Essential Calgary Magazine 2018 | Page 37

i SHEILA KERNAN Documenting her travels around the world with her camera, Sheila Kernan reflects on her experiences when painting to bring an electric and exciting vision of the world to life—from bright lights of cityscapes to the Canadian prairie. The result is vivid paintings that seem to jump off the page, full of energy and excitement that bring a musing sense of joy to the viewer. With her fantastical and vibrant depiction of the city in the painting, Kernan beckons viewers to let their imaginations run free. Gibson Fine Art 628 - 11 Ave SW, gibsonfineart.ca i CHRIS FLODBERG Chris Flodberg demonstrates a mastery of art history and technique in whatever subject he tackles in his oil paintings, from finding the beauty in the banality of Calgary’s bleak winter surroundings to his latest work, which combines the style of Renaissance portraits with disposable and tawdry modern-day accessories. Flodberg gives a painstaking level of attention to detail to his subject and her attire, providing a hyperreal and breathtaking effect that creates what he describes as the peculiar ability of paint to make even the most mundane subjects seem powerful and important through sheer labour of love. Viewers are left to ponder if it’s a past, present or future portrait, and find their own meaning in the work—if they decide there’s meaning at all. Masters Gallery 2115 - 4 St SW, mastersgalleryltd.com THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2018  37