Marleen Vermeulen received most of her art education in the Netherlands where she was born. She is a graduate of the Design Academy in Eindhoven and the Academy of Fine Arts in Utrecht.

In the ‘80s and early ‘90s Vermeulen enjoyed an extensive international and award-winning career in graphic design before settling on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia in 1994. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Pacific West Coast, she chose to focus on her art in the form of a series of oversized oil paint canvases. The sheer scale of the canvases and texture of the oil paint amplifies the effect of natural expanse:

“Where I live, on the Sunshine Coast in the Pacific Northwest, I am surrounded by nature and I am ever-present to an overwhelming sense of space. Every single day I am aware of the true greatness, openness and beauty when I view the ocean and North Shore Mountains, or on my kayak trips and daily runs through the West Coast rainforest. This awareness creates serenity in me, the space I need from the busyness of life to find myself.”•

Opening reception with the artist in attendance
Thursday, May 27, 2010, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Gallery Hours: Tue–Sat 10:30–5:30, Sun 12–5
Phone: 604-736-5444
Exhibitions on-line: kurbatoffgallery.com



Photo Courtesy of www.kurbatoffgallery.com