Orchid fever apparently affects more than just horticulturists. The flower of 30,000 faces also has a strong following with those who seek to immortalize all objects of beauty — painters.
When the annual orchid show and sale came to Edmonton during the last weekend in February, it brought in thousands of enthusiastic gardeners and appreciators of art alike. One part of the multi-faceted event featured an art exhibition and competition where an orchid must be the focus of every submission.
This year, St. Albert made a very strong showing with three local artists from Hidden Talent Fine Art School winning awards.
Yoon Joo Kim and Cheryl Wilkes both won first place ribbons in the non-professional adults category while 11-year-old Sidney Rusnak won first overall in the youth category (children up to Grade 12).
When asked what drew her to become such a dedicated artist, Wilkes didn’t hesitate with her answer.
“Because I love it.”
The work that won her a ribbon was a painting of an orchid she actually had purchased at the show a few years ago.
Wilkes started oil painting about four years ago when she had a chance encounter with Hidden Talent owner and instructor Laura Watmough.
“I saw Laura’s display at the [St. Albert Lifestyle Expo & Sale] and saw the beautiful work that her students were doing. I signed myself up for a class and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Until the orchid show, Wilkes had only one experience with critical praise for her work. One of her paintings was selected during a juried competition to be hung for a show at the McMullen Gallery in the University of Alberta Hospital.
Does this mean that she is gaining momentum to branch out even further? She says yes, but with a pretty strong qualification.
“Unfortunately, I have to work so the work interferes with my art,” she laughed, adding that she has some pretty long shifts as a nurse that often leave her tired and without time to devote to new paintings.
“I’m a floral painter though. I only paint flowers basically. I think it’s because I just respond somehow emotionally to the colours and just the way the light hits them, the curve of a petal … it just strikes a chord inside me somehow and fills me with joy.”
She’s also a flower gardener. Right now, she’s pining for above-zero temperatures.
“I’m waiting for the snow to go. I’m looking at all the seed catalogues, waiting ... going over all the pictures of my flowers from the previous summers. I’ve got so many to paint. They’re just all so beautiful.”
