For centuries, artists have been capturing emotional, hard-fought moments in sport through beautifully hand-crafted paintings, sculptures and sketches.

But Victoria-born painter Jayn茅 Childs realized one sport B次元官网网址� a favourite Canadian pastime B次元官网网址� was noticeably absent from the artistic world.

B次元官网网址淚 never got in to curling B次元官网网址� it was cold; my body doesnB次元官网网址檛 like the cold. But itB次元官网网址檚 a really big sport, especially in this part of the country,B次元官网网址� she says from her home in Maryfield, Sask. B次元官网网址淐urling is such a community heartbeat.B次元官网网址�

ChildsB次元官网网址� first foray into painting the sport was in February 2011 when curler Russ Howard came to her small Saskatchewan town.

B次元官网网址淚 decided to see if I could draw anymore. I had done metal sculpture work, huge murals, marblings B次元官网网址� all sorts of mediums, but I hadnB次元官网网址檛 done what IB次元官网网址檇 done as a kid in 40 years: drawing,B次元官网网址� she says.

When Howard came to town, ChildsB次元官网网址� art B次元官网网址� of a focused Howard throwing the rock B次元官网网址� received accolades and praise . ThatB次元官网网址檚 when she knew she had tapped into a special niche.

B次元官网网址淚 worked out a business plan where I could celebrate champions of curling and support them in their pursuits of excellence,B次元官网网址� she says.

Since beginning her curling art portfolio just two years ago, Childs has painted B次元官网网址� with watercolour B次元官网网址� the likenesses of Canadians Jennifer Jones, Mike McEwan, Cheryl Bernard, Jeff Stoughton and more.

Partial proceeds from the sales of ChildsB次元官网网址� art go to the champion curlers portrayed in the artwork. Proceeds also go to support the curling clubs that host her art.

Childs, who grew up in Victoria and returned a number of times through adulthood, will return to her hometown again this month for an exhibit that will coincide with the 2013 World MenB次元官网网址檚 Curling Championships.

Childs will be the artist in residence at the Fairmont Empress Hotel from March 23 to April 8, showcasing her curling portfolio in the hotelB次元官网网址檚 conservatory.

While in Victoria, she plans to attend some of the draws to photograph more intimate moments in the sport, which sheB次元官网网址檒l then translate to canvas. She plans to have three or four paintings on the go, as she works at the Empress.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 nothing like being in the live rink and being able to get their personality, and the personality that IB次元官网网址檓 able to really paint in their champion character,B次元官网网址� Childs said.

ChildsB次元官网网址� work will be on display daily from noon to 8 p.m. (excluding Easter Sunday). Limited edition collector prints will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit curlingchampions.com.