Maria Durfeld adds fine brush strokes of watercolour to her latest creation.
Concentrating as that of a Tibetan monk as he places grains of coloured sand to a kaleidoscope-like image, Durfeld creates her mandalas out of pen and ink and watercolour on paper.
It’s one of the many interests she is pursuing as one of the new youth artists in residence at the Vernon Community Arts Centre (VCAC).
Durfeld has joined fellow young artist Amy Hanfstingl for the one-month residency, sponsored by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan. Both are at the VCAC in Polson Park creating their artwork, with the opportunity to audit classes in pottery, glass, and other visual art mediums.
Their residency culminates with an exhibition.
“It’s cool here because everyone is creative and open. It’s a great first step,” said Durfeld, who just completed Grade 11 at Vernon Secondary School.
Besides painting, Durfeld has been getting her hands dirty in the VCAC’s clay studio.
A lot of Durfeld’s interests come from when she visited India two summers ago with the Me to We program, part of the Free the Children organization.
“I got into henna design (mehndi) and drawing mandalas. I’ve always been interested in culture,” she said.
Durfeld is also interested in drawing and painting wildlife.
“I actually want to study environmental sciences and also take art classes on the side. I want my art to support environmental causes. My pieces reflect conservation. My family and I spend a lot of time outdoors and I often take my art supplies with me, or take photos and paint when I get back.”
Fellow youth artist-in-residence Hanfstingl, who just graduated from VSS, also has an aptitude for drawing and painting wildlife as well as still life, portraiture and landscape.
She studied art with VSS teacher Liz Allardice for three years, as well as with Randy Kaneda, who was Durfeld’s teacher.
“I am going to UBC Okanagan to study fine arts for my foundation year then hope to transfer to Emily Carr University,” she said.
Hanfstingl also has an exciting opportunity coming up next year when she will travel to Paris to work at a graphic arts company.
“I got the job through my great-aunt and I get to live in Paris for three months,” she said.
Both Durfeld and Hanfstingl are busy getting their works ready for the opening reception of their art exhibit.
The event takes place Friday, Aug. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. Refreshments will be included and each artist will talk about her residency and the process of creating the art show.
The exhibit runs until Sept. 23.