Originally from France, now firmly located in the Comox Valley, Vermeulen’s lifelong dedication to his creative practice has anchored his career. He has taught both painting and drawing, and worked as a scenic artist in the film industry. Inspired by the places he calls home, he can often be found outdoors exploring the waterways and forests that are his subject matter. Walking through the exhibition is like wandering through a map of British Columbia: Diamond Head, Squamish Chief, Mount Enterprise, Lillooet, Harrison Lake, Jericho Beach, Roberts Creek. His travels feed his studio practice as he brings these moody atmospheres to life.

Vermeulen’s paintings are characterized by movement and discovery, both that of the artist exploring the landscape and the intentions of the paint on the canvas. The results are contemporary representational landscapes with a strong atmospheric and painterly sensibility. These landscapes are recognizable, conveying what it feels like to be in these places, rather than a photo-realistic depiction of place. Clouded skies gather and roll across the canvas, overwhelming the buildings and trees on the ground, and the people become even less significant. The air is often loose, murky and unstable conveying the mood and sensations of each place.

Vermeulen’s background as a scenic artist is evident. With a wide pan of cinematic drama, he sets the stage for the unfolding story, creating a snapshot of a world that exists beyond the edges of the canvas. He doesn’t illustrate a story so much as he invites the viewer to imagine one with him. Many of the paintings in this exhibition link to a European painting tradition, with paintings that depict villages, working harbours and farms, and streets filled with human activity. Historical elements, carts, mills and fishing boats, seem to reference a time that no longer exists, creating a romantic, painterly conversation between past and present.

Join us for the artist reception Saturday, September 5th, 7-9pm. Exhibition runs Sept 2 thru 26th at Artful : The Gallery, 526C Cumberland Rd in Courtenay, BC.