NorthShore Outlook Jan 2009
Article from The Chief Newspaper, Thurs Oct 3, 2013, Foyer Gallery - Novel Visions
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Wanda Doyle, an experimental, semi-professional artist, paints for enjoyment and doesn’t want to be ‘pigeonholed’ into particular style. Her landscapes emphasize colour and textural surfaces but she admits that it is constantly changing as she explores the use of various tools, mediums and techniques. |
Eclectic creator Doyle painted as a kid growing up but, back then, art wasn’t considered ‘practical’ so she was discouraged by her parents. Then just ten years ago, as an adult, she started painting again!The first year she started with just one painting, three the next year, then more and more as her life afforded the time to paint.
“I am inspired by beautiful images in the scenery at home and on my travels. I always have my camera with me and take numerous photos which I then often refer to when considering a new painting”, says Doyle - although some of her paintings are purely imaginative. She feels that painting has become a life-long part of her creative personal journey. Inspired by many talented artists in her community, Doyle enjoys supporting fundraisers by donating artwork and actively making a contribution to society.
”I am continuing to explore oils. At the moment I feel a pull towards doing semi-abstract work and more free flowing work. Recently I painted my new studio floor and I had great fun just pouring the paint directly on the floor. Visitors are welcome by appointment and if my art friends are interested in a day of painting, let’s do it!”, she says.
Doyle is very excited about opening her new creative space which will allow more freedom and growth at 161 Pemberton Ave., North Van.
Contact: wandad@telus.net
Printed by The Chief Newspaper August 14, 2009.
Congratulations to Wanda Doyle as her Moonlit Sail painting drew the most votes for the People's Choice Award during the August 1 Art at the Market!
(Written by Margreet Dietz)
Wanda Doyle’s Moonlit Sail painting won the VISUALS People’s Choice Award, as visitors of the one-day Art at the Market group exhibition on August 1 voted for their favourite among 45 pieces created by seven local artists.
Doyle’s heavily textured blue metallic acrylic painting on three wood panels resonated with voters. “I love the three-dimensional acrylic – I can feel the waves,” one wrote on her ballot. “The feel of the movement is very apparent,” another voter said.
This People’s Choice Award, created for members of the Squamish Valley Artists Society, is Doyle’s third after winning also in 2006 and 2007.
Doyle was enthralled by painting as a child but a hectic work schedule as an adult didn’t leave enough time for her art until she retired. She decided to revisit her childhood passion when a newspaper cartoon inspired her. Thinking it would make an excellent painting for her new home she bought materials and set about creating it in 2003.
Doyle, an active VISUALS volunteer for the past three years, is also a member of the North Shore Artists Guild and the Federation of Canadian Artists. In May 2007 she won the North Shore Artists Guild Jurors' Choice.
She works in acrylic and oil paints, and loves to explore with colour schemes, styles and subject matter.
“All my paintings are different. No particular style stands out. My work represents who I am - someone who loves variety, enjoys the freedom of jumping from one thing to the next and likes to experiment. My mood is always changing so nothing is ever the same,” Doyle says.
Moonlit Sail is Doyle’s first heavily textured painting, a style she loves and plans to develop further. This work stands out for the self-confessed perfectionist because it came together so easily which is rare. “It takes me months and months, sometimes years to finish a painting to the point where I really like it. I am always coming back and putting a dab here and a dab there, changing this colour and that colour.
“That’s actually how I do anything in life. I focus on something to the minute detail. It frustrates other people if I am working on a committee project. In painting nobody else needs to be bothered by my perfectionism because I can do it all by myself.”
However, Doyle has found perfect can be effortless. “One of the things I learnt was how it doesn’t have to be hard. Moonlit Sail has to be the easiest painting I have ever done in the shortest amount of time. Yet it has won the People’s Choice.
“I was feeling very loose and easy when I created that painting. It just flowed. I didn’t have to rework things. It was virtually finished within a couple of days and then I made a few tweaks here and there. I took some time deciding where to put the sail boats in the picture.”
Doyle is preparing for VISUALS’ ArtWalk, held September 19 and 20 in venues across Squamish. Doyle’s works will be in the new Pure Flower Shop and Frame House, and the UpStares Gallery, both on Cleveland.
Samples of Doyle’s work can be viewed on her website, www.nsartists.ca/wandadoyle. Also visit www.squamishart.com.
Margreet Dietz
PWAC professional member
http://www.pwac.ca/
Striking a balance
Call her determined.
When she was 10 she didn’t have enough money for paints, so local artist Wanda Doyle shaved down her crayons, mixed up a paste with some water, and stored it in old medicine bottles.
When she was 36, she tried firewalking at a seminar in a North Shore parking lot.
“I was really into personal development back then,” Doyle remembers. “I learned how to focus and overcome fear, keep my eye on the goal and move forward ... I think that (experience) really changed my life.”
After retirement, the busy office manager turned self-taught artist took on various marketing and administrative roles for the North Shore Artists Guild and Visuals, a Squamish Valley artists’ society.
The full-time volunteer gig was a lot like firewalking – except maybe a little less glamorous – in that it was all about goals and focus.
She spent her days in front of the computer, organizing shows, liaising with artists, taking care of the minutia of community art.
Doyle explains, “ My average day was spent mostly in front of the computer, doing publicity, organizing details, organizing meetings, putting together art walk guides, writing articles, coordinating artists.”
But she hardly had time to paint until three months ago, when a spot opened up with Jan Phelan’s ceramics show at the Foyer Gallery at the Squamish Public Library.
Doyle was up for the challenge.
She decided to paint 14 new works to compliment Phelan’s carved ceramics – the artisan has been commissioned by the Governor General’s residence, as she’s known for her work with lusters and gold.
Doyle quickly went from full-time volunteer administrator to full-time artist.
“I had three months to create a new series, painting straight through.”
Waking up at her Furry Creek home, Doyle began her days on the small trampoline in her living room, gazing out over her seaside view of Anvil Island.
“It gets the blood going,” she laughs. “I jump on my trampoline, look out at Howe Sound as I bounce and contemplate my day.”
Then she headed up to her study where she would lose herself in her acrylic studies. With work spread out over two easels, canvases taped to the walls and spread out across the floor, Doyle was in heaven.
“I’ve always been very organized, I guess taking care of the details that keep things running smoothly,” she muses. “These (administrative) jobs use the other side of the brain. To make the switch (to painting) is such a relief.”
Her florals and winter scenes, landscapes of Squamish and the Chief came together in a collection she named Calm Intensity.
“Who am I? I’m someone who likes variety and colour. I didn’t want to be tied to a subject matter or theme, but Calm Intensity is a reflection of who I am in my mind ... I feel so much better when I have a paint brush in my hands, being able to let loose and have fun,” explains Doyle.
The exhibition’s title comes to mind with the image of Doyle, contemplating the infinite changes in weather and light over Howe Sound and Anvil Island, gazing through her enormous sea view windows in her Furry Creek home – all the while jumping thoughtfully on her trampoline.
The Foyer Gallery presents works by Wanda Doyle and Jan Phelan, Jan. 6-Feb. 2. Opening reception is Jan. 10-1:30-3:30 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday through Thursday, 12-8 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 37907 Second Avenue, Squamish.
Event is free.
kmcmanus@northshoreoutlook.com
