Louise A. DeGagné is a Vancouver based visual artist. A few new series this year; 'through to stillness', 'colour/ways', 'somehow or other', all quiet different from each other, yet there is much in common. 'through to stillness' - We are inundated by visual and audible noise. Whether it's a distraction, a lack of focus, stress, despair or constant advertisements ‘telling’ us what we need or want in our lives. We are often trying to find stillness in our daily lives, a calm, quiet, slowing of pace. The intention of this work is less of finding an escape and more of creating a time and place, letting there be stillness for a moment. With this series I aim to convey a sense of hope and a sense of calm. By slowing the visual "noise" in the environment the work provides a refuge for the viewer to experience joy and peace. These paintings are minimal yet have depth. The focus comes forward. The subtle movement allows the viewer to stay and sit with the artwork and be in the moment. 'colour/ways' - With these small paintings I am exploring line and colour combinations. In creating these works, I was primarily concerned with how colour and line informed and motivated my movements across the panels. The paintings recall the tangles we create in our complex lives. But these tangles in bright, joyful colours remind us to take a breath and look on our lives with a sense of levity and space While larger paintings may come out of this series, the multiple small canvases create a conversation together. __________ 'somehow or other' - This series ‘somehow or other’ was inspired from walking in neighbourhoods, appreciating gardens, whether it's a small patio garden, a full or sparse yard, a boulevard, or a random plant growing in the crack of a sidewalk. I really appreciate the people working with the space they have, to create visual joy. The paintings are portraits of individual flowers. The scale is a gesture to the sublime perfection of the blossoms.  The chartreuse background draws the eye to the painting and serves to emphasize the flower's place of honour. I am amazed by the ability of plants to flourish in many environments. This is also a reflection of how we persevere, grow and change in all different circumstances of our lives, somehow or other. _________ Louise is drawn to memories and how they inform our perception of the environment around us. Through landscape, abstract, and figurative representation using a range of materials, layers, and textures, her works question and reveal traces of significant memory. These are depicted through the moments, particular objects, and landscapes to which they are associated. Her art practice is influenced by years of work as a scenic artist in theatre, opera, dance, music, and film.