Penticton artist hopes to get people talking conservation with her show on Okanagan lakes

Photo: Lyse Deselliers

View from Anarchist mountain

One Penticton artist is hoping to create a conversation around the Okanagan's lakes with her latest show.

Lyse Deselliers wakes up every morning to see Skaha Lake out of her window.

"The lake I've been painting since I've moved here," Deselliers said.

As a previous wildlife veterinarian, conservation is an important topic for her and a big inspiration for her work.

"Reading more about conservation efforts that are being done and I thought 'Wow that would be a great show.’ I like to have a theme when I have a solo show," she explained.

“It's good to talk about our wonderful lakes and the myth of abundance.”

Deselliers spent time for the show not only working on the paintings, but interviewing conservationists and experts on the matter to share insight on work being done and the data collected.

"All the interviews I did are on cards by the paintings. Lots of positive stories about conservation being done and why we all love the lake."

The show also wanted to give thanks to those looking after the lakes, like the Okanagan basin water board, environmental groups, local stewardship groups and the Okanagan Nation Alliance.

"There are so many people that are involved in that, they're connected to the lakes, the lakes are connected to each other, so I just thought I'd talk about that because I think it's really interesting."

Deselliers joined the Okanagan Art Gallery and submitted to be able to show at the Osoyoos Gallery.

"Then two years later they call you and they say 'Okay, your show is coming up.' So I had pretty much like a year's notice. I've been working on this for six months."

One of Deselliers' neighbours took her up in a float plane to fly over the lakes and help her get some aerial shots to paint from.

The show features 45 paintings in the lake collection, a five-piece collection on salmon with sale proceeds going to the Okanagan National Alliance and 10 featuring bird colleagues, which the sales from those paintings will be donated to the Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Alliance.

"Hopefully this gets people to think a little more about water, conservation and everything else."

“Our Lakes: Connecting the dots, Harnessing the power of Art to promote Conservation” will show at the Osoyoos Art Gallery from April 1-24 at the Osoyoos Art Gallery at 8713 Main Street.

The gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon until 4 p.m. with social distancing rules in place.

To read about the show and Deselliers, visit her website here.