Dorothy Tinning said she was painting outdoors when she was distracted by the call of a meadowlark.

Looking around, she spotted it nearby, singing its song and posing for her. That image became the inspiration for Spring Awakening, the work she created as the featured artist for this year害羞草研究所檚 Meadowlark Nature Festival.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a very large bird. It害羞草研究所檚 got that beautiful yellow gold chest and throat and the wings are multicoloured and they害羞草研究所檝e got those black dots,害羞草研究所� said Tinning. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an artist害羞草研究所檚 dream to be able to paint it.害羞草研究所�

Art and nature have both been life-long passions for Tinning, though it wasn害羞草研究所檛 until 2006 that she was able to devote herself full-time, working out of her studio in Penticton.

Related:

In her artist statement, Tinning says the underlying theme in her paintings tends to be a celebration of the uniqueness of our beautiful land forms that reflect the beauty and master of the Okanagan area.

She says the day the meadowlark called to her was a beautiful warm day in the South Okanagan, surrounded by a landscape of antelope brush, bunch grass and sage.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 just kind of a beautiful habitat. And when you害羞草研究所檙e out there you know you really get that scent, it害羞草研究所檚 just so earthy,害羞草研究所� said Tinning, describing how she loves to watch the light play on the landscape and, in their case, the meadowlark.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 the interaction, that害羞草研究所檚 where it害羞草研究所檚 really exciting, with the play of light.害羞草研究所�

Each year, the Meadowlark Festival features a different artist. This year marks its 20th anniversary, and Tinning said they had all the artists represented at the museum.

害羞草研究所淲hich included the likes of Robert Bateman and Alan Brook, Julia Hargreaves,害羞草研究所� said Tinning. 害羞草研究所淧eople that have painted for years and years, so I really felt very honoured.害羞草研究所�

An exhibition of Tinning害羞草研究所檚 work, Creative Exploration Through Landscape Art, including Spring Awakening, will be on display at the Penticton Art Gallery, 199 Marina Way until June 19, with the opening reception at the gallery on May 19 at 7 p.m.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l be giving an artist talk about the show (on May 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.),害羞草研究所� said Tinning, adding that she plans to share the inspirations and stories behind the individual works.

After the artist talk, Spring Awakening will be taken over to the Meadowlark gala event.

害羞草研究所淚 have donated it for their big auction that they害羞草研究所檙e going to have that night at the golf course,害羞草研究所� said Tinning.

The Meadowlark Nature Festival is on until May 22, with 81 different events from Princeton to Penticton. Find out more at .