If you can get down to see the new exhibit at Jake's Gallery and Framing in downtown Edmonton, you will surely be impressed by the astounding amount of visual detail that Naomi Gowing puts into her work. She has devoted much of her life to her art.
If you can get down to see the new exhibit at Jake's Gallery and Framing in downtown Edmonton, you will surely be impressed by the astounding amount of visual detail that Naomi Gowing puts into her work. She has devoted much of her life to her art. She started young and puts in a lot of hours toward each new work.
“I entered a lot of art into school competitions and things like that. I don't know if you'd say I was a child prodigy but I definitely showed a gift for what I do early on,” she said.
The abstract artist has indeed painted since she was young. She said that, even in those early days, her talent was recognized by adult figures around her including teachers, her family doctor, friends and others, some of whom actually purchased pieces or even commissioned new works.
“It's my passion. I just paint from my imagination or from memory. I tend to do abstract landscapes or some portraits, but they turn out abstract,” she laughed.
Raised in Ontario, Gowing lived in British Columbia for the better part of a decade and now lives near Morinville. Now 29, she is ready to show the world what only a few know about. While she wanted to save most of the collection to be unveiled at the exhibit – “It's my very first art show,” she announced, calling the event her big ‘coming out' party – she did allow one piece to be reprinted for the story. She reported that As I Am took her 80 hours to create. That's typical of her work, she indicated.
Gowing's first-ever exhibit of work is now on display. By Grace (a reference to her middle name) will have its opening reception on Fri., Jan. 22 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The artist will be in attendance.
The show runs until Sat., Feb. 20.
Jake's Gallery and Framing is located at 10441 123 St. in Edmonton. Call 780-426-4649 or visit www.jakesframing.com for more information.
Another round of Art Battle is set to begin and there are a few local combatants whose paintbrushes are just itching for some competitive creative action.
Stan Haraszkiewicz is hoping to use the opportunity to kickstart a major return to painting in his life.
“Art is my first love but it's not the one that's paying the bills right now,” the construction worker noted. “It's been a passion of mine most of my life, ever since I was a kid.”
Lately, he's been producing abstracts in acrylic but he says it's gotten a bit stale and predictable there so he wants to push his boundaries even more with this event.
“I've been working up to it but Art Battle just dropped into my lap. I've been focusing on my work and my art has been my leisure, my downtime. I am pushed out of my comfort zone: to achieve a viable piece of art in 20 minutes. I'm a happy go-lucky kind of artist. I just move with what moves me. When I get in front of a canvas and I have a vision … it just comes together.”
Art Battle offers a series of 20-minute rounds of head to head competition for a dozen painters. The audience judges who produced the best painting for each round, and the winners progress to the semi-finals and the finals where the event's champion is crowned. That person then progresses to the regional championship and potentially, the national Art Battle.
Haraszkiewicz will be up against St. Albert's Peter Gegolick, along with Kacey Schumaker, Catie Linton, Unotjari Kavari, Serena Tang, Shelby Willis, Linda Yan, Chrissy Keyser, Keltie Wilson, Steven Hayes, and Andréa Schmidt.
Art Battle 347 will take place in its usual arena of combat at Knoxville's Tavern, 10736 Jasper Ave. in Edmonton. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $15 for students with valid I.D. Visit www.artbattle.ca/ab/ab-347-edmonton for more information or to buy tickets.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first battles begin at 7:30 p.m.
If you like a little oomph with your visual arts events then you should consider Jazz d'Art on Saturday. The travelling fundraiser gives spectators the chance to watch local artists paint with live jazz musicians playing a concert for the ambiance.
The event is hosted by the Société francophone des arts visuels de l'Alberta (SAVA) and L'Association Canadienne-Française de l'Alberta (ACFA) de Centralta, but you don't have to be francophone to attend.
The painters, including Jacques Martel, Sylvia Grist, Nathalie Shewchuk-Paré, Antony Cummings, and Karen Blanchet, will create some jazzy and frenzied work during the first part of the evening and a live auction will take place right after so people can buy some art hot off the easel. A silent auction of other selections of work from the artists will also take place.
The musicians on the handbill for the evening include Pierre-Paul Bugeaud, Bill Richards, Brett Miles and Gord Graber. Tickets are $20 each or $140 for a table of eight. They can be purchased at CAVA's offices located at 9103 95 Ave. in Edmonton.
Jazz d'Art runs on Sat., Jan. 23 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Bonnie Doon Community League is located at 9240 93 St. Call 780-461-3427 or visit www.savacava.com for more information.
