Dear Artist,
While giving a workshop at Hollyhock a few summers ago, a painter stood out to me as a maker of bold strokes. Her brush flicked here and there over a cadmium ground, laying in tree and driftwood shapes and casually daubing at counterpoints. Steady in pace and intent, her completed work built up around her like a thickening forest.
“The Escape Route”
acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 x 2 inches
by Stephanie Gauvin
The following spring, I got an email: “I’ve sold a big one. I’m going to use the money to join you in the Bugaboos.” In the mountains she distinguished herself as the first to rise, the first to complete and the first to do a handstand on the tundra while the helicopter lifted and disappeared behind the peaks. When she went missing at dusk, I found her behind the lodge, toqued and mittened, collecting alpenglow on an 8 x 10.
Stephanie Gauvin was born in Quebec, but lives in the ski-town of Rossland, B.C. where she paints, skis and hangs out with her kids. Like her brush, she’s energetic: printing catalogues, updating her website and blog, entering shows. She’s earned signature status at The Federation of Canadian Artists, a Ducks Unlimited National Portfolio and a Royal Canadian Mint series. As part of her evolution, she’s building gallery representation, too, and tomorrow is the opening of her own gallery in Rossland. “It all seems like an organic progression that brought me to have a downtown gallery,” she says — an open studio that will at times showcase the work of others — “where the art enthusiast can have a direct connection with the artist and vice-versa.”
Many other artists come to mind when I think of Stephanie’s route: multi-tracked and personal. “My work is my play; my ego made visible,” she says. And her own gallery? “A place of creation with a studio tucked in the back.”
“Tower of Power”
acrylic on canvas, 30 x 36 inches
by Stephanie Gauvin
Sincerely,
Sara
PS: “I am intuitively following my creative path and have come to realize that it is a lifelong commitment.” (Stephanie Gauvin)
Esoterica: Can an artist be an artist and run a gallery, too? Perhaps we all fall somewhere within a spectrum of skills and the nature needed to go for it — and be happy. In March 1963, artist Jack Hambleton opened his namesake gallery in Kelowna, B.C. and created what continues to be a place to discover historic and contemporary Canadian art — most recently including the work of Stephanie Gauvin. “I love looking for things to paint, and I love painting and I love framing them and seeing them in a gallery,” said Jack, “but more than anything, I love to sell them.”
“Keep your shop and your shop will keep you.” (Benjamin Franklin)
27 Comments
I worked in galleries for many years, ten of them owned by an artist. The gallery featured early Californian plein air painters as well as contemporary work and the owner was passionate about both and skillful at handling both…his passion contagious. He’s no long with us but I will always be grateful for having had the experience of working with him, and seeing firsthand how business and art can work together. Thanks for sharing this beautiful art work, and of course, the quote. I know how Jack feels……selling art is a wonderful experience, as is its creation.
Sara, this column lifted my spirits, as I have gone into three spaces in southwestern Utah, and shooting for other states. Thank you for sharing!
I love her color palette. It reminds me so much of Stephen Quiller’s work.
Congratulations to Stephanie, our honoured member in our West Kootenay Chapter. I have always admired her work and she is getting better all the time
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Thank you Lucy, your work is very skilled and amazing as well!
Thank you Sara for dedicating a letter to me, I am profoundly humbled since you and your father are my art world rock stars!
Reading The Painter`s Keys letters all these years have given me the certainty that I am connected to a real family of artists and that this “thing” that we do is important and recognized.
http://www.artiststephaniegauvin.com
“…connection to a real family of artists…” touched me, Stephanie. In my mind we are a family, a tribe. I appreciate all the words of Robert and Sara, and all those who comment. A sure smile and heart’s thoughts twice a week. I feel blessed with my gifts as they grow and change, and blessed to share.
Inspiring!
What amazing work and such an inspiring account about Stephanie and how she has embraced her passion.
What a great story of passion and dedication! Congratulations to Stephanie on her new Gallery and thanks for sharing this interesting progression of an artist in our midst. Love it!
Thanks for the encouragement Jane, I feel blessed!
What a lovely story, thank you Stephanie and Sara!
Living the dream… life is good!
Very inspiring and accomplished painter. Your paintings exude excitement and passion at the same time. Thanks, Sara, for sharing such an inspiration! All the best, Stephanie!
Hi Shirley, how nice of you, thanks you so much!
Lovely work! I see a lot of similarity to Mike Svob. Gorgeous colour!
Encouraging article about progression and work ethics! Thank you. Gillian.
http://GillianStGeorge.com
Gorgeous paintings, Stephanie!
I am a teacher in Sydney, Australia. I would like to try Google Sketchup with my Year 5 class. Your viarutl gallery is amazing! Was Google Sketchup hard to use? Thank you for sharing your wonderful work.
You hold special plecas in our hearts too, more than we can ever show! Just look at these four, they love doing this with you! You have captured and saved a moment in time, one we will have forever! They grow and change so fast, but having these to look back on, will always keep this time in our lives close to our hearts!!!! We love you!!!!!!
Whoever edits and publishes these articles really knows what they’re doing.
August 20, 2012 The guide was definitely needed when encountering the buffalo. But it’s a strong possibility that the buffalo was mad in the first place because the guide had eaten his cousin as a main course before his appetizer of dog skewers and fake deer meat souffle.
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natural circadian rhythm. Fatigue and exhaustion are major triggers for headaches in children. Headaches in children are a common problem. Just like adults, kids can have tension headaches, migr…s stop having the headaches once they reach puberty, and another twenty-five percent will stop
A Spring version may well be possible and may suit you better – here’s hoping. A sort of “official” workshop opening in line with having an “official” birthday?!
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Professor Spackman is a great and an understanding professor. He made the concepts quite easy to understand and his lectures rendered readings quite unnecessary although in class discussions (part of participation grade) necessitated them. Overall, a good, solid course that was neither detestable nor enjoyable but the professor made it worth it.