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Artists of William Street Gallery

Interviews with Darren Thompson and Josepha van den Anker of William Street Gallery in Port Stanley.

DARREN THOMPSON

A graduate of the Graphic Design program at Fanshawe College, over the years Darren Thompson has gradually become more involved in fine art. He opened his first gallery, the SandBox, in Port Stanley in 1987. Crickets—a wonderfully charming coach house surrounded by magnificent gardens on

a country road outside Sparta—was Darren's next gallery. Last year he returned to Port Stanley, opening William Street Gallery where he enjoys the laid back atmosphere and opportunity to chat with visiting tourists and travellers.

Darren's paintings captivate the viewer with their vibrant colours and strong visual impact. He was recognized in 2006 by Hillebrand Estates Winery. They chose three of his pieces from more than 300 entries, to appear on their Artist Series wine labels.

Darren talked to Relish Elgin recently about his art.

What is your approach to painting?

My approach to painting is to keep it simple. Graphic design elements are quite strong in my work. I like to blend elements of graphic design into my paintings, usually geometric and repetitive patterns. Symbols and icons are often central to my art.

I enjoy using bright, bold colours and strong shapes and at present, work mostly in acrylic on board.

Has your approach changed over time?

My approach has definitely changed over the years towards stronger basic shapes, less brush strokes, less detail. Your art reflects who you are and your experiences as well. As I try to simplify my life, that influences my art.

What sparked your interest in being an artist?

I have always been an artist, and never thought of being anything else. I am thankful to my grade one teacher, who recognized my creative potential and told my parents that I was going to be an artist.

How would you describe where you are at with your art now?

Midpoint, just as I am myself, in my life. Art is a reflection of this process.

What are your future goals?

To keep on doing what I love to do, to explore and observe along the way, and express these experiences through painting. I want to continue to do my commercial work as well—I love designing logos which really are symbols!

Though Darren's art has become "simpler", that certainly isn't to say it doesn't evoke thought. Most of his pieces are alive with movement, and often include or suggest significant cultural symbols. His pieces invite the viewer to take a journey of imagination and he likes to let people interpret them on their own terms—after that, he is more than willing to share his inspiration.

Darren celebrates his family, friends and life's simple pleasures with a sense of fun, an outlook that clearly extends to his art. He is also an avid kayaker—you can almost picture him bouncing along shimmering Lake Erie waves, catching a little joy to share in his next painting.

Darren's "Koi" graces the cover of the May/June issue of Relish Elgin. "Blue Raven", and "Mermaid" , pictured here, are acrylic on masonite. Check out Darren's installation at the Windjammer Inn & Bistro (324 Smith St., Port Stanley) till the end of May.

JOSEPHA VAN DEN ANKER

Josepha van den Anker immigrated to Canada at age six. In 1976 she graduated with Honours, Fine Arts, from Ontario College of Art & Design. She has lived in Holland and Ireland, currently lives in St. Thomas and also has a studio in County Clare, Ireland.

Josepha's paintings have been exhibited and can be found in collections around the world. Her most recent work has been on four themed portrait series, which she hopes will eventually be shown together as an installation.

She says that her process for this figurative series has been liberating—she has stopped saying "this is what I am going to do." Instead, she looks at the canvas and paint and lets them lead her. The resulting pieces mesmerize, draw the viewer in and invite questions.

Josepha recently offered some thoughts on her art.

What is your approach to painting?

This is a very difficult question because as artists we are always wrestling with techniques, history and new skills. I am a figurative artist. After art college, in an effort to understand colour and geometry, I painted colour field, geometric abstract paintings, but not for long. I always had to come back to the iconic figurative.

How has your approach changed over time?

Weirdly, and as much as I've tried (very hard) my approach hasn't changed much, but I would like to think that my skills have! I don't mind claiming that sometimes there is a narrative. I remember hearing a CBC interview with profound writer Jane Jacobs before she died. She stressed how important the narrative, mythology and story-telling is to mankind. Mental visuals, she said—stories, art—can help people understand each other when vocabulary can be so misinterpreted.

What sparked your interest in art?

My older sister, sitting at the kitchen table in Holland (I must have been about 3) and watching how she drew people. I copied her and knew then it was something I could do. Art is just something I have always been able to do, know I can do and have always known was in me.

When exhibiting in Ireland, people viewing my work would introduce themselves to me with the salutation, "God bless the gift of your hands." It stunned me when I first heard it. However, I certainly appreciated receiving that blessing, particularly, as I used to think over the years (in the hardship associated with my craft and raising two children) that art was a "curse". Now in the reflection of time I feel so very 'blessed' for this ongoing purpose and interest in my life.

How would you describe where you are at with your art now?

In a very happy place. I just suit myself now and can finally work full-time at it! I was very ill in April two years ago and recovery from surgery was prolonged. However, during that time, and in thinking about it now, I never stopped working, even when I couldn't stand for long. I remember, all that concerned me was getting 'stuff' done—I was not fixated on my health prognosis, and this was a good thing.

What are your future goals?

I am still hoping, inviting the muse to descend! Sometimes when I've produced something I think of as good, I don't know where it came from but still have the naïvety and the cheek to say to myself, "oh, now finally, you know how to do it," but I don't. It's always different and the infinite possibilities keep me going…keep me working and looking for magic!

Josepha's art is woven with social messages, mythology ... wisdom. Her figures look intensely at the viewer. These may not be the paintings you want to hang in your home, but you are very likely to want to spend some time with them. There is plenty of evidence that the muse has descended. There is some magic to be shared, by chatting a while with Josepha about her journey.

The series above by Josepha is entitled "A Life Portrait." The excerpted image is a self-portrait.

Darren Thompson and Josepha van den Anker both display their work at William Street Gallery, 172 William Street, Port Stanley (519.782.1126). See more about each artist at www.darrenthompson.ca and www.josephavandenanker.com.