Comox photographer Darrell Joan Tomkins is presenting an exhibition of her art at the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox from Jan. 27 to Feb. 15.
Surprised by Joy includes various styles of photography, including macro, abstract, nature and landscape images, as well as hand-drawn works and hand-pulled serigraph prints.
Tomkins has explored the medium of photography for more than 45 years travelling around the world with a Fujica 35 mm camera and for 35 years as a scientist studying the shapes and colours of chromosomes with a photomicroscope as a laboratory director and medical geneticist at the University of Alberta.
“Both fields involve shapes and colours, which have always fascinated me,” says Tomkins. “When I was a little girl I had a microscope and ran around looking at everything.”
Early retirement allowed Tomkins to attend the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon from 2004-2005, and to obtain a Fine Arts Diploma from North Island College in 2010. She now works exclusively with digital cameras, including full-frame, point-and-shoot and sports (underwater and shock-proof) cameras.
“The Pearl Ellis exhibit is a selection of images inspired by the beauty of found moments that surprised and transformed me and that will hopefully move the viewer, as well,” says Tomkins. “Most of the photographs have been made since I moved to Comox in 2006. Even after eight years, I continue to be surprised by the joy to be found in the natural beauty of the Comox Valley.”
The gallery is located at 1729 Comox Ave. in Comox. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pearl Ellis Gallery. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. FMI go to www.pearlellisgallery.com.