Pastel artist Dan Gray isn’t prepared for his upcoming exhibition at the Olympics, but that’s kind of the idea.
As an artist selected to represent Qualicum Beach in space shared with Tofino at Richmond’s O Zone — official celebration site for the 2010 Winter Olympics — Gray is required to be a bit of an ambassador.
What better way than to be seen ‘doing art’ thought Gray and to capture his impressions of Vancouver and the trip over, plein air style, without advance preparation.
“I plan to go over on Friday and paint from the ferry as the sun, hopefully, is coming up.
“Then I’ll do one in Robson Square, there’s a bus connection there,” said Gray. “I’m hoping to complete eight paintings that way. It’ll be like a marathon trip for me.
“To me it’s like being in Paris,” Gray continued, “having all the material with you and being open to work quickly while trying to find the colour of the city and the event. If it’s protesters then I’ll paint protesters.”
Gray said he’ll have four of his paintings featured in the Forest Gallery, part of a Qualicum Beach display included in a Best Of B.C. area in the O Zone. He said he’ll continue to paint while at the site, able to talk to people while he works, before returning the next day on the last ferry. The pastels he creates during the trip will then be hung Sunday for viewing at The Old School House arts centre.
reporter@pqbnews.com