- Story by Sandra Jones Photography by Don Denton

Perhaps it was simply the imaginative pursuits of a youngster or an indicator of what was yet to come, but Vedrana Ascroft害羞草研究所檚 first work of art was drawn with her mother害羞草研究所檚 greasy, crimson lipstick on a wall in her childhood home in Ogulin, Croatia.

害羞草研究所淚 was probably three years old and it was my first masterpiece,害羞草研究所� laughs Vedrana, an award-winning artist and owner of Aquamaris Art Gallery in Duncan.

As the daughter of a teacher who was creative in her own right, Vedrana害羞草研究所檚 childhood was richly steeped in cultural and artistic pursuits.

害羞草研究所淢y mom was a math teacher, but she was always doing something creative, from making lace to designing costumes for theatre groups. And at school we learned a lot about almost every artistic medium,害羞草研究所� she recalls.

That immersion in the arts had an impact on young Vedrana. 害羞草研究所淚 was bitten. I knew that I could 害羞草研究所榸en out害羞草研究所� when I was creating something and anything that was concerning me at the time would disappear.害羞草研究所�

But although her love of art grew, it met its match when she went on a school vacation with her mom.

害羞草研究所淚 wanted to be the woman at the front of the tour bus with a microphone in her hand showing people the sights,害羞草研究所� says Vedrana.

The travel bug took hold and Vedrana pursued a degree in hotel management in Opatija, Croatia. Just two years into the program, war broke out, prompting accelerated work towards a diploma in economy of tourism, before the 20-year-old emigrated to Sudbury, Ontario, to live with family. There she furthered her studies and charted a new course that took her to Toronto and across Canada.

While she ultimately went on to enjoy a 27-year career in the tourism industry, mainly as a tour director 害羞草研究所渁t the front of the bus,害羞草研究所� Vedrana continued to paint.

害羞草研究所淎rt was something I could count on to help me regain my equilibrium. My focus on art would ebb and flow, but I was always yearning to paint and draw on the side.害羞草研究所�

In 1997, Vedrana met her future husband, Gerry, moved to the west coast and was re-inspired to pick up her art again.

害羞草研究所淲e fell in love with Vancouver Island and knew that this was the place our family needed to be. Water is always something that has inspired me害羞草研究所攕horelines, rivers, waterfalls害羞草研究所攖he way the light plays across it is mesmerizing. That害羞草研究所檚 why waterscapes often appear as a theme in my paintings.害羞草研究所�

Her work as a tour director in the summer left her the winter months to pursue her art. Despite splitting her time between these two passions, Vedrana became an active status member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and her art began to garner international recognition. Her painting, Pacific Rhapsody, was published as one of the finalists in the International Artist Magazine and her work has found its way into homes in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan.

In 2019, Vedrana made a life-altering decision that was serendipitously prompted by getting her hair cut.

害羞草研究所淚 had always felt that at some point I would open an art gallery but how that came about was by having a vision. I went to get a haircut and there was a vacant space in the same building. It just hit me that this would make an amazing gallery. At first it didn害羞草研究所檛 occur to me that we should be the ones to create the gallery but I just couldn害羞草研究所檛 get it out of my mind.害羞草研究所�

Several months later, after extensive renovations, Aquamaris Art Gallery opened its doors. Situated on the second floor of a century-old designated heritage building, the original wooden floors, brick walls and light-filled space form a warm and inviting backdrop for myriad art that lines the walls.

害羞草研究所淚 wanted to create a venue where art appreciators and artists would have a place to come and enjoy that immersive experience. We carry the work of 20 BC artists who we chose specifically because we害羞草研究所檝e admired their work for years. Every piece we carry, whether it害羞草研究所檚 a painting, sculpture, textile or jewelry, is carefully curated.害羞草研究所�

While the artists currently reside in the region, their origins are widely cosmopolitan, coming from places like Indonesia, South Korea, England, Germany, Serbia and the United States. Clients are equally international and often work closely with Vedrana to find just the right piece for their space.

害羞草研究所淧articularly now, with the limitations of travel, our customers will send us photos of a space and ask us to recommend art to complement it,害羞草研究所� says Vedrana. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l keep my eyes open and then digitally style their home photo with art so they can see how it looks in the space. I recently did that for a woman who lives in Chemainus and it was exactly what she was looking for. We get people shopping online from as far away as the UK.害羞草研究所�

But of course there害羞草研究所檚 no substitute for viewing the art in person.

害羞草研究所淥ur doors are open and with such an airy space, there害羞草研究所檚 room for people to move comfortably and safely in the gallery. The pandemic has been hard on the art and gallery world because it traditionally relies on well-attended art openings and live events to showcase and sell the work. However we are encouraged by a renewed focus on home and on supporting and shopping local.害羞草研究所�

For Vedrana, the world of art has provided a creative outlet, a renewed sense of purpose and a new livelihood, but she believes that art is also integral to the wellbeing of people on so many levels.

害羞草研究所淓xposure to art fosters creativity, tickles our imaginations and inspires innovation. And above all, it connects us to our humanity. I think now, more than ever, when the world needs more beauty, art plays a significant role. I害羞草研究所檓 honoured to play a part in bringing that beauty to more people.害羞草研究所�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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