Lucy Schappy

November brings with it short days and long , cold nights. It is a challenging time of year for many of us in this hemisphere.

Besides hopping on a plane to a sunnier clime, how can we find relief from the drabness that fills our days? Well one suggestion is to come out to Martine's Bistro in Comox for a feast of colour and great food.

I will be exhibiting a variety of work including new pieces inspired by my recent pilgrimage in Spain. The show runs until the end of February.

Wishing you and yours all the best of the winter season!

Martine's is located at 1754 Beaufort Ave in Comox.

Call [250] 339-1199.

A group of artists devoted to drawing the figure has formed in Cumberland. We meet every Thursday evening and welcome newcomers. To view a selection of our works please visit our blog

site.

Many of my recent oil paintings as well as greeting cards and selected prints are currently available at the Magnolia Gallery and Garden in downtown Cumberland. Gallery owner Kate Jones offers a variety of works by local artists.

On November 23rd international concert pianist Sarah Hagen will be perrforming Chopin preludes at the Sid Williams theatre in Courtenay. Projected images of paintings by myself and other artists will accompany the music to offer a multi-media experience.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Sarah on this project which has offered me greater insights into the world of classical music.

For more information go to Sarah's website link below.

The art work being exhibited is also available for purchase by contacting the artist.

I will be opening my studio to the public as part of the Comox Valley Art Gallery's studio tour on September 29 and 30. Joining me will be guest artist Jennifer Weber.

Touring the studio gives the public an opportunity to see where the creative process is carried out and to ask questions. Art work can be viewed in the context of where it began. Both of us being mothers, we will have our children on hand to sell drinks [hot or cold depending on the weather] and homemade fudge as well as some of their own originals.

Hope to see you then!

I love living in the Comox Valley! One of the many reasons is the arts community. This weekend I participated in the Local Colours festival of the arts, organized by the C.V. arts council. Local artists set up their easels in various locations around town in an attempt to "Capture Courtenay". For two days we painted our versions of what Courtenay means to us. Being situated at the bustling cafe plaza of Mudsharks with fellow friend and artist Jennifer Weber was definately stimulating. We were given the opportunity to share with the community as MANY people approached to watch and ask questions. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and talking about my art and theirs. Somehow I even managed to compete 2 paintings. [Being a Mom prepared me for this!].

Finished work was then hung in the Muir gallery. The show runs until September 29th. Come out and have a look at the many ways people see this wonderful place.

Thank you Comox Valley!

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!