New exhibit flourishes

The series of paintings by Gatineau-based artist Lise Massicotte – on display at Gloucester's Rothwell Gallery – will be showcased until March 30, explains gallery manager Nicki Sleeth.

The "eye-catching" work evokes a feeling of spring, Sleeth suggests, pointing to Massicotte's use of exaggerated colour and transparent acrylics to depict nature.

"I've never really seen a technique like this," she says. "You get her interpretation of nature, and the feeling of being in nature."

The exhibit creates a nice juxtaposition to their previous show, Sleeth adds, which mostly illustrated snowy scenes.

"It's nice this is coinciding with a little bit of warmer weather," she recounts. "It makes me look forward to spring."

Massicotte's work was brought in after her bright tones and specialized technique made an impression, Sleeth explains, with 21 pieces currently being featured.

"It all goes really well together," she adds, explaining many of the pieces were created specifically for Rothwell. "Her work has the feeling of being in a kaleidoscope.”

For Massicotte, a former graphic designer and photographer, her present work is a far cry from her creative origins.

It was only a few years ago she shifted to her present acrylic technique, she explains.

"It uses strong colour, and also transparency of colour," Massicotte describes, attributing her past in watercolour for her dislike of any opacity in her work. "Most of my paintings have a whole range of colour. I'm not afraid of (it)."

Her themes often focus on forests and trees, Massicotte explains, to reflect her passion for all things natural.

"I can't stand to see trees disappearing," she says of her inspiration. "It breaks my heart. That's the kind of message I'm trying to bring forward."

Otherwise, being able to portray "the emotion of being in nature" is one of the main goals in her work, Massicotte adds.

"Painting is translating a feeling to someone," she explains. "That's what I'm trying to give the viewer. If I can create a little bit of that, I'll be happy."

For more information, please visit www.rothwellgallery.com