October 6th | 10:00 - 2:30
Discover the beauty and versatility of oil painting in this enjoyable, hands-on workshop with acclaimed artist Colleen J. Dyson. Designed for beginner to intermediate painters, Colleen will guide you through essential techniques while encouraging exploration, confidence, and creativity in a relaxed studio setting.
With a maximum of 12 students, this small-group workshop ensures plenty of individual attention and support. Participants will learn engaging techniques such as wiping out and dribbles, adding expressive interest, texture, and movement to their paintings. Along the way, you’ll also explore colour mixing, brushwork, composition, and how to achieve the rich, luminous effects that make oil painting such a rewarding medium.
With personalized instruction and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll create your own painting while discovering new ways to loosen up and enjoy the process.
Come prepared to learn, experiment, and have fun as you develop your artistic skills and discover why oil painting has inspired artists for centuries.
Supplies to Bring
● Brushes you usually use
● Table easel (optional)
● Your preferred size canvas that will fit on a table easel and has been gessoed
● Brush container
● Paper towels (blue shop towels are best)
● Apron
● Medium (Liquin Original or Gamblin’s Solvent-Free Gel)
● Thinners (Gamblin’s Gamsol, odourless mineral spirits, or Eco Orange Thinner from Opus)
Suggested Paint Colours
Colleen’s preferred palette includes:
● Yellows: Cadmium Yellow or Hansa Yellow Medium, Yellow Ochre
● Reds: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light
● Blues: Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Indanthrone Blue
● Complementary Colours: Dioxazine Purple, Cadmium Orange (Deep), Viridian Green
● Neutrals: Black and White
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these colours. Please bring the oil paints you already own—there’s no need to purchase a whole new palette. Colleen will help you work with the colours you have, making this workshop accessible and enjoyable without the added expense.
Coffee and Tea will be provided. Please bring along a snack
All fees are non refundable
COLLEEN J DYSON AFCA SCA BIOGRAPHY
Being born and raised in the heart of the Okanagan Valley has offered Colleen many areas of inspiration. Her technique is still evolving. Painting realism for the first few years and earning a few awards was inspiring, but the need to push and grow was overwhelming for her at times. Changing her medium to oils at this time was very beneficial and she has never looked back.
Her travels to Costa Rica and the Canadian West Coast have inspired her to step out of her comfort zone completely. Initially painting Still Life and Florals, she is now on to boats, seascapes, vineyards, and water-ways. She and her work are works-in-progress and will be for some time as she works to bring her new favourite big brushes to her painting style. These aren’t mere “pictures”: they are moments in time, short-lived and ephemeral. But once apprehended into an impassioned painting, able to be revisited and relived on demand. Mentoring classes and teaching various workshops have added another element to her craft.
Colleen holds memberships in several art organizations and heads up a local art group. Her work can be found on numerous online Art Societies as well as in private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, and has been featured in a variety of publications.
AWARDS
2025
- Honourable Mention, OASIS Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
2024
- First Prize, NOFCA Regional Show, ASMAG, Armstrong, BC, June
2023
- First Prize, COC Everything Under the Sun Show, Grizzli Gallery, West Kelowna, BC, June
- Honourable Mention,TNSC Regional Show, Kamloops, BC, Apr
- Award of Merit, Floral Show, Contemporary Art Room Online Gallery, Jan
2022
- Award of Excellence, COC Ode to Spring Show, West Kelowna, BC, Feb
- Honourable Mention, First People’s Choice, TSNC Regional Show, Kamloops, BC, April
- Award of Excellence, OASIS Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
2021
- Best Cityscape, COC OASIS Show, Peachland, BC, July
- First Place, TNSC Regional Show, Kamloops, BC, April
SELECT JURIED SHOWS
2024
- COC OASIS Regional Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
- TNSC Regionoal Show, Courthouse Gallery, Kamloops, BC, April
2023
- Contemporary Art Room Online gallery, Floral Show, Jan
2022
- KPSS Group Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, Jan 29 - Mar 13
- COC Ode to Spring Show, Grizzli Winery, West Kelowna, BC, Feb 28 - Mar 29
- COC OASIS Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
- Artwalk 2022, Grenda Middle School gym, Lake country, BC, September
2021
- TNSC Regional Show, Courthouse Gallery, Kamloops, BC, April 13 - 24
- COC OASIS Regional Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, June 26 - July 31
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
“My work revolves around a deep interest in light and color, exploring how light interacts with shapes, creates patterns, and sets a mood. I am inspired by the contrast between dark and light, the gentle diffusion of light that reveals subtle shades, and the tension between harmonious and contrasting colours.
I start by simplifying a photograph to its basic values, then push the limits of light to heighten the scene's drama. Through this approach, I aim to create art that grabs attention and speaks to the soul, offering viewers a glimpse into a world of vivid lights, intriguing shadows, and the curiosity of what’s around the next corner.
Contact the artist: cjdyson@shaw.ca
or
October 6th | 10:00 - 2:30
Discover the beauty and versatility of oil painting in this enjoyable, hands-on workshop with acclaimed artist Colleen J. Dyson. Designed for beginner to intermediate painters, Colleen will guide you through essential techniques while encouraging exploration, confidence, and creativity in a relaxed studio setting.
With a maximum of 12 students, this small-group workshop ensures plenty of individual attention and support. Participants will learn engaging techniques such as wiping out and dribbles, adding expressive interest, texture, and movement to their paintings. Along the way, you’ll also explore colour mixing, brushwork, composition, and how to achieve the rich, luminous effects that make oil painting such a rewarding medium.
With personalized instruction and a supportive atmosphere, you’ll create your own painting while discovering new ways to loosen up and enjoy the process.
Come prepared to learn, experiment, and have fun as you develop your artistic skills and discover why oil painting has inspired artists for centuries.
Supplies to Bring
● Brushes you usually use
● Table easel (optional)
● Your preferred size canvas that will fit on a table easel and has been gessoed
● Brush container
● Paper towels (blue shop towels are best)
● Apron
● Medium (Liquin Original or Gamblin’s Solvent-Free Gel)
● Thinners (Gamblin’s Gamsol, odourless mineral spirits, or Eco Orange Thinner from Opus)
Suggested Paint Colours
Colleen’s preferred palette includes:
● Yellows: Cadmium Yellow or Hansa Yellow Medium, Yellow Ochre
● Reds: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light
● Blues: Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Indanthrone Blue
● Complementary Colours: Dioxazine Purple, Cadmium Orange (Deep), Viridian Green
● Neutrals: Black and White
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these colours. Please bring the oil paints you already own—there’s no need to purchase a whole new palette. Colleen will help you work with the colours you have, making this workshop accessible and enjoyable without the added expense.
Coffee and Tea will be provided. Please bring along a snack
All fees are non refundable
COLLEEN J DYSON AFCA SCA BIOGRAPHY
Being born and raised in the heart of the Okanagan Valley has offered Colleen many areas of inspiration. Her technique is still evolving. Painting realism for the first few years and earning a few awards was inspiring, but the need to push and grow was overwhelming for her at times. Changing her medium to oils at this time was very beneficial and she has never looked back.
Her travels to Costa Rica and the Canadian West Coast have inspired her to step out of her comfort zone completely. Initially painting Still Life and Florals, she is now on to boats, seascapes, vineyards, and water-ways. She and her work are works-in-progress and will be for some time as she works to bring her new favourite big brushes to her painting style. These aren’t mere “pictures”: they are moments in time, short-lived and ephemeral. But once apprehended into an impassioned painting, able to be revisited and relived on demand. Mentoring classes and teaching various workshops have added another element to her craft.
Colleen holds memberships in several art organizations and heads up a local art group. Her work can be found on numerous online Art Societies as well as in private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, and has been featured in a variety of publications.
AWARDS
2025
- Honourable Mention, OASIS Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
2024
- First Prize, NOFCA Regional Show, ASMAG, Armstrong, BC, June
2023
- First Prize, COC Everything Under the Sun Show, Grizzli Gallery, West Kelowna, BC, June
- Honourable Mention,TNSC Regional Show, Kamloops, BC, Apr
- Award of Merit, Floral Show, Contemporary Art Room Online Gallery, Jan
2022
- Award of Excellence, COC Ode to Spring Show, West Kelowna, BC, Feb
- Honourable Mention, First People’s Choice, TSNC Regional Show, Kamloops, BC, April
- Award of Excellence, OASIS Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
2021
- Best Cityscape, COC OASIS Show, Peachland, BC, July
- First Place, TNSC Regional Show, Kamloops, BC, April
SELECT JURIED SHOWS
2024
- COC OASIS Regional Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
- TNSC Regionoal Show, Courthouse Gallery, Kamloops, BC, April
2023
- Contemporary Art Room Online gallery, Floral Show, Jan
2022
- KPSS Group Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, Jan 29 - Mar 13
- COC Ode to Spring Show, Grizzli Winery, West Kelowna, BC, Feb 28 - Mar 29
- COC OASIS Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, July
- Artwalk 2022, Grenda Middle School gym, Lake country, BC, September
2021
- TNSC Regional Show, Courthouse Gallery, Kamloops, BC, April 13 - 24
- COC OASIS Regional Show, Peachland Art Gallery, Peachland, BC, June 26 - July 31
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
“My work revolves around a deep interest in light and color, exploring how light interacts with shapes, creates patterns, and sets a mood. I am inspired by the contrast between dark and light, the gentle diffusion of light that reveals subtle shades, and the tension between harmonious and contrasting colours.
I start by simplifying a photograph to its basic values, then push the limits of light to heighten the scene's drama. Through this approach, I aim to create art that grabs attention and speaks to the soul, offering viewers a glimpse into a world of vivid lights, intriguing shadows, and the curiosity of what’s around the next corner.
Contact the artist: cjdyson@shaw.ca
or
