Artist's paintings get hearts pumping at exhibition in the Junction
These are synonymous with Valentine's Day for artist Sheila Victor.
"It's about emotionally appreciating who you've got in your life," she said.
For Victor, that person is her husband of 25 years, whom she calls her best critic.
It's fitting then that Victor happens to be showing her paintings in an exhibition called Hearts, just in time for Feb. 14.
The show opens Jan. 31 at Urbanscape Gallery in the Junction.
"Everyone downtown knows about it," said the Yonge and Lawrence area resident said of the Junction's growing reputation as an arts community. She also about the nearby Portuguese bakery's custard tarts and the organic coffee at a cafe up the street.
It's a place where new artists, who haven't "placed" themselves in a specific area of the city yet tend to go, she said.
"Because once they're established in a gallery, they feel very loyal to it," she explained.
Victor is a commercial actor and make-up artist, who finds herself with plenty of downtime to pursue her passion. The Ottawa born and raised Victor was inspired by her older sister to pick up a paintbrush in Grade 1.
"My sister's an artist. When I was growing up, her stuff was always on the fridge," said Victor.
She doesn't know why she paints. She just knows that she loves it.
"I love colour. I love finding out what happens when you blend two colours together. It excites me," she said.
When pressed, Victor describes herself as an atmospheric painter. An "evocative" painter, her art is her way of attempting to find a balance in her life.
Her exhibit, which opened yesterday with a special reception, is comprised of 23 works of art. Victor is just as excited about her art than she is with the gallery. Urbanscape opened last September to coincide with the Junction Arts Festival. It's a multi-functional space dedicated to media presentations, events and exhibitions. Its focus is exploring the phenomenon of urban living through drawings, photography, paintings and the like. "We're finding it exciting," said event manager Joey Martinovic of Urbanscape Gallery. "Artists are dropping by - painters, sculptors - there are so many artists in this neighbourhood."
Victor's Hearts will be on display until Feb. 23.
For further details, visit www.sheilavictor.com and for more information about the gallery, www.gallery@urbanscapegroup.com.
