Since September, this space has highlighted the exceptional talents of local musicians, actors, filmmakers, writers, photographers, dancers, decorators, fashion designers, pillow-makers, and even someone who creates metal sculptures.
This month, The Citizen turns its attention to a few local painters you may not have heard about. From the professional career artist down to the inspired hobbyist, all art is worthy of celebration and acknowledgement.
Elaine Krahn
Elaine Krahn has always been involved greatly in the community by volunteering for the Olde Tyme Country Fair, the Imagine Run, and our annual Remembrance Day services. One thing you may not know about her, though, is her love of drawing and painting.
Since she was a child, Krahn has loved creating art as a hobby. “I was well into my twenties before I actually purchased a few oil paints,” she says. “I attended the odd workshop here and there, but for the most part I just learned by happenstance… and desire.”
After raising three boys and realizing her youngest, Dustin, also had a passion for painting, Krahn got back into painting in a grander way. She and Dustin have worked on many projects together, including the mural behind the deli counter at the Niverville Bigway.
Krahn has sold and given away many of her works, but it’s her passion that fuels her art. “Painting is a great, relaxing, and creative challenge,” she says, “and I would rather stay home and paint than go sit on a beach in Mexico!”
Now that she’s retired, Krahn hopes to find more free time to paint her endless ideas.
“In painting artwork, you always need the dark to appreciate the lights,” she says. “Just as it is in our daily lives!”
Krista Gibson
Krista Gibson is a mom of two and works full-time. Only in the last six months has she picked up painting—after she attended a painting night with some friends.
“I had so much fun that I decided to try again on my own at home.” Gibson adds that she’s found time to paint pictures she’s seen on the internet, as well as experiment with different colours and techniques.
Although Gibson hasn’t sold any paintings yet, she has had inquiries. “It’s relaxing and an escape from work, chores, and life. When I’m painting, it’s just me and the canvas. Everything else fades away.”
Gibson enjoys painting so much that she recently decided to share her passion by hosting a paint night with some family and friends. Although she isn’t looking to start a business doing paint parties, she enjoys bringing those around her together with this stress reliever.
For now, most of her paintings hang on her own walls. “My family jokes that we are running out of wall space, but I think I’ll be okay for a while.”
Dawn Schmidt
If you attended the Home Inspirations Show in Niverville this past March, you may have noticed a booth full of nature paintings for sale. These were all created by Dawn Schmidt, a mother of four who works part-time at the Heritage Centre.
Schmidt started painting seven years ago. “I was an ‘undercover’ painter until about a year and a half ago,” she says. “I started going to some shows, and I slowly started selling some of my work.”
Although she does sell her paintings, Schmidt doesn’t put pressure on herself to make it a career. “It’s an expression of who I am. I think we all have creativity inside us, but we don’t tap into it because of many different reasons. We’re afraid we won’t be good enough, or we’re too old, or nobody will like what we do. These excuses can keep us from exploring the greatness that’s inside each of us.”
