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Local artist’s exceptional work
celebrated
at opening
Roughly 45 people enjoyed
the unveiling of the fabulous mural by Laine Dahlen (Northern
Lights College Visual
and Graphic
Arts
Instructor) while toasting the grand opening of The Granaries on
Bear Mountain B&B on June 7th in Dawson Creek. Many of Laine’s
students attended and marvelled at the work as Laine so graciously
explained the processes involved and shared his thoughts on it
with them.
The genesis for the project came from Heather Newman, creator of
the unique bed and breakfast ,who approached Laine with the idea
of a renaissance style
landscape mural to encircle the round granary pavillon. After touring the location,
Laine drew inspiration from his time spent painting in Italy. The initial concept
sketch evolved with a Tuscan theme well suited to the continental drift of
the luxuriously retrofitted prairie granaries.
The painting’s style is reminiscent of an eighteenth century Venetian
ceiling painting with the use of raw sienna to sketch out the drawing in the
preliminary stages and the addition of very pale pastel colours at the end.
The pigment, mixed with linseed oil and turpentine,was applied directly to
the wall as a step -by -step imprimatura. A clever device improvised from a
curtain rod was used to extend the reach of the brushes and instruments and
a sturdy table and step ladder provided the platforms for the lofty process.After
the initial drawing of major forms and blocking of large areas of tone, some
areas were wiped out with the use of rags to expose the highlights.
The project began last October and was completed just before the season opening
of the B&B in May. Laine took advantage of any nice weekends and chinooks
throughout the fall and winter but was finally able to discard the mittens
and really gather momentum as the spring days lengthened and the two ends of
the canvas approached and met to complete the panorama. The plan to have the
light progress from dawn to dusk didn’t quite work out as imagined but
the beam of sunlight from the central round skylight travels the circumference
as a spotlight illuminating the various scenes throughout the day.
With over 130 hours so far into the project, the work still requires a final
coat of varnish after it has dried over the summer. After working for so long
on a piece, artists tend to look for “ what the devil did while you were
not awake”. Laine says he would like to add a couple of birds before
the last coat but is satisfied with the piece and is glad to have it so well
received. The exposure the mural has attracted will give a boost to Laine’s
plans to build a studio to focus more specifically on his own works when he
retires from teaching.
Bob and Heather Newman, owners of The Granaries on Bear Mountain, are extremely
pleased and proud of the beautiful work which, as decoration, lends a warm
yet elegant grandeur to the former agarian structure. As art, the landscape
draws you in and starts you travelling in your mind’s eye. “ I
still haven’t figured out which direction to explore first “ says
Heather . Guests and visitors will each have their own response to the piece
which will no doubt be admired for some time to come.
To book your own private viewing , contact Heather Newman toll-free at 1-888
-782-6304 or, locally at 782-6304 . You can also visit www.thegranaries.com
for other options including honeymoon , romance, spa or wedding packages at
the Peace country’s most unique B&B.
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