A series of paintings dubbed Sundre Girls by the local artist who created them is on display at the local library until early next month.
“There are some exceptional girls,” said Laara Cassells, who lives northeast of Sundre.
The series of six paintings featured in the exhibit at the Sundre Municipal Library comes from a larger series called Becoming, said Cassells.
The idea arose when the artist was painting a portrait of a girl who had just turned 13, on the cusp of the transition to becoming a young woman while still not yet preoccupied with makeup and boys, she said.
The portraits are large, four-foot-tall canvas acrylic paintings, and the first few pieces she created in that series were girls in white, often posed near a window appearing pensive.
Karlee Tetz is one of six young women featured in a series of paintings called Sundre Girls, which were created by local artist Laara Cassells.
“Then, I got a little bit of the idea that there could be more to their story,” she said.
One such portrait features a young girl with teacups behind her as she gazes out the window, looking far beyond the boundaries of domestic life and pondering about all of the possibilities in her future such as pursuing post-secondary education, she said.
The paintings also portray a variety of moods from goofy to gloomy, she added.
The artist also wanted to showcase powerful young women, with a focus on those who have been successful in a range of endeavours from sports to music, she said.
After putting out an ad to see whether any girls might be interested in modelling for the series, Cassells said about half a dozen mothers contacted her to provide information about their daughters, who turned out to be outstanding young women full to the brim with potential.
“These girls really were exceptionally focused and at the top of their league.”
Megan Weiss is among six local young women featured in the
Over the past couple of years, photo shoots of the subjects provided reference pictures for the paintings, resulting in the series of six portraits now on display at the library, she said, praising Sundre’s remarkably talented girls.
“As the series develops, I find more meaning with each painting,” she said.
“I enjoy how the process develops, and how the ideas develop and grow as a series. That’s fun for me.”
When asked what she enjoys most about the creative process and what keeps her motivated to continue painting, Cassells said she relishes the opportunity to always keep learning something new.
“That’s lovely for me. I don’t find it ever static,” she added.
Whether a subject’s hair or a reflection in the image, every painting presents a new element that creates a unique hurdle to surmount, she said.
“I love the challenge,” she said.
“For me, it is a passion.”
In fact, parting from her studio for any extended period of time, including so much as just a few days, generates an anxious sense of withdrawal and longing, she said with a laugh.
“I get antsy if I’m not painting!”
Her Sundre Girls exhibition launched Wednesday, April 10 at the library with a presentation about her work. The series will remain on display until May 3.
Cassells was glad to have some space available at the library to showcase her series, especially since the girls featured are local. Many of the parents have several children, and are often busy driving them to different activities, she said.
“If I had the show in Calgary, most of the parents here wouldn’t be able to go.”
The artist remains receptive to new commissions, and welcomes inquiries from local parents who would like a painting of their children.
Cassells last featured an exhibit at the local library in 2017, with a series called _After, which juxtaposed a modern element in a portrait depicting the more traditional style of the Old Masters.
Visit www.laaracassells.com to see her work.
