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Marylou Wakefield

A R T I S T
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WRIT LARGE - CONTEMPORARY WORKS ON PAPER

The Exhibition

In this exhibition, Georgina Montgomery, Louise Oborne and MaryLou Wakefield use their professional pasts in writing and editing as a stepping-off point to present large-format works inspired by the emotional and intellectual energy of written language.

Each artist applies her own form of expression in exploring and amplifying texts or words of her choice, drawing from personally important questions, passions and life experiences. The words and text passages in the works are sometimes clear and bold. Other times they are subtly or completely obscure.

Together the pieces create a multi-faceted collection that invites viewers to read—in a literal sense and a visual sense—the ideas presented, and to think of ways they themselves could “go big” in visually expressing the words and texts that move them.

October 4 to 19, 2025, Viewings are on Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00 to 4:00. Opening Reception October 3, 7:00 to 9:00.

Solo Exhibition at Tidal Art Centre, May 2025

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
TIDAL ART CENTRE
Lund, B.C.
MAY, 2025

For the month of May 2025, I have the pleasure of being an artist in residence at Tidal Art Centre in Lund, B.C. On the edge of beautiful Finn Bay, in an updated Forest Ranger’s house with comfortable accommodation, a sweeping deck overlooking the bay and best of all a large open studio. I’m painting, printmaking, and lumiéres all inspired by the beautiful landscape perched on the edge of the Salish Sea, and the doorstep of Desolation Sound.

To begin, I spent the first 4 or 5 days getting to know the place, walking down quiet gravel roads, hiking through forest trails, perching on rocks, wandering through boat yards and taking in the activity of the prawn fishermen and pleasure boats on the wharves.

In the studio I worked every day towards making loose, expressive landscapes that were more glimpses than full views and not as I had seen therm, but imaginary scapes I would leave to the viewer to interpret. I worked inks on paper - watercolour paper, mulberry paper and teabag paper.

What I’ve learned is that this is a small but mighty art community who are supportive of each other and their work evidenced by how they show up for each other of course, and artists like me whom they do not know. Opening night saw about 25 - 30 people who showed up to look at the work, ask questions and show interest in my work. They even brought flowers to make me feel welcome.

FINDING THE LIGHT

As the light outside fades, it’s a good time to invite the warm glow of light inside.

Each year in November, I create a collection of lumiéres, hand made lanterns made with my original designs. Each lumiére is cylindrical in shape and measures 8 1/2” tall x 3 1/4” around. Lumiéres look beautiful on their own or, in a grouping on a coffee table, side table, dining room table or mantle piece, wherever you want a warm glow of light.

The creative idea behind the lumiére project is to use light to illuminate an aspect of nature, something that caught my eye while on my frequent forays into the wild. This year, like every year, I’ve added a few new designs to the collection.

The Lumiére Collection 2024 includes:
Birds - In flight, Shoreline, Perched
Trees - Willow, Birch
Structures in Nature - Gate, Fenceline
Abstract Forms & Shapes - Bent light, Letters, Lilypad, Mushoroom, Fungi

Lumiéres are $45 CAD and include a battery operated tea light, and glass tea light holder.
To order, contact me via the Contact page on this website, via email mlwakefieldartATgmail.com, or Instagram @mlouwootton.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Lumiéres should only be illuminated with battery operated tea lights and NEVER with a flame.

A8925A7B-04A2-4453-8AB3-194DF5E43417_1_201_a.jpg
Shoreline
Perched
Willow Tree
Birch Tree
Gate
Fenceline
Bent light
Letters
Lily pad
Mushroom
Funghi





SOOKE FINE ARTS SHOW
Written in Stone, acrylic and ink on cradled wood panel, 2023 has been juried in to the Sooke Fine Art Show July 29 to August 7, 2023 at SEPARC Leisure Complex 2168 Phillips Rd., Sooke, B.C. More than 250 artists from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal islands in all disciplines will be exhibiting. Purchasers’ Preview event will be held on Friday, July 28 @ 7 p.m. Tickets at sookefinearts.com.

Introducing Lumiéres

these hand made lumiéres made with my original designs on translucent paper. when illuminated, they create a soft diffused light and bring a glimpse of nature into your space.

Each lumiére is hand made with my original artwork on heavy, coated, translucent paper. Each one measures approximately 8 1/2 inches tall x 3 1/2 inches wide. $45 CAD each including battery operated tea light and holder.

Lumiéres can be used anywhere you want to add soft, diffused light - lovely in a grouping on a dining room, coffee, or side table.

Each lumiére is hand made using my original artwork on heavy, coated, translucent paper. Each one measures approximately 8 1/2 inches tall x 3 1/2 inches wide.

As of April 2023, there are 4 series of lumiéres with several new designs recently added.

Trees: Willow Tree, *Tree buds
Hand lettering: Calligraphy
Nature: Bird in a thicket, Farm Gate, *Birds in formation, *Magnolia
Reflections: Creek, Glass block, Lily pad, *Graphic grass

*New designs for 2023

To order, go to the Contact page, send an email indicating which type(s) and quantity of each. Include shipping details if appropriate.
I will then contact you to arrange payment and shipping if required.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Lumiéres should be illuminated with battery operated tea lights or battery operated “candles” ONLY to avoid heat which can alter the shape of the lantern.

Lumières are $45 each and include a glass holder, tea light and battery.

Mark Making with hand made brushes and tools

workshop

Mark your calendars for this 2-day workshop at MISSA (Metchosin International Summer School for the Arts) July 15 and 16, 2023 on the campus of beautiful Shawnigan Lake School.

In this workshop we will begin by looking at a number of well-known artists who make unique and outstanding marks in their work. From there we’ll forage for materials from wild landscapes on the campus gathering botanical materials we are drawn to. Back in the classroom, we’ll create one-of-a-kind brushes and mark making tools that can be bound together with string, wire, leather, wool, jute, roots, cloth strips or any other natural material of your choosing. Once the brushes are complete, we will begin to experiment with making marks, your own individual expressions. We’ll use India ink and a range of coloured acrylic inks on a variety of papers - watercolour paper, mulberry paper, and rice paper and we will observe how these papers “accept” the medium. Students can bring any materials of their choosing to bind and decorate their unique creations keeping in mind that no two brushes are alike and, they are a reflection of the artist who created them. This is an opportunity to let go and express your individuality through mark making. At the end of the workshop we will discuss how our unique marks can be incorporated into painting, print making, and ceramics. Registration for Mark Making with Handmade Brushes and Tools (and ALL MISSA workshops) starts starts Feb 7 for Friends of MISSA and Feb 14 at noon for all.

MAKE YOUR MARK

MARK MADE WITH BLACK INDIA INK AND CLEMATIS SEED HEAD ON WATERCOLOUR PAPER

I’m pleased that my painting Gathering Courage like Dark Clouds on the Horizon was accepted for publication in UPPERCASE magazine Issue #54. Thank you Uppercase for showcasing my abstract work in your beautiful magazine.

I’m teaching a workshop Mark Making with handmade Tools this summer at the Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts at Shawnigan Lake School, August 6 and 7. We’ll make our own brushes from foraged botanical materials and then explore a wide variety of ways to make marks, wth wet and dry, smooth and wrinkled, black ink, coloured acrylic inks, using a variety of tools on different papers. It will be 2 days of fun and exploration. Visit the MISSA website for more information. Hope to see you there.

WRIT LARGE - Contemporary Works on Paper exhibition

September 12, 2025

Three Victoria artists draw on their professional pasts as writers and editors to exhibit a collection of large-format works inspired by the emotional and intellectual energy of written language.

Georgina Montgomery, Louise Oborne, and MaryLou Wakefield use words and text as part of their visual language to amplify a compelling idea, question, or personal life experience personally meaningful to them.

In this series, the artists demonstrate their own stylistic approach to interpreting ‘Writ Large’ and invite viewers to find their own meaning and interpretation in the works.  

“The three of us have been collaborating on the theme of this exhibition and developing the body of work over the past 18 months, and we’re looking forward to showing it,” said MaryLou Wakefield.

Writ Large will be held at arc.hive artist run centre October 4 – 19, and is available for viewing Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 pm. An opening reception with the artists in attendance will be held Friday, October 3, from 7 - 9 pm.

BRING IN THE LIGHT →

All Rights Reserved © 2019 Marylou Wakefield