Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley: News and upcoming exhibitions

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’.

Friday, October 17, 2008

News and upcoming exhibitions

The past six weeks have been a whirlwind of activity which, unfortunately, has left minimal time for painting. There has been everything from dealing with the last of the garden's bounty, teaching, to opportunities to exhibit art work, a trip to Portland, OR, and, of course, Thanksgiving.

"Columbia Wetlands I", "Old Cabin", "Memories of Cleland" (aka "Cleland Memories"), and "Howser Spire, Bugaboos" all were on exhibit at the annual art show at Strand's restaurant in Invermere, BC. September 13th.

The following week all but "Columbia Wetlands I" were moved to Pynelogs Cultural Centre for their annual show. Following that "Old Cabin" and "Howser Spire" were moved to Helna's Stube in Radium Hot Springs, BC.

Recently "Old Cabin" sold and is off to a good home. It's hard to let go but I am always pleased when others find pleasure in my work.

"Memories of Cleland" is soon off to Centre 64 in Kimberley, BC where it will be on exhibit from November 4th -29th.

"Columbia Wetlands I" has been accepted for exhibition in the Columbia Wetlands - Natural Inspiration Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Golden January 29th - March 28th, 2009. It will also be a part of their catalogue and online exhibit. I am truly honoured and excited.

While in Portland at the beginning of the month I was able to get a photograph of my very first acrylic painting which I did from one of my daughter's travel photos. I loved the photo and after I'd had fun capturing it in acrylics on canvas board, I decided that I wanted to spend a lot more time 'capturing' subjects in acrylics. ... and so the current adventure began....

I have also started the process for creating notecards with my art work in response to a number of requests and hope to have them available in the coming weeks.

Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley

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Friday, October 17, 2008

News and upcoming exhibitions

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