Ariane` Kamps is a painter and illustrator who works in traditional mediums to create figurative works. Her work reflects a deep interest in memory, dream worlds and the value of the individual's story. Her work ranges from portraiture to surreal dreamlike landscapes that she creates out of her home studio in Penticton, British Columbia.

Ariane` started creating work amidst motherhood, needing to have a creative outlet; she painted shoes, purses and miniature paintings. Not long after, she was painting in oils, watercolors, inks and pixels for children’s books and private commissions. Portraits have always stood out for her as she continued to paint people’s stories and memories in re-imagined ways.

Her paintings can be found in homes & private collections from North America to Australia. When she isn’t painting she can be found teaching her 5 bright children, hiking the hills around Okanagan lake while trying to spot the elusive Ogopogo.

Artist Statement

Ariane` Kamps’ figurative and landscape-inspired oil paintings reflect the hope and wonderment of her broad range of subject matter—women, children, captured in moments of introspection, reflecting on their thoughts and emotions.

Children in particular are a rich source of inspiration for Ariane’s portraiture. Impressionist tinges evoke the mysterious and ethereal dreamworlds of the childhood imagination, along with the freedom and joy that accompany a child’s first forays into creative art—as was the case for Ariane` as a girl, when whole universes were brought to life with only crayon and paper.

For Ariane`, it has been instructive seeing her own children developing and expressing themselves with such innocence and honesty. Not despite of, but because of their naiveté, they have access to the awe-inspiring and fanciful dream realms that inevitably fade into memory. Ariane` paints in order to remember her own childhood and its ready ability to realize what is seen in the mind’s eye.

Informing Ariane`’s practice, as a natural complement to her focus on the child, is motherhood and by extension, womanhood. In mythology and folklore, women have always been granted a wondrous power as nurturers and providers, but also because they seem to retain some element of the child’s paradoxical wisdom in innocence. They are capable of creating a bridge between the real and the fantastical.

As a parent it is impossible to protect our children from the inevitability of heartache.

Knowing this, Ariane`’s work walks a fine line between beauty and tragedy. At times a tragic memory is reimagined and thus rescued—cast in a new light to hold onto what is worthwhile and let go of the sadness. At other times, Ariane` turns to the oft-forgotten but highly-interesting stories on the periphery. These liminal worlds exist in a twilight space between wakefulness and sleep—where things that typically go unnoticed become unforgettable.

Ariane`’s goal is to continue to create art that may become a portal to worlds far out of reach. A place to fly, to talk to animals, to do anything the imagination can conjure.

Jessie Dunlop (b.1988) is a Canadian watercolour artist. Originally from England, she now calls the Okanagan home. Dunlop studied Archaeology in London (UK), then moved to Canada for a fresh start. She has been the manager of a heritage venue (S.S. Sicamous Stern Wheeler) and was a part of the Tumbleweed Artist Collective (2015-2020). Dunlop is the founder of the Penticton Artwalk and has organized several art openings and arts events through this organization, with 19 galleries taking part in 2019. Her art has been published on the cover of the “Crow Toes Quarterly” magazine.

Dunlop now lives in Penticton (B.C. Canada) with her husband, and a rambunctious toddler. She paints in the pockets of time between naps, after bedtime and in amongst the chaos. Dunlop is happiest working quietly in her home studio, sipping tea and watching as the paint begins to take shape.

Artist Statement

My art is inspired by folktales and childhood, featuring characters and beasts in dreamlike surroundings. I paint and draw on paper, mostly postcards. The paintings are usually muted in greys and blues- I find this helps me focus on the narrative, and the play between light and dark. I work from found images: piecing together the scenes that my subconscious wants to create, interweaving my own childhood memories. Often the paintings will center on little girls with strange creatures nearby. My work has been described as “sweet, with a hint of something dark.” The children in my art always seem calm, and hopeful. They interact with the spirits without showing fear or emotion. They are unfazed by what is in front of them. Using my own childhood memories, I weave an intricate narrative of curiosity, discovery, and mystery within the paintings' interactions of the children and their companions.

Kristine was born in 1976 in Surrey BC. Her toddler years were spent on a hobby farm in Maple Ridge frolicing with the farm animals and eating soup at her Nana's. Her family moved to Penticton when she was six then to Kaleden when she was 7. Kaleden was an inspiring wonderland of nature and adventure. Climbing fruit trees, floating on the water and drawing lilacs and tiger lilies. Half way through Gr 7 Kristines family moved to the big city, Penticton. In Gr 8 Kristine was excited to finally take an art course and then in grade 9 and up she took all the art courses she could in Jr and High school. She took OSSA classes and did her work experience in an Art Gallery and Frame Shop. Kristine applied for art school being accepted to one in the United States but in the end it was too expensive. Kristine worked at another frame shop in Kelowna before her marrage and one in Grande Prairie while pregnant with her first child. In 2011 Kristine seperated from her husband and became a single mom to two children. This is when Kristine gained her second wind as an artist, having produced and sold over 130 paintings and done 5 murals between 2012 and 2019. Kristine's pace has slowed down a bit as she now owns her own house painting business but she still produces several paintings a year and builds and paints sets for "Many Hats Theatre". Kristine has been involved in several local art shows including the "2013 Erotic Art Show" at Sparkling Hills Resort in Vernon BC as well as a personal show in Osoyoos, one in Vancouver and a show at The Penticton Public Art Gallery in spring of 2016 titled “Tarnished Saints”. Kristine has done 3 murals for ArtsWells in Wells BC and 2 murals in Penticton, one for the Penticton Reginal Hospital. She also designed the cover of a novel for local author Ron B. Saunders. Kristine is very community involved having done a stint on The Penticton Art Gallery Board for 4 years, running a food program for the homeless called "Monday Night Dinners" for 5 years as well as holding several art show fundraisers for local charities at the Elite. You can see more of Kristine's distinct artwork on Facebook at “Kristine Lee - Artist".

Artist Statement

Kristine Lee has wanted to be an artist since she first put pencil to paper. She is a self-taught artist living in beautiful Penticton BC. Kristine builds her own frames and stretches her own canvas, builds her own cradleboard and paints on salvaged wood as well as other salvaged items. She enjoys the life lines of wood often leaving the grain showing through in her work. Kristine also often produces a textured look by layering plaster and primer to her canvas or wood before painting and sanding. Then adding more layers of acrylic paint to add depth and age to her paintings. She is influenced by the environment/nature, social/political issues, biblical imagery, the human form/portraits as well as her own pain and bliss.

Angela Hansen is a Lake Country-based artist and art instructor. She completed her BDes at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design and her BEd from the University of Victoria. Angela creates primarily with encaustics and her work is recognized for its organic-inspired imagery, sculptural qualities and use of texture.

In 2019, Angela was awarded an Emerging Artist Grant from the International Encaustic Association and her work was juried into “Survey of Encaustic Art”, an exhibition hosted by the International Encaustic Artists association in California. In 2021 she exhibits include: "Wax Applications: Showcasing the Depth and Breadth of Encaustic and Cold Wax", at Texas A&M University Gallery, “(re)Building at Atlantic Gallery, New York, and “Layers of Meaning” at Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto. Angela also had two encaustic installations: “BREATH” at the Alternator Centre For Contemporary Art in Kelowna called, and “BRINK” at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Angela has written articles for Encaustic Arts Magazine and Wax Fusion and her work is in permanent collection at the Encaustic Art Institute and Museum in Santa Fe New Mexico. Angela is also an instructor of Painting With Fire Masterclass by Essence of Mulranny.

Artist Statement

Angela creates primarily with encaustics, a beeswax-based painting and sculpting medium. Angela has worked with encaustic for over 20 years; its versatility of applications drives her art-making practice of both 2D and 3D works. Angela's encaustic works are inspired by the flora and fauna of our forests and the ocean depths as well as the Okanagan landscape. Recently, she has a growing interest in ecological and environmental art practices as a factor in cultural transformations.

Greta majored in art at the University of Calgary, and studied advanced oil painting at the Alberta College of Art and Design. She was a member of the Calgary Sketch Club. In 1976 her plein aire painting of the Okotoks train station was chosen as the image for the Annual Limited Edition Canadian Plate. In 2000 she won the McAre Award and prints of her heritage plein aire painting were distributed internationally. Greta was juried into the Federation of Canadian Artists in 2010 as an active member and subsequently two of her paintings were awarded Jurors Choice. Her work has regularly been juried into the Calgary Stampede Western Art Auction. Greta is a member of the Summerland Art Gallery, Okanagan Artisans Summerland, Naramata Art Studio (paintings displayed at Lang's Winery), The Nest, and Arts Up Studio. She was commissioned by Liquidity Winery for 12 works, Meyer Family Winery, and runner up in the B.C. Federation of Wild Life Artist of the Year. Paintings are in private, corporate, and international collections.

Artist Statement

Greta Kamp was born in Blairmore Alberta, and as a child sketched and painted the beautiful scenery and wildlife of Beaver Mines, Crows Nest Pass, and Waterton Lakes Alberta. Greta's great admiration for nature and animals, and her sensitivity to conservation have been a constant inspiration for art. It was as if she were born with a paint brush in her hand, and upon moving to Penticton with so much surrounding beauty she is having a difficult time putting the paint brush down.

As a self-taught artist Amy is proud to be an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Continuously pursuing her interest in painting since 2013, Amy’s acrylic paintings of wildlife portraits and landscapes have been shown and sold across BC. Having the opportunity to be a featured artist in the BC Cattleman's Magazine “Beef in BC” and becoming the Williams Lake Stampede poster artist for 2020 are just a few of Amy’s artistic accomplishments.

Artist Statement

“My acrylic paintings focus on both animal and landscape subjects that are inspired by the diverse natural charms found across British Columbia. My Artistic style varies from detailed wildlife portraits to playful interpretations of a chosen subject. Each of my paintings focus on colour and light to bring life to my work.”

I was born in Grand Forks and spent my formative years between here and Vancouver island. My mother Nadine Heiberg (Nevocshonoff) had an Art education degree from UBC and was in the habit of providing ample opportunity to paint in water colour, oil and tempura.

Our house had large paintings that dominated the house in a dystopian theme from mothers' UBC days. amidst these original works was a poster of Van Goghs' sunflowers. I remember finding solace in the simple still life and funnily enough at that young age looking at that piece I felt confident I could learn to paint in a way that could inspire others.

A year after graduating high school I participated in a youth entrepreneurship program that ran a graphic design company then went on to Alberta college of Art and Design.

Completed two years in the BFA program majoring in sculpture before shifting into fashion production at Olds College where I graduated with a diploma.

A year of working for a designer in Calgary was amazing for developing skill and professionalism but the call of the country landscape was strong and moved back to Grand Forks.

I am currently loving the life of being a single mother in a small town, practicing my own art and exploring what that looks like, teaching youth art and film classes and starting a youth entrepreneurial mural program this spring. I am trying to be the mentor that I would have loved as a kid with the intention of creating a confident young art community that is visible and supported.

Artist Statement

My work is dominated by the love and admiration for nature in the Boundary Kootenay area where I have most of my adventures exploring forests, lakes, rivers and mountains.

My method involves photographing inspirational moment and then later translating the feeling of the season, the light, the wind, how I wanted to move over the land.

I use colour to communicate how I was emotionally connecting with the elements, sometimes this has a pleasing effect and sometimes it can be intense.

My brush strokes range from the gentle bleeding of wet on wet paint to energetic intuitive scrawling of implied detail, most recently adding graphic design elements of bold lines to compliment the strong compositions.

Born in South Africa. BA Fine Arts degree in Drawing, printmaking and Art History. Taught at 4 different university art schools. Moved to Canada in 2000. Worked in movie and TV industry. Arrived in Penticton in 2010. Full time painter and artist.

Artist Statement

I tell visual stories with layers of meaning. I am always looking for new ways of telling a story. I avoid artist's statements as they too often try and justify an artwork. I hope my work can stand without the need for me to hold its hand.

Originally from southern Ontario, Elizabeth pursued her dream of heading west several years ago when she moved to the Okanagan Valley. She is a freelance artist who paints mainly in acrylics with her subject matter focus being the vast diversity of landscapes Canada has to offer.

Artist Statement

My art is inspired by my love of and for the great outdoors. Month long canoe trips in the northern stretches of Ontario, backcountry hiking in the Yukon and British Columbia, planting almost 1 million trees across Canada, and my current pursuit of completing a PhD studying cherry ecophysiology in the Okanagan have provided me the opportunity to be immersed in the beautiful places of Canada and have influenced much of my work. I love to capture the stunning shapes and motions of landscapes using a minimalist approach while incorporating both traditional and non-traditional colours to capture the emotions of these places.

Moozhan Ahmadzadegan is an emerging artist based on the unceded and traditional territory of the Syilx people, also known as the Okanagan. He received a BFA from the University of British Columbia Okanagan with a Major in Visual Arts and a Minor in Art History and Visual Culture in 2019. In addition to his art practice, he is experienced in art administration and community engaged projects. He is a co-founder of the Laundry Room Collective, an artist-run collective that works to provide accessible arts and culture programming, support emerging artists, and foster diversity and inclusion to meaningfully contribute to the community.

Artist Statement

My practice engages personal and social inquiry as a means to navigate themes of identity and social justice through visual and conceptual materials, most often employing the mediums of painting and screenprinting. My work explores themes of activism, cross-cultural expression, queerness, Iranian diaspora, and connection. This broad spectrum of ideas inform the basis of my practice and serve as a point of access to deepen my understanding of current social topics. I create through a studio based research approach; wherein I create out of abstracted ideas, allowing intersecting ideas to come together in conceptually grounded works with visual presence. My interests lie in how we respond to and engage with the social and cultural systems that affect personhood. Oftentimes my work lacks resolution. I use my practice as an opportunity to be self reflective, develop cross-cultural expressions, and foster connection.