| BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS |
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Self-expression is making visible the climax of each cycle of struggle as we climb the
spiral leading from chaos to the stars, although during our early struggles the results
may not equal the vision. That the Sketch Club is aiding many to
express their vision more and more clearly is evident upon viewing the display of fine
work assembled by its members. The pictures at the Midsummer Exhibition presented an interesting study. Each picture had a message, and the writer wondered if the thoughts evoked in the mind while viewing them were similar to those the artist had as he or she painted. "A Village in Florida," by Mrs. Bisset, is a delightful landscape in which the trees are alive with the joy of living in the sun. "Silver Lining," by Mr. D. McEvoy, is a woodland idyl. The trout are about to jump in the stream, and there seems to be a delicious odor of leaves in the rain. "Gates of the West," a charming bit of color beckoning us towards the setting sun, is painted by Miss Conran. Miss Dorothy Thompson is ably represented by a portrait in oils, which is a speaking likeness of Miss E.M. Knox. This picture is most pleasing in the handling of color and texture. "Deserted House," is the title of a sketch in oils by Miss Wake. In this picture the shadows are deep and cool, and suggestive of the desolation within. Mrs. J. Wattie has contributed a picture of Prospect Point, a composition restful and alluring in its soft coloring. The artist has depicted a place for reverie. Miss E. Wrigley has several compositions, one of them entitled "Spring" is a beautiful airy thing, quite exhilarating. Mrs. Gilpin's picture, "Fishing," is a delightful study in contrasts. The seductive peace and calm of the river far back under shading trees, accentuates the mad rush of noisy waters in the foreground. Mrs. Kayll, a colorful artist, exhibits a beautiful picture entitled, "Indian Village." It is a lovely bit of coloring expressing a delightful sense of evening. "A Gray Day," Hatzic is by British Columbia's foremost painter of mountain scenery, Mr. T. Fripp. This composition shows an unusual and difficult color scheme, handled in masterly style. The landscape is swimming in a sea of violet mist, and is mirage-like in its delicacy. A delightful and homey bit of barnyard, showing excellent drawing and coloring, is a composition by Mrs. D. McLellan. This artist also shows another adorable picture, "The Flower Garden." Mr. Williamson's "Alpha Mountain," is typical of B.C. scenery, and is depicted with fidelity. There is a glympse (sic) of rippling water in the foreground, reminiscent of the singing Lilloett. A flower picture, much admired, is a composition of irises and lupins. A symphony in shades and tints of purple, in which a fascinating shaft of light gives radiance to the royal color. A group of pink roses, delicately done, is by the same artist, Mrs. Alice M. Winlow, who shows the same delicate sense of color and spiritual interpretation of Beauty in her music and lyric poems. Mrs. I Stephen has quite excelled her usually good work in "Youth," a composition in low relief. The salient characteristics of this excellently modelled poem are abandon and motion in the poise of the dancing figure, and the delicate rippling lines of the drapery giving the impression of transparency and motion. Miss M. Shearman (sic) exhibits a pen and ink drawing that has a very human appeal, also a sketch entitled "Buttercups," which has individuality. Miss J. Beldon's love of music is evident in her picture, "Sunset in Kitsilano." One feels the rhythm of the gusts of wind that are rippling the water and swaying the trees. The gulls homeward bound, suggest the storm is about to break. Miss Kirkpatrick's "Along the Shore," is a study of trees against blue water, daintily done. A charming vista of red roofs, seen through an old world gateway, is the subject chosen by Mr. Meredith in "A Bit of Old France." A pleasing picture with a sunny background, entitled "The Yard," is by Mrs. C.B. Jones. Mr. John Scott has conceived a delightful composition of rain clouds wind-blown across the face of a mountain. It is called "Mountain Glory." Miss Olander's "Road by the Sea," is delicately drawn and beautifully colored. Miss Batiste is represented by an oil painting of Mt. Whistler as seen from Alta Lake. It is rather somber in tone, relieved where the sunlight catches a wisp of cloud. Mrs. McKenna's sketch "On the Rideau," is an enticing river vista with a careful study of trees in the foreground. "Fishing Village," by Mr. Mayne is beautifully soft and cool; the neutral tints conveying the atmosphere of the seashore. "Golden Sunset," by Major C.B. Fowler, is well named, and is a charming and realistic study of English Bay, at Sunset. There are some delicious blobs of color in it, giving the effect of sunlight skimming the tide ripples. "Kitsilano Beach," by Mrs. Creery, is a delightful sketch in sea-opal coloring. A picture with a bright, sunlit background, is Mrs. Schooley's "Landscape," in oils. Mrs. Grimes shows a promising flower study of dewy pansies. Mr. Cowper has contributed an oil painting full of life, called "The Clipper." It is a fine study of windy cloud, choppy sea, and a clever effect of light upon the sails. "Grouse Mountain," by Mr. Read, is an effective bit of coloring - soft and hazy. Mrs. Verral exhibits three sketches in a very broad style. Mrs. Downie's offering is a misty sketch of sky and sea. "Arcadian Interval" is the appropriate title of Dr. Gladwin's picture. White clouds rush upward from the horizon; and the daisy field is evidence of unlimited patience. In all the varied mediums and subjects used as a means of self-expression, is it not the underlying impulse of emotion that most appeals to us? We know these artists like Shelley's poet, have watched " . . . . . from dawn to gloom The Lake reflected-sun illume The Yellow bees in the ivy bloom; Nor heed nor see what things they be, But from these create he can Forms more real than living man, Nurslings of immortality." |
| British Columbia Monthly. "The Midsummer Exhibit of the Vancouver Sketch Club" by Bertha Lewis (Vol. XXII, No. 6 July 1924): Canadiana, https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.8_06940_63/11 |