From his panoramic landscapes of Oliver, Osoyoos, and McIntyre Bluff to his delicate closeups of local flora and fauna, Russell Work’s photographs have reflected some of the most iconic images of the South Okanagan. The local photographer is the featured artist in residence at Summer Studio from August 10th – 15th at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.

The exhibit includes both a display of Russell’s graphic art and a demonstration of his digital photo techniques. Visitors to Summer Studio can view a wide selection of local scenes. His specialty is the multi-image panoramic vistas of the South Okanagan featuring Oliver from the Golden Mile hiking trail and Osoyoos from the Anarchist viewpoint. Also on display are “giclee” prints (photographs printed on canvas), which create richly textured images resembling painting techniques. Framed, gicleed, and simple matted prints will all be available for purchase.

Russell will be on hand through the week to demonstrate his skill with camera and computer. From taking the perfect digital photo to manipulating the image with digital software, the photographer is making his expertise available for anyone with a digital camera or photoshop question. Russell encourages visitors to bring their cameras along: “Spend some time having your knowledge increased and your frustrations decreased.”

Kid’s Day activities run Wednesday, August 12th, 10am – 12 noon, and will focus on learning digital photography skills. Children are invited to bring a favorite toy, be it truck, transformer or doll, and try their hand at “light painting”. “If they have a digital camera they can bring it too,” says Russell, “but for those who don’t, I will have all the necessary equipment to complete this fun activity.” All Kids’ Day activities require adult accompaniment.

Russell was born in New Zealand and moved with his wife, Christine to Oliver in 1975. He was hired as a science and maths teacher at Southern Okanagan Secondary School but always had an interest in graphic art. He was responsible for organizing the school year book, and it was through this extra-curricular activity that he developed his passion for photography. In the latter years of teaching, he developed a graphics and photography course that proved popular with the students.

Since his retirement, Russell has had more time to explore and capture the beauty of the Okanagan valley. His hobby has developed into a business, with the creation of Digipic Productions. Russell now makes his services available for hire developing PowerPoint presentations and renting out his digital projector and other equipment. He has also licensed his images for commercial tourism purposes, establishing his own website (www.russellwork.com) for online image purchases. Most recently, Russell joined the Rip Off Artists, a multi-media collective of local artists and is developing his skills in more abstract forms of photographic art.

Summer Studio, a series of weekly displays and demonstrations of local art and craft, opens each week with a public reception on Mondays 6 – 8 p.m. All week long the public can watch artists at work in studio. Exhibits of both works in progress and finished artwork run Tuesdays to Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free Kids’ Day activities are Wednesdays 10 – 12 noon. The SOAP Players display of The Sound of Music costumes and sets continues this week until August 8th. The Quail’s Nest Arts Centre is located at 34274 95th Street. For more information about Summer Studio, call 250-498-0183.

Photo by Penelope Johnson