FIRST LIGHT

Jolene HASSARD

October 29 – November 24, 2024

OPENING RECEPTION:  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024    1-3pm

When it comes to my dotillism work, all of my pieces generally feature around light.   The designs created with the dots all branch out from a central circle which usually represents either the sun or the moon.  This has always been a wonderful reflection to me of the natural world – how so many of the Earth’s systems rely on light and are all affected by the change of light as seasons progress.  I create the pattern of dots based on what level of light the scene I’m painting would have – a more explosive, linear design for bright sunlight and a more mellow, gradient design for moonlight or stormier, lower light days.  The subject, whether an animal, a coastaline, a view point, etc. are painted simply and in silhouette so that they contrast with the complex design in the ‘background’ and do not compete with the dots, but are highlighted by them.  All designs are a celebration of the subjects and are meant to honour them.  I hope that viewers of my pieces feel both uplifted and a sense of the peace I feel when I paint them.    My pen and ink Mandalas are a real joy for me to create.  They are also a very meditative practice and I love adding natural elements as often as possible.  I have re-created several of these pieces into murals and find they help create a calming, positive vibe in their environments.