Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley: The Emergence

Artist Statement

I love nature and I love to try to capture it on canvas. Everything I paint means something special to me, whether it’s a scene I’ve tried to capture before it disappears, a view that holds special memories, or a glimpse of a part of our valley that I want to share with others who might not otherwise have access to it. The places I paint are real and as I paint I am ‘there’ be it perched on a mountain ridge, sitting by a lakeshore or standing upon a tussock of grass in the wetlands.
I generally work from photos, however, for me, capturing the images in paint on canvas gives them an importance, value, and even permanence that I feel photography can not.
I begin a piece by drawing key shapes on the canvas then washing a thin layer of paint on to block in the major features. I then start working from the background making my way forward envisioning what is behind and hidden by each slope, tree, etc. before I paint it. For me this working in layers gives each scene its veracity and depth.
Sunlight and its effects fascinate me. I have always admired the stained glass of medieval Europe and I love the way the sun illuminates it and shares the coloured glow with the world below. It is a man-made tribute to God and the world He created. However, His work cannot be surpassed as sunlight gives life and purpose to the colours of the real world giving them an “unearthly” glow.
When my work is going well, I feel a sense of awe and wonder and a thankfulness that I have been allowed to capture and recreate our beautiful world. Having said that, I am not certain how it happens and feel that I’ve been witness to magic as the work paints itself having merely allowed me to mix the colours and hold the paintbrush.
As I work, in my mind I see the birds and insects, feel the warmth of the sun, the caress of a breeze, and hear the rustle of leaves, the buzz of insects, the chirp and call of birds. I am transported to whatever scene I am trying to capture.
I have come to realize that my art represents who I am: passionate, realistic, yet orderly and a stickler for detail, and very ‘down-to-earth’.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Emergence

Suddenly I was having more fun than I'd had in years. A colleague encouraged me to apply to exhibit at the local cultural centre. The next thing I knew I was scrambling to complete a painting for their "Wings & Water" Exhibition which they held in conjunction with the annual "Wings Over the Rockies" festival.

I chose to paint from a photograph I took of our beautiful Columbia Valley Wetlands. I wanted to share their beauty and maybe convince a few that they're not just swamps.

Columbia Wetlands I (24x36) acrylic on canvas
PRIVATE COLLECTION

In my collection of photos, another one of same area captured my attention and I simply had to put paintbrush to canvas.

Columbia Wetlands II (24x20) acrylic on canvas
SOLD

The wetlands are so rich in colour and wildlife. The birdsong is incredible! I can only hope that others see and hear what I do and want to help preserve it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: The only way anyone is going to see this painting in their home is if I move in with it! Thanks mom :); February 1, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Susan Fahrni said...: I'm glad you love your 'view' of Hat Ton Sai. Thanks for helping to spur me into this new adventure.; February 5, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Emergence

2 comments:

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