Two Old Dames Sunbathing circa 1954
Acrylics on Paper
36 by 36
@ 2020

Grandma use to call her Lady Friends, the Old Dames. They were strong women, who worked, raised children and grandchildren, travelled and enjoyed life!
Looking at this picture now, I wonder if they would have wanted their future told to them. Their lives led to mine. Family histories are so many stories! During Vancouver’s Spring of Covid19, I have been looking back at Family Pictures. I can with the turning of a page travel by decades. Lately I have been working on a series of paintings that portray the common lives of my family. The relationship between me the artist, you the viewer and the painting is a powerful synergy of thoughts and memories. I have purposely distorted the realism of old photos by using fragments of colours, marks and patterns to capture the ebbing and flow of Time as it changes.

Akey was born and raised in British Columbia. She has lived here on the West Coast of Canada her whole life. She is always inspired by the beauty around her. Throughout her life, Akey has always enjoyed making art, having had many roles in her life so far - student, teacher, mother, wife, farmer, and now painter. This year, Akey has been primarily working in acrylics both on paper and on canvas. Her intuitive use of colours, marks and textures have led to the inclusion of her own paintings on paper to being collaged into her paintings. During this last year, Akey has focused on the disruption or distortion of realism in portraits and landscapes to express the fractional passing of time.

Their Stroll circa 1927
Acrylics on canvas
36 by 36

By the Pier circa 1936

Acrylics on Paper

48 by 36

Family histories are so many stories!  During Vancouver’s Spring of Covid19, I have been looking back at Family Pictures. I can with the turning of a page travel by decades.  Lately I have been working on a series of paintings that  portray the common lives of family.  The relationship between me the artist, you the viewer and the painting is a powerful synergy of thoughts and memories. I have purposely distorted the realism of old photos by using fragments of colours, marks and patterns to capture the ebbing and flow of Time as it changes.

The inspiration for my Clara Series was taken from a photo taken in 1936.  

10 by 8
Acrylics on paper

I went to the desert and fell in love with the colours!

Acrylics on Canvas
12 by 16
@2020

The tide that comes in over Mud Bay is influenced by freshwater discharge from both the Serpentine and the Nicomekl rivers.

PushPull(Diptych)

Acrylics and Charcoal on Canvas
30 inches by 48 inches
@ 2020

A push is a pull.
Now isn't that grand?
So then a pull is a push.
It just depends where you stand.

Stephen (Steve) Howard

A Giraffe
60 by 24
Mixed Media on Paper

I went to the desert and fell in love with the colours. Then I met a Giraffe. It was kismet! This amazingly beautiful, gregarious animal looked at me.

genus Giraffa
The IUCN has recently reclassified giraffes from a species of least concern to one vulnerable of extinction. Giraffe populations in Africa have declined 40% since 1985. All nine subspecies of giraffe are officially in trouble.

Albers at Monet’s Pond

48 by 36
Acrylics on Canvas

“Color relatedness. This means Color juxtaposition in which Color exists for color’s sake, and therefore appear autonomous, and not merely as accompaniment to form, to shape.”

Introduction of Color

by Joseph Albers

v 1.5.2.13

Red Birches(Diptych)
Mixed Media on Canvas
48 inches by 48inches

Towering birches alight the sky with flaming red leaves.

The South Delta Artists Guild is sponsoring a combined Art Show with the Delta Photography Group. It is going to be an exciting show. Do come and visit. I will have two paintings in this show, inspired by two different photographs.

I am going to have 7 paintings in this exciting, three Artists Show! Dancing Colours will run from February 4 to February 23. The Show is sponsored by the West Vancouver Arts Council. The show will be at the Silk Purse Arts Center at 1570 Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1A1.

A Canola Sea
Acrylics on canvas
18 by 24 inches

In Saskatchewan, endless fields join the sky.

Thank you to Ian Jacques from the Delta Optomist, January 22, 2020 for writing this wonderful introduction to me and my Art!

I have had two paintings accepted to be viewed on line for this show. The Red Nude and the Blue Nude are both 36 by 24 inches. Like Matisse, I painted my paper with gouache. Then I collaged a figure. She sees herself in reflection.

House Sparrow’s Clutch

Multimedia Acrylics on canvas
24 by 30
@ 2019

Poinsettia
10" x 10"
Mixed Media on Paper

The Poinsettia symbolizes good cheer and success and brings wishes of mirth and celebration.

I have 3 small paintings at the Federation Gallery all from my Boro( a Japanese mending stitch) Series. They will be available to the end March and are located in the Shrink-wrap bins. Check it out if you are on the Island. You can also view the images of these paintings by clicking on the FederationGallery.com link above or preview them on this website under the Small Artworks Gallery. They can be purchased on line from the Federation site.

Birches at the Bay(Diptych)
Mixed media on Canvas
48 inches by 48 inches

My painting has been Juried into this show.

My painting, “On the Edge of a Feather” has been Juried into this Show.
Mixed Media on Canvas
44 inches by 32 inches

microcosmCity (online only)
Mixed mediums on paper
36" x 48"

Sisters
Acrylics and mixed mediums on canvas
20" x 16"

This is a lovely show. I have four pieces in this show, “Here Comes the Sun,” “ The Arrangement,” “There” and “The Wildflowers” . Come for a drive out to Tsswassen and see the show!

My Sister’s Sweater
Acrylics and mixed media on paper
28" x 22"

I have two paintings in this show, House Sparrow’s Clutch and A Choral Frog’s View.
Lots of wonderful art to view! Come and see the show!

Traveling the Yellowhead
Acrylics on Canvas
24" x 18"

This painting has been Juried into the Federation of Canadian Artists’ , Oh Canada! Show 2019!

My acrylic multimedia piece got accepted into this show.

Home is where a wildflower, a certain type of person, a free spirit, someone who plays by their own rules, regardless of conventionality settles for a space of time.

Tahlequah’s Journey

Tahlequah’s common name is J 35. She is a twenty year old female killer whale that is a member of J Pod, a family of Southern Residential Killer Whales that live off the Pacific Northwest Coast. On July 24, 2018, Tahlequah gave birth. Her newborn calf died shortly after birth. It was then, sadly that Tahlequah and her pod family began their 17 day journey, traveling over 1,000 miles along the coast mourning her dead calf. With the support of her family she was able to push and prod her lifeless calf through the ocean’s waters. Their sadness was seen and shared with many.

I have three pieces in this Show. Enid is Leaving, At the Edge, and Yellow Wonders.

I have 4 pieces in this show. He’s In Repose (sold), Rhetoric, my curves are blue, and Waterlilies.

36 by 48
acrylics on paper

I am intrigued with the Canadian painter, Gordon Smith’s abstract landscapes. His use of long gestural marks and strokes and his undulating patches of colour.

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It's too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!
And they came,
and he pushed,
And they flew.

Christopher Logue (1926-2011) was a an English poet.

The Peony Vase
Acrylic mixed mediums on canvas
36" x 24"

I have three paintings in this show,
She’s In Repose, She’s In Reflection and Inside the Locket.

Enid Leaves
Mixed Media on Paper
24 by 30
@2019

There
Acrylics and Charcoal on paper
32 by 44
@2018

This painting of mine was greatly influenced both in style and colour choices by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting called, Untitled (Black Catch Scorpio). I have found myself studying this Neo-Impressionism style of painting. I love the mark making and the vibrant patches of colour!

This painting is going to be in a movie! It was rented from The Federation of Canadian Artists for the upcoming movie, “Zoe’s Playlist.”

Hes In Repose
Mixed Media on canvas
16" x 26"

Today I was notified that I have been accepted as an Active Member into the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Federation of Canadian Artists, Canada's largest national arts service organization for visual artists
This is a notification to let you know about the status of your submission to "2018 Concept"

Has Honourable Mentions: Diane Akey - "mySon”

mySon
Multimedia on paper
16" x 12"
CAN$300.00 Unframed
Instructions for Accepted Items:
Congratulations!

Your work has been accepted into the Concept Exhibition 2018.

This is a notification to let you know about the status of your submission to "2018 Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition"
Accepted Works
The following work(s) have been accepted for inclusion:

Fog Music
Multimedia on paper
10 by 8

Congratulations! Your artwork is approved for inclusion in the Federation of Canadian Artists’ Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition. Artwork will be on display in the Federation Gallery.

Dear Diane,
It is my pleasure to let you know that your work

“Dancing Colours”

was accepted to be part of the SCA’s 2018 International Open Juried Exhibition. Congratulations!
You may view the exhibition on our website starting March 15. It will remain there until June 15, 2018.
Best wishes
Karin

Karin Richter
Director of Exhibitions
(403)272-1471
www.societyofcanadianartists.com

Today is the opening of "Through Fresh Eyes" at Gallery 1710. Our first feature artist of this exhibition is DIANE AKEY - "I've always enjoyed making art. I have had many roles in my life so far - student, teacher, mother, wife, farmer, and now painter! I paint what I want and where ever my brush takes me! I usually paint in acrylics and oils. Recently, I have been experimenting with cold wax and oils. I like mark making, textures and patches of colours". "Dancing Colours" & "The Peony Bowl" are Diane's works in this show. #paintingwithdiane www.dianeakey.artsites.ca #southdeltaartist #tsawwassenartist #abstractart #abstractartist