Lac la Hache painter Cheryl Gauthier's art pieces are on display at the Showcase Gallery at 475 Birch Ave. until July 5.
She will be showing off seven pieces created in a variety of styles, including watercolour, acrylic and chalk pastel.
Gauthier has been a long standing member with the Cariboo Artist Guild and her art has been featured in the gallery several times.
“It's a great place to have your work recognized and I enjoy the community [members who] come in to view the pieces here,” says Gauthier.
One of the pieces is an elegant elk drawing in chalk pastel. Another beautiful piece is of a 1955 Chevy truck parked alongside a beach. The mix of acrylic colours along with the sunlight on the vehicle is a very sobering piece.
One of the most eye-catching works is a mountain lion gazing at the sunset behind a mountain range. The amount of colour in the lion's fur is incredible, which makes this painting one of the most unique pieces in the gallery.
Gauthier's process of creating a painting is very similar to building a puzzle. She takes several photographs of hillsides or other scenery ventures and grabs small moments from each photo and combines them together into one piece.
“I take these pieces and bit by bit, it comes together like a puzzle.”
Gauthier has been painting since her mother put her into painting lessons at the age of 10. Since then, it has become a passionate part of her life.
“I love doing it. Once you start, you can't stop. It's not an addiction per se but I truly love the activity.”
Gauthier even taught painting to children and adults for a period until she decided to put all of her focus into her own work.
“I do my own thing now. If something sells, that's a bonus, but in truth, I'm doing it for myself.”
When it comes to inspiration, Gauthier has taken notes from artists like Robert Batemen from Toronto, Ontario on animal and scenery artwork and Claude Monet from Giverny, France for his legendary work on French Impressionist landscape paintings.
In addition to canvas paintings, Gauthier also enjoys creating plate artwork and even makes painted saws.
Gauthier's artwork will be on display in the Showcase Gallery until July 5.