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TWO Pharmacy hosting monthly featured artists

TWO Pharmacy owners Ian and Mia Kruger and Kelly and Dianne Kimmett are starting a new initiative where they feature different Cochrane artists every month in their store.
Shona3
Local artis Shona Paterson will be Two Pharmacy’s first featured artist of the month.

TWO Pharmacy owners Ian and Mia Kruger and Kelly and Dianne Kimmett are starting a new initiative where they feature different Cochrane artists every month in their store.

The first artist being featured will be Shona Paterson of Simply Dotty Designs. Paterson uses fluid painting, which was discovered in the 1930s by artist David Siqueiros, who called it accidental painting. It mixes experimentation and magic, movement and colour.

"Fluid painting allows me to experience those relationships and allows the paint to lead me in all kinds of surprising directions," she said.

She also uses acrylic paints mixed with pouring mediums and manipulates them on the canvas or substrate using a variety of ever-changing techniques. 

Paterson said it was a big opportunity for her to showcase her work at TWO Pharmacy. When Just Imajan Art Gallery closed, it limited available space in town where artists could display their work .

"It's huge. As an emerging artist new and fresh to the market, I believe it's vitally important to be able to gain a local presence," Paterson said. "With the closing of Just Imajan Art Gallery, it didn't feel as if there were a lot of opportunities to do that, and without a vehicle, it's difficult for me to get out to things like art shows."

"Back in November, when I heard that they would be doubling their retail space, I asked Ian (Kruger), one of the owners, if they would ever consider carrying a local artist's work. He said, funnily enough, they were considering that very thing, and that I should speak to Dianne (Kimmett), who does all their purchasing."

"I made them a heartfelt piece (their logo) for Christmas to say thank you for all they'd done for me over the years. I emailed Dianne a request with some photos of my pieces, and she let me know they would consider it but could I be patient because they were in the midst of the expansion.

"She let me know mid-February that things were a go, I went in and met with them, bringing a suitcase full of a variety of pieces, and the display went up last week. There was a huge level of comfort for me to be able to partner with them. My long association with them has shown them to be completely trustworthy, fair, kind and always willing to go the extra mile ... So for my first foray into the retail market, they were a wonderfully obvious choice".

Paterson has been diagnosed with  fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, delayed sleep syndrome, chronic insomnia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, transmandibular joint dysfunction, chronic migraines, and costochondritis. She said the pain she feels is where her inspiration for art comes from.

"Pain is where the art came in. It first started with colouring mandalas. I found it so soothing, and a return to working with colour, which had been so prevalent in my life as a graphic designer. Then I picked up a paintbrush and began experimenting, moving into spatter-painting and sponge painting, before discovered pointillism and fluid painting," said the 55-year-old Cochrane resident.

"I’ve always loved writing, and write fiction when my brain allows. I’ve finished the first draft of a novel but it has been languishing for a year as the art has taken priority. I’m keeping my hand in by regularly blogging, and am hoping to get back to it soon."

Paterson has also donated work to the cadets for a fundraiser and to TWO Pharmacy for its March 23 grand reopening. During the reopening, 25 per cent of the sales she makes will be donated to the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation, and that money will be matched by TWO Pharmacy.


Troy Durrell

About the Author: Troy Durrell

Troy is the Sports and Entertainment Reporter for the Cochrane Eagle.
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