Marjorie Turnbull has been artist her entire life.
As a child growing up in the Prairies, she primarily drew flowers in pastel for her mother's friends.
But it wasn't until she won a scholarship to attend the Banff School of Fine Arts that she got a taste for innovative and new concepts with design.
Later, Turnbull studied visual art and printmaking at the universities of Alberta and Saskatchewan as her engineer husband got transferred around for his job.
And it was finally at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver where she obtained her degree in printmaking in the 1990s.
Now, a signature member and a past president of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Turnbull has carved quite an idyllic life for herself: she teaches students from her Coquitlam home studio and, every week, a seniors' group at the Wilson Centre in Port Coquitlam.
Occasionally, she is called for commissions and to demonstrate her skills for art clubs around the Lower Mainland.
Turnbull works on her craft nearly every day, stopping mid-morning for a cup of joe with her husband.
And her acrylic and oil work - much of it brightly coloured with deep purples, reds and yellows - decorate their home.
Her originals (she does not do reproductions) are also found in private and corporate collections around the world.
Turnbull likes that her work is widely exhibited as she is also a keen traveller. Her digital snaps from around Canada and Europe are regularly interpreted with her paint brush and othercreative methods: scenes from the south of France, the Bow River in Calgary and Saltspring Island, to name a few.
The images she tends to capture are of flowers, buildings, pathways and boats. "People love boats," she says while gazing at a picture from Ucluelet, on Vancouver Island. "I love the reflection of the water."
Next week, four of Turnbull's paintings will be up for sale at the 47th annual show of the Port Moody Art Association, a 100-strong group she has been with for about two decades and whose members chose Turnbull's work to be featured on this year's promotional cover.
Described as the biggest art show of the year in the Tri-Cities, the PMAA event draws thousands of art lovers and collectors through the doors over the weekend, many of them looking for a good price for an original piece.
Turnbull said the selection from the participating artists - most of whom will be in attendance - is varied; there are also framed and unframed works as well as cards.
"We are a group of artists who are dedicated to our profession," Turnbull said, "and we always put on a good show for the public."
The Port Moody Art Association opens its 47th annual exhibition and sale on Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.). The event continues on Nov. 8 and 9 from 10 to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served and parking is free. Visit myartclub.com/group.php?c_no=3 for more.
@jwarrenTC
