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Taking art to new heights

New Painting on the Peak event gives backstage pass to painting process
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"Non-painters will probably be surprised at what goes into a painting." Photo submitted

What: Painting on the Peak

When: Aug. 12

Where: Whistler Mountain

Tickets: $99

Looking at a painting hung on a gallery wall, the viewer is left out of the artistic process: the inspiration behind the work, the canvas preparation and layers upon layers of paint needed to execute the masterpiece.

The Adele Campbell Gallery is giving a backstage view of the artistic process, starting right at the moment of inspiration by hosting the Painting on the Peak workshop Saturday, Aug. 12 on Whistler Mountain.

"We have always wanted to make more of a connection between our artists and the landscapes we have," said gallery director Mary Forseth.

"Non-painters will probably be surprised at what goes into a painting. They will be surprised at the prep work that you don’t see, but it’s under there."

Painters and non-painters alike are invited to join four of B.C.’s top landscape artists on the mountain where artists will paint a new work from scratch, all using the same subject matter.

"It will be so interesting to see the different take on the same scenery," Forseth said.

The four artists showcased at the workshop include Cameron Bird, Rod Charlesworth, David Langevin and Mike Svob.

Bird began painting professionally at the age of 17. College and a major in commercial art followed, which is where artists such as The Group of Seven became the inspiration behind Bird’s work.

The Group of Seven was a key motivator for Charlesworth, too. Surrealist artists also influenced his artistic development. As a result, Charlesworth has taken a keen interest in experimenting with colour and the physical qualities of paint. His art has graced the pages of many art magazines as well as the walls of numerous corporate collections.

Langevin also enjoys experimenting with paint. After obtaining a masters degree in art education he discovered an elaborate system of using multiple layers of transparent and translucent paint, called glazes and scrumbles, to create a dramatic sense of depth and inner life to his works.

Drama is also exercised in the works of Mike Svob, whose paintings are characterized by a strong use of bold colour. The former president of the Federation of Canadian Artists has devoted his life to creative expression, impassioned by the visual presentation that life has to offer as an artist, pilot and traveler.

"Mike is known for his extravagant use of colour: pink, purple and lime greens," Forseth said of the acrylic artist. "David has a lot of texture in his works. Cameron paints in oils and has the most classic Group of Seven look. Rod is more whimsical in his paintings."

The event includes a gondola ride up and down the mountain, artist talks, witnessing the painting process from beginning to finish, lunch, and a private reception and exhibition at the gallery to finish.

Tickets are $99. To register, call the gallery at 604-938-0887 or e-mail art@adelecampbell.com.