Watercolour artist Lauren Waters has a new solo exhibit running throughout October at the Yukon Artists at Work gallery
Edges is a new solo exhibit by watercolour artist Lauren Waters, which will run throughout October at the Yukon Artists at Work gallery. The exhibit explores the meaning and purpose of edges, in all their various forms.
“The inspiration comes from one of the main techniques I use to create loose,
atmospheric watercolour paintings,” Waters told What’s Up Yukon. “I paint predominately with soft and lost edges to give an elusive atmosphere in my work and allow for imagination.”
To Waters, the name Edges also refers to the idea of “finding your edge.” In her art and in her life, Waters said she challenges herself to go beyond her comfort zone and push her own edges.
“I am always learning new techniques, new styles, and seeking new inspiration in nature,” she explained. “I also feel very strongly that our world is on the edge. Painting northern landscapes, coastal and boreal forest, wildflowers, and doing animal portraits, is my way of showing how important these are to the world.”
Waters said the most challenging part of preparing for this show was pushing herself to learn to paint new subjects, including animals like bears, porcupines, squirrels and fish, and also creating larger-sized paintings. Conversely, the most enjoyable thing for Waters has been simply spending most of her time painting.
“Before creating in my studio, I immerse myself in nature and do sketches that will serve as reference material,” said Waters. “I spent time in some of my favourite places, such as Snafu Lake and the Dempster Highway, and also paddling on Marsh Lake, where I live. Many of my paintings are inspired by these places.”
Waters is a former forester, and her knowledge and passion for nature plays a key role in her creativity.
“Like so many people in the Yukon, I love being in nature, she said. “The favourite part of my job as a forester was to be outdoors. I spent a lot of time completing ecological classification using observations of the trees, plants, geology, soils and climatic influences, to analyze and understand natural systems.
“In forestry, I was very aware of the edge effect, which is the boundary between two or more different habitats. This zone has abundant ecological diversity and is very important. But it is also very fragile and easily disturbed. So much of our Earth is at or beyond the edge, being adversely impacted by climate change, the destruction of our environment and the loss of biodiversity.
“Now, as an artist, I observe nature in a different way. I am looking at the light, the colours, and seeking a focal point. The interplay between edges has become a source of inspiration, like the edge between the forest and the lake, between the mountain and the sky, et cetera.”
The Yukon is a great place for any visual artist, with an eye for landscapes and wildlife, to find inspiration. Waters said the open spaces, the scenery and the light in the North provide her with endless possibilities to create.
“I love being able to go for a beautiful hike, do quick, spontaneous watercolour sketches to capture the essence, take photos and then use that as inspiration later back in my studio,” she said. “I also have had the fortune to meet Steve Wilson, an amazing wildlife Yukon photographer who shares his photos with me. They have inspired most of my animal paintings.”
Waters goes on to say that the arts community in the Yukon is very open and supportive.
“There are so many opportunities here to interact with and learn from amazing artists,” she said. “Last year, I had a show at Bullet Hole Bagels, and the year before I had a joint show at the Community Gallery at the Arts Centre. Joining Yukon Artists at Work (YAAW), this past year, has been a great opportunity to meet with other artists and show my work. It is a non-profit, artist-run gallery that has developed a strong and unified visual arts community over 20 years. YAAW is the place for artists of many disciplines to exhibit their new works and projects.”
Edges runs from October 3 through 28, with an opening reception on October 5 from 4–7 p.m. All proceeds from Waters’ show will be donated to the local organizations CPAWS Yukon (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society); Kaushee’s Place, a transition home for women and gender-diverse people, and Yukon Artists at Work Gallery.
“I feel it is important to give back to the community,” said Waters. “Nature is on the edge, so it is natural for me to support the main environmental organization of the Yukon, CPAWS Yukon. They do important work to protect the environment and raise awareness. I chose Kaushee’s Place because I feel it’s important to support a transition home that offers refuge for women, and for gender-diverse people, who are experiencing violence.
“Finally, as a new member of Yukon Artists at Work, I want to give back to the gallery that has been supportive of the local art scene for the last 20 years and is currently struggling. Artists usually pay a commission on any sales, to support the gallery expenses. For this show, I have increased my commission to support the gallery.”
To learn more and see more of Waters’ art, visit laurenwatersyukon.com
