In the summers, Wendy Milne and her husband are out on their kayaks or hiking.
In the winters, the Port Coquitlam artist joins her club for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures around the province.
Along the way, Milne captures the wilderness vistas with a waterproof camera and returns home to paint the landscapes on canvas.
"We see some beautiful areas," she said during an interview with the Tri-City News at her home today (Oct. 28).
"Mother Nature is a wonderful subject."
Next weekend, Milne will show and sell some of her realism paintings at the 53rd annual art display hosted by the Port Moody Art Association (PMAA), of which Milne has been a member for the past decade.
About 45 artists are taking part in the event, held in the Wellness Room of the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd.) on Nov. 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It's the first in-person gathering for the group since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
And, as a result, the exhibiting area is one-third of the size as in previous years because it was organized when the virus restrictions were tight, Milne said.
For the modified event this year, participating artists have four feet of wall each to hang their original pieces — equal to about four works for Milne.
But, she said, artists are allowed to replenish their space over the weekend.
Another change for the show is that there’s no opening reception on the Friday night.
And it will be an "Art To Go" format, meaning all art bought on site can be taken home at the time of sale (credit cards accepted).
Milne, a retired nurse who first picked up the paintbrush in a Wilson Seniors Centre class with Sue Cowan and Marjorie Turnbull, said PMAA does "a good job promoting artists and holding demos. The annual shows are always popular."
The 75-member organization also hosts plein air sessions in the summer. Recently, they visited Mossom Creek and Barnet Marine Park in Port Moody.
Milne said she loves to be outside and inspired by fellow artists.
Rocky Creek, an oil painting she created en plein air while vacationing north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in January, will be included in the 2022 show, she said.
For more details about PMAA's 53rd annual show and sale, you're encouraged to visit the event's website.
To learn about Wendy Milne’s art, visit her Facebook page.
