Three Verona artists at the Grace Centre

Mar 04, 2015

In their ongoing efforts to showcase the work of local artists, the Grace Centre Arts Committee held a special artists talk and reception at the Grace Centre in Sydenham on March 1. Three artists, Elaine Farragher, Jill Harris, and Virginia Lavin, whose works will be on display at the centre until March 26, each spoke on what inspires their work. The paintings that make up this expansive show are mostly landscapes and all three women spoke of being inspired by the bounty and beauty of the local nature where they live.

Farragher, who spoke first, said she has always “gone in for realism” and paints nature in all its glory and minutia. Farragher said she has always resisted the trend to paint more abstractly and her works are highly detailed and demonstrate her determination to paint the natural world that surrounds her.

Jill Harris is also inspired by Canadian land and sky and her far-flung travels throughout the country have captured various intimate and expansive landscapes including those from the far north, British Columbia's west coast as well as a number of intimate rural scenes in and around Verona and Harrowsmith. Her pictures are subtle and her virtuoso talent with colour creates paintings that are rich, diverse and sublime. Virginia Lavin spoke of the calming and therapeutic effects that painting offers her. She switched from watercolour to acrylics, opting for the latter for their “versatility and forgiveness”. Much of her subject matter is what she sees from her own back yard in Bellrock. Her swan series is especially pleasing. Her downy swans are lush and intricate and are masterfully and realistically depicted on bright and vibrant rice papered abstract backgrounds. For those who missed the opening talk and reception, the show can be viewed at the Grace Centre during regular business hours by calling the SFCSC at 613-376-6477. To arrange for a weekend viewing email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.