Art Show in Merritt BC

Artist Shirley Reynolds

Home is Where the Art Is

Show Poster-Merritt Printing design

Colour Personified

An Art Show in Merritt BC will be held from May 5, 2022 to June 5, 2022 at the Nicola Valley Arts Centre.

Artist Shirley Reynolds

Shirley Reynolds-Tom Reynolds Photo

Shirley Reynolds Art Show in Merritt

Shirley got her art career off to a great start when she was just a toddler. Her dad had painted her bedroom but apparently it was a little too boring for her so she took an indelible pencil and drew on the wall. As you can imagine Shirley’s father was not impressed but took the time to explain to her that drawing on the wall was not appropriate. After this discussion he repainted the offending wall. However, awhile later he came back to find that his artist daughter had “improved” the wall again. From that point on she was hooked with painting and has spent over six decades perfecting her craft.

Landscapes in the Art Show in Merritt BC

Many artists over the years tend to develop a signature style that is associated with them. While her paintings have grown in complexity over the years she has not settled into a specific style. Each painting is unique, just like the artist, herself. When we go camping she loves to bring paints so she can capture the scenery where ever we may be.

Reynolds Photo

Harmon Lake-Tom Reynolds Photo

“Still lifes ” in the Art show in Merritt BC

As I said before, Shirley’s style is different for nearly every painting. However, there is one aspect to her paintings that is consistent and that is the use of brilliant colours. This definitely comes out when she does a “still life” as you can see in the examples below.

Flowers in Pot-Tom Reynolds Photo

Flowers-Tom Reynolds Photo

Abstracts in the Art Show in Merritt BC

As I said earlier Shirley does not have just one style that identifies her work. I believe her paintings come from her soul so you never know what you are going to get until she puts her inspiration to paper. While she does a large part of her work on landscapes she has begun to dabble in abstracts. However her use of colour flows through these as well.

Geometric Abstract-Tom Reynolds Photo

Movement Abstracts-Tom Reynolds photo

Impressionism Style is at the Art Show in Merritt, BC

Sometimes the inspiration for a subject matter requires that the objects are less defined but you get the sense of the painting. Below are examples of Shirley using this style.

Fall Colours-Tom Reynolds Photo

Fall Tree-Tom Reynolds Photo

Painting is not all she does

While her primary artistic endeavor is painting, her creativity is expressed in almost everything she does. On several occasions she has set her hand to doing mosaics. Apparently it is handy to save your broken cups and saucers because you never know when the need to do a mosaic will come. Also you may come across something that would make a great base for your project such as a ball.

Mosaic Globe-Tom Reynolds Photo

Mosaic Tea Cups-Tom Reynolds Photo

She still hasn’t finished experimenting with different mediums as she and her daughter, Andrea are going to try their hand at pottery.

Her artistic talents have also stirred her interest in interior decorating. Along with the items she is displaying, she has upped the ambiance of the show by providing colourful props that support the art work.

Support the Art Show in Merritt BC

Supporting the art show is one way of ensuring that the arts will be alive and well in Merritt. When you sign the register this provides evidence to the funding partners that the activity is valued by the community and tourists alike. While you are at the show you can browse the gift shop and help support local artists and the Arts Council. It is also a good time to check out the programs that are offered.