If you saw Joannie Hastie at the holiday Portobello West Market you might have noticed her small sign about an artist residency. Two days after the market she was on a plane for Italy. She had quit her job a few months and now she was going to spend a month in Sicily to create a concept, get approval, and then paint a mural in the town of Graniti. The result is 25′ x 11′ wall mural inspired by the countryside (it’s a view that happens to appear in the Godfather movie too).
Her trip is a long time coming. Four years ago Joanne was on the board for the not-for-profit market and talked about one day having a booth. Fast forward and she is successfully selling her art work that features bright, colourful cityscapes that are expressed in simple and quick brush strokes. Finding inspiration in her travels to Whistler, Florence, Paris and her home base Vancouver, Joanne is painting a life for herself as an artist.
The next Portobello West Market happens at the BC Home and Garden Show from February 18 to 22 at BC Place Stadium.