Acrylic artist Bobbie Crane has practiced her passion for 30 years but primarily from the classroom.
“I consider myself a student of art and painting,” she said.
“Painting is a lifelong endeavour where you are constantly learning new techniques, problem solving and creating.”
After several classes in the late 1980s, Crane stepped to the head of the class in the early 1990s and discovered her other passion – teaching.
“I love my students and the process forces me to learn new techniques and to problem solve long before I step into the classroom,” she said.
“I always want each student to leave my class with new techniques and the ability to perfect them. Making mistakes is part of the process so I felt I needed to also provide the solution.”
As an artist, Crane works every day on her canvases, often with several paintings on the go at once. She moves from subject to subject.
As for her preferred subject matter, Crane says wildlife sends her to her easel.
She began her painting and teaching career in the Lower Mainland, however after moving to Lac La Hache she can now experience wildlife right out her back door.
“It’s a daily occurrence to witness eagles and osprey soaring around the tree tops, squirrels and chipmunks scamper along the rockery in my yard while deer, moose and fox pass through frequently,” she added.
“Each painting is a bit of a narrative.”
In the last two years, Crane has set up her website and a Facebook art page as well as joining the Federation of Canadian Artists where she had gained the stature of active artist and is working on being accepted as an associated member.
Through some of her art, there’s a thread of spiritualism drawn from the First Nations culture. Although not of First Nations descent herself, Crane feels an affinity with their symbols and spirits.
“Most cultures have symbols with meaning and culture and those should be able to be shared. I use the inclusion of spiritualism with great respect for the First Nations culture.”
Crane still teaches classes in Lac La Hache, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House but now also allocates time for creating work for the marketplace.
She takes most of her own inspirational photographs but isn’t opposed to gifts of great photography from friends and acquaintances.
Crane has also been working on intricately carved and painted animal sculptures such as duck decoys.
She purchases exquisitely carved pieces then paints them herself, a time-consuming labour of love. Her show in the Quesnel Art Gallery at the Arts and Recreation Centre, A portrait of Fur and Feathers hangs for the month of August and is sponsored by South Quesnel Business Association.