Dreamscapes: Paintings from My Mind’s Eye
The opening reception for Mary Derrick’s solo show, entitled Dreamscapes, Paintings from My Mind’s Eye, will take place on Sunday, June 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio, 420 O’Connell Rd., with refreshments served.
Derrick paints with oils because of their flexibility and depth, as well as how she uses them to express emotions through colour, texture, composition and movement.
“While my paintings use representations of nature, they have really nothing to do with nature, and everything to do with emotions, with finding that haven where one can find the solitude to just be,” she says. “When I start a painting I have no pre-conceived idea of what it will be. I let the canvas and my emotions evolve onto the canvas, each becoming its own journey of discovery for me, and I hope for the viewer.”
Although Derrick has taken courses at the Peterborough School of Art and Artspace, she is primarily self-taught, by studying the work and techniques of others. In addition to this show, Derrick’s work will be on display at the Lakefield Jazz, Art and Craft Festival on July 8, at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, from July 14 to 16, and at the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, from August 18 to 20.
The show continues until June 18 at the gallery, open from Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., except for Thursday when it is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org.
Relay for Life
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to honour and celebrate cancer survivors takes place on Saturday, June 3 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Crestwood Secondary School, 1885 Sherbrooke St. W.
Melissa Hinze is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and is no longer looking at curing her disease, but is dealing with it the best she can, living every day to the fullest.
“Relay for Life celebrates the survivors. It remembers those who have succumbed to cancer and it gives hope for people like me who are living with cancer,” she says. “It is an emotional event that takes you from laughing to crying and back to laughing again. We have all been touched by cancer. We need to change that, so fewer people have to hear those devastating words ‘you have cancer.’”
Melissa will be taking part with her team Melissa’s Storm Troopers made up of her two children, as well as family, friends and neighbours.
“When I was diagnosed, I turned to the Cancer Society for support. They provided me with valuable information, prosthetics, hats and wigs. As my diagnosis progressed, I learned that there is a long way to go regarding fundraising for more cures. There are hundreds of types of cancers that all require research towards a treatment or a cure.”
You can sign up at www.relayforlife.ca, at the Canadian Cancer Society, 730 The Kingsway, by calling 705-742-3823, 1-800-463-0432 or emailing agodby@ontario.cancer.ca. Joanne.culley@sympatico.ca