Its rustic elegance overlooks the five-acre, Kalamalka Lake-front property full of life amidst the cool fall morning.

A family of deer has taken up residence in the fields, chewing at the surrounding vegetation and well-kept flowerbeds while a woodpecker91裸聊视频檚 vibrant call rings through Coldstream91裸聊视频檚 historic country mansion.

Jolene Mackie has observed the serene setting for inspiration during her three-week residency at the Mackie Lake House. And it91裸聊视频檚 an inspiration from which the Kelowna-based transplant has cultivated more than half of her estimated 20-piece exhibition, Curious Reflections, which will be on display at the Vernon Public Art Gallery from Oct. 11 to Dec. 19, with an opening reception on Oct. 11 from 6-8 p.m., as part of the organizations91裸聊视频� ongoing partnership.

91裸聊视频淭his is totally, absolutely new to me,91裸聊视频� Mackie said as she sat at the large, wooden table that dominates the living room overlooking Kalamalka Lake. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just learning a lot more about the history of the arts in the Okanagan.91裸聊视频�

Mackie, an Emily Carr University of Art and Design alumna, was introduced to the program by her friend and former Mackie Lake House Artist-in-Residence Program participant Ann Willsie.

91裸聊视频淚 hope this will become something that I get to do every few years,91裸聊视频� Mackie said, noting that this is her first residency. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 work that I never would have made had I been in my studio. I91裸聊视频檓 finding I91裸聊视频檓 loving the freedom of being embedded in my environment and being that sponge.91裸聊视频�

Over the course of her three-week residence, Mackie said she hopes to delve into the history of the community and search for a familial tie to Patrick 91裸聊视频淧addy91裸聊视频� Fylton Mackie, who established and funded the Foundation. That search, regardless of what fruit it bears, is certain to influence the end product.

91裸聊视频淚 think the most interesting part about art is the story behind making the piece. Everything has a story, and there91裸聊视频檚 no lack of inspiration (here),91裸聊视频� Mackie said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a beautiful place to fill the well.91裸聊视频�

In her first week, Mackie said she explored the grounds and absorbed the nature that surrounds the house. From that first week came 10 paintings in various levels of completion.

Working primarily in oils for the past 15 years, Mackie91裸聊视频檚 creations juxtapose a traditional base with a modern contemporary aesthetic for paintings full of whimsical intrigue.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a process of refining 91裸聊视频� that91裸聊视频檚 why I have so many works on the go at one time. I love working in that way. I feel a lot more rushed if I work on something that I can finish in one sitting,91裸聊视频� Mackie said.

Lubos Culen, Vernon Public Art Gallery curator, said the Gallery is enthralled to host Mackie91裸聊视频檚 work as part of the four-year partnership.

91裸聊视频淗er prolific studio practice and focus on the settings and interior of the heritage house allowed her to assemble a visually rich exhibition,91裸聊视频� Culen said. 91裸聊视频淭he images will allow the viewers to glimpse into the current state of the house and its surroundings and contemplate its historical significance in Vernon.91裸聊视频�

And, with only three weeks to cultivate an entire exhibition, it91裸聊视频檚 advantageous that the prolific full-time artist is most at home when she has a paintbrush or pencil in hand.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a meditation for me. It91裸聊视频檚 the time and place that I91裸聊视频檓 not worried about anything other than what is in front of me. It91裸聊视频檚 always been a respite for me,91裸聊视频� Mackie said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 like a compulsion. Regardless of wherever I91裸聊视频檝e been in my life, I91裸聊视频檝e always had a sketchbook.91裸聊视频�

Now in her sixth year as a full-time artist, Mackie said she isn91裸聊视频檛 certain what the future holds but hopes to become involved in art education once again.

91裸聊视频淚 would love to get involved in educating artists of our community,91裸聊视频� Mackie said. 91裸聊视频淚n the Okanagan, I91裸聊视频檝e never felt competitive with the community. I91裸聊视频檝e always found it nurturing. It91裸聊视频檚 a really nice community to be a part of.91裸聊视频�

Regardless of what her future holds, however, Mackie said she will always be an artist.

91裸聊视频淭he biggest thing any artist has to do is stay true to the things that inspire them. It91裸聊视频檚 been amazing that, somehow, I can make a living this way,91裸聊视频� Mackie said.

The only potential downside, she jested, is her wardrobe is comprised exclusively of painting clothes.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a messy existence, but I wouldn91裸聊视频檛 have it any other way.91裸聊视频�

parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
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