Shelley Ewing stands with her painting, Light Light at Kin Coulee, which won the People's Choice Award for adults at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede's 2022 Visual Arts show. - PHOTO BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON, SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Shelley Ewing wasn’t going to enter the 2022 Visual Arts Show but changed her mind, bringing in the painting that won the People’s Choice Award for adults, Last Light at Kin Coulee. It is a ‘wow’ painting, a scene that brings inner calm when viewed, the vibrant colours and soothing play of light drawing one in.
“I paint lots of local scenes but in this picture, I was trying to move from being a realistic-type painter, adding more impression and more colour to it,” stated Ewing. “I’m trying to change my style a bit. I was an illustrator at the base (Suffield) and did technical illustration over many years, but it sometimes boxes me in. That’s why there is pink and purple grass. In my world, I think that is the way it should look.”
Overall, the show was successful for Ewing, she sold one of her other paintings, had some enquiries about commissions and prints, and made lots of contact with people.
“It isn’t about winning for me, it’s about letting people see your art and getting feedback,” said Ewing.
On the Friday of Stampede, Ewing was the demonstration artist on hand. For part of the day she worked with some kids and did an impromptu workshop, finding paper, brushes and paint for them. She’s hoping next year this will develop into something more, giving a chance for children to be introduced to art.
Laura Kennedy, chair of Visual Arts stated, “I am really happy with the number of people who came into the show. People were really interested in giving their feedback on the artist’s work and their favourite choice.”
Ewing says she will enter the show next year. She is very passionate about art and loves seeing the work of other artists.
Not only does she do landscapes, but people and abstract art as well, claiming she paints all over the place. Ewing has also done many pieces for charity, such as Hatters Help Ukraine.
Visit her Envisionart Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/dancewithart to see her entire catalogue.
