MARA KORKOLA | MAR PACIFICO JULY 8 - AUGUST 26, 2023 (extended) MAR PACIFICO ∼ peaceful sea In 1519, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, in the employ of Spain, began a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to seek a western route to the Spice Islands via South America. After braving perilous seas and navigating through what are now known as the Straits of Magellan, [...]
LESLEY FINLAYSON "REFLECT" SEPTEMBER 15 - OCTOBER 8, 2022 These drawings and paintings were developed during the spring of 2022. They began with a trip to Yellow Point on Vancouver Island in February. Drawing conditions were not ideal for sustained periods, but the cold and logistical awkwardness contributed to a focus and intensity I really enjoy. -LF [...]
JOSE F JIMENEZ | BOBOLI GARDENS, FLORENCE, ITALY JULY 14 - AUGUST 20, 2022 "His paintings are bursts of unconventional colours with shimmering dots of oil paint applied layer upon layer. Violet and aqua trees are set against a pale yellow sky. It's like experiencing nature through a kaleidoscope lens." JOSE JIMENEZ AN [...]
Why does someone become an artist? It's a big question that can yield seemingly inconsequential answers. Sometimes, it all comes down to a chance encounter — stumbling across a comic strip, accidentally walking into a band's practice session or visiting an artist studio for the first time. I ask our feature artist, Jose Jimenez, to tell us about the pivotal moment that inspired his desire to paint and set [...]
MARA KORKOLA: SMALL PAINTINGS MARCH 24 - APRIL 16, 2022 Mara Korkola's captivating works compress worlds of information into small intimate oil paintings. The featured sunset paintings are based on photographs taken from hiking trips along the west coast of British Columbia. The intimate night paintings are based on photographs taken from evening walks through tree-lined streets of Vancouver [...]
Elissa Cristall Gallery is pleased to announce our feature exhibition in our new art showroom. Striking in variety and imagination these three women artists Lesley Finlayson, Mara Korkola and Shirley Claire Williams paint the vibrant colours and textures of the west coast. Exhibition Dates October 30 - November 18, 2021 Public Openings October 30, 1-4 pm & November 6, 1-4 pm Hours Please note that [...]
Our interview with Toronto-based painter Mara Korkola took place by telephone and email over the course of two months. Mara Korkola's captivating works compress worlds of information into small intimate oil paintings. The sunset paintings featured here are based on photographs taken from hiking trips along the west coast of British Columbia. Late evening is Korkola's signature time of day. This is when she prefers [...]
Our “Artist Spotlight” series focuses on the lives Canadian Artists: their aspirations, influences, and creative challenges. Gillian Richards spoke to me about her path to contemporary art making and the curiosity that continues to drive her work. Richard’s body of work including painting and drawing examines the beauty and banality of urban life. Was there a [...]
Megan Hepburn | Mara Korkola | Gillian Richards | Kyle Scheurmann Elissa Cristall Gallery is pleased to present "Material Elements" an exhibition of four artists working in various approaches to painting. We're saturated with images, running on hyper-communication and over consumption. It is easy to become dependent on immediacy. Painting has the ability to store information that cannot be discovered immediately and it becomes a vital [...]
*exhibition extended to November 2nd. Elissa Cristall Gallery is pleased to present "filter/ed" an exhibition of new paintings by Lesley Finlayson. In the tradition of the Impressionists and the Group of Seven, Lesley Finlayson sketches and paints the landscape en plein air. Schooled at the Glasgow School of Art, Finlayson experienced the harsh and unforgiving conditions of sketching and painting outdoors and she continues this approach to her [...]
