Island Rest B & B and Muse Gallery provide a wonderful, restorative creative connection. Large separate, self-contained, self-catered suite with full kitchen, offers comfortable short term accommodation. Wireless internet. Dogs welcome. Our nearby gallery showcases the work of artists Dianne Bersea & Jodi Forster. Join us on Cortes Island for the adventure of 'Island Time', an artistic retreat or private classes with Dianne or Jodi or visit our gallery. We welcome all enquiries about our B & B, artwork and workshops. We are both professional artists with extensive experience in a variety of art forms influenced by the exceptional landscape of our special island and the west coast.

DIANNE BERSEA
Artist's Statement

I enjoy sharing the intimacy of close quarters observation of our world, revealing the effect of natural and creative processes, sharing the joy of putting brush to paper.

Biography

Dianne has been a professional artist for 30 years with creative beginnings in the wild places of Canada’s western province..., including a river-side log cabin nestled in the Okanagan Mountains and a lighthouse station on the blustery outer coast of Vancouver Island. Home-schooled on a emergency air base in the open grassland of the Fraser Plateau, Dianne grew up among the wild animals, grasslands and forests of BC central plateau.

"I still have a great fondness for all that I encountered in my earliest years - the rich, deep mysteries of the rainforest, and the expanse of warm color in rangeland and high plateau. It's no wonder that I love having a close, immediate relationship with my physical and emotional landscape."

Despite occasional urban residencies, Dianne has always sought her most meaningful home-places in the deep lake valleys or isolated islands of the B.C. Coast.

Now a partner in Manzanita Muse Studio and Island Rest B & B on Cortes Island, Dianne explores her environment through a variety of media, including watercolor, acrylic, pen & ink, pencils, watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons. "I'm really in the mood to experiment right now. I can see my work changing in the near future. More depth, more richness."

Dianne brings to all her work the knowledge and discipline of careers in graphic design, fine art, natural history illustration, and, exhibit design for Canada’s national parks. She is also an accomplished watercolor painter and workshop presenter. Dianne inspires students with her unabashed enthusiasm, humor and knowledge of the creative process.

Dianne counts among her accomplishments -- honours grad Alberta College of Art & Design, elected membership in the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) and signature membership (AFCA) Canadian Federation of Artists. She lives and works on Cortes Island in B.C.’s northern Gulf Islands.

JODI FORSTER
Carver, mask maker, colored pencil and graphite artist, craftswoman, shell rattle artisan

The distinctive style of Jodi's work reflects her sensitive relationship with the physical and spiritual landscape of the coast, a relationship that is especially noted in her craft work - shell rattles decorated with hide leather and gems.

Jodi enjoys the process of discovery whether exploring the rythym of color in her bold colored pencil drawings, or exploring the sweep sculptural form in wood. Working intuitively with an array of mediums, Jodi's work reflects her sensitive relationship with the physical and spiritual landscape of the Canadian west coast.

The wilderness community of Cortes Island at the north end of Georgia Strait has been home for 9 years. Favorite creative activities...., acrylic and watercolour painting, colored pencil and ink drawing, wood carving, wood sculpture, shell rattle construction with bone, hide and gems. Jodi also assists drawing and watercolor workshops by Dianne Bersea at Hollyhock and other locations.

ART EDUCATION - In many areas, Jodi is self taught. Jodi has learned a lot of her skills by simply "doing", responding to the process. Specific drawing and design skills have been developed through courses with Victoria's Rita Edwards and with studio partner Dianne Bersea. Drum and rattle workshops with Kristen Scholfield-Sweet have provided expertise for hide and found object assemblies. Wood carving and wood sculpture skills have been honed through workshops and carving experience with a number of west coast carvers including:
Loretta Joseph, Victoria, B.C.
Ed Snyder, Nanoose, B.C.
Phil Ashby at Hollyhock, B.C.
Henry Nola, Tofino, B.C.

Dianne Bersea & Jodi Forster
Manzanita Muse Studio
Mansons Landing  BC  V0P 1K0
Phone: 250-935-6719
Email:
Website: http://www.islemuse.com