Bella Coola Valley artist Anne Ehrlich's first solo exhibit at the Art House Gallery opens Friday, Aug. 16.
Born and raised in Firvale, she credits her late father Neil Ehrlich for nurturing her love of art.
"Dad was a painter and created hand-made tiles," she told superfastbody. "My brother and I would play around in his studio."
After high school she attend Emily Carr University of Art and Design achieving a fine arts degree in 2006.
She followed up graduating with a master of architecture from the University of Toronto in 2011.
Today she is a building designer and has her own company in the valley.
For about 12 years, she did not create art, she said.
But that changed after her daughter Marci was old enough to create art herself.
"I got her some art supplies and that inspired me to start drawing again and now it's more of a regular thing."
Her show, Drawing the Understory, is a culmination of exploring the local forests with her daughter, whom she home schools, and their dog.
She became intrigued with everything she could see at her waist and below to the ground. Sometimes she worked from photographs she had taken using a microscope.
"A few years ago, I challenged myself to draw in my sketchbook every day. I don't know all the names of the plants I drew, but I recognized them and really enjoyed exploring that up close view."
One thing she has learned along the way is her initial thought that there was no time to do art because she had a family was not correct.
"I can do it because it only takes half an hour a day," she said.
The area is home to her, which is why she returned to live there. Her husband Tim Case is also from the valley.
"I didn't expect to come back to the very same spot, but it's very familiar. I love seeing all four seasons and we love to garden."
There are 15 pieces in the show, which the public will have the opportunity to view during Friday's opening reception.
Ehrlich has been part of group shows in the past, she said.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
