mood of my subject. By vividly layering transparent colors I endeavour to pass along my excitement with the wonderful medium of watercolour to you the viewer.

Denise Soule ~ Denise's Website

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Denise now makes her home in Penticton, B.C. but her prairie upbringing shines through in her love for the outdoors which in turn is reflected in her paintings. Denise’s favorite subject to paint is wildlife which she often combines with the gorgeous scenery British Columbia provides. When Denise isn't busy painting she is teaching art to students in her home studio.

Denise read a quote made by John Banovich that has stayed with her and has become part of her paintings. He said "To paint something - a moment frozen in time - only to have it live again when viewed by others is one of the greatest joys of being an artist".

Denise is a self taught artist. She continues to expand her artistic knowledge by taking Wildlife art workshops with well known artists such as Terry Isaac, Daniel Smith, John Banovich and John Seerey-Lester. There is always something new to learn. Her preferred mediums are oil and acrylic.

Denise has started Wild Streak School of Art. Every year she brings in outstanding wildlife artists such as Terry Isaac and John Banovich for a 5 day wildlife art workshop held at Apex Ski Resort in Penticton, B.C. The students come from as far away as Ireland, England and Belgium.

Agnes Sutherland

Agnes as an artist is a late bloomer.After raising a family of four and then on to a Royal Toronto Music Degree, her husband knowing her desire gave her a gift of art supplies.At first self taught and then as a member of the Oliver Art club, she attended several art classes given by various instructors from many areas and also members of the art club.

Agnes works in oils, pastels, acrylics, and water colours.Her paintings are original, working from sketches done while travelling or from the lovely local scenery.Agnes’ work hangs in many private collections in Alberta and British Columbia.

Agnes comes from a very creative family.Her mother was a musician, artist and a mother.She feels that she is an artist through to her finger tips!

Dorothy Tinning ~ Dorothy's Website

I was probably one of the only students in my elementary school that would spend time in the summer holidays leaving the bustling City of Vancouver every weekend by boat. We had an old cabin cruiser called the Sharon L that enabled my parents, and my three sisters to travel through Burrard Inlet over to the coves on Bowen Island. Today, I still like to be out on the water in a canoe or kayak. Staying close to nature and being outdoors has definitely shaped my art.

As a graduate from UBC with a degree in Education, I spent many happy years teaching school in Penticton. After having two children, it was not long before I was active in the community volunteering, and then serving as an alderman, and then Mayor for the City of Penticton. Following seven years in local government I found returning to teaching provided me with an opportunity to take art education courses offered through the University of Victoria from Sharon McCoubrey. It was then that I found that participating in the practical work, and preparing programs specifically designed for students, that visual art became a passion of mine.

As a child, I had always been enthusiastic about sketching or working with pastels. In the last two and a half years, I have had the opportunity to pursue my art full time. I am able to paint scenes of the beautiful desert and lake environment of the Okanagan Similkameen valley. I cherish the landmarks that identify specific locales, and are reflected with a spiritual beauty and mystery. I like to use bold colours, capture the light, and emphasize mood, as my paintings become a celebration of nature.

I have studied under a number of Signature Artists, and have been influenced and encouraged by both Dr. Sharon McCoubrey (UBCO) and by artist friend Laila Campbell. My special series of Acrylic on Canvas paintings are based on the Okanagan Native Culture. These paintings are a tribute to Smoker Marchand, who was commissioned by the Osoyoos Indian Band and Chief Clarence Louie, to create impressive steel sculptures to honor the Okanagan native history. I am privileged to have spent time on this project for over a year and a half. An art exhibition of my Acrylic on Canvas paintings based on this theme will be shown at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre during the Spring Wine Festival from May 1st to May 4th, 2008.

George L. Traicheff

George is an impressionist artist who has lived from Atlantic to Pacific coasts and prefers to work “en plein air”, whenever possible. He has studied at, Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal & the Art Students League in New York. His studies also include private studies with artists: Tom Loo- (Oriental Art), Clarence Tillienius – (Painting, drawing & sculpture), and Robert Lougheed – (Painting, drawing & sculpture).

George has taught art at number of venues, including Okanagan University College and has been honored to have students attend his workshops from, Japan, England, Mexico, Sweden, Zimbabwe, Canada & the U.S.A. His works can be found in private & corporate collections worldwide including, Prince Phillip, U.A.E. Sheiks, Movie Stars, Swedish & Mexican Embassies and The City Hall of Penticton’s sister city – Ikeda, Japan.

“Although my work incorporates some of the oriental philosophies, I lean more toward the impressionistic ideology, using color to paint light, create a mood and capture the essence of my subject. I try to interpret the underlying rhythms of nature; to build on the strengths & weaknesses of these forces in order to portray this essence, which establishes a strong character & feeling in each of my works.

Chandra Wong ~ Chandra's Website

Artist Statement and Biography

Chandra Wong is an artist who is inspired by the many places she has lived. But it is her love of the natural world and concern for the environment that motivates her to create.
"My desire is to provoke others to see the natural world around them and recognize the value it brings to our lives.

"I hope my artwork inspires people to make changes in their lives to make the world a better place for all living beings," said Wong.

She is mainly a self-taught artist and works in a variety of media, including watercolour, pencil, pen, acrylic, pastels and photography. She has a special fondness for the luminosity of watercolour.
Now based in Penticton, Wong is striving to hone her craft and develop a distinctive style that communicates her love of nature and her sense of humour. She is currently teaching courses through the Okanagan School of the Arts.

For more information
or to contact:
info@chandrawong.ca
(250) 770-1615
www.chandrawong.ca

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