Artist’s Statement:

I'm a painter and most of the painting supports I use I construct myself. I like to compose all aspects of the work from size and surface texture to composition. Over the last several years I've developed a process of constructing painting surfaces with a plaster skin. On these surfaces I work in acrylic because the fast drying time allows me multiple translucent layers of colour in one day. I also work in watercolour, mixed media and graphite. I feel the subject matter and mood dictate the medium.

My works usually are in series because it allows me multiple views in bringing focus onto the subject matter. A series will explore the subject matter with different mediums and sizes of work. Some subject matter dictates scale, so my work varies from large (5' x 7') to very small (5" x7"). I'm intrigued with how large scale works surround the viewer yet invite up close scrutiny and with the intimacy of small works.

The subject matter of my paintings is taken from my surroundings. The beauty of the surrounding landscape informs my work although the underlying effects also influence what I choose to paint.

Biography

I am an artist who was raised in the West Kootenays and was interested in making art from an early age. I've remained in Nakusp and have continued to paint and draw while raising my family here. During these years I have taken painting and drawing workshops with a wide variety of instructors. Wanting to progress further in my art practice, I applied and was accepted to the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design where I completed a Bachelors's degree in Fine Arts in 1999.

In 1998 I was involved in starting the Arrow Lakes Fine Arts (ALFA) Guild Gallery as the curator and an exhibiting artist. The gallery is still operating. I also run adult and youth art workshops in my studio and have taught drawing and painting in the Nakusp Elementary School through the "Art Starts" program and "Art and Culture Week" program. In the fall of 2007 I mentored a youth group of five for "The Spirit Project Exhibition" held at the Charles Scott Gallery in Vancouver in February 2008.

My work has been exhibited in Creston, Kaslo, Kelowna, New Denver, Nelson, Silverton, Vancouver and here in Nakusp. Upcoming shows will be in Revelstoke in 2008 and in Nelson in 2009. Recently, to create a wider exposure for my work, I've had a web site created www.blfahlmanstudio.com. I plan on remaining in the West Kootenays where I will continue to work. This home base provides a remarkable diversity from which I draw inspiration.