Greetings! Despite our winter bumping right up against the Summer Solstice, I must admit, I've barely complained, buried so deep in the studio. Preparing for summer shows, a painting cruise and several commissions kept me pretty well occupied. I hope you can catch at least one of these and let me know if you have a favorite piece. Federation of Canadian Artists, Signature Show: The Old School House Arts Center , Qualicum Beach: August 16 - September 10 Signature level FCA members have been invited to display one painting each in this often spectacular collection of images. I decided to include one of my sketches done in a single sitting with another of my favorite redheads (showing off a little virtuosity!) 'Steps to a Likeness': Comox Valley Art Gallery: July 3- 27 Filling the Arts and Craft Gallery, I am displaying pastel and oil portraits. The gift shop will also be showing some of my etchings. I'll be doing live charcoal sketches on Wednesday July 6th from 1pm to 3pm prior to the Opening Reception from 4pm - 7pm. Come early and sit for me or just stop by and say 'Hi'! 'Pastels by Invite': The Old School House Arts Center , Qualicum Beach: July 18-August 14 This collection of Canadian pastel artwork, featuring work from private collections and contemporary painters opens with a reception on Wed, July 20th at 7 pm. It is quite exciting to be included among an impressive line-up of internationally known pastel masters such as Harley Brown and Nicolas de Grandmaison. April Point Resort, Quadra Island: June-August Once again, one of our favorite places to take visitors asked me to curate a show. Stop by and enjoy our take on the faces and places of Quadra, and out of the 8 portraits I have on display, who do you recognize? The Heriot Bay Inn, Quadra August 29 - September 26 Quadra artists divvy up the lobby and dining room walls with rotating shows and I've been involved for the past 4 years. Look for my landscape plein-aire work, and much of it, as usual, will probably be fairly wet! The Challenger III Painting Cruise: This June, I joined 6 other artists on the Challenger III, a 68', immaculately restored, 'mission ship' that served the coastal logging camps and settlements during the 1950's and 60's. Sumptuously feted and delivered to a variety of excellent on-shore painting spots, we recorded the beauty of Desolation Sound. Bold Point, Quadra, at dawn: Joan and Dave live on the east side of Quadra and have routinely teased me with photos of their sunrise. It is breathtaking! This overcast study, one 5:30am morning, was helpful in providing me the framework for the studio piece now gracing their home. I would like to thank all of you who visited during the Quadra Island Studio Tour. It was a resounding success despite our remote location and the higher ferry fees. I got to meet many new faces and lots of great regular supporters. The focus was to be printing demo's of two new etchings (next newsletter). But it was the large oil portrait commission of a boy and two dogs that stole the show. Everybody loves their dogs! Me too. Perri | 
