Lucy Schappy

My new show will be at Timm's gallery on 5th street in Courtenay from August 28th until September 29th. This show features a variety of recent work. The still lifes were created in the winter and speak to the inner and indoor space of our lives. At times such as these, when days are dark, wet and cold, I often find myself dreaming of far away places.

France features often in such daydreams. The polka dot series revolves around a fantasy of living in an old apartment above the Seine in Paris, with fresh cut flowers from the local street vendor in a vase on the piano and reflected river light dancing on the ceiling.

As spring approached I became more involved with the outdoors, flowers, and trees, water and sky. "Going to Giverny" marks this passage to summer, last year's vacation to Provence, as well as a nod to Monet and his gardens.

In July we travelled to the Rockies where we spent 3 fabulous and restorative weeks hiking at lake O'Hara and Skoki. This trip brought me back to myself and the land. The birds and trees that I've painted are a tribute to the splendor and strength of nature, to the feeling of being "lost" in a forest of birch that sings with light and life.

I hope you will find peace and joy in these new works.

Blessings to all!

Gretchen Markle, dear friend and mentor, will be joining me for an exhibit of new and recent works at the Magnolia Gallery and Garden December 1st to 7th. Opening night Friday will run from 7 to 9.

The exhibit will showcase the way we view our worlds and what we draw upon for inspiration. Gretchen's highly realistic paintings feature the things she loves in her environment. Her skillful portrayal of household objects speaks for her knowledge of them and offers an exciting departure from her beautiful landscapes, for which she is best known. I have drawn upon memory and imagination to produce mostly abstracted images of subjects that inspire me. One of these is the circus. The circus offers an arena for bold colour, movement and fantasy. It provides a sense of wonder and mystery which I attempt to capture as through the eyes of a child.

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the change of seasons. This fall has been more spectacular than ever with the lack of rain and wind. The leaves on the ground are begging to be scattered, so get out there and indulge yourself.

I am always filled with mixed emotion at this time of year... the letting go of summer ; freedom and time with my daughters, as well as the anticipation of more time to paint... This is when all of the experiences of the summer that have been recorded in sketch books and memories have a chance to make it onto canvas. Our european vacation, and especially France, made a very big impression on me. I was particularly delighted and inspired by the Picasso museum in Paris. It contains the largest collection of his work anywhere. Being in France also helped me understand Matisse better.

The "joie de vivre" of the French is something I want to embrace in my life, spend more time being and living and less time mindlessly scurrying and seeking. Time spent enjoying family and friends is never time wasted.

I am, as always, exploring many means of expressing these ideas... joy comes from everywhere if you let it. So I have been painting still lifes, landscapes, carousels and circus horses. The circus holds some powerful magic that I long to capture. There is so much to love about a circus... seeing through the eyes of a child again.

My work is now also available at Timm's Gallery on 5th street in Courtenay.

I am looking forward to participating in Courtenay's exciting new arts and culture festival "Local Colours". On september 7th, 8th and 9th, artists will be situated in various downtown locations with paint brushes in hand, capturing Courtenay on canvas. An exhibition and sale of the works will be held at the Muir Gallery from Friday, September 15th [opening reception, all welcome] to October 10th. See you there!

I wiill be offering a half-day workshop on February 25, 2006 at the Comox Valley Art Gallery in Courtenay. This class was well recieved the first time I taught it on November 10, 2005 and is being brought back by popular demand.

Paul Klee is one of my favourite artists due to his fresh and varied approach to art making. He was a great innovator of artistic techniques, always seeking new ways to express himself. One method he used is the oil transfer process. This relatively simple technique can produce very exciting and often unexpected results. The lines of an existing image [sketch, photo etc.] are transferred onto paper or canvas in a rather imprecise way, creating texture and often incorporating error which adds interest and mystery to the piece. Colour is then added using gouache, acrylic or oil paint.

This class is suitable for all who enjoy experimentation. Strong drawing and painting skills are not required. All materials will be provided, however you are encouraged to bring small sketches or images that you may have. For those who don't I will have some available to use.

Please contact the CVAG to register.

On December 10th, 2005 I had the honour of contributing my artistic efforts to benefit the very deserving "Holy Chicken Performing Arts Society". The fund-raising event took place in the Cumberland Abbey and featured an art auction of local celebrity art, 100% of the proceeds went towards the society to assist in their continued efforts to bring in first rate performers from far and wide. The Abbey and the Holy Chicken Society have put Cumberland on the map as a cultural destination.

Through out the evening I painted to live music performed first by the virtuoso Nabil Emik and then the inspired Tony Wilson. The resulting painting was auctioned off with the others at the end of the night. Thanks to all who contributed time, talent and money to make this event a huge success!

All the best for the coming 365 days.