SUPPORT FOR THE HORNBY ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL
THE LITTLE ISLAND THAT COULD
A rare opportunity has been created to own an original 30"x40" painting by world-renowned artist Robert Bateman. Bateman has donated 'Helliwell Park Eagle' to the Hornby Island Arts Council for their "Artist Trek" fundraising event. The painting was executed especially for the Arts Council in recognition of their many programming events that focus on the Arts. In addition to this, Heffel.com, Canda's leading online art auction house, have agreed to make the Hornby Island Artist Trek their first charity on-line auction.The Artist Trek was an idea conceived by artist Brian Scott after he stood on the spot where Van Gogh painted in Auver Sur Oise. The idea that people could stand where the 'plein air' painters stood to interpret their impression of the landscape was an idea that Scott felt could be done on Hornby Island.Hornby has long been a Mecca for artists dating back to the 1950's when students from the old Vancouver School of Art, now Emily Carr College, came to Tribune Bay to spend summers painting and sketching. Unique in its geography, Hornby has some of the most spectacular scenery in Western Canada. The Arts Council agreed with the concept and twelve artists, including Mr. Bateman and Mr. Scott were invited to interpret one of their favorite spots on Hornby.Mr. Bateman chose to paint a scene from Helliwell Provincial Park, often the first choice for day-trippers to Hornby. The park is home to amazing old growth fir, making ideal nesting sites for Bald Eagles. Describing the inspiration for his painting, Bateman says, "Helliwell Park is surely one of the natural treasures of British Columbia, if not the world. I have been doing the Helliwell walk since the 80s and it never ceases to delight. The blend from grassy meadows to magnificent Douglas fir woodland is a treat for the eye. The same applies to cliff and sea and distant mountains. Added to this is the spectacular wildlife viewing. I have always felt honoured to see a bald eagle. Even though eagles are commonplace (and even nest) in Helliwell Park, the sight of them never becomes stale. One day I was treated to this scene of an eagle perched on the great conglomerate cliffs, with golden grasses pointed to it like an arrow and the blue mountains of Vancouver Island in the background."Brian Scott chose to take a more intimate approach, depicting a close up view of Arbutus trees that grow along Central Road. "As a landscape painter I am always attracted to color in an otherwise green environment on the coast. Arbutus offer the possibility of a full spectrum of hot colors which in turn contrast to the cold colors of the glaciers and snow on Vancouver Island as seen from my favorite location on Central Road."The journey begins as you exit the ferry and turn up Mount Rd. to take in the Middle Bench Trail with all its amazing views, a scene painted by Robin de Lavis. Travel back down to Central Road and visit Phipp's Point, so important to artist Elaine Savoie, view the arbutus trees along Central Rd to see how Brian Scott was inspired for his painting and walk along the beach and look down to the microcosm captured by Cimarron Knight.John Mortenson chose the Rainforest on the windward side while Linda Jane Schmid chosethe desert beach on the Leeward side. These are large works, but artist Peter Shostak has depicted Dunlop Point beautifully with his signature finely crafted small motif.
Other artists who have donated works for the Trek are Tina Harrison, with a scene overlooking Chrome Island, Elspeth Armstrong, a view to Olsen's Farm, Coral Barclay, Whaling Station Bay, and Rae Maté, 'picnic rocks' at Helliwell ParkHeffel Art Auctioneers will market the paintings worldwide. They can be viewed at the Artist Resource Centre located at 2117 Sollans Rd. on Hornby Island, Wednesday to Sunday, 11-4pm. The opening for the show is Friday, June 15th 7-9pm.