Art Exhibit Showcases Grandeur of Local Environment

Inspired by nature, award-winning Ottawa artist Margaret Chwialkowska will be featuring her solo exhibition “Gatineau Sublime” at the Galerie Old Chelsea from December 4 to December 31.

Ever since Chwialkowska moved to Canada from Poland in 1979, she has been overwhelmed by the natural beauty of North American landscapes. Capturing the magic on canvas, Chwialkowska paints wilderness of the Northwest Territories, Ontario’s lake country and southern California. Her signature theme is landscapes within the Ottawa area. In Chwialkowska’s upcoming exhibit, she will be presenting images depicting the changing moods of the Gatineau Hills and forests.

Chwialkowska uses oil paints to create alla prima artwork. This style, meaning “at once” in Italian, layers wet paint onto previous layers of wet paint. Chwialkowska uses a palette knife to blend the multiple layers of colour together. For this technique to work her paintings must be finished in a single session before the first coat has dried.

Her enchanting colourful and textured work is featured in many Canadian Art Galleries as well as private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States and Europe. Some of her more recent awards include the Viewer’s Choice Award at the Expression of Art 2013 Art Show in Ottawa and the Special Merit award at the International Art Competition Seasons by Light Space & Time Gallery, earlier this year.

Galerie Old Chelsea is located in the woods at the edge of Gatineau Park above Les Fougères Restaurant. It is open year round and features ten artists from the National Capital Region. The pieces range in styles and media including oil and watercolour paintings, felt art, jewelry and stained glass.

To learn more about Chwialkowska’s talent visit her website. Find out more information about Galerie Old Chelsea here.

Feature painting Early Snow, Gatineau by Margaret Chwialkowska. Smaller painting Winter Afternoon, Gatineau by Margaret Chwialkowska.