“Jo’s Show — From Foam and Fish to Flowers” brings a refreshing splash of spring to Showcase Gallery this month.
Joanne Young of 108 Mile is the artist behind the eclectic collection of paintings that celebrate the versatility and capabilities of different and unusual mediums.
Imagination drives this artist and there’s nothing more exciting for her than trying something new.
The show is a sampling of what she’s accomplished using materials, such as encaustic wax, salt, silk paint, mirror and tinted plaster in her paintings.
“It’s especially fun to use plaster because it builds up depth quickly,” she says.
Many of the pieces in the collection started with a wash of silk paint on canvas, and then Young sprinkled several pinches of rock salt. The salt caused the colours to run as it dissolved and created a background of endless possibilities for the artist.
When using this technique, Young studies the random shapes and colours that result. Once inspired, she renders the patterns into images, painting over top of them with any of her many artist’s materials.
Her painting, “Fuchsia-Fuchsia,” uses encaustic waxes over salt patterns to create a canvas full of vibrantly coloured flowers.
Young says she has a special love for painting with wax.
“It’s fun because the colours flow. It’s a great medium to work with.”
Floral paintings dominate her collection at Showcase, but they come from the heart as flowers are among the busy artist’s favourite things.
Along with painting and appreciating growing things, she also has a passion for teaching art classes.
Young says she is excited to share the techniques she has learned and developed over the years. Her students include people of all ages, from children to senior citizens at Fischer Place senior care facility.
View Young’s collection at Showcase until the end of February. The gallery is located in the lobby of the South Cariboo Business Centre at 475 Birch Ave.