Artist Sharilyn McCartie has been visiting Savary Island in the summer since she was five years old. Her mom and dad bought a little piece of paradise on the island in the 1960s, and her dad, Jim Sclaters, also a prolific artist, owns Savary Island Art Studio and Gallery at 1328 Tennyson Road.
"I started painting Savary scenes about 20 years ago; I can’t believe it," said McCartie. "I did my first set of 16 by 20 large pastels when I was attending the Kwantlen College [now called Kwantlen Polytechnic University] fine arts program for my final project."
McCartie said her first pastel creation was of the Savary wharf, which was sold to a family living on the island. She is inspired to capture “moments in time” in her artwork, and loves wandering in tidal pools, beachcombing, hiking tree-lined trails and observing art forms in nature and people. Her newest work in progress is Savary, as seen from a topical map point of view.
"I had a vision to portray Savary in a new way that I haven’t tried before," said McCartie. "The shape of the island is unique, often called a serpent."
She said she envisioned filling the shape with the flora and fauna native to the island.
"[I've filled it] with the plants, sea life, the rarely seen sun star, tide pool finds such as the sand dollars and mussels, and unique trees like the arbutus," said McCartie. "Savary is a treasure chest for all who walk the beaches and treeline paths and I wanted to portray that discovery of unique west coast beach, sea and forest treasures."
For this newest work, she chose pen, ink and watercolour. Most of her other work has been in chalk pastel, oil paints and a little watercolour.
McCartie has been making and selling cards every summer at the weekly market and at the art studio and gallery.
"I bring my art supplies in hope of doing some art, however, now my husband and I bring our three sons who keep us exploring," laughed McCartie. "I take many many photos for reference and my fun project when I get home is to choose a new scene to paint and draw all year."
Her family lives in the Lower Mainland, but will be heading up to the northern Sunshine Coast once again this summer.
"We welcome the public to come by my dad's gallery, right near the sugar shack, where you can get candy, ice cream and homemade ice-cream sandwiches," said McCartie. "I have also been doing photography on Savary and have an Instagram called #bigmeadowphotography.
McCartie's work can also be found on Instagram @artbysharilyn and Facebook @artbysharilyn.
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