www.markpenneygallery.com

PRESS RELEASE

Fish, Ships, & Lost Treasures
Art Exhibition
March 6 – 16th, 2010

From Saturday, March 6th to Tuesday, March 16th, the Mark Penney Gallery in Ucluelet welcomes the whales with the Art Exhibition Fish, Ships, & Lost Art Treasures.
The gallery, located in Whiskey Landing, is “a place you discover by accident,” says owner, Mark Penney. “The gallery, like Ucluelet, is a real hidden gem.”
A gem of an art exhibition it will be with world renowned artists such as Canadian icon and National Gallery artist, Ken Kirkby, who was the first artist to have an unveiling in the House of Commons, Physicist and painter Rob Elphinstone, Charles Churchill Villiers and well known local artist, Marla Thirsk, are just a few of the acclaimed artists releasing new work.
Many know Marla’s work from her local mural work on the West Coast and as the creator of the ‘Art in the Gardens’ festival held each September at the Tofino Botanical Gardens, not to mention being a driving force behind ‘Artists-in-Action’ during the Whale Festival.
“I was really honored to be asked to showcase my new series at the Mark Penney Gallery,” says Thirsk. “This series, was inspired by old photographs from the 1930’s to 1960’s that my mother had. As my mum passed away 25 years ago, it will be quite a poignant moment for me.”
Modern artist Charles Churhill Villiers, son of famed inventor Amherst Villiers and relation to Lady Veronica Milner, regrets not being able to personally be at the show as he is beginning a gallery tour in England, “but my heart will be there.”
“The series that I will be showcasing at the gallery has not been seen before. I did the work, Mark printed it. I had the series framed, crated up and sent to England for an exhibition there, but it got lost in transit and traveled the high seas for awhile, before finally being returned to Vancouver Island, where they remained unopened and un-exhibited,” adds Villiers.
The irony of the exhibition’s name, Fish, Ships, & Lost Art Treasures, was not lost on Villiers.
“It seems appropriate,” says Charles. “I love Ucluelet and the West Coast…what a wonderful place to release my own lost treasure.”
Other artists include such famous names as Joan Larson, Peggy Burkosky, Bruce Muir, and more.
The Mark Penny Gallery will be open, 7 days per week, 10 am to 5 pm.
Free Admission. For more information, visit www.markpenneygallery.com for a full list/biography of artists, and a preview of some of the art.

The Arrival by Bruce Muir
24″x30″ Oils on Canvas
$2900

A Humpback Whale during it’s annual migration past Vancouver Island. There’s a lot we can glean from this portrait; we know the whale’s species, we can see it’s heading westward, and the proximity to shore. The weather and fog is well known to this part of the island. What strikes me is this; You can often see exactly this upper portion of the painting, but here, Bruce Muir shows you the part you can only imagine from the glimpses you catch from above the water’s surface.

The Reef by Bruce Muir
16″x20″ Oils on Canvas, framed.
$2000

This is a red tailed surf perch, they live in the inshore waters along the coast, right in the surf line. Starfish are tucked in the Anemones providing an emerald backdrop. It’s a wonderful depiction of the life here, underwater.

Sandy Tidal Pool by Bruce Muir
16″x20″ oils on canvas, framed.
$1800

A stunning portrait of Vancouver Island, there are thousands of tranquil little spots along the coastline, just like this. Star fish of many colors and varieties abound in the calm inshore waters of Barkley Sound. Masterfully painted, with many layers of glazing to build up the misty atmosphere depicted so well in this painting.

Harvest of Herring by Bruce Muir
20″x30″ oils on canvas, framed.
$2900

Hard at work in the herring skiff, these fishermen are a stark contrast to the rainy coastline. While the highlight of color draws our attention to life aboard the fishing vessel, we’re made conscious of the bounty of life shining as it comes aboard the skiff. The seine boat is beautifully rendered and I’m stunned by how beautiful the scene is.

Born in Vancouver, Bruce paints realistic portrayals of West Coast wildlife. Shown across Canada and around the world, his originals can be found in numerous public and private collections. Bruce has been named the B.C. Wildlife Federation Artist of the Year; twice. Muir salmon paintings are recognized in this area because his chinook salmon images have been used on Canada’s Sport Fishing License Stamp, several times.

Bruce Muir has become a premier Canadian landscape painter. Evolving from marine seascapes and wildlife, Bruce has been forging new territory, bringing a different viewpoint to British Columbian Landscapes.

Subjects rendered in an immersible perspective are the particular focus of Muir’s work. Choosing viewpoints that are ‘in’ the scene rather than ‘of’ the scene is his calling card. The light-play of sun on water reflecting and refracting on the aluminum bulwark of a commercial fishing vessel might not be a subject commonly held as ‘beautiful’ but Bruce recognizes it as such. Purposefully emotive over and under the surface of water depictions and bird’s eye views of intimate locations of coastal British Columbia have emerged in his recent works.

Bruce has pursued artistic endeavors since childhood with the support of his parents and teachers . At age 15, he became acquainted with Ken Kirkby, who was to become a major influence in his life and his artwork. By 1981 Bruce had devoted himself to painting full time. From that time until present Bruce Muir has participated in many showings of his work, produced 40 or more limited edition prints, won numerous competitions, and been the recipient of several awards including BC Wildlife Federation Artist of the Year and Trout Unlimited Canada’s Artist of the Year.

Posts tagged Bruce Muir