A colourful array of animals painted by artist Jeanette Heathman will be marching through the Art Room Gallery this month.
The Chilliwack Community Arts Council presents its next gallery exhibition, Animal Parade, with Heathman’s captivating collection of paintings from Nov. 2 to 30.
Growing up in the small northern town of Kinuso, Alberta, Heathman enjoyed a childhood spent playing in nature and helping tend to the animals and fields on her family’s farmstead.
After her retirement from a rewarding 36-year nursing career, Heathman found time to pursue her lifelong passion for painting, honing her skills through experimentation with various mediums and learning from fellow artists. As a self-taught artist, Heathman is always looking for inventive ideas and methods for improving her painting techniques.
Drawing on an appreciation for animals and nature gained from her upbringing on the family farm, Heathman’s works feature peaceful vistas alongside charming depictions of wildlife.
Spurred on by a desire to channel and preserve the beauty of the natural world, her paintings focus on realistic depictions of natural scenes while artistically exaggerating light and colour to heighten visual interest.
Viewers of Heathman’s work will travel from land to sea to sky, meeting such creatures as elk, sheep, turtles, whales, fish, elk and birds of varying species.
Trot, swim, hop and fly over to the Chilliwack Community Arts Council’s Art Room Gallery this month to view Jeanette Heathman’s Animal Parade.
A free-to-attend artist meet and greet will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chilliwack Community Arts Council (20 – 5725 Vedder Rd.).
Guests will have the opportunity to speak with the artist and learn more about her creative process.
Animal Parade runs Nov. 2 to 30.
The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, call 604-769-2787 or visit the gallery page on chilliwackartscouncil.com.