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Booksmyth presents new artworks from Heather Hutchinson and Andrea Gardner

Their artwork will be at Booksmyth throughout the entire month of December and there will be a gala opening on December 6.
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Heather Hutchinson and Andrea Gardner show off examples of their artwork on display at Booksmyth for the month of December.

Booksmyth will host an art opening of new works from Heather Hutchinson and Andrea Gardner on Friday, December 6.

Heather Hutchinson has been involved in singing, acting, dancing, clowning and performance art for most of her life. Even “dabbling  a little bit with writing and some drawing.” But in the last couple of years, painting has become her means of exploring her own “personal artist.”

“I never wanted to be a poor starving artist ... didn't really have the courage or maybe it just wasn't the right time,” says Hutchinson, “At 65, a big change! I am now a pensioner. That new ‘financial freedom’ has allowed me the opportunity to spend my time painting. That censor who stands looking over my shoulder has finally given up and moved on.

“I'm having fun with colour, texture and movement in the paint. I love the continuous exploration and discovery. Who knows what will show up next on the canvas. Not me!” says Hutchinson

Andrea Gardner majored in the fine arts in high school.

“I loved printmaking, painting, and the fabric arts, but ... I let this fear creep in ... a fear of ending up as a starving artist. In my late 40s, I faced this fear and decided I wanted to find ‘ways’ to keep on painting,” says Gardner. Those "ways" involved a few “leaps of faith” and a lot of trust and hard work.

“I am ever grateful,” says Gardner, “to every smile or compliment that helps me recognize a value in what I paint.”

Gardner says, “When I reflect on my style, my subjects, I can see how important experience has been in my growth as a painter. Painting with others, teaching others painting, being present to the changing seasons, painting outside, painting the ordinary , painting with no plans, playing with colour, playing with black and white, painting for the pure joy of painting.”

Hutchinson and Gardeners’ works will be on display and for sale at Booksmyth throughout the entire month of December.  Booksmyth, located at 338 Baker Street, will host a gala opening to celebrate the artists and their work on Friday, December 6 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.