A local artist known for up close and personal depiction of western life presents a solo exhibition of her work Wednesday.
An Evening of Lesley White Original Western Art opens at Direct Art, 1650 Queensway Avenue, Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
White, who has lived in Prince George off and on for most of her life and most recently has lived here for 20 consecutive years, said she prefers to work in oil paint for the detail she can achieve using that medium.
White typically works from the hundreds of photos she takes at interesting locations. She focuses on what she likes best and creates artwork using a compilation of a variety of different images, taking elements from each to get the look she's after.
In the beginning of White's career she painted all sorts of subjects.
"I painted anything and everything, including abstracts and landscapes, but it just evolved into the Western genre because when I worked on those pieces that's when I felt most connected to my subject," said White.
She used to spend a lot time on her grandparents' Manitoba ranch.
"It's the people and animals that are connected with the subject [Western theme] that I love," said White. "So when I'm working I really feel more when I am painting in that theme and I believe that shows up in my work."
Sometimes White will have an idea and set up a photo shoot with a friend or family member as the model to get the image she's looking for, she said.
White has been painting for about 20 years and said not much has changed about her work except the quality.
"With anything you improve over time," said White. "My style hasn't really changed. I'm still in love with the Western style -- bold subjects, strong colour -- and I love details."
White said she also loves the way people react to her paintings.
"When a viewer connects to a painting, where they will say 'That looks like my ranch' or 'That looks like my horse' or 'That takes me back to my rodeo days,' then vicariously they connect with me, too," said White. "So there this line from the viewer to the painting to me and that's kind of cool."
Join White at Direct Art, 1650 Queensway Avenue, Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
