After closing down Sunrise Gallery in Town Centre Mall, award-winning artist Luke Raffin wanted to keep busy. Opening Sunrise Studio for customers requiring professional custom framing or painting lessons was the result.
“A lot of people ask if I am still doing framing,” says Luke. “I am still very active.”
Framing consultations take place by appointment, which enables Luke to focus his attention on each customer without interruption.
“One of the problems with the gallery was it was hard to give one-on-one service with people waiting,” explains Luke. “Now when you make an appointment, it is your time; nobody else is there.”
The more personalized approach allows Luke to provide better service at a time convenient for customers.
All framing materials previously in stock at the gallery are available at the studio. “We have the same quality frames and mats,” says Luke. “Everything is here.”
Luke also offers a limited amount of artwork printing for other artists, depending on the timeframe involved and availability.
For aspiring artists, group classes comprised of six students are available seasonally for beginners or advanced students; one-on-one classes can also be arranged. Students are taught different mediums, from graphite to acrylic.
“Most beginners are surprised by how hard it is initially,” says Luke. “The way I explain it to them is they are pushing and expanding their boundaries; the only way to do that is through hard work.”
Time away from the gallery, and more time in the studio, has been productive for Luke on the creative front, with two new prints completed: Purple Finch and Osprey Family. Both 2016 releases are available for viewing by appointment or at lukeraffin.com.
“The gallery tied up my time so much I had no time to paint, now I have more than one going at once,” says Luke.
A magnolia tree in his front yard was the inspiration for Purple Finch.
“I have to see something before I can paint it,” he explains.
Osprey Family, which Luke started 25 years ago, features a backdrop of Powell Lake with a snag, long since gone from the original location, but now forever captured in print. “Osprey was an old painting I didn’t know how to finish,” says Luke. “I was cleaning up and noticed it in one of my cases.”
Luke says he was going to destroy it years ago, but knew what to do as soon as he looked at it this time. “Instead of pushing it, you have to trust your feelings if you get stuck,” he says. “Put that painting aside and work on another one, so you keep the momentum going.”
Luke compares the situation to writer’s block. “Painting works kind of the same way,” he says. “Back then I didn’t know enough, it was a little complicated to finish because the osprey had to be in a certain spot.”
Completing a painting after all that time “was great; it turned out well,” he says.
All of Luke’s nature-themed prints are available for viewing on the website; pricing and insurance values are also listed. Sunrise Studio also has art cards, miniature versions of each print, available as singles, doubles or triples.
For information about limited-edition prints, framing, classes and printing, or to make an appointment with Luke, call 604.414.8309 or email [email protected].
