Into the Deep featuring original artwork by local artist Cara Roberts opens at Groop Gallery tonight at 7 p.m.
Local bodybuilding artist Cara Roberts started a new chapter in her life in 2009 and let all her creative energy fly free.
She does acrylic on canvas landscapes, portraiture, wildlife, pencil sketches, face and body painting.
Roberts started sketching under the guidance of Betty Kovacic when she was a child, took a break while raising her three children, Tristan, now 17, Riley, 15 and Holden, 8.
Since coming back to her art, she's been testing her skill in a variety of ways.
Roberts used to do hair and make up for Jessica Novak, a well-known local body builder, at competitions and was inspired to join the body-building world. Roberts' first show was in 2011 in Fort St. John and she took first place. In 2012 she went to the BC championships and made it to nationals and this year won the provincial competition in the masters division for those 35 and older and placed second place in the open class for all ages.
"That was mind blowing," said Roberts, 36.
To reconcile the two worlds of art and sports can mystify people when they find out there are two sides to Roberts.
"I am a sore thumb everywhere because I am not only an artist in my sport - because that's strange, but I am also an athlete in art so in both worlds I am a square peg," she laughed.
The variety of art she explores can be mind-boggling.
"Can you imagine what it's like in my brain?" Roberts asked. "You can imagine how hard it is for me to sleep. It's a real double-edged sword because I wish I could focus on one thing and develop it. But I get really, really bored very easily and I love to challenge myself. And even when it comes to my show and the work I'm showing, I don't think I've done a lot of things twice."
The root of her work, she said, is to always be learning and constantly challenge herself.
Roberts has a studio in her home now and teaches from there, while coaching body builders, training for future competitions and raising her three children.
Roberts' vision for Into the Deep, her first ever exhibit and lifelong dream, was an aquarium theme.
"It came to me in a dream and it's evolved over the last year, so when I was done competing in body building in June, I threw myself Into the Deep," said Roberts. "It comes in waves, where I throw myself into body building and then art and so it's been very challenging to get the art for the show completed over the last few months."
Into the Deep is at Groop Gallery, 1127 Third Ave. The artist talk begins at 7:30, and refreshments will be available. The exhibit will close at the end of November.
