Meet the Artists - Part 7

Richard (Rick) Smith

Artist Richard Smith has had an artistic temperament since a young age. In 1972 he enrolled in the arts programme at the University of Victoria and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, majoring in sculpture. In 1979 he moved to Vancouver to work in broadcasting, advertising, theatre and other related industries. In 1993 he returned to Victoria to resume a vocation in sculpture, with the help of friend and fellow sculptor, Derek Rowe.

Richard is currently producing work in bronze and in glass. Wishing to be closely involved with the process as well as the product, he casts his own bronzes and does his own kiln cast glasswork.

His bronzes are mostly statuette size figurative work and his glasswork incorporates his love of the clarity of glass and the brilliance that can be achieved with color.

He has been a member of the Vancouver Island Sculptors Guild since 1994 and enjoys being a supporter of public art in the Victoria region.

Meet the Artists - Part 6

Brenda Scott

Brenda Scott grew up in a small town Saskatchewan, Canada farming community. Her early days were spent on a farm with cows, dogs, cats, pigs, chickens and a horse. This upbringing has instilled in her a great love of the land, nature, wide open spaces and animals.

Brenda was drawing before she even started going to Grade school. She didn't start painting until she was 21 years old and received her first acrylic paint set as a gift. She learned to paint with acrylics by adapting the oil painting techniques taught on a PBS TV show called "The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross". She painted for 15 years with acrylics completing mostly landscape paintings until taking her first watercolor lesson 3 years ago. Since then she has painted a variety of subjects in acrylic, watercolor and mixed media. In addition to painting full size paintings Brenda also paints miniature paintings called ACEOs ( Art Cards, Editions and Originals) which are original works of art that are 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches in size or approximately the size of a sports card.

Brenda also has a blog http://365daysofart.blogspot.com in which she is creating an ACEO a day for 365 days. In the blog, she is not just painting subjects that she is familiar with but also challenging herself to paint subjects that she has difficulty painting. She is writing about her experience of creating and all the fears, sorrows and joys that come with being an artist in hopes of inspiring other artists to live their dream even when they don't think they can.
 
She has become an amazing addition to Griffin Gallery!  Proving to be a well rounded artist who is willing to try working with numerous mediums and styles.  Not one to focus on maintaining a comfort zone, with her challenge of creating an ACEO once a day for 365 days.  She has stretched her limits by attempting styles which she thought were never possible.  A pleasure to meet, she not only shows her ambition through her works, but in everything else she does.

Meet the Artists - Part 5

Neal Nevado

A very talented artist who resides in Victoria B.C. Neal enjoys capturing views from his local travels and bringing it to life! He has mastered the artistry of watercolours, able to blend his creations on small canvas (5 1/2" x 8 1/2") to which many other artists awe at in amazement! One of Canada's up and coming artists! Whether you are a resident who sights your house or favorite place to relax in his works; to a tourist who's memories are caught on canvas to share over the years; you will want to view his works and purchase that memorable moment lasting lifetimes to come!

http://www.nealnevado.com/

Meet the Artists - Part 4

Susan Hopkins

A very talented artist who resides in Victoria. Well versed in numerous mediums and is always up to that next challenge! Enjoys working mostly with pastels.  Art flows out of every crevice of her living space.  She is a true artist who is swallowed up by her works and cannot help but continue creating amazing pieces.  Her imagination is her only limit to her ability.
 
Aspiring to have her works placed in homes around the world, she has captivated many in British Columbia.  Branching out to continue her dream of giving the joy of art to all those who seek it; she has stepped out from the shadows and is a bright shinning light.  Enjoy her works on Griffin Gallery, and perhaps find one for your living space.

Meet the Artists - Part 3

Rachael Windsong Lawson-Gurevitch

Nature vs nurture? Rachael Windsong Lawson-Gurevitch is three times a desert child. Born in Cochise County Arizona, to a father musician and a mother writer, raised in the only desert in Canada, the Similkameen Valley, and of Jewish background, finding her soul's true home in Israel. Currently living on Vancouver Island, where her paintings have taken on the west coast ocean and rainforest influences.

Rachael has always been one to train herself in the arts, avoiding the distractions of studying other artists styles. Often compared to Morriseau, and the string art of Native America, solidifying the belief that when we look to our soul, the messages are clear - for all of us.

She as found a way of incorporating her west coast and rainforest influences to the next level providing surfers and skateboarders a way of owning an amazing piece while enjoying what they do best!  Whether it is an old board that was favored in childhood that is revived with her imagination; or a canvas that was slaved over during "night hawk" hours!  She has grasped her spirit and style with her flare for the extrordinary and has been able to create distint layers of imaginative proportions!

Enjoy her works and if you are seeking your board to become the most admired; contact us directly and we can assist you in your endevours!

You can view more of her works on her site wix.com/nightgirlinc/gallery

Meet the Artists - Part 2

Vikki Flawith

Vikki Flawith is a singer, a voice teacher, a songwriter/composer, a published writer, and a visual artist. Her artwork has been shown at the “Two Sister’s Studio/Gallery” on Savary Island (2004-2008), as well as the “Esquimalt Painters Spring Art Show” and at the “Saanich Municipal Art Gallery”.

Vikki explains about herself , “When I paint, I seldom begin with a plan or an image. I see colours. I mix the paints and my brush begins to move across the canvas, inviting me to follow. I’m never quite sure where I will end up. I think my work reflects my love of nature, light, colour, stories. Painting seems to take me to a special place. It calms me, helps me to focus my scattered mind, and expresses something within me, all at the same time.”

Vikki's ability to utilize her spirit within, allows for the child in all to connect with her works.  Once you have the pleasure of meeting this woman, you cannot help but sense her energy as a calm and peaceful, content world.  Where you can sit back and enjoy the tranquility and sense of adventure her works bring to the surface.

Vikki studied art with visual artist Robert McInnis during high school. He taught her line drawing, taught her to appreciate poetry, and introduced her to "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings". Later, she studied graphic arts with Stan Newman (New Man Design) in Burnaby. Her photographs have been published in several Vancouver newspapers and magazines.

She is a welcomed addition to our gallery.  Always willing to explain her works and inspirations with all who ask.  You can follow up with Vikki by contacting her at any of her websites below.  A welcomed review of her works can be posted on our website by viewing any of her pieces and clicking on the review area in the description dialogue.  If you are seeking a specific image - she might just be willing to give it a try - by letting her brushes flow!

http://www.vikkiflawith.com/

http://theshysinger-songwriter.blogspot.com/

www.twitter.com/vikkiflawith

Get to know the artists series!

As with all galleries, we could not be without the talent of the artists we represent!  So, over the next few weeks we will be letting everyone "get-to-know" the individual artists!

We are starting our series with a great stone sculptor,

Joseph (Joe) Charette!

Sun, wind, bird, bear, whale are part of the oneiric memory of Joseph Charette. A Metis originally from Ontario, he grew up with the spirit of the land in his heart. The power of his carvings comes from his free spirit and strong-willed nature.

Joseph lived with the Haida in northern BC for 15 years, sharing their culture and learning aboriginal artwork techniques. His early work was in wood and included paddles and reliefs. During his stay in northern BC, Joseph came in touch with the essence of nature. As a fisherman, he had intimate encounters with whales, walruses, seals and many other sea creatures. He learned to respect and love the sea.

He was also a hunter and a lumberjack and had intimate encounters with deer, black bears, eagles and many other different animals that populate northern BC. During his stay in the northern latitudes, he looked beyond each creature to capture the essence of its soul. Many years later, he was able to imbue his carvings with this deep knowledge.

Joseph has carved many different animals in soapstone: ravens (he was given a Haida name that means "Precious Raven"), bears, hummingbirds. When he does his soapstone carvings, the spirit of the model is mixed with his own and magically migrate to stone.

His first desire to carve came when he visited Europe and the Middle East, where he was overwhelmed by the works of Egyptian and Renaissance masters, and especially by Michelangelo’s sculptures.

During his visit, Joseph captured and assimilated the incredible power that Michelangelo was able to transmit and even though he did not yet carve at that time, it all remained in his heart and mind, emerging many years later. Whale, bear, bird, wind, sun, may be merely a concept for many, but for Joseph they are a dynamic part of his dream and of his life.

View his own website @ http://www.joestonecarvings.ca/  He is a man of virtue and talent.  An upstanding citizen in his community, he is an artist of respect. 

The works included on our site (Griffin Gallery) can be found under the headings of Sculpture - stone.  The following is a list of his pieces you can view and purchase on our site:

Baby Beluga
Headless Cougar - the story behind this piece will place a smile upon your face!
Inukchuk