Lake Country artist Sheila Tansey rediscovered her love for art after attending ArtWalk for the first time.

In 2009, she was 91裸聊视频渂lown away91裸聊视频� by the dedication the community gave to Okanagan Vallery artists.

And she has participated in the walk ever since, selling her whimsical paintings of bikes, Volkswagon Beetles and Okanagan scenery.

91裸聊视频淚t inspired me to start painting seriously. I91裸聊视频檝e always been an artist. My mom painted, you know, she was my initial influence, but life happens. I took art classes here and there91裸聊视频� but I hadn91裸聊视频檛 taken it seriously until I moved here. Art Walk is definitely what pushed me,91裸聊视频� Tansey said. 91裸聊视频淧eople liked what they saw and what I like about why I paint, I realized is how I can connect with people. I paint because people can connect with my art.91裸聊视频�

Both the welcoming art community and the landscape inspired her to pursue a career as an artist.

91裸聊视频淚 paint a variety of things that just come out of my head too, but definitely the mountains, the lakes, nature, wildlife, that91裸聊视频檚 been an influence to me,91裸聊视频� she said.

READ MORE: Lake Country91裸聊视频檚 art scene thrives as population grows

People are also starting to recognize Tansey91裸聊视频檚 work, which she said improved when she compared her art to others at the event, now in a 25th anniversary year.

Lake Country artist Denise Patrick, who is also treasurer for the Lake Country Art Gallery, will display her Night Garden series for this year91裸聊视频檚 event and has been involved with ArtWalk since 2005.

91裸聊视频淵ou learn from the other artists in the walk,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淕oing to the ArtWalk is a huge education.91裸聊视频�

Anne Wise, organizer on the ArtWalk committee, said it started in Holiday Park, before it grew too large and was taken over by the District of Lake Country.

The event has also been growing, with more than 300 artists and 7,000 visitors expected this year.

The venue size has also increased, Wise said.

After its initial location and startup, the walk moved to George Elliot Secondary91裸聊视频檚 gymnasium and it continues to expand, now using up the entire space of the community complex and stretches to the Lake Country Art Gallery down the street.

It91裸聊视频檚 also helped establish Lake Country as an art-focused community.

91裸聊视频淚 think establishing Lake Country as an arts community is a great idea,91裸聊视频� Wise said.

It also brings all sorts of people to the district, some plan their vacation around it, Wise said.

Tansey said she spoke with people from Texas and sold a piece to a woman from Switzerland.

This year91裸聊视频檚 theme is the 91裸聊视频淎rt of our Times,91裸聊视频� which coincides with the Lake Country Art Gallery91裸聊视频檚 latest exhibition 91裸聊视频淪ign of the Times: the Art of Protest91裸聊视频� which will have gallery members and Art Walk artists contributing their opinions about the current local and global climate.

READ MORE: Lake Country art exhibit focuses on protest

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 an opportunity to reach a wider audience,91裸聊视频� said gallery manager Petrina McNeill.

McNeill said art contextualizes concepts that may be hard to grasp, and the role of the artist is to comment on the world around them.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 how we mentally process these things that are perhaps bigger than ourselves. It91裸聊视频檚 processed through visual art, it91裸聊视频檚 processed through music, through film,91裸聊视频� she said.

The gallery will be participating in the Art Walk by displaying protest signs as part of its exhibition outside its location at 10356 Bottom Wood Lake Rd.

The Art Walk features artists from Osoyoos to Kamloops. Visit venues, displays, performances, buy original art and watch artists compete in hour-long Quick Painting and 15 minutes Paint Off competitions Sept. 8 and 9 at the Community Complex. Admission is $2.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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