JUNE 2 - 28, 2026
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1pm
Studio 211 Members, Comox BC
Anouk Harwell: Artist Statement
Whether an ocean or lake, mountain terrain or thick forest, good or inclement weather, all have drawn me to be immersed to study. Bright colours have been a staple in my body of work, which I can only believe comes from my early attraction to the colours in sunrises and sunsets that held my attention. Unique perspectives, hyper focused details and fluidity are aspects I seek out to capture on the canvas.
Jean Cockburn Artist Statement and Biography
I am a printmaker, a fibre artist, and a painter.I have a dedicated painting and printmaking studio space at Studio 211 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.
Lynn Farwell
Lynn is an artist who utilizes oils and mixed media. She is known for her use of flowing organic lines that create a sense of balance and emotional depth. Eschewing straight lines, her work embraces fluidity and vibrant color evoking emotional response.
Mary Gorman
Mary is an artist who comes from Ireland and has settled here in the comox valley. Gorman 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, in London UK, Paris and Sydney, Australia. After a year living in Australia Gorman 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 she now creates paintings which currently depict the beauty of nature around her and the desire to portray light and how it manifests in both urban, rural and interior landscapes.
Gorman is a member of Studio 211 in Courtenay.
Elaine Smith, Artist
Elaine has been living in the Comox Valley since 1990 after migrating from North Vancouver. She has directed her own art education through taking numerous courses and workshops. As a child of an artist, creativity was encouraged and subsequently found a place in her heart. Initially drawn to realism, she once believed it was the only true form of art. That perception changed when she studied abstract expressionism.
“From there I was hooked. The freedom of expression is so intriguing. I find it harder to paint a decent abstract in many ways. ” Yet, behind the apparent spontaneity lies a meticulous practice. “I developed my style through many hours of painting, playing with materials, looking at other artist’s work and sorting through what I love” , Elaine explains. Through this practice I started to realize that I'm in love with translucence layers and texture, wanting my images to have a sense of a visual story. The question for her is how to embody the complexity in a painting which is so exciting and at the same time instill the quietness in the image as well, which, she believes, is the balancing point leading to a successful piece.
Elaine’s hope when people view her art: “Mostly, I'd like people to feel intrigued to want to look more deeply and respond in a personal way. Even if they don't like it, I want them to feel something." Elaine is an exhibiting member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and shares a working studio with 4 other artists in the Comox Valley. She has been in numerous shows andexhibitions over the last 6 years.