East Sooke has long been the haven of artists who draw their inspiration from the tranquil forests, mossy outcroppings, temperamental ocean and sultry skies out their windows. Nature is the backdrop for almost all who live amongst that rural oasis.
They are like sailors who have succumbed to the siren’s call and been lured to the rocks and forests to create and make art.
Frescoes, mosaics, fabrics, paintings, pottery and sculptures are just some of the mediums of artistic expression from a group of creative souls in East Sooke.
Twelve women have joined forces to hold the first East Sooke Fine Art Show the weekend before Mother’s Day, May 4, 5 and 6.
It started with the mother/daughter connection of Bonnie Coulter and Angela Menzies along with Valerie and Leslie Speed and grew to include eight others.
Joining them are Peg Heywood (guest artist), K T Johannesson, Kay Lovett, Alice McLean, Jacquetta Nisbet, Bev Petow, Norene Schmuk and Trinita Waller. Each of these women are accomplished and acclaimed artists with large bodies of work. From bright acrylic paintings of nudes to raku pottery, kelp baskets to lino cuts, it’s all there for the viewing and purchase. Works range in price from as low as a few dollars for art cards to $2,000 for more complex art pieces.
Most of the artists are involved in the Stinking Fish Studio Tour and many of them have had their work selected for the Sooke Fine Arts Show.
“The best part is the collective intelligence and impact of these 12 artists,” says Coulter.
Of interest may be Coulter’s “Canned Salmon” series. She uses antique boat parts and lids from canning to create the scales of salmon which are then backed by maps. Her studio, outdoor spaces and dining room will be packed with art, hers as well as others.
Guest artist Margaret Heywood (Peg) lives and practices art in North Vancouver. Mediums include oils, acrylics, watercolour, printmaking, and digital photography. Peg derives much of her inspiration from nature using thick layers of paint and vibrant complementary colours to translate her unique view. Subjects range from landscapes, still-life, flora/fauna and some figurative work.
The show and sale takes place in two locations in East Sooke. The first location is Wren House at 5701 East Sooke Road and the second is Boar’s Bristle Studio, Bonnie Counter’s studio at 1509 Woodcock Road.
The studios will be open from 12 to 7 p.m. Angela Menzies two sons, Matty and Mason, will be holding a bake sale with half of the proceeds to go to WildArc. Menzies says the boys want to adopt an otter at WildArc. There will be coffee and tea as well. The Boar’s Bristle is handicapped accessible.
For more information and a map, go to: www.eastsookefineart.com.