Wild Abandon

A Joyful Opening Reception

Saturday’s uncharacteristic winter warmth prompted me to do something reckless—I put on high-heeled boots. At my age this was a lapse of memory, or perhaps sheer defiance. Either way, it felt fitting for the opening of Wild Abandon, an exhibition that embraces boldness, freedom, and, well… a little risk-taking joie de vivre.

The opening receptions Saturday were a lively affair, made even more dynamic by the energy of multiple art exhibitions open downtown. Art lovers dashed between venues, soaking in a variety of creative expressions. One of my personal highlights was the deeply moving exhibition at Trianon Gallery, where Marjie Crop Eared Wolf showcased her work alongside that of her late father, Jesse Seymour. The reception included samplings of Indigenous foods—Berry Soup, Fry Bread, and Jerky—adding another layer of richness to the experience.

At Casa, visitors engaged with my work, some drawn to the textures, others to the vibrant, expressive style and colours of the wildflowers. Wild Abandon was born during the Covid lockdown—a time of constraint, yet one that offered me the space to experiment with oil paint in new ways. Working on solid panels, I explored a range of textures and techniques, pushing the boundaries of expressionism while keeping a connection to the natural world. I’ve painted wildflowers for years, captivated by their intricate forms, and they became the perfect subject for this exploration.

To add a little extra fun to the exhibition, I’m hosting a giveaway that runs until the end of the show! Visitors have the chance to win a 10” x 10” painting from Wild Abandon.

Wild Abandon will be on display at Casa Galleries until March 21. If you haven’t seen it yet, I hope you’ll drop by and experience the energy of these paintings in person. And if you do, let me know—I’ll be somewhere in sensible shoes.

Yellow Columbine by Bev Mazurick
Yellow Columbine, mixed media oil on cradled wood panel, 10″ x 10″

How to Win a Painting!

I’m thrilled to announce a special giveaway of a painting of your choice among the eight, 10 x 10” paintings in my Wild Abandon exhibition, which celebrates creativity, playful experimentation, and the simple love of art and nature. The exhibition continues until March 21, 2025.
Here’s how to enter:
• Visit the exhibition in person at Casa, 230 8th Street South, Lethbridge, AB. Explore the show and find a piece that speaks to you!
• Take a selfie at the exhibition. Get creative—pose with your favourite.
• Email me at bevmazurick@gmail.com with:
o Your selfie from the exhibition (This is your proof of entry! Photos will not be shared or used unless you win and provide express, written permission. All email entries will be deleted after the giveaway ends.)
o The title of your favourite 10” x 10” painting.
o A short explanation of why it resonated with you.
Important Details:
• Entries close on March 21, 2025, at 4:00 pm.
• The winner will be chosen based on their connection to the piece. What made it stand out for you? (Pro tip: “It matches my couch” is not a winning answer!)
• The winner will be announced on March 21, 2025, after 6:00 pm.
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and reflections on the series! Each piece has its own story, and I’d love to know which one captured your imagination.
Thank you for visiting, and good luck!

Opening Reception for Wild Abandon at Casa
Opening reception for Wild Abandon, January 2025, photo by Elaine Mazurick

Expressive Wildflowers

I have painted representational wildflowers most of my life, usually delicately rendered in transparent acrylic or watercolour—often on fabric, later sewn as fine craft. This Spring I chose wildflowers as subjects for an entirely new series of heavily textured, highly expressive, mixed media oil paintings.  These explosions of colour and texture are fun to create and likely a reaction to this artist’s pandemic stress. Several of them are now for sale at the Crowsnest Pass Gallery gift shop.  Crowsnest Pass Gallery, if you are not familiar with it is located on Highway 3 in Frank, Alberta, just a klik or two west of Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. It is a lovely gallery space and one of the public galleries that hosted my first solo exhibition while it was on tour.  Here is a link to their website. https://www.crowsnestpasspublicartgallery.com/

A link to my new image gallery of Expressive Wildflowers on this website is also here if you would like a quick look. https://bevmazurick.com/portfolio/paintings/nggallery/landscape-portfolio/expressive-wildflowers