It was hot inside the small building on South Fletcher last week, home to the annual Gibsons School of the Arts (GSA) summer art classes - so hot the acrylic paint was drying too quickly. But the paintings that the 15 artists/students were busily creating were pretty cool.
Brent Lynch, a professional instructor who likes to paint out of doors close to his studio in Nanoose Bay, began his GSA class by showing how natural light on a landscape can transform a simple painting of a beach into a sublime and moody scene.
"This school gets good artists - just awesome," commented Coast resident and GSA participant Tina Flux who had tried other art workshops in the city. "I love it."
Organizers Elaine Clayden, Sheila Page and Vicki Halford were also taking the class with Lynch. Halford participated in the previous week's class in creative figure painting from artist Justin Ogilvie, and this week she was tackling her photo of a shadowed building in France that she had reproduced on canvas.
Being part of the organizing committee is not a problem, she said.
"It's a fantastic board. Every one does their job," she said.
Despite the enthusiasm, the GSA was forced to cancel two of their prospective classes this year for lack of enrolment. Fees went up because of higher rent in the Town-owned building, which may have deterred some participants, or possibly the decreased enrolment was merely a sign of the times.
Nonetheless, they have two more workshops coming up that will not be cancelled. From July 22 to 26 Alan Wylie leads a watercolour group in learning to create texture, and Aug. 12 to 16 Andrew McDermott transforms pastel studies into acrylic paintings. Both workshops include demonstrations and tricks of the trade.
GSA is looking forward to next year when they have signed up some top professionals plus a local talent, Greta Guzek.
More about the school can be found at www.gibsonsartschool.net.
