Greta Grunow Guzek is one of the Coast's best-known artists.
Her work is colourful and dynamic; her paintings of local scenery are instantly recognizable whether they depict the marina at Gibsons or a cottage by the sea.
And Guzek is maturing as an artist - this evolution of style becomes the subject of her latest solo exhibition at the Westwind Gallery, running from Feb. 25 to March 11. The 20-plus acrylics on show have a new colour palette, a change from the usual bright yellows and reds to more muted tones, some rust reds, even grey blues. She's simplified her subject matter, has focused on just two logs, one tree or crows on a beach. She's using a bigger brush that changes the size of the strokes. Yet, somehow even with the changes, the distinctive Guzek style shines through."Everyone has a rhythm to their brushwork," she says. "My energy or rhythm is the same as before."
There is nothing static in these new paintings; each has a dynamism, particularly the lively crows, even though the painting may appear to be darker than before.
"My colleagues are always trying to coax me into revealing a dark side," she laughs.
She's tried to be darker, but she confesses she maintains her sunny, positive outlook, especially when it comes to painting the scenery of her home on the Coast.
Recently, she showed two paintings to a critique group of other artists whose opinions she values. One of the paintings featured a busy gathering of crows on a beach, their wings tinged with indigo against a blue sky.
"The blue crow painting got a good response from the group," she recalls.
It was a pivotal moment - she decided to shift in that direction, hone her focus and paint for all she was worth for a solid two months in preparation for a show. Gallery owner Morley Baker points out that often the incentive of a solo show stirs the creative juices for many artists, and they end up with a body of work around one central theme. In this case, Guzek painted crows, arbutus, beach, trees along the Inglis Trail - all accessible and appealing images.Guzek's art began 35 years ago after school when she was employed in the design field in Vancouver. She was first a serigraph artist and has been working with acrylic for only about eight years. She has illustrated four children's books. The last, Down at the Seaweed Café, was championed by education authorities and purchased as a reader for all new schoolchildren in 2005. In Gibsons, Guzek illustrations have become familiar, first as Sea Cavalcade logos and, in the last six years, as the theme paintings for the Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival.
Although her paintings sell well, Guzek does not think like a commercial artist. "I have only one rule in my business head," she says, "and that is consistent quality."
The opening reception for the Guzek show is Saturday, Feb. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Westwind Gallery, 292 Gower Point Rd. in Gibsons. All are invited. Her paintings can be viewed at www.westwindgallery.net.
