Capturing nature on canvas, and the marvels of Mother Nature through murals.
Painter and sculptor Tom Hutchings of Honeymoon Bay, who recently livened up the side of the Honeymoon Bay General Store with four large murals, will be having his first solo art show since moving to the valley with his ‘Morphing, Releasing The Spirit Brush Artist’ exhibit at the Ladysmith Art Gallery from Nov. 17 to the 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free.
“I have been playing with paint and making a few bucks for over 45 years,” said Hutchings. “Painting the subject of four murals for the Honeymoon General Store inspired me and led me on this path of paying attention and accepting the wonders of Mother Nature.”
Originally from Newfoundland, Hutchings made Honeymoon Bay his home in 2020 while renovating the community’s former gas station to become his new studio and creative space. Hutchings began his mural project for the Honeymoon Bay General Store last winter, and had them completed, and installed for this past Victoria Day weekend.
“Having finished the murals at Honeymoon Bay, the summer was spent in a booth at the open market across the road from the store, and the excitement of the murals became a major part of the summer scene there,” said Hutchings. “When the opportunity for the show came from Ladysmith Art I applied right away, and am excited that they accepted my art. We are surrounded by a lot of great artists with amazing talent; I look forward to displaying my years of creating and to meeting as many as possible.”
While Hutchings’ has had several opportunities to be involved in art shows back East, this will be his first solo exhibit since moving to B.C.
“Since living here I have been amazed at what is simply living in a paradise, as it slowly changes,” said Hutchings. “It was a coffee in August, the shared story of re-starting, and a stroll through a forest in Honeymoon Bay that was my inspiration for the murals at Honeymoon Bay General Store.”
For more information on Hutchings’s upcoming exhibit visit www.ladysmitharts.ca
“My art show ‘Morphing, Releasing the Spiritbrush Artist’ should give the viewers a rough idea of what fuels me as an artist,” said Hutchings. “For every show, every exhibition attended as an artist here in B.C. and across Canada, I have endured to always have a new piece never seen before, by the opening of this show, six new pieces shall be ready.”
