Bev Robertson's love for the natural world can be seen in her exhibition Capturing the Light at the McMillan Arts Centre.
The paintings depict West Coast landscapes and seascapes, as well as different varieties of flowers.
“I called it Capturing the Light because most people will comment on my paintings that it looks like there’s light shining on it," Robertson said. "Or it looks like I’ve painted light right into the painting.”
Butchart Gardens and her own garden serve as sources of inspiration, which starts with a photo.
“I have quite a few west coast scenes. I love going to the west coast and getting photos from there," Robertson said.
A recent Federation of Canadian Artists retreat provided the inspiration for her latest favourite — a painting of a wooden dinghy in Bamfield.
Light is an important ingredient in both her photos and paintings.
“In my photos I also try to do that, where I’m capturing the light and then I can paint from that — some really nice sunlight shining on or through the flowers.”
Robertson has been artistic all her life, always dabbling and working in creative pursuits.
“I always worked at artistic things. I was a hair stylist, I was a kitchen designer, so I have worked in things that take artistic vision," she said.
She began to paint full time 12 years ago after she was laid off from her job and found her work improved a lot with the regular practice.
“My learning curve increased so much because I would learn something, use it and then continue to use it," Robertson said. "Instead of sort of forgetting what I had done and having to start all over, if I hadn’t painted for six months or whatever."
She said she is grateful to the MAC for hosting her exhibition.
Capturing the Light and two other art shows will be on display at the MAC until Feb. 2.
