Bio: Vi Darling

My love for art had an early start. My Mom and I cut hearts out of the red tomatoes from the labels off tomato cans to make Valentines for school exchange. The four seasons, gardens, animals, nearby lake, woods, meadow, as I grew up on the farm, instilled a love of nature which has grown over 80+ years! Coloring books, an art class in Normal School, a night High School Art Class on oil painting - free for teachers - all influenced my interest in art.

Photography to capture the beauty of God's creation, old deserted buildings, scenery in our travels to France, Holland, England, across Canada and USA has been a fun pastime and provided material for painting. When I retired from teaching in Toronto when my pastor husband, Richard was called to Nipawin in my home province SK, I joined the Art Club. I tried Watercolour, Acrylic and Pastel media and enjoyed the workshops, shows and sales and working on a town mural.

Since coming to London I was fortunate to be welcomed into the friendly, helpful Brush and Palette, community minded group. The workshops and camaraderie have encouraged my determination to keep striving to find my niche. Professional, talented painters in our group and visiting instructors have helped in my efforts to reach this goal.

I find pleasure in mentoring my grandchildren to enjoy art, donating my paintings to church to raise money for camp and missions, and preparing for our annual Art Show and Sale. All for the joy of it!