Acrylic and oil pastel on cradled wood panel. This work came about from my annual trip to Hornby Island. I was drawn to the beach and all the treasures it bestows upon us. I love to ramble among the driftwood and smooth rocky shores, always on the lookout for that one precious rock that begs to be picked up, held close in the palm of my hand and caressed. This body of work is my interpretation of the treasures I found on my walks. Using my intuition and imagination, I apply layer upon layer of multiple colours with a glazing medium to achieve the desired ethereal affect in this work. I see beauty in all the little details and hope that the love and enjoyment I experience in my creation process translates to the viewer.

Alli van Gruen

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From her animal portraits to her autobiographical work referencing old family slides to her colour infused abstract landscapes… van Gruen is happy to play with multiple subject matters in her art practice. She strives to create a personal relationship between her artwork and her audience, with the ultimate goal of evoking a feeling of intimacy and nostalgia. Using intricate brushwork and an expansive colour palette, she works to express her connections with her subject matter, to tell a story. Alli lives in Whistler, BC with her family and dog Bea. Her work can be found in Whistler and in many private collections in Canada and Europe.