Sources for artistic inspiration have no end, although linking the 1972 Summit Series with classic sculpture is probably a new one.

Standing tall on a plywood board, famed hockey goalie Ken Dryden is captured in earthy tones in a contemplative moment during the historic Canada-U.S.S.R series nearly 40 years ago.

The painting, called B次元官网网址淭he Thinker,B次元官网网址� is Curt BilsonB次元官网网址檚 offering for the third annual emerging artists show at the Coast Collective gallery in Colwood.

B次元官网网址淚 find the B次元官网网址�72 series a poignant month in Canadian hockey and Canadian history,B次元官网网址� said Bilson, a 31-year-old graphic artist. B次元官网网址淲hen you talk about Canadian hockey you go back to that story.

B次元官网网址淚 enjoy Ken Dryden as an intellectual and becoming a member of parliament. I took that all and coupled it with RodanB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址楾he Thinker,B次元官网网址� and melded it together.B次元官网网址�

The emerging artists show gives new, nervous and upcoming artists a chance to display their work without being subjected to a jury process, and each artist is given constructive feedback.

This year about 40 pieces were entered with varying degrees of quality, said Coast Collective co-founder Deborah Czernecky.

B次元官网网址淭he quality of work from these artists is really fantastic, but there are some that are a little weak,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut most are pretty good.B次元官网网址�

After moving from Calgary to Victoria about 18 months ago, Bilson said the Coast Collective show is an excellent way to get exposure to the local art scene. Calgary has an art scene closely linked with large corporate benefactors, he said, but Greater Victoria has more of a grassroots culture.

B次元官网网址淚n Victoria, more often artists help each other get noticed,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut the big money isnB次元官网网址檛 out there, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not what IB次元官网网址檓 looking for.B次元官网网址�

Bilson ditched his canvas and delved into painting acrylic on wood after painting a portrait of B次元官网网址淭he Band,B次元官网网址� whose rustic, rockabilly image seemed to fit the medium.

B次元官网网址淲ood is a nice balance to my comic, pop-art style,B次元官网网址� said Bilson, who majored in painting at the Alberta College of Art and Design. B次元官网网址淲ood makes it not so slippery and commercial. Wood is a nice starting point. Looking at the wood grain you see images come out of it.B次元官网网址�

His work characterizes what Czernecky is seeing slowly develop in upcoming artists B次元官网网址� younger adults taking on different mediums, and trying to put their work out there. Paintings still dominate the entries and baby boomer artists are a big part of the show, but younger artists are entering modern pieces such as graffiti tag art.

B次元官网网址淭he graffiti art is interesting and creative. ItB次元官网网址檚 great to see it come in. ItB次元官网网址檚 great to see more younger people come in,B次元官网网址� Czernecky said.

Moreover, for the first time the gallery is exhibiting artists from the Lower Mainland, simply because most galleries arenB次元官网网址檛 offering beginner shows.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e finding weB次元官网网址檝e got more artists from off the Island. We certainly werenB次元官网网址檛 seeing that a year ago,B次元官网网址� Czernecky said. B次元官网网址淲e are the only ones in the area doing emerging artist shows. (The Coast Collective) is willing to try and be opened minded about who comes in.B次元官网网址�

The emerging artist show runs until Sunday at the Coast Collective, 3221 Heatherbell Rd. On Sunday Ron Wilson is lecturing on being a professional artist, 3:30 p.m., by donation. See www.coastcollective.ca.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com