Arianne Tubman is an emerging artist, based in Kelowna. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of British Columbia. She is primarily a photographer, but also creates paintings, illustrations, and print works. Her artistic practice tackles a range of subjects but is always guided by an interest in human experiences.

Arianne’s piece- “Embers in the Dim- varied Thrush at Dawn,” is inspired by Arianne’s love for biology and ornithology. As Arianne says- art is my profession, but biology is my passion. If I had done what my parents wanted, I would have pursued ornithology instead of arts in university But here I am, an artist and bird enthusiast. This piece celebrates a lesser-known bird native to the Okanagan. The first time I spotted one of these birds, I had been walking home from the grocery store in the evening. In the dim blue of twilight, I saw a bright orange dot moving around in the branches above me. I was struck by this little bird's vibrant, flame-like orange feathers. In this painting wanted to recreate the feeling I experienced during that first impression. To have the intense first light of dawn cutting through the foliage to reveal a hidden gem. Through this work, I hope you can gain an appreciation for the Varied Thrush and admire it as much as I do.

Britt Bidlake is a multidisciplinary artist from the Okanagan. She is the founder of Franky Rose- a successful jewelry line that features her unique and intricate designs. In addition to being a talented jewelry maker, Britt is also a painter, whose works can be found in homes across the Okanagan. Her work can also be found in publications such as vanity fair UK, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Reader’s Digest, among others. On top of all this Britt has also become a regular at the Western Canada Fold Festival Circuit- where she showcases her beautiful and unique work to a wider audience.

Britt’s piece, “lightly touched land” represents the singularity of the place we call home. Furthermore, Britt has this to say about her art: There is something sacred about the land in the Okanagan- rolling landscapes, sage brush, dancing skies, deep lakes, and rocky bluffs. The horses that roam about on our “lightly touched land,” are to me such a reminder of this place we call home. The horses in my piece are shown living peacefully with the land, a symbiotic relationship with the Earth and its elements. Further all the colours chosen in this piece are inspired by local plants to really tie this art to this place.

SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOREndrené Shepherd was raised in Kaleden and lives and makes art in Penticton. She is currently an artist in residence at the Leir House Cultural Centre. She sees herself as a storyteller, with her paintings and illustrations transporting the viewer on an emotional journey- revealing truths, fears, or utter blissful fantasy. Endrené loves to play with juxtapositions- whether it be a graffiti billboard in a pristine landscape or a wolf walking down a busy street. With her work she questions who and what belongs where and explores how what we see can enable us to question our right to belong.

Endrené’s piece is entitled “Never at Home, Even When You’re There” and of it she has to say: The foundation of the painting is several maps, which are visible through the layers of paint when viewed closely. Evening summer light glows across the surface of Okanagan Lake, but the viewer is not “there.” Neither literally nor figuratively. We always carry within us nostalgia for the places we have come from and yearning for the places we desire to go. These beautiful human aches haunt us, always sitting just below the surface of our present reality.

Lukas Lundberg is a visual artist from Sweden and residing in Vancouver. He moved to Canada due to his outstanding artistic skills in the visual effects industry. Lukas has over 10 years of experience creating murals, and over 5 years experience creating professional public artwork. He has created artwork for several mural festivals, exhibits, companies, and events. When creating his murals, he mixes brushwork and spray paint to create a unique effect that really highlights his painting’s subject. His paintings are often vibrantly colored portraits of people or wildlife with abstract elements- utilizing high contrast and monotone complimentary colours to emphasize his subject.

Lukas’s piece is part of his series of seafarer portraits. In his own words: these portraits symbolize a navigator in our turbulent times, where an ocean of digital information displaces our direction. The colour palette in these pieces represents the vibrancy that exists between dusk and dawn, combined with my characteristic abstract elements.

Naomi was born in Tenancingo de Degollado in Mexico, and moved to Canada in 2019, settling in Oliver. From an early age she displayed an artistic temperament, and mostly self-taught in the visual arts, however she has worked under and collaborated with artistic masters throughout her career and has through that developed a great appreciation for muralism. Since moving to Canada Naomi has created a plethora of murals. Naomi works mainly in acrylics, pencil, and watercolour although she is always experimenting with new materials. Her work is recognizable for the vivid colours she uses- reds, yellows, blues, violets, blues, and golds- inspired by Klimt and Chagall. Naomi’s work is inspired by her mother who is a writer and storyteller and so with her work Naomi tries to tell diverse stories, like her mother.

Naomi’s mural is entitled “A Place to Stay Forever.” With this piece Naomi has drawn on the history of Indigenous peoples both here and in her home of Mexico who have had their land taken and their blood shed by European colonizers. With this she draws connections to Penticton and how its name is often translated as “a place to stay forever,” a place not only for tourists, but also for many, that is multiculturally rich. Naomi’s mural is brimming with symbolism- incorporating Indigenous symbols from Canada and Mexico.

Neil Erickson is painter who primarily works in acrylics- using his hands, large scrapers, pallet knives, and rigger brushes. Neil takes his inspiration from the extraordinary woodlands found in the Okanagan. When Neil works, he feels a profound connection between body, mind, and spirit and spends days practicing his work in his mind before he commences the painting. When he starts painting, he plunges into it as one would into a pond of cold water, and swims like hell.

The mural that Neil has contributed for our mini mural auction is entitled Tsútswecw Park and inspired by an area near Adams Lake. Neil explains: Adams Lake is where logging chutes and flumes were built in the 1900s to expedite the enormous forest extraction that BC is unfortunately famous for. Much of the forest that was once there has regrown, recapturing its once mighty splendour that Indigenous peoples would have known. With this painting Neil hopes to nourish in our hearts a greater love and respect for the phenomenon we call Mother Nature- especially in these times of unabated resource extraction.

Robyn Sylvester is an Australian born artist and single mother of three. She surrounds herself with art and creativity and has tried her hand at a plethora of mediums- painting, drawing, and most interestingly- cake sculpting. At a young age Robyn was inspired by her talented sister as well as Australia’s natural beauty. She continues to make art today; in fact she finds that the older she gest the more compelled she is to paint and draw. She works as both a solo artist and as a collaborative artist- working with her children, who inspire her everyday with their childlike view of art and the world.

Pertaining to her mural, Robyn has this to say: Many things inspired my mural- my love of plants and wildlife, specifically birds, of which black cockatoos are my favourite. Black Cockatoos remind me of home- I miss their eerie calls and the way they hang around before a storm. It’s also no coincidence that there are three birds and I have three children. The lady in my mural was inspired by all the beautiful strong women in my life, that help me improve myself and be a better human.

Taylor is a Syilx Okanagan artist from the Osoyoos Indian Band. She uses her art practice to express and explore her identity as an Okanagan woman by using traditional materials and contemporary art practices. Taylor is an interdisciplinary artist engaging with various mediums such as sculpture, painting, digital illustration, beadwork, printmaking, and photography. She is currently in her third year of study at Emily Carr University of Art & Design. Taylor has previously contributed work to the Bill Reid Gallery, the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Osoyoos Art Gallery, and the Michael O’Brian Exhibition Commons

Unfortunately Taylor couldn’t attend in person tonight as she is currently finishing her third year of study at Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver.

Taylor’s Mural, like a large portion of her art is informed by Okanagan epistemologies. This mural was created to represent the Okanagan captikw (pronounced chap-teek) story of Coyote and Horse, and how Coyote brought Horse to the people. According to Taylor, her pays homage to: the relationship that the Okanagan people have with horses and wild horses in the valley and to my late grandfather Francis Jim Baptiste, who often depicted horses out on the land or in rodeo scenes in his artwork.

Toni Albert was born, raised, and spent most of her life in BC’s Sea to Sky corridor, until she moved to Penticton with her family 2 and a half years ago. Toni has worked in the fine art industry for years and has ample experience in the arts sector. Toni is an avid mountaineer and spends most of her time outdoors- she can be found in alpine forests, dark coastal forests, and anywhere else that is fit for climbing. These places provide quiet and a sense of insignificance, which offers ample opportunity for inspiration to strike. Toni’s art was and continues to be an exploration of the stories we collectively feel compelled to tell- what started as a need to “get it out” in her teens grew into an excitement for creating unique moments of connection with others. Toni mainly works in acrylic and watercolour although occasionally she missies working with stinky oil paints.

Referencing her mural, Toni says this: Gulls are something that Penticton and the Coast have in common- but with different energies. I’ve spent most of my life on the coast. Coastal city gulls are tough and do not care that you spent $16 on fries, they are coming to steal you snacks in the most aggressive way possible. Often these birds are beat up, missing a foot, an eye, a chunk of feathers- but they get by, by fighting for what they feel is theirs- garbage or otherwise. The gulls here have a different energy- they keep to themselves; they don’t mess with tourists and especially not with the geese. They seem more content. I wanted to bring these two gulls together on the Okanagan shores- maybe the city gull went for a trip, maybe he moved here, but for whatever reason he’s here now and you get to create a backstory for him and that’s part of the fun and mystery of it.

Zac Abney is a multidisciplinary environmental artist and developer. He is a traditionally trained artist who also works in digital mediums. He enjoys rebuilding vehicles, renovating his house, creating small robots, painting, and hiking. He is passionate about exploring the relationships between people and the designs and artworks that speak to them, as he believes that artwork is the most effective language for translating emotions- with his work he hopes to help viewers explore this dynamic.

Zac’s piece is entitled: “Remember and Appreciate.” Speaking to his piece, Zac says: I was reflecting on our isolation due to COVID-19. During the pandemic my dad developed a rare form of cancer, and despite the fact that I wanted to be close to him, to reach out and hug him and comfort him, I couldn’t- I had to wait months, watching him deteriorate from a distance. Finally, after months of wearing masks and keeping our distance I was able to wrap my arms around him- which alleviated tremendous amounts of worry, anxiety, and sadness. Happily, my dad is doing better now, and we are on the other side of the worst of Covid, but I wanted to create a reminder of the difficult times we all collectively went through. I also want to thank my friend Gary Sylvester for developing a reference image.

BENJI LOWCLASS is a Canadian illustrator and graphic designer based out of the Kootenays/Okanagan. He wears a Northside patch with reverence to the general direction of big nature. Hop in the van, we’re headed to the countryside, to the campfires, the lakes, rivers and the rocky mountains! Known for his drawing style, he creates graphics mostly by hand with pencil and ink. Sketching out T-Shirt designs, designing logos or painting walls Benji's artwork is inspired by the great outdoors, wildlife, North American ski/snowboard culture & music. — Words by Sarah Spurr

Mural Experience: Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Luna Art Festival Revelstoke, Nelson International Mural Festival, Canuck Splitfest, Redbull Rocks and Logs Calgary.

Artist Statement

I'm inspired by Canadian culture, its history, people, wildlife, and landscape. When I create a piece I try to capture this beauty. I take a new approach to landscape art by adding in as many details within a scene as I can, using bold line work and bright colours. People refer to this as the "Where's Waldo" style, and enjoy finding more details the longer they stare at a piece. My proposal will be an Okanagan/ British Columbian landscape with references to modern, historical and geographical characteristics that make our country/ area so special.

Diana Palmer, AFCA, was born in Armstrong, BC, and raised on a farm in a remote area with no near neighbours, no telephone, and no electricity, which left her lots of time as a child to hone her drawing skills. Encouraged by her family, she drew pictures of the plants, wildlife and landscapes that surrounded her and eventually this childhood pastime grew into a passion for art.

Palmer graduated from Vernon Senior Secondary and immediately left for Vancouver to pursue a post-secondary education in Visual Arts. She studied Fine Art at Langara College, Conceptual Art at Simon Fraser University and Graphic Design and Commercial Illustration at Capilano College. She returned to the Okanagan in 1995 and has recently relocated to Summerland.

Palmer paints mainly in acrylic, her subject matter varying; landscapes, wildlife, florals, still lifes, street scenes and the occasional portrait. She joined the Federation of Canadian Artists in 2004 and was granted Associate level status in 2015.

Artist Statement

I think growing up in the back country of the Okanagan Valley taught me to love, appreciate and respect nature at an early age. Due to my life-long bond with nature, I have observed for myself how much our environment here in the Valley and worldwide, has been affected and changed by humans over the past fifty years, and have come to realize just how fragile our world really is. While most people are probably aware of this fact, I feel that it is important that we are frequently reminded of it so that we never take our beautiful landscapes for granted. With this goal in mind, I began a series of paintings to convey this very important message — but rather than send my message in a bottle, I chose to send it in a wine glass.

The wine glass in the “Glass Landscapes Series” that I am continuously working on has an obvious tie to the Okanagan Valley, but more importantly it symbolizes the “fragility” of the landscapes reflected within it. Everyone knows that glass must be handled with care as it is easy to break. I would like people to think of our environment in the same way so that our precious landscapes, and the wildlife that depends on them, will be respected and preserved for future generations.

Originally from Montreal and having lived in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta for many years, Diane’s long-time dream of moving to the South Okanagan became reality a few years ago. She is thrilled to be involved in the arts in this area and is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) where she has been successful in competitions. Diane is excited and grateful to be involved in this wonderful arts initiative between the Penticton Art Gallery and Cannery Brewing.

Artist Statement

“When I put paint to canvas it’s like the start of an adventure, a road trip. I enjoy the anticipation of hitting that wide open surface, I pack my imagination and grab my vision and start the creative journey. Learning to go with the flow, finding delight in the twists and turns of the painting trek and even getting lost all provide me with a thrill! The mystery of the journey is what keeps me hooked. If I reach the destination in my art work that’s great but the important thing is to enjoy the ride!”

Majoring in the Visual Arts, I received my BFA from Emily Carr University in Vancouver, BC. My practice is split between painting, ceramics and more recently, public art. Prior to attending Emily Carr, I spent 5 exciting years travelling to over 70 countries on all 7 continents by sea, leaving me with a deep connection to the ocean. Those years at sea left their mark and coupled with 20 years living on the Pacific West Coast, I am forever drawn to themes of water and reflection, which reoccur throughout my art practice.

Having relocated to the Okanagan, I am mesmerized by the rolling cloud formations here and strive to capture both the drama and tranquility that those overcast days inspire. I find beauty in big monochromatic skies reflecting off of bodies of water, and personally seek solace in these sweeping views. I’m always searching for the moment the veil is lifted, revealing a glimmer of light on the horizon and my hope is that these feelings of peaceful solitude are translated onto the canvas and thereby the viewer.

In 2018 I was awarded a major public art commission by the Government of Canada & the City of Vernon to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, whereby I enlisted the community to help create a 150-foot winding Mosaic River that was successfully installed in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park the following year. This past June I exhibited my solo show, Down Came the Rain, at Gallery Vertigo in Vernon.

Liz’s life has been split between the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and British Columbia Canada, with the rivers, mountains, and forests of this area of the world heavily influencing her work.

Artist Statement

Liz is an illustration artist focusing on the intersection of animals, nature, and human interpretation. Her primary medium is ink & watercolor, with explorations in digital illustration, animation, and silkscreen. Her work is characterized by bright colors, bold lines, and non-traditional approaches to traditional mediums. Influences of art nouveau, poster art, and storybook illustrations can be seen throughout her work, bringing a strong narrative approach to each piece.

Artist Statement

Jolene Mackie is an artist living and working in Kelowna BC. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Emily Carr University in 2009, Jolene has pursued art making professionally with a focus on the medium of oil painting. Jolene has exhibited her work widely throughout the Okanagan Valley and British Columbia, and has work in private collections around the world. Jolene finds inspiration in simple, fleeting moments: a unique quality of light, the shape of shadows, and the living palettes that colour our daily existence. Her work blends fascination with the world around us and the whimsy of human imagination into wholly unique visual experiences.

From custom pieces to curated series, her paintings are about the process of creating as much as the creation itself. For this reason she favours of oil paints, as their slower working time is both meditative and contemplative. Jolene is the 2017 recipient of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan Visual Arts award, her work has been recognized for its visceral impact.

Stephanie Perry is an artist currently living and working in beautiful Penticton BC, Canada. She has worked freelance for 20 years in the arts, teaching, and painting and creating in various mediums. Having grown up in on Northern Vancouver Island, much of her work is influenced by the natural world and the creatures that live there.

Artist Statement

Much of my work centers around the idea of the “natural sacred.” How the environment and humanity are intertwined and connected and our mortality relies on a balance between both. My work is an attempt for me to bridge our connections, to re-forge them, to show to my audience and viewers the sacred of even the smallest creatures. How our perception of them at face value is broken and in recreating them in paint displaying their divinity I am somehow reminding the viewer to slow down and see them in that light, to have reverence. Most of my nature works focuses on the narrative behind an animal, its behavior, and its deeper spiritual meaning. How these creatures are more than just “there” but each play a pivotal role in our ecosystem and our connectedness to the divine.

Zac Abney is a portrait and landscape painter from Penticton, BC. Zac's painting style is heavily influenced by Richard Schmid and Tomas Braithwaite, Robert Bateman and Casey Baugh. He was mentored early on by Tomas Braithwaite, painting still life and figure, as well as Ralph Galloway later on, painting wildlife and landscapes.

He attended Emily Carr University for three years in the General Studies program. Zac now works almost exclusively in oils, and his subject matter tends to focus on extremely emotional periods. Aggressive or violent, dark or tender and even intimate moments in his portrait pieces. Zac focuses on temperature, light and weather in his landscape paintings.

Artist Statement

Though Zac's talents are firmly rooted in the past and reflect his teachers and mentors, his focus is taking his art forward into a remarkable personal vision of the future. Blending classical technique using space and light with the ever changing technology that blurs the lines between reality and the imagination.