Events

Working feverously in his North Saanich studio, Blu Smith has released his latest collection that will be on display at the West End Gallery in Edmonton, AB. It's there in his sun-bathed studio where Blu pours his heart and soul into his artwork; it's where the magic happens. The early morning hours are when Blu Smith steps out of his home, crosses his yard and heads into his 1200 square foot studio, also known as the Lighthouse. Everything is deliberately laid out: one area is for a workshop, with tools, lengths of kiln-dried wood and rolls of raw canvas. On the opposite side, partitioned by a movable display wall, is the creative space, concrete floors, white walls covered in paint and a bank of large windows allowing the outside in. In this latest acquisition, you will see rays of light dancing through trees in the rich, forested area. Douglas fir and other trees surrounding the Lighthouse seep into his artwork, taking Blu down an exploratory path of abstract landscapes. We invite you to experience the work of Blu Smith at the West End Gallery in Edmonton! Opening on November 20 and continuing until December 2, this collection will not be available forever. There is no time like the present to purchase a painting by Blu Smith for your home or office!

Outstanding Canadian artist Rod Charlesworth presents an exhibition of new paintings. Known for his recognizable style, Rod's paintings follow the tradition set by the Group of Seven of capturing the iconic Canadian landscape. His affinity for place, whether it's the wild West Coast or the snowy playgrounds known around the country, Rod gets to the heart of his subject and expertly renders the essence of the scene.

Robert Savignac was born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1946 and grew up to study at Vieux-Montreal CEGEP and Université du Quebec. Known for lovingly painting the chaotic splendour and lush abundance of urban gardens, Robert’s latest collection abounds with colour. Playing with real landscapes and his imagination, he creates beautiful and inviting oases on canvas. Flowers spill from balconies, vines creep up the side of stonewalls, all while dappled sunlight casts its light and shadow. Masterfully playing with perspective, composition and a jewel-like palette, he revels in creating contemporary portraits of floral spaces. An artist, who delights in sharing his love of painting, takes the viewer with him on a journey to the tranquil respite of the garden. Robert’s works are featured in numerous private collections in Canada and Europe and is one of Canada's most sought after artists. "I would tell you that the goal sought through the paintings remains unchanged for all these years namely the creation of imaginary places that bring to the viewer a feeling of well-being and joy. A place where we want to live. It is first of all a question of emotions and not a structure around a theme."

West End Gallery is pleased to announce Sacha Barrette's premiere exhibition in Victoria! Sacha completed his bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Université du Québec à Montréal in 1982 and went on to work successfully at several advertising agencies. Having also worked teaching private art lessons, Sacha's love of painting intensified, and he made the leap of faith to devote himself entirely to painting. Inspired by his travels across North and South America and Europe, Sacha's colour palette is a rich combination of deep ochre, burnt orange, rich burgundy, and vibrant blue. Sacha's paintings offer a vibrant invitation for your eyes to travel throughout the canvas, enticing viewers down familiar alleyways and tranquil landscapes. "Thirty years ago, I left everything for painting: my house, work, and spouse. I let Art guide my nomadic steps with only a bag pack as luggage, some rolled canvas and my colours. Since I didn't like the boulevards and the high streets, I always passed through the alleys, bringing me from one to the other until I reached my destination. During one of these walks, at a time when I didn't know what to paint, I found in an alley everything I was looking for. There is a wide range of colours in an alley; nature and architecture can be appreciated, with a beautiful and inspiring escape point. This frozen time away from urban modernity is also this rural atmosphere printed on the walls of fences, garages, and interior courtyards. These little "corners" of the city where the human has tinkered behind the brick facades, a glimpse of life unique to each one. From then on, I have never stopped painting these alleys, each time as if it were the first. They became the engine of my inspiration." For this new series, Sacha painted the alleys with a new approach. They are no longer painted from real and existing places but purely inspired by his imagination. For the landscapes, they are the landscapes just around his home, where he walks the paths at least every other day. And the ponds come directly from memories of his last trip to France in 2017-2018.