Shuswap artist Tatianna O’Donnell is about to show her paintings, which she created while completing an artist residency at the Banff Centre, at the Backroom gallery at Enderby’s Courtyard Gallery.
The large format un-stretched canvasses are a continuation of work that O’Donnell has been drawn back to many times. It is a series about trees and their roots and their symbiotic relationship with mankind.
“This series explores the relationship of trees in our threatened wilderness and the ephemeral quality of our own lives,” said O’Donnell. “The trees in this series are painted with the branches and occasionally foliage above ground and the roots below or just above ground.”
O'Donnell approaches her work intuitively, using sketches and photographs as a basis for her paintings. She is interested in the rhythm and the soul of the tree. The spirit of the tree comes with her into her studio and is translated onto the canvas using oil paint. It is an exploration of shape, contour, line and texture.
Donnell will talk about her work at the Courtyard Gallery Saturday, June 4 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Her paintings will be on display until June 25.
The Courtyard Gallery is located at 104-907 Belvedere St. Enderby. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.courtyardgallery.ca for more information.