Classic cars won’t be the only beautiful things you’ll find on display in Qualicum Beach this Fathers’ Day weekend. Vancouver Island artists Tonja Bjermeland and Martha Ponting will have their work displayed at The Crown Mansion in an art exhibition and sale called Colourburst.
The artists will be exhibiting over 50 acrylic or mixed media paintings of diverse styles and subjects.
Many of the works depict the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. Those pieces resonate with Island residents and reflect a part of who the artists are. For instance, one viewer commented that he felt he should be wearing hiking gear while viewing Ponting’s forest scenes.
Raised on a farm near London, Ontario, Ponting came to art later in life. Largely self-taught, she is an eager learner and experimenter and has been inspired by a wide range of painters, including Emily Carr.
Bjermeland grew up in Port Hardy, but has travelled the world and said that she finds those travels have influenced her art. For instance, viewing the Dutch masters’ landscapes led her to aspire to emulate the feeling they have in their works.
“Feeling is important to me in my work,” she said. “It sets art apart from photographs.”
Bjermeland describes herself as being fascinated with science and nature, such as the refraction of light depicted in her First Light seascape. Nevertheless, the artist’s favourite piece in her side of this weekend’s show is an abstract entitled Destiny – I-Ching.
Bjermeland said that creating the artwork involved months of planning and research on Chinese culture, but it was also one of the most profound experiences she’s ever had.
Both artists are excited to contribute another dimension to Qualicum Beach’s big weekend. Their paintings will be displayed both inside the cabana house at the rear of The Crown Mansion. Weather permitting, the art will also be outside on the patio and lawns.
Many of the works are new pieces and have not previously been exhibited.
To preview of some of the works to be displayed by both artists, please visit marthaponting.com/colourburst.
The exhibition runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 20 and 21. Parking is free and readily available. The Crown Mansion is located at 292 East Crescent Road in Qualicum Beach.
—NEWS Staff/Rick Ponting