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Café serves up art

Oil landscapes by Lloyd Major and Judy Maxwell on exhibit through January at Parksville diner
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The landscape paintings of Lloyd Major and Judy Maxwell will be on display through the month at Café Adagio in downtown Parksville.

The oil paintings of Lloyd Major and Judy Maxwell share the space as Cafe Adagio resumes its monthly art exhibits for January in downtown Parksville.

The pair’s work, primarily landscapes with images of both the west coast and the prairies, will remain on exhibit all month through an ongoing partnership with the McMillan Arts Centre.

Major was born in Rocky Mountain House, Alta., and has painted most of his life. He began painting in oil many years ago and has never stopped. The texture that is achieved using oil paint and a palette knife creates a sense of realism and depth in his paintings that consist primarily of old growth forests, totem poles and landscapes.

Over the years, Major has owned art galleries in Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw and Parksville. At these galleries, people were able to come in and watch him paint, purchase artwork, order commissions and take art classes.

“I have been very proud that there have been many great people take my classes and continue to paint,” he said. “It has been a pleasure to share my knowledge and techniques with so many.”

One of those students is Maxwell, who was born and raised in Ottawa before moving to Parksville in 1999. She spent many years crafting and painting in her spare time before finally discovering her direction as an artist.

“I had always dabbled but never had a clear picture of what I wanted to accomplish,” said Maxwell. “That is, until I walked into Lloyd’s art gallery and saw his beautiful work. I began classes and quickly realized I loved oil painting.”

The couple operate a viewing gallery, by appointment, from their home in Parksville.

Cafe Adagio is at 147 Harrison Ave. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For additional info, call the McMillan Arts Council at 250-248-8185 or visit www.mcmillanartscentre.com.

— Submitted by The MAC