Artist’s Biography –Janice Schwartz Janice Schwartz was born in the Kootenays but has called Kelowna BC her home since 1979. It is in the beautiful Okanagan Valley where Janice developed a true appreciation for her natural surroundings. She paints in both watercolors and acrylics. She loves vibrant warm colors and she tries to use them to create exciting paintings. Janice graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Education. She spent much of her teaching career in Kelowna, where she taught art to hundreds of children. Art has always been an important part of her life and although she is self-taught, she has been inspired by taking workshops from various distinguished artists. Janice has had art displayed at the Community Theatre, Artwalk, and the Kelowna Art Gallery. She is currently also a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Palette Club and the Mission Painters' Art Group.
Artist's Biography - Joyce Findlay Joyce began her love for painting, in her home town of Terrace, B.C. What started as a retirement hobby soon became a passion. For her, creating art has become part of her daily life. When she moved to Kelowna, she joined the Mission Painters' Art Group and has been part of their group for 3 years. Joyce’s passion and enthusiasm for life is reflected in her use of color. Using a flowing stream of bright and bold colors she creates her interpretation of beautiful flowers. The rich reds, purples, yellows and greens mingle on the canvas to create semi-abstract, colorful and uplifting art. Her intention as an artist is to impact the viewer with artwork that will make ones heart sing. Joyce is a self-taught artist who over the years has developed her own style. She works from various reference photos, and the paintings just seem to take on a life of their own, developing as she paints. Joyce’s art is in collections all over the world. She also loves to donate her work to many charities and enjoys giving lessons. https://jefindlay.wixsite.com/artbyjoyce
Artist's Biography - Bernice E James Bernice’s journey of discovery continues to move to a freer style. Working primarily in acrylics to create abstract and contemporary images, she finds inspiration in music, nature, people and places in her life. Increasingly, her work is a study in colour and texture that comes from the heart! Her fundamental purpose is not to challenge but, rather, to give pleasure. It gives her great joy when there is a connection with those who experience her creations; the connection completes the circle. Bernice has participated in exhibitions and shows, including at the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Kelowna Community Theatre, the Kelowna Downtown Library, Gallery97 outside Peachland, and at the Mission Painters Art Group annual Show and Sale “Art by the Lake”. Her works are displayed across Canada and in Europe. She is the Immediate Past Chairperson of the Mission Painters Art Group, and a Member of the Kelowna Art Gallery, Rotary Centre for the Arts and ARTSCO. www.berniceejames.com
Where Poppies Grow Purple Dawn
Artist's Biography -- Val Newth
Val Newth comes from an artistic family but didn’t start painting herself until retiring to Kelowna, B.C. The scenery, the changing seasons and the variety of flowers, birds and animals are a continuing inspiration and give her an endless choice of subjects to paint. Val currently paints in acrylics as she enjoys the bold colors and the quick drying factor as this enables her to work on several paintings at once. She has enjoyed painting with the Mission Painters' Art Group for over 10 years. Val was born in New Zealand and loves to travel far and wide which also provides sources of inspiration. She visits local artists wherever she travels. She has enjoyed doing local workshops and classes with Dani Lachuk, and enjoys showing and selling her work privately and at the annual Mission Painters Art Show & Sale by the lake every July. She has also shown her work at Art Walk, Gallery 97 and the Kelowna Community Theatre.
A Chilly Chat White Elegance
Glorious Poppies
Jenny Brownjohn – Artist's Biography
Jenny grew up in the Vancouver lower mainland, and moved to Kelowna in 1999. A love of collecting art over many years is what inspired her to pick up a paint brush and allow her own creativity to be realized. Jenny started painting after moving to the beautiful Okanagan Valley. As a self-taught artist, she works mainly in acrylic and mixed media. Jenny strives to continually improve technique and artistry by taking classes and workshops with accredited artists. Painting has allowed her to express emotion through colour and diverse themes. It has taught her that anything is possible with the right mind set, dedication, and patience. Jenny’s painting continues to evolve as she experiments with different techniques and subject matter. The freedom of abstract painting and the detail of painting realism are the contrasting styles that challenge her. Jenny is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and Chairperson of the Mission Painters' Art Group. Her art has been displayed at the Kelowna Art Gallery, The Kelowna Community Theatre, Gallery 97, and the annual Mission Painters art show and sale. Her work has been sold in galleries privately, and through the Mission Painters' Art Group annual “Art by the Lake Show & Sale”. Creating art that inspires an emotion or memory within the viewer is her ultimate goal. Enjoy Jenny’s art!
Michelle Droettboom - Artist's Biography
Michelle Droettboom has been an enthusiastic painter and teacher in watercolor since 1995. For over 40 years Michelle worked as a speech-language pathologist using her creativity to focus on preschool children with Autism during the day, and as an enthusiastic self-taught painter in watercolor during any available minute at night. Recently retired, she now finds time to play, experiment, and create fabulous art! Her love of experimentation enables her students to try new ideas and gets the creative energy flowing.
To view the art of Michelle Droettboom go to her website: www.Letstrythat.ca
Al Davies - Artist's Biography
Al was born in Birmingham, England and after taking painting classes with various local artists developed such an interest in art he went to Kidderminster Art College which proved very worthwhile. Al consequently became a member of the Kidderminster Art Society. After painting in water color, acrylics and oil, Al chose acrylics and did several workshops with Paul Bryant who was trained by Bob Ross. Al immigrated to Canada 11 years ago and returned to painting when he retired and still paints in both acrylics and oils. He largely enjoys painting landscapes, including mountain ranges, lakes and rivers. Al is a long standing member of Missions Painters’ Art Group in Kelowna and participates in their annual Art By the Lake Show & Sale each July.
Artist Biography – Marie Baigent Marie was born in Ottawa. She moved to Vancouver in the 1970’s. She and her husband took early retirement in 1995 and moved to Kelowna. Marie soon took up painting. She never looked back. Marie is self-taught but has taken many workshops from distinguished artists. She paints using different mediums from watercolours, acrylic, mixed media to collage and most recently uses the pour painting technique. Marie’s subjects vary as she enjoys painting people, landscapes, buildings and abstracts. Her art has been displayed at the Community Theater, Artwalk, Kelowna Art Gallery, Gallery 97 and the annual July show with the Mission Painters' Art Group. Marie has been a member of the Mission Painters' Art Group since 2002.
Artist Biography -- Jaine Buse Jaine started painting seriously 9 years ago when she retired to Kelowna from Toronto. Her bold acrylic and mixed media creations are inspired by places travelled, people met, and experiences of everyday life. Her past 7 years spent in San Miquel de Allende, Mexico and India have greatly influenced her work. Jaine was mentored by 4 Mexican artists and continually takes classes and attends conferences to learn other processes. Jaine has been on a 2 year art journey on line with Nancy Hillis which has further refined her spontaneity and experimentation. She currently is part of the Art2life community. Jaine’s work shows in homes in North and South America, Mexico and Europe. She has shown in various galleries in B.C. and has had 2 solo shows in Kelowna. She is one of the artists of “3 Amigas + 1 Stud : 2019 Studio Journey” at the RCA in Kelowna in August, 2019. Jaine has served on the boards of Livessence, Mission Painters Art Group and was co-partner in Gallery97, Peachland for 3 years. She led a group of 12 artists to Mexico in 2016. Jaine strongly believes everyone deserves to own affordable original art. Jaine Buse 250 470 7436 Jainesaffordableoriginalart.weebly.com
Artist Biography -- Lorraine Hodges Lorraine Hodges is a multi-media artist based in Kelowna. Her works include realistic and impressionist watercolor and fabric draped paverpol sculptures. However, Lorraine's greatest talent is creating on a very unique canvas, gourds! She carves, woodburns and paints beautiful designs all resulting in one-of-a-kind art. Lorraine continues to develop her artistic talent in this medium and teaches classes in both Canada and Mexico. Her gourd art can be found in private collections throughout North America. Her work has been and continues to be displayed in numerous local galleries. Lorraine's inspiration comes from natural settings, wildlife, culture and native art. For more information, please visit her website: gourdsbylorraine.com.
Artist Biography -- Margo Jensen Margo's passion for art was triggered on her first trip to Europe at the age of 12. The art she saw while roaming the Louvre and other museums impacted her life. However, at that time she never thought of herself as an artist or even artistic! Years later while living on the Riviera she got up the courage to take her first art lesson and she hasn't stopped learning. Margo loves to paint in all mediums and in various styles. Oils are her preferred medium for portraits and more classical styles but she loves the excitement and stretch she feels when creating abstract art. She works diligently to capture the essence of each theme and material in numerous ways. While in BC she has taken courses from: David Dass, Kristy Gordon, Gene Prokop, Jane Patersen and Carney Oudendag. Margo has displayed her art at several locations including: Neo’s Spa, Marmalade Café, Volcanic Hills Winery, Vibrant Vines Winery, Art on the Avenues, Blenz Coffee Shop, Ki'bok Mexican Restaurant and Mission Painters ‘Art by the Lake’ show and sale.
Artist Biography -- Walter Maier Walter says he was born with a paint brush in his hand! His favourite subjects are, landscapes, buildings and flowers. Oil painting is his preferred medium. He does special commission works by request. Walter’s very first art show was in 1973 in Ontario. His work has been displayed in galleries and at the Mission Painters’ Art Shows and the ‘Life and Artist Festival’. Creating a drawing for the front cover of the Centennial Fall Fair price list for the McKellar Agricultural Society was his biggest honour.
Victoria Shipowick studied art at Red Deer College and LaSierra University in California. She also has a certificate in Interior Design from La Salle University and a certificate in Floral Design from Douglas College. In Red Deer, Ruth Gherwing, a graduate from Banff School of Fine Arts, had the most influence on Victoria's painting style. Gherwing labeled Victoria's work as bold with a talent for colour. Victoria has always had a passion for art. She is driven by her love of life's beautiful moments. Pear blossoms in the springtime, fat ladies at the beach and red poppies blowing in the wind are what motivates her to paint. Victoria uses oil and acrylic as her mediums. Her paintings have been shown in Red Deer Museum and Library. More recently her paintings have been shown at the Mission Painters Art Group Show and Sale and the Kelowna Community Center. she is a member of the Mission Painters Art Group.