Its rustic elegance overlooks the five-acre, Kalamalka Lake-front property full of life amidst the cool fall morning.

A family of deer has taken up residence in the fields, chewing at the surrounding vegetation and well-kept flowerbeds while a woodpecker害羞草研究所檚 vibrant call rings through Coldstream害羞草研究所檚 historic country mansion.

Jolene Mackie has observed the serene setting for inspiration during her three-week residency at the Mackie Lake House. And it害羞草研究所檚 an inspiration from which the Kelowna-based transplant has cultivated more than half of her estimated 20-piece exhibition, Curious Reflections, which will be on display at the Vernon Public Art Gallery from Oct. 11 to Dec. 19, with an opening reception on Oct. 11 from 6-8 p.m., as part of the organizations害羞草研究所� ongoing partnership.

害羞草研究所淭his is totally, absolutely new to me,害羞草研究所� Mackie said as she sat at the large, wooden table that dominates the living room overlooking Kalamalka Lake. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 just learning a lot more about the history of the arts in the Okanagan.害羞草研究所�

Mackie, an Emily Carr University of Art and Design alumna, was introduced to the program by her friend and former Mackie Lake House Artist-in-Residence Program participant Ann Willsie.

害羞草研究所淚 hope this will become something that I get to do every few years,害羞草研究所� Mackie said, noting that this is her first residency. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 work that I never would have made had I been in my studio. I害羞草研究所檓 finding I害羞草研究所檓 loving the freedom of being embedded in my environment and being that sponge.害羞草研究所�

Over the course of her three-week residence, Mackie said she hopes to delve into the history of the community and search for a familial tie to Patrick 害羞草研究所淧addy害羞草研究所� Fylton Mackie, who established and funded the Foundation. That search, regardless of what fruit it bears, is certain to influence the end product.

害羞草研究所淚 think the most interesting part about art is the story behind making the piece. Everything has a story, and there害羞草研究所檚 no lack of inspiration (here),害羞草研究所� Mackie said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a beautiful place to fill the well.害羞草研究所�

In her first week, Mackie said she explored the grounds and absorbed the nature that surrounds the house. From that first week came 10 paintings in various levels of completion.

Working primarily in oils for the past 15 years, Mackie害羞草研究所檚 creations juxtapose a traditional base with a modern contemporary aesthetic for paintings full of whimsical intrigue.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a process of refining 害羞草研究所� that害羞草研究所檚 why I have so many works on the go at one time. I love working in that way. I feel a lot more rushed if I work on something that I can finish in one sitting,害羞草研究所� Mackie said.

Lubos Culen, Vernon Public Art Gallery curator, said the Gallery is enthralled to host Mackie害羞草研究所檚 work as part of the four-year partnership.

害羞草研究所淗er prolific studio practice and focus on the settings and interior of the heritage house allowed her to assemble a visually rich exhibition,害羞草研究所� Culen said. 害羞草研究所淭he images will allow the viewers to glimpse into the current state of the house and its surroundings and contemplate its historical significance in Vernon.害羞草研究所�

And, with only three weeks to cultivate an entire exhibition, it害羞草研究所檚 advantageous that the prolific full-time artist is most at home when she has a paintbrush or pencil in hand.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a meditation for me. It害羞草研究所檚 the time and place that I害羞草研究所檓 not worried about anything other than what is in front of me. It害羞草研究所檚 always been a respite for me,害羞草研究所� Mackie said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 like a compulsion. Regardless of wherever I害羞草研究所檝e been in my life, I害羞草研究所檝e always had a sketchbook.害羞草研究所�

Now in her sixth year as a full-time artist, Mackie said she isn害羞草研究所檛 certain what the future holds but hopes to become involved in art education once again.

害羞草研究所淚 would love to get involved in educating artists of our community,害羞草研究所� Mackie said. 害羞草研究所淚n the Okanagan, I害羞草研究所檝e never felt competitive with the community. I害羞草研究所檝e always found it nurturing. It害羞草研究所檚 a really nice community to be a part of.害羞草研究所�

Regardless of what her future holds, however, Mackie said she will always be an artist.

害羞草研究所淭he biggest thing any artist has to do is stay true to the things that inspire them. It害羞草研究所檚 been amazing that, somehow, I can make a living this way,害羞草研究所� Mackie said.

The only potential downside, she jested, is her wardrobe is comprised exclusively of painting clothes.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a messy existence, but I wouldn害羞草研究所檛 have it any other way.害羞草研究所�

parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .