The final art exhibit at the Donalda Art Gallery as part of its summer series launched with a busy gala on Friday, Aug. 19, as about 50 people came out to see the launch of Stettler artist Woodrow McGibbon's first showing.
McGibbon, who moved to Stettler from Edmonton three years ago, started painting watercolours about a decade ago after attending a class held at his church in Edmonton. The class was taught by premier Canadian watercolour artist Gregg Johnson, and all it took was one class for McGibbon to be hooked.
"I really admire Gregg," McGibbon said, explaining that the artist is not just a wonderful painter and mentor, but a good friend, too.
A desire to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, who had just had a child, brought McGibbon and his wife, Sybil, to Stettler.
"It's a great community," he said. "We don't regret (leaving Edmonton) at all."
Once here, McGibbon joined the Church Mice, an art group that meets during the year, except the summer, every Wednesday at the United Church. He's one of the only men who regularly come out to paint, he said, but the friendly atmosphere and the "lively banter" keeps him coming back.
Despite painting for more than a decade, McGibbon said he'd never shown his work publicly, except through the annual Church Mice Art Show. When he heard about the gallery in Donalda through some friends from the community, he contacted the gallery about possibly doing an exhibit.
"I spoke with Darlene (Tantrum), and she had me bring out some of my work," he explained.
With his winsome watercolours of birds and heart-string tugging prairie landscapes, McGibbon won over the gallery board and had his show marked in as the third of the summer.
An "avid birder," much of McGibbon's work is that of birds; raptors, jays, songbirds — whatever catches his eye. Sometimes he takes photos of birds he sees in life, other times his daughter sends him photos. Sometimes, he'll find a photo online to use as the model for his photos. While avian paintings took up much of the bright, white wall space in Donalda, there were other works on display, too.
"I try a bit of everything," McGibbon said.
McGibbon's exhibit at the Donalda Art Gallery runs from Aug. 19 to Sept. 9. For more information about McGibbon and his work, visit www.facebook.com/woodyswatercolours.