Goward House

The Artist’s Work

Charlene is a graduate of the University of Alberta (BSc) and the University of Colorado (MBA), now retired from a career in the Canadian Public Service. During the ten years her husband was with Emirates Airline, Charlene travelled extensively, served as Administrator of the Dubai Arts Centre, and wrote about painting, archeology and future studies for the Khaleej Times and the Gulf News. She has written an art blog, 1150 Words by Charlene Brown, since 2009.                                           

The Artist’s Work

As far back as I can remember I have painted. I love the landscape of Canada and look to it for inspiration.

As a self-taught artist, I paint primarily in acrylics, making full use of its vibrant colours and fast drying properties to capture the emotion of the scene. I have enjoyed painting at Goward House for many years.

The group provides inspiration, advice and great coffee chat.

The Artist’s Work

Paul was born in Hull, England and has been a resident of Victoria for over sixty years. After retiring from the BC Public Service and a career in Information Technology, Paul – who describes himself as a “born doodler” and considers any blank space a beckoning canvas – decided to take it up a notch and bought some paints, paper and brushes and dove right into the “painting thing.”

The “self-taught” artist’s work covers a wide versatile range of subjects – from the cottages of his native Yorkshire to Orcas off his Vancouver Island home – and his creations are achieved utilizing watercolours, pen and ink and acrylics.

As a member of Oak Bay Community Artists and Goward House Painters, Paul has shown his work publicly since 2005 participating in numerous Oak Bay Artists Studio Tours, the Bowker Creek Brush-up, the Oak Bay Summer Night Market, Cadboro Bay Art Walk and both individual and group shows at Goward House.

Among his works, Paul includes private commissions and Christmas cards for the Municipality of Oak Bay and he is proud of the fact that he is the first artist to have one of his creations grace the cover of that municipality’s Annual Report. A growing number of Paul’s self-initiated paintings and commissioned works have found homes both inside and outside of Canada.

The Artist’s Work

Art is Music to me.
The flow of the paint on the canvas.
The colours, textures and the rhythm of the brush strokes.
The inner meaning of the art itself.

I’ve been painting and drawing for many years.  I was fortunate to study with many fine artists from
St. John’s, Nfld., Winnipeg, Man.,
Canmore and Banff, Alb., and Victoria, B.C.

At present,  I enjoy painting Abstract art using acrylic medium.

“Let us praise the sun, which sheds such a beautiful light” P. Cezanne

The Artist’s Work

I have lived in Victoria since 1975. My husband and I love travel in our RV. Currently we have a small trailer (we downsized from a lovely big motorhome a few years ago).

I am inspired by artists from all genres. My art is also greatly influenced by my travels, nature’s ever-changing canvas, and my spiritual journey.

Today I work in watercolour, acrylic, and mixed media on canvas, cradleboard, and paper.

Art journalling is a core part of my daily art practise. I love working in my own homemade journals (stitched, junk journals, altered books) as well as off-the-shelf journals. Each allows me to explore feelings, ideas, tools, mediums, and techniques. Exploring new ideas and keeps me passionate about art and helps me evolve my style.

I am an award-winning artist. I have shown my paintings at various art shows and venues on southern Vancouver Island. I love the art community here on the island.

The Artist’s Work

Anne Swannell has been drawing and painting since she was four. In her working life, she was a graphic artist.

Many of her mosaics hang on Victoria’s porch and patio walls, and she often paints scenery for Langham Court Theatre and St. Luke’s Players.