Every painting is a winner in Sharon Isaaks' new art show, featured at Showcase Gallery this month.
In fact, they were actually all previous winners at the Cariboo Artists Guild (CAG) annual art shows between 2003 and 2010.
Isaaks has been painting seriously since 1978, and in 2003, she entered her first CAG show. A vibrant watercolour, entitled Camellia Japonica, won the best of show award, and since then, she's won two more times in the best of show category and five consecutive times in the best of theme division.
Currently in the planning stages for the 2011 CAG show, "Into the Future," Isaaks says she's already feeling the pressure to come up with something good.
She considers herself a realistic and detail artist who demands a certain preciseness in every painting she does.
"I'm very particular that way. I can't just slap the paint on."
Some of her style comes from having spent two years as a student at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. Isaaks was 57 years old when she was accepted to the school in 1997, and was the oldest student there.
"I just loved it. I worshipped every day that I was there."
The teachers didn't show their students how to paint, she says, but they did put the tools in their minds, which brought out their creativity.
"It was wonderful. I had homework every night and I had paint all over my furniture and the carpet by the end of it."
With her formal education completed, Isaaks now focuses on the education of her own art students who come to her Horse Lake area True Colors Art Studio for lessons.
Isaaks says she loves teaching, and nothing excites her more than coming across a student who has that certain spark.
"Every once in a while I get someone, and I know he or she has the touch."
Just last weekend, one such new student crossed her path.
"I was blown away. Now, I just can't wait to see where she goes with it."
Isaaks' paintings can be seen at Showcase Gallery until the end of April. The gallery is located in the lobby area of 475 Birch Ave.
