Linda Van Someren believes that art doesn’t need to be complex in order to be good — just the opposite, in fact.
Her exhibit, Simplicity, revels in exploring something so basic and fundamental to our everyday lives that it easily gets overlooked. To counteract this, she paid a lot of attention to bowls and made it the subject of her final visual presentation to get her certificate in fine arts from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension.
According to her, bowls may be simple objects but they allow her to explore herself as an artist.
“The pedestrian quality of bowls offers a simple form which enables me to stretch as a painter,” she stated.
She said there is a metaphor between how bowls change when they are filled and how a canvas changes when paint is added to it. Every painting, then, is a bowl to her. She said that she could find the beauty in anything.
“I like the simple things in life. I chose bowls because I figured I could do a lot with them. Even though they don’t move, they are still as expressive as painting people so long as you know how to portray their colours and arrange the compositions.”
The series of still life paintings is mostly an array of technically proficient works, with a pervasive sense of lightness. The hues are primarily light and bright, demonstrating the artist’s dedication to a positive frame of mind. Even the titles — like Roses and Vibrancy — give off a sense of life’s simple joys. That makes this the culmination of a long-running dream and also the start of a new one.
The 52-year-old St. Albert native has always wanted to explore her talents. After taking classes from Pygmalion School of Fine Art, she eventually moved to higher education at the University of Alberta. Now she hopes to take this experience and use it to help others.
“My dream is to do arts therapy. I want to volunteer at the Glenrose Hospital and teach them to paint or help them to express themselves. That’s what really excites me.”
For now though she’s just soaking up the simple thrill of having her own show.
“I feel very excited, when I see people come through here looking at my art. To have this show is such a privilege.”
Van Someren’s exhibit, Simplicity, runs at the Extension Gallery until July 1. It is located in the main floor atrium of Enterprise Square (the old Bay building) at 10230 Jasper Avenue in Edmonton.
The opening reception will be held today from 2 to 4 p.m. The artist will be in attendance. The Extension Gallery is open to the public. Phone 780-492-0166 or go to www.extension.ualberta.ca for more information.
