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Acrylics artist Ponting returns to Zo

Her presentation of 24 paintings includes several recently completed pieces not previously exhibited.
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MARTHA PONTING'S INTUITION is among 24 paintings that will hang at the Zocalo until Feb. 3.

Still excited by an exhilarating 2012, Comox Valley acrylics artist Martha Ponting returns to the Zocalo Café for a four-week exhibition.

Her presentation of 24 paintings includes several recently completed pieces not previously exhibited.

Last year was a truly memorable one for the artist.

After enduring makeshift studio arrangements for most of her still-young career, in November Ponting moved into her own custom-designed studio attached to her Courtenay home.

With its garden setting, ample space, and abundance of natural light, the studio has been not only a workspace but even a source of inspiration for some works such as her newest piece, The Key. It and some of her other recent works, such as Reflections of Time, symbolically address the theme of gratitude.

The artist’s choices for the Zocalo exhibition include an eclectic array ranging from the above highly symbolic pieces through floral stills and playful canvases (Chorus Line) to realistic landscapes inspired by scenes from her recent explorations on Vancouver Island, in the Banff area, and in rural Ontario.

Many of her other paintings in this exhibit focus on trees, branches, and even kelp, all of which reflect the closeness to nature Ponting feels.

Ponting has continued to experiment with new media.

For instance, three paintings depicting ivy use acrylic on canvas, after which the work is covered in plaster that is partially sanded off to reveal parts of the colour and form beneath. These and her other works can be previewed at her website at marthaponting.shawwebspace.ca.

The Ponting exhibition will be on display at the Zocalo until Feb. 3.  Located at the corner of Fifth Street and Cliff Avenue, Zocalo is open daily and offers great food and fine music, for which the menus and schedule can be found at www.zocalocafe.ca.

For further information about Ponting, visit http://marthaponting.shawwebspace.ca.

— Martha Ponting