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CENTRAL ISLAND ARTS TOUR May 20, 21, and 22

Hello my friends,                     

I’m excited to share I’m opening my art studio during the CENTRAL ISLAND ARTS TOUR May 20, 21, and 22. My studio will be open 10am-5pm over that weekend, and 10am-3pm on Monday the 22nd. Please join me so I can share my work with you!  There will be lots of cool art  to see in this very creative part of the world, from Parksville, all the way through the Comox Valley and north to Campbell River! 

red carpet, mixed media on paper, 12 x 9 inches, 2023

Please note that I found out about this wonderful initiative after the print deadline, so I will not officially be on the Art Studio Tour Map but I am opening my doors during that time, and will be displaying the Green Banner outside to help you find me! 

And here’s what my outdoor sign will look like:

For a  preview of my artwork, here is the Central Island Arts Listing website link: https://centralislandartsguide.ca/artist/val-nelson-studio/

Hope to see you there!

Val

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NEW STUDIO!

Before
After

Okay I’m in, I have a new studio! So great to spread out and have a real art-making space once again. Now that I’m sure I am staying in Courtenay I decided it’s time to put down roots. I’m thrilled to share this new bright space with you, a quirky old office building very near downtown. There is a bank of four windows facing east so I get some gorgeous morning light, then it evens out the rest of the day for fantastic painting illumination.

The Courtenay River is a half-block away so I can ride my bike to and from work, and take airy walks to view the ever-changing estuary and observe the bird and rabbit action (yes, rabbits!). Oh and there is a Bean Around the World just five minutes’ walk away for a little social time and great coffee.

Those of you who have signed up for my most recent course please take note of my new address:

#228b-2270 Cliffe at Mansfield Centre in Courtenay. It’s near the Airpark on the main drag before you hit downtown (that is if you are travelling north).

See you again soon!

xVal

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Coming up this Spring at Val Nelson Studio

LOOSEN UP! PAINTING SERIES: Dates TBA

 Are you a realist painter, and looking for ways to create more painterly flow and movement in your work? Join me in my studio for eight fun and challenging studio sessions amongst like-minded fellow artists.

If you have been painting alone, the group dynamic of a class creates a sense of camaraderie through an exchange of ideas. Warm-up exercises at the beginning of each session will give you new tools with which to understand how to move the paint around more freely.

Students can bring their personal projects already in process or start new ones in the class. The instructor will cover issues such as paint handling, improving drawing abilities, palette and composition tips as well as historical and contemporary painting references. Both acrylic and also oil painters with a little experience are welcome (no turpentine, please).

This is an intimate and friendly setting in a professional artist’s personal studio.

If this sounds like something you would like to take part in, feel free to call or text me at 778-865-2650 or email me at val@valnelson.ca

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One Week Left: VAL NELSON at VISUALSPACE GALLERY

There’s just one week left to view my solo exhibition at Visualspace Gallery in Vancouver. If you haven’t yet been able to view the show, I hope you can make it! The show closes Saturday, May 7.

I’m so grateful that there was a great turnout at my opening and also my artist talk. So many friendly and enthusiastic friends, art lovers, and former students. Thank you so much for coming!

A sneakpeek virtual tour of the show can be viewed on the gallery’s Instagram page, and the entire collection can be viewed here. A video of my talk is being edited and we will be able to share it with you soon.

Never say never, but these may be the last historic interiors I paint, as new things are percolating in my studio now. 

Visualspace Gallery

3352 Dunbar Street at 17th Ave

Vancouver, BC

604-559-0576

Gallery hours: Tues to Sat, noon to 5 pm

Gallery director: Yukiko Onley

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CLASSES ON HIATUS :)

Hi folks, I’ve had a few requests for class offerings for the Spring, but have been focussing on my Vancouver show and will be taking a little time away from teaching. Thanks for your interest! I may teach a few in-person workshops this summer, so stay tuned.

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PHANTOM DNA at VISUALSPACE GALLERY

I’m excited to announce my solo gallery exhibition April 7-May 7 at Visualspace Gallery in Vancouver. Now that things are opening up again in BC, it’s time to celebrate! I look forward to seeing my wonderful friends and supporters there, with their smiles. 🙂

Please join me for the OPENING RECEPTION on Saturday April 9, 2-4pm. There will also be an ARTIST GALLERY TOUR ON April 23 at 2 pm.

Photography credit: Diane Burroughes
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New! LOOSEN UP Painting Tips: Series of 6 x One-hour Lessons

Saturdays 2-3pm. Jan 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19

Loosen Up, Oil on mylar, 24 x 36 inches, 2021

Do you feel a bit stuck in your painting process? Do you yearn to find your own “style” and get out of your own way in the studio so you can have more fun? Part of the solution lies in mindset, and part of it is technical. By working through a series of painterly problems, you will come away with a number of strategies that you can apply to your refresh your studio time beyond the lessons.

Some experience recommended. Oil or acrylic. Supply list provided upon registration.

Tuition: $145 incl GST

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THE PAINTED PORTRAIT

I will be demonstrating a copy of a 16th century anonymous master for the Chemainus Art Group next week. I did this open acrylic study on cardboard to prep for that. I used a very limited palette: Titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and raw umber, similar to the Zorn Palette but replacing black with the warmer umber. It’s fascinating to see how much range you can achieve with only four colours.