An intriguing exhibit of wildlife art will be displayed at The Gallery@Weird Church, opening on January 29, 2022 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The featured artist, Heather Soos, is a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists, based in the United States with 500 members worldwide, including many of the world?s leading animal sculptors and painters. Her artwork has been juried into the Society?s annual ?Art and the Animal? Exhibition for several consecutive years.
Heather was born in Victoria and enjoyed drawing animals from an early age. She began painting wildlife in her early twenties, after taking art courses at university and through correspondence. She began painting birds in gouache and later switched to acrylic on hardboard after discovering this was Robert Bateman?s medium of choice.
About her art, Heather says, ?In creating a piece of wildlife art, my intention is to create something powerful and unique that speaks about the subject. I want to draw the viewer into the scene so they can recognize and experience that piece of nature.? Often inspiration originates from personal experience, but it could come from anywhere; a unique photograph, a video or a fascination with the pattern or colour of an animal. She spends a lot of time in composing and executing a work of art to try and capture the beauty and character of the subject. Working in detail, and aiming to create a sense of ?virtual reality? with paint or other medium produces something aesthetically pleasing.Heather works in primarily in oil, acrylic and scratchboard.
Heather has been the recipient of awards and publications (see below). A highlight in her career was being named ?National ?Artist of the Year? by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in 2008. Her painting of three Trumpeter Swans at the Dyke Road estuary in Courtenay, BC, was made into 5000 prints and auctioned across the United States and Canada as part of DUC?s program to raise funds for wetland conservation.
Travelling and living in different locations throughout Canada and abroad with her military husband, also a skilled amateur photographer, has given Heather opportunities for artistic inspiration. In addition, the travel allowed her to discover new wildlife and natural environments, and exhibit her work internationally.
Where & When
Opening: January 29, 2022 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Heather Soos show will run until February 19, 2022.
Music for the Opening will be provided by Duetto, with violin by Theresa Hartwig and piano by Ardene Larrison
You can find The Gallery @ Weird Church at 2688 Penrith Avenue, Cumberland.
Viewing hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 4 ? 6 pm and Saturdays from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, whenever the Gallery sign is displayed.
Vaccine passport and ID required. Donations to support the gallery are appreciated.
Also showing ? Community submitted art pieces as a part of the Climate Conversations ongoing series at Weird Church. See www.weirdchurchcumberland.com/climate-conversations for more information about how to become involved.
Shows at The Gallery @ Weird Church are curated by Cumberland resident Joan Udell, whose experience includes a career in teaching at the high school level, a position in regional arts administration and board experience at both local and provincial levels, including serving as Chair of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
For more information please contact Joan directly at udell.joan@gmail.com or 1-780-817-6428, or visit www.weirdchurchcumberland.com, About – The Gallery@Weird Church. The Gallery at Weird Church Facebook Page for updates.
