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Qualicum Beach artist paints landscapes of Canada and Australia

Scott’s work will be on display at Qualicum Art Supply and Gallery until end of July
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Artist Roselyn Scott and some of her work. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Roselyn Scott enjoys painting scenes from her adopted home of Vancouver Island, as well as the Australian Outback, where she grew up.

Scott’s artwork will be on display at Qualicum Art Supply and Gallery (206 West First Ave.) until the end of July. She said this will be her first exhibition. Scott said she stopped in to pick up a painting and was asked if she was interested in hanging up some of her work.

“I was totally thrilled because I never ever thought that my art would get this far,” said Scott, who has painted for approximately eight years, but has enjoyed creative work such as sewing, quilting and glasswork for much longer.

Scott said she mainly paints landscape scenes, but lately she has begun to branch off into painting animals, such as horses and sheep. Her paintings include portrayals of popular local spots such as the Englishman River near Parksville and the Dollymount Trail in Qualicum Beach.

READ MORE: Qualicum Beach artist wins People’s Choice Award at Island competition

Many of her paintings are based on photos, some taken by her and others by friends and family in Canada and Australia. Others come from scenes she finds in books and magazines.

Scott said she finds painting relaxing, which is one of the reasons she got into it.

“My husband was having a lot of health issues,” she said. “And I got into painting and found that it took me away from all of my concerned thoughts about him and just gave me a little bit of relaxation and space to myself.”

She took up painting in retirement after relocating to the Island from Vancouver in 2006. She and her husband were interested in golf for many years and used to visit Qualicum Beach on holidays. The town’s reputation for an active lifestyle in retirement made it an appealing place to move to. Scott realized she would need something to keep herself busy in the winter months and began taking art classes.

She is currently enjoying a Wednesday afternoon artists’ gathering at the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville, where participants can offer each other constructive criticism and improve their craft.

Scott first came to Canada in 1967.

“I was at the time flying with an airline in Australia and I’d had enough of that,” Scott said. “And a girlfriend was coming over here and it started out by doing the usual Aussie thing of starting out on a working holiday and got as far as Vancouver and I met my husband in Vancouver and ended up staying. I’m sure that’s the case for a lot of Aussies.”

She has travelled back to Australia’s West Coast about every three years since, with the exception of the past few pandemic years. Scott said she is looking forward to returning for a visit this fall.


kevin.forsyth@pqbnews.com

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