Cindy Wickingstad doesn't struggle much to find inspiration.
While hanging some of her paintings in 100 Mile House recently, the 108 Mile Ranch artist said there is an endless supply of things she wants to paint.
So much so, she “can't keep up with it.”
Her work is currently on display for the month of November at the Showcase Gallery located inside the South Cariboo Business Centre at 475 Birch Ave.
The paintings represent two years of production and depict a variety of colourful scenes, landscapes and multilayered mandalas.
“It's more difficult than it looks,” Wickingstad says of creating the circular mandala pieces, which carry significant spiritual meanings throughout a number of culture n the world.
“There's beauty and simplicity in symmetry. Through abstract you discover symbolism.”
Wickingstad adds she tried to paint mandalas every day for six months last year.
“I simply draw a circle and I don't know what's going to happen,” she explains of the process.
“It's been quite interesting. I think it has helped me develop my own paintings of landscapes of the Cariboo.
“I appreciate painters who can paint detail and realism. I just can't do it. I start to take off with my imagination.”
Wickingstad was one of eight local artists who opened their homes to the public to show artwork during a “Studio 2 Studio” tour in 108 Mile Ranch, organized by the South Cariboo Health Foundation in September.
It's her first time at the Showcase Gallery, and the artist says she's excited about it.
“It's really been fun.”
In an artist statement related to the show, Wickingstad writes, “As well as mandalas, I love painting the beauty that surrounds us daily in the Cariboo and snapshots from my travels with husband David.”
She adds, as a recent grandmother, she is looking forward to painting with her granddaughter, India.
Anyone interested in her paintings can contact Wickingstad at 250-791-5308 or via e-mail at wickingstad@shaw.ca.