sea

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.

To date this may be one of my favourite paintings. Unfortunately the photographs don’t do the painting justice–you lose a lot of the colour variation particularly in the sand and water close to shore. That’s probably my fault–I’ll have to figure out a better way of taking photos of my paintings on rainy days when I can’t go outside like I normally do. Maybe that will be one of my new year’s goals : )

This painting was commissioned for a client’s wife as a Christmas gift. He wanted some specific elements included in the coastal scene: trees, ocean waves, orange and blue-tinted sky, a soaring eagle, and a starfish. As much as this painting was about those requested items, it was also inspired by his wife’s favourite Bible verse:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

As the New Year approaches, what a spectacular promise to hold on to! May you be blessed by the scripture inspiration just as I was as I worked on this painting!

ROSALIE LUYMES STUDIO

“Seaside Cadence”

“Waiting” — Commission