The Brackendale Art Gallery鈥檚 latest exhibit adds a big pop of colour with Toby Jaxon鈥檚 new abstract landscapes.聽
鈥淚 was looking for someway to capture serenity. It鈥檚 influenced by this time in my life. I鈥檓 less worried and I鈥檓 enjoying the days,鈥� says Jaxon while at the gallery.聽
The show, called It鈥檚 Not Just Black & White, is on until May 28.聽
The idea for the title came about after Jaxon completed a black-and-white painting, breaking from her usual bright and colourful style.聽
鈥淚 love high contrast. I paint a lot of shadows to maximize the separation between light and dark,鈥� says Jaxon, who paints in acrylic because it can be manipulated more than watercolours. 鈥淲ith any of my paintings, if you turn it into black-and-white, it still works as far as composition and pop.鈥�
The show also includes Jaxon鈥檚 impressionistic forestscapes and stylized, high-contrast flowers that she is well-known for in Squamish.聽
The paintings line the walls of the gallery between the stage and the area to order the gallery鈥檚 coffee, beer and signature soups.聽
If Jaxon had to pick a piece, it would be 鈥淣ature鈥檚 Spirit鈥� due to the dark and light contrast. The bright paintings themselves offer contrast between the gallery鈥檚 wooden walls.聽
聽鈥淎 lot of people say my personality is just like my paintings,鈥� says the outgoing artist, who has lived in Squamish for 20 years and is the curator of The Foyer Gallery at the library and director of VISUALS Squamish Valley Artists Society.
鈥淚鈥檓 always experimenting. It鈥檚 part of my ongoing play with paint.鈥�
Jaxon is teaching some of her techniques for free at Up With Art in downtown Squamish on Sunday, May 28. She will focus on demonstrating Golden mediums and grounds.
Stop by to see Jaxon鈥檚 work from noon to 10 p.m. on the weekend or at an upcoming show, either Michael Kilby & His Southern Friends on May 27 or The Overcomers: An Evening of Worship Music on May 23.聽
