Fernie Arts and Culture Guide Spring-Summer 2024, 24th Edition April 2024 | Page 31

FEATURED ARTIST

SUMMER BREEZE

Summer Breeze grew up in Windsor , Ontario , but always longed for the wild landscapes of the Canadian west . After receiving a BA in Computer Science with a minor in Fine Arts , she found her way to Kitimat on BC ’ s rugged coastline and completed a diploma in digital animation from BCIT , starting an arts business in 2006 and sustaining herself as an artist . Shifting her painting practice from oils to acrylics to suit her smooth , linear style better , she found there was a receptive audience eager for her bright and energetic landscapes .
Breeze loved the inspiring landscapes and arts community on the coast , but often found the light lacking . The artist ’ s sister had moved to Fernie , and in 2012 she moved from the coast to the mountains . Here , she met Aaron , and moved to Elkford to start a life with her new husband , where they have welcomed two daughters . In 2017 she took a step back from her art practice to focus on raising her young family . Slowly , she began to find connections with the local arts community and found time to become involved with the Elkford Arts Council , where she has been the secretary for the past four years and finds inspiration in teaching children .
Breeze is now ready to return to her practice with newfound dedication , and says she feels a shift in her energy and inspiration . She is passionate about capturing the power and dynamism of the light and skyscapes . She has always loved to study shapes and forms which lends itself well to the subject of mountains and trees , and often includes birds and insects in her work . While not in her studio , she can often be found walking the Trans-Canada Trail with her family . Find her work at Mel ’ s Kitchen in Elkford , and new retail spaces in the Elk Valley this summer .
Summerbreeze . ca theartofsummerbreeze summerbreeze _ art
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