Innisfail-area artist Dustine Kinsella lives with inspiration all around her.
Just outside her living room, the solitude and beauty of her acreage setting west of Innisfail provide subject matter and vibrant colours, which show up in her artwork.
“My artwork is inspired in so many ways,” said Kinsella. “It could be a bird that I see outside, or a dash of colour in the changing leavescape, or the sounds of wind as it blows through the trees around our home. Often, it could even be a photograph that I have seen, or something that I have read.”
Evidence of her diverse inspirations can be seen in the art on display on her website which ranges from animal life to cloud scenes.
Kinsella has not always been a painter, having started in 2002 when her husband was away. She got the urge to draw, picked up a pencil, and started to draw. Prior to this, she was not able to do so.
“When my husband returned home he was surprised and I soon took a course in shading at the Innisfail Library to make my art more realistic,” added the artist. “It helped quite a bit. One day I picked up the paintbrush and realized that I could paint as well. I am still learning to be a better painter, and will likely always do so.”
Kinsella, along with Innisfail's Osi-Cruz Lahtinen, is part of the Wellspring Visual Art Network Association, which is presently holding its eighth annual ArtWalk event in Olds, which runs until Sept. 3.
“Wellspring is not only about promoting art and businesses,” she said. “But it's also about attracting people and encouraging entrepreneurship, creativity, communication and networking, those kinds of things that are appealing to build community.”
As a first-time artist to the event, Kinsella, whose work is on display at the Cocoa Tree Bake Shoppe in Olds, said she's looking forward to seeing how ArtWalk gives local artists exposure they might not normally receive and fosters a sense of community in the region.
“With ArtWalk, the top three artists are chosen and their work is displayed in local businesses,” said Kinsella. “After the top three were chosen, I was not in the group but the owner of the Cocoa Tree Bake Shoppe handpicked my work and now has 17 pieces on display.”
She added most artists receive a small corner to display their work but she has an art show.
The local artist has also illustrated a children's book, I Like Birds, written by P J Peregrine.
“The author found my artwork and asked me to illustrate her story,” said Kinsella. “The book was published in 2013 and I am pleased with the results.”
After ArtWalk ends, the artist is looking to be involved in a Wellspring Visual Art Association show in the fall.
“We are all creative,” said Kinsella. “All we need to do is find our inspiration and voice.”
For more information on ArtWalk or Kinsella, visit http://wellspringvisualartnetwork.com or go to dustineart.com.
