Jacqueline Dunn and Birgit Coath’s latest art exhibition is a celebration of a strong friendship and growing together.
Their ‘Art and Soul’ exhibit at the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville features paintings of forests, light shining through the old-growth trees, flowers and even Dunn’s dog, Molly.
“It starts with a close friendship and it ends with a close friendship,” Dunn said. “And in between that is an exploration of what we see and how we see it. And it goes deeper and deeper because we share and because we unpack it for each other. It is honest and open and free and nothing gets in our way.”
Dunn and Coath’s bond is part of the meaning behind the title of the show, on display until Sept. 25 at the MAC (133 McMillan St). Coath said the two have learned a lot by painting together over the years.
“It has to be cultivated too, I think,” she said. “I’m a bit way out there, so I’m learning with my art and with other people, not to be quite so out there and more contained. I don’t know if it’s coming out in my art or not, but I think that’s one of the biggest lessons that we’ve learned together, for me.”
The introvert/extrovert friendship, combined with a love of painting, has seen their abilities grow and evolve. Coath said Dunn, an introvert, has become more outgoing in her artwork.
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They met at a meeting of the South Delta Artist Guild, while living in Tsawwassen, before both moved to the Island approximately six years ago.
“The day we met, we wanted to confide in each other,” Coath said.
“It was like there was a trust there.” She added the two were even wearing a similar outfit at the time.
For Dunn, inspiration comes from her garden and nature. She loves to paint scenes including forests, creeks, waterfalls, children and light. Dunn visits Ucluelet often and the trip provides an opportunity for creativity.
“It’s a long drive. And so I get out and stretch my legs and there’s always a creek,” she said.
“And they’re always beautiful. Also the forest around our house. I live in Qualicum Bay and so I go walking there a lot.
The light is intense and it streams through those magnificent old-growth trees.”
Dunn’s garden and flowers are great inspiration for Coath, who specializes in floral paintings and loves to work with subjects that challenge her skill.
“Birgid has a ton of courage,” Dunn added. She said the cohesion of their work, in part, comes from both studying under world-class artist Donna Zhang.
“So our language, our artistic language, is understanding,” Dunn said.
Many of their paintings are based off a photo, but the real goal is not to recreate the photo, but what was in the image that inspired them and caught their eye.
“Both of us try to add mystery to our images,” Coath said. “We want to say, ‘what else is there?’”
Dunn is a lifelong artist with a master’s degree from UBC and has taught at the college level for many years.
Coath has won multiple awards and earned Signature Status with the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA).
Both will be on hand for a MAC meet the artist event on Sept. 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.