A new exhibit at the Art House in the Bella Coola Valley depicts the artist's experience living and working on the Central Coast.
Holly Willgress is the community advisor for Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the region.
"I try to always bring a water colour set or pens with me because I do work a lot outside in the field, on the ocean or on a river, which are a massive source of inspiration," she said. "I don't always have time to do art but I can capture moments that I can later draw from afterwards."
Willgress has lived in the valley for 20 years, first arriving to work as an environmental consultant and later as a tourism operator.
"I've been an outdoor girl for many years of my life."
Essential Flow is her first solo show and consists of seven paintings and several wooden boxes.
She used to work mainly in acrylics until a number of years ago when she decided she wanted to work in water colours.
Her first attempts with water colours were frustrating, but when she realized she just needed to let go and let the water colours do their thing it became easier.
"I was hooked and dabbled on and off trying to work on it. I still have a lot to learn."
She adds mixed media to the water colours, such as pen and ink, metallic paints and metal leaf, whatever "strikes her fancy."
A few years ago she attended a joinery school at North Island College in Port Alberni to study woodworking, something she had wanted to learn for a long time.
Her father had recently died so she lived with her mom in Parksville while attending the program.
"It was really good for both of us," Willgress said, adding eventually her mom came to live with her in the Bella Coola Valley up until she died recently in March 2024.
Some of her handcrafted wooden boxes are included in the exhibit.
"Art is something I need to do," she said. "It's something I've always dabbled in, in my adult life, and something I just have to make time for."
The show opened Friday, July 12, and Willgress was happy with the response.
"I had no idea if anybody would like my art or even expected that people would want buy it. It was all very surprising and wonderful actually."
Presented by the Bella Coola Valley Arts Council, the show runs until July 24, 2024.
The Art House is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
