Oak Bay Susan Mark-PurneyB次元官网网址檚 work always starts with white or black.

White fabric travels through her mind and hands, transforming to something entirely different before hanging in an art show or on a patronB次元官网网址檚 wall.

She started as a traditional quilter, even writing five books and running a pattern company.

B次元官网网址淭hen I had done a lot of different courses in what people might think of as contemporary art quilting,B次元官网网址� Mark-Purney said.

She learned surface design, dying, painting and print making all B次元官网网址渄ifferent ways of applying a pattern and texture to fabric.B次元官网网址�

Now, everything she creates starts from white or black fabric and incorporates both large and small works.

Her primary focus right now is a series of large works based from photographs snapped at the Burrard shipyards.

B次元官网网址淲hat appeals to me about it is itB次元官网网址檚 old abandoned rusty skeletons that you see the birds flying in and out of and creatures scurrying around,B次元官网网址� she said. A series of smaller works B次元官网网址� called Notables B次元官网网址� focuses on mark-making and fabric collage.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the beginning of what I hope to be an ongoing work,B次元官网网址� she said.

When she heads down to the park Aug. 13 for the annual Bowker Creek Brush Up, Mark-Purney plans to have visitors participate.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily about making B次元官网网址榓rtB次元官网网址� but about making marks on fabric, that I use in my work,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淜ids are great. The kids are just so into it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淵ounger kids really engage with it, the adults seem a little more shy. .. You just approach it as you would if you were a three-year-old. ItB次元官网网址檚 about seeing what happens when you use different tools.B次元官网网址�

SheB次元官网网址檚 among the 36 local artists heading for the shady banks of Bowker Creek Park to interact with the public while creating their art form en plein air.

B次元官网网址淎s an artist youB次元官网网址檙e in your studio and youB次元官网网址檙e not interacting with people. ItB次元官网网址檚 a way to get out and talk with people and demonstrate and engage,B次元官网网址� she said.

Guest Artists include Pat Martin Bates, Sandu Singh, and Jessie Barron. Enjoy beautiful art, friendly artists, a Creation Station for kids, and live music. A free event for the whole family, The Bowker Creek Brush Up is the kick-off event for the Oak Bay Arts and Culture Week.

Visitors can enjoy painting, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, wood turning and photography, Sunday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Bowker Creek Park, 1700 Hampshire Rd.

cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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editor@oakbaynews.com