Local artist Kathy Crawshay shares her love of life through her art, bringing smiles to those who view her paintings.
Crawshay's whimsical works are on display at the Showcase Gallery in the South Cariboo Business Centre from Feb. 7 to Mar. 7.
This talented artist creates paintings in watercolour, ink, acrylic and oil, typically of children set in an outdoor landscape.
This series of about 15 paintings in watercolour and ink depicts children playing outside.
"Most of them are quite whimsical ... kayaking, snowshoeing, skiing – all outdoors," she explains.
Crawshay says after moving to the area from the Yukon four decades ago, she was a teacher at South Cariboo schools for 30 years, including some art classes (mostly for primary students).
However, it was after she retired in 2007 when Crawshay began painting in earnest and has been "painting for fun" ever since, she explains.
"I studied art at university ... but when you're teaching you don't have a lot of time to be painting."
Crawshay adds she also enjoys skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking and playing in the South Cariboo outdoors, so after working with children for so long, it was natural to feature these subjects and landscapes in her art.
"The most influence has probably come from the Cariboo Artists Guild, in working with artists there, because that's just been fun."
The artist chuckles in explaining how, since joining the guild society upon her retirement, she became its secretary within three months – and remains in that role after 10 consecutive years.
The majority of her works have sold through Parkside Art Gallery, where she is a regular volunteer and featured artist, although people viewing them online from around the world also purchase her paintings, she adds.
The local artist also produces art cards that are sold locally at Higher Ground Natural Foods.
When purchasing her artwork, most people says they do it "just to bring them joy" through the feel-good subjects and whimsey they feature, she explains.
However, it seems Crawshay brings even more happiness to her community through her Showcase Gallery art shows, where her work has been featured a couple of times before.
The former teacher says she donates 100 per cent of sales income from her Showcase art series' to charity – and this time, it will go to Educo Outdoor Adventure School.
Anyone who purchases a work from this show at Showcase Gallery (through the contacts posted there) also saves her paying any commission, enabling her to donate the entire amount to local non-profits, she adds.
Crawshay says through her art, she conveys a message of joy, innocence and friendship capturing the fun and excitement of her experiences living and observing life in the Cariboo.
"I just paint for fun, and to bring joy and to share."
