A house in every painting is the unique trademark of 105 Mile area artist Marilyn Beattie.
For her, incorporation of a house into a picture gives it a feeling of coziness that she likes to convey to whoever may see it.
Beattie has about a dozen of her recent acrylic and watercolour paintings on display at Showcase Gallery. It's the first show for this relatively new artist who picked up a paintbrush for the first time, seven years ago.
Mostly self-taught, Beattie says she learned the nuts and bolts of painting through reading books.
"You can learn everything you want if you study."
A few of the finer aspects of painting, such as blending colours, came to her through a few lessons with local artist Sharon Isaaks.
"Watching her demonstrate different techniques gave me the courage to use them."
Before picking up her new hobby, Beattie says she was close to hopeless when it came to art. As a child, she would try to draw houses in her neighbourhood, but gave up in frustration most of the time.
"I never thought I was artistic and I never started painting with the intention to be serious."
Beattie admits that when she started painting, she thought watercolour and acrylic paints were one and the same.
She is viewing her knowledge and emerging talent a little differently these days and feels no fear in taking on a new project. In fact, she's gained a reputation among her fellow artists as being a bit of a "Speedy Gonzales" because she can start a painting in the morning and have it finished and ready to frame by lunchtime.
Unfortunately, her need to get things done quickly keeps her from using oil paints because they take too long to dry.
Beattie has lived in the South Cariboo for two years, having left her former home in Maple Ridge to move into her dream home on a lake with husband, Brian.
It's made even dreamier with her closest neighbours, who share in her interest and help to keep her motivated, also being artists.
To see some examples of this new and talented artist's works, drop by the Showcase Gallery during regular business hours. It's located on the main floor lobby at 475 Birch Ave.
