YQQ Art Collection

ANOUK HARTWELL Born and raised amongst the wind swept fields of the prairies, Anouk?s parents expanded her world with unforgettable trips to Vancouver Island, which she has now called home for over ten years. From an early age she was encouraged to pursue her creative side, but was drawn towards adventure tourism. After years of dogsled and kayak guiding and working with outdoor adventure companies she returned to painting. Her acrylic paintings on canvas or cork hats explore nature and adventure through mountains, oceans, forests and multi-hued skies found mostly on the island.

I make art to create beauty. I am inspired by nature and by human interactions with the natural world. I live in British Columbia, Canada on the ocean on Denman Island where I regularly walk the trails and beaches, and sketch en plein air. In addition to painting, I am a textile artist and print maker, and have shown my work in a number of shows in various locations, including West Vancouver, Courtenay, Duncan, Victoria, Denman Island, and Austin, Texas. I have a dedicated painting and print making studio space at Artwrx in Courtenay, British Columbia where I am supported and inspired by interaction with my fellow artists. My small home studio on Denman Island is full of textile art projects on the go, embroidery threads, dyes, fabrics, and tools.

Larissa McLean is a mixed media artist. She has a BFA in printmaking and holds a current teaching certificate for Alberta and British Columbia. Larissa has been painting for over 20 years and is knowledgeable in mixed-media and fluid acrylics. Her visions in fluid acrylics and water colour are of nature: images warm and inviting, to mysterious and distant, each a distillation of recent experiences imbued with the energy of her own feelings at the moment. Some paintings take multiple sessions spanning weeks, while others are created in just a few hours

LYNN FARWELL Creating art has been one of the main grounding forces in my life. It brings me into a state of total immersion and peace. I like variety so using different media does not intimidate me at all. Humorous, whimsical, powerful, peaceful, colourful, energetic are all adjectives that have been used to describe my work. ?One of the main things I like about being an artist is you define your own uniqueness. I think this is the reason we are here; to develop ourselves through creative outlets. I am so grateful for the opportunity to touch you with my art. May it bring you to a place of reflection and joy?. My work can be found in homes across Canada, and the USA. Find my birds at Art Alchemy, Courtenay, BC, MARS animal rescue gift shop in Merville BC, Jipsi Tree Boutique in Cumberland BC. and at Side Street Gallery in Oak Bay, Victoria.

MAGGIE ZIEGLER I am a mixed media artist, web & graphic designer. Originally from Alberta, I felt the call of Vancouver Island more than 10 years ago and made the move to this paradise. I have been transformed and inspired by the easy lifestyle and natural charm of my island home. My art is a reflection of the beauty that surrounds me and the deep sense of gratitude I feel for the experience of creative expression. I have had a life long passion for creating art and feel so truly blessed to be pursuing what I love. I don?t feel compelled to limit my exploration of whatever appeals to me as a subject matter; I?m happiest when I?m using bright colours and lots of layers. As with all things in life ? there is no guarantee of the outcome so I try to remain optimistically curious and enjoy the process!

MARY GORMAN Mary Gorman is an artist who comes from Ireland and settled here in the Comox Valley. She attended art college in Dublin, Ireland , graduating in 1993. After 5 wonderful years at art college, she pursued a career as a muralist creating and executing projects both at home in Ireland as well as London, Paris and Sydney ,Australia. After a year living in Australia, Mary felt drawn to British Columbia, a place she had connected to and fell in love with years prior. She now calls it her home. Inspired by this wonderful place, Mary now creates paintings which at the moment are inspired by both land and cityscape. She is inspired by the beauty of nature around her and the desire to depict light and how it manifests in our world. She is a member of ARTWRX Studio / Gallery in Courtenay.

NICOLETTE VALIKOSKI Nicolette Valikoski grew up among the temperate rainforests and storm-battered beaches of a small island off the west coast of Canada. This wild and gorgeous corner of the world shaped her earliest artistic expression and today inspires much of her work. Nicolette uses only palette knives to apply her unique, sculptural layers of oil paint which result in striking creations with rich texture and incredible depth. Her bright, dynamic explorations of nature are informed by her passion for contemporary interior design, resulting in paintings that evoke a unique sensation of being both indoors and out. Nicolette paints out of her light-filled studio in Vancouver Island?s beautiful Comox Valley. Her work hangs in the homes of her collectors all across the world. For commissions and collaborations email.

Creative expression has always been important to me. I do not remember a time when I was not drawn to the colour, light, and rhythm in the world and the opportunity to express it visually. The medium I choose to work is is acrylic on canvas and I love the challenge of representing the energy of the light through trees, the movement of the leaves or the life of the image I am painting. The success of the work is measured by the degree to which the viewer experiences a sense of energy and emotion from the image. The uniqueness of the art I produce is struggle. I strive to make statements about the world around me in a way that has not been said before and that part of my process is continually evolving. I am inspired by the amazing beauty of Vancouver Island, the vast talent that surrounds me and the infinite possibilities for expression.

SHEA KOTILLA Shea Kotilla is an artist who practices with oil paints on canvas and wood. Her subjects are varied including landscapes, people, and still life. Shea grew up in small communities loving the closeness of nature where she would wander through the woods, picking berries, and listening to the forest sounds. Spending time outdoors riding bike, swimming, walking on beaches and kayaking is an experience she yearns for daily. Time to breath deeply, feel the sun and wind and rain. And what about bringing the easel and paints! Plein air painting is an ambition she wishes to fulfil! Everywhere in life are images that beg her to create with paint. Shea shares her time between family, friends, working and painting. Shea shares her time between family, friends, working and painting