“Seaside Cadence”

Last October I answered an open call sent out by the Abbotsford Hospice Society in conjunction with the Abbotsford Arts Council and The Reach Gallery Museum. The email asked for artists to propose a work of art for the walls of the new Holmberg House, Abbotsford’s first residential hospice facility. The theme for the project was “Oxygen for the Soul”. The following description was what I submitted in my application:

The theme “oxygen for the soul” spoke to me immediately. It conjured up images of a coastal landscape—a place of refreshing and rejuvenation. Being near the ocean engulfs the senses: the cool breezes that dance across the skin; the scent of seaweed in the briny air; the rhythmic waves lapping against the shore; and the expansive sky with ever-changing clouds. This is what I hope to capture—a painting that transports the viewer to the sea, evoking memories both familiar and peaceful.

A few months after I applied to be one of the thirty selected Fraser Valley artists, I received an email notifying me that I was accepted! Once I picked up my allotted canvas, I set to work on my painting. After much planning and searching through my reference photos, I had a clear vision of what I wanted the painting to look like. This made the process that much more enjoyable–knowing what I wanted to achieve but still allowing for the painting to develop organically within these parameters.

Now that the painting is submitted to be framed by House of Fine Art, I can breathe a sigh of relief that it’s now out of my hands. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone else’s interpretation of the theme and getting a chance to view the works on display at the Kariton Gallery and at The Reach.

Seaside Cadence 24×30″ (acrylic on 1 1/2″ canvas), R Luymes (c) 2016

 

 

“To The Pacific”

To The Pacific
12×12″ (acrylic on 1 1/2″ canvas), R Luymes (c) 2014

This painting was from a recent camping trip I took with my sister and some friends. We headed to Olympic National Park for a few days to explore the diverse area. This was a scene of Kalaloch Creek flowing to the Pacific Ocean which was just a kilometer or two away from our campsite. We were hoping to get a campsite right along the ocean’s edge as this was the reason we chose Kalaloch campground. After circling through the numerous loops, we discovered the last site left along the ocean. Needless to say we were fairly excited to have an ocean view from our dinner table!

This particular painting I created for the Abbotsford Anonymous Art show held at the Kariton Gallery at Mill Lake. It was a fundraiser to raise money for the arts in Abbotsford. The way it worked was that anyone could anonymously enter a 12×12” painting to the gallery to be sold for a standard amount of $100. If the painting sold 50% of the proceeds went to the artist and 50% went to fund the local public arts. I am pleased to say that my painting sold within the first five days of the opening! The only downside to this anonymous sale is that I have no idea who purchased my painting. I guess that will always remain a mystery…