Artistic calling

Murielle Horsman left the world of interior design to pursue a life as an artist.

The 60-year-old painter from Quebec decided she wanted to change her career path and started painting professionally about six years ago. Most of her work focused on landscape although she has painted in other subjects such as flowers and some abstract art.

She said it was the colours that drew her to being a painter.

“It was seamless from interior design to being a painter,” Horsman said. “I took a course at Confederation College and then I went to Lakehead University and then I got into water colour. I can draw but I just prefer to play with the paint. I like to play with colour. I really like the aspect of colour.”

She volunteered to help promote the Local Colour Art Gallery at the eighth annual Central Canada Outdoor Show. The three-day event, which started on Friday, had more than a hundred exhibits on display at the Sports Dome and on the CLE grounds. The art gallery was one of the newer exhibits on display.

Horsman said it was a great opportunity for not only the art gallery but also local artists to be a part of the outdoor show.

“This is really, really exciting,” she said. “A lot of people have come through. We promote the gallery you don’t promote yourself. You do that so more people come in and everyone gets a chance to sell their art.”

She added she will have a show of her art in Kapuskasing, Ont. from April 9 to May 9.

Nancy Milani, show manager, said they have seen an increase in attendance compared to last year and expected by the end of the week to see about 15,000 people. She said the show has grown since it was first introduced with more emphasis on hunting and fishing.

She said they have worked hard to change the show over the years.

“We’re adapting more to the different outdoor activities out there,” Milani said. “The outdoors is Thunder Bay. Hunting and fishing isn’t for everybody so it’s important to address everyone’s interests here. We live in the best part of the country and it’s important that we address everyone’s needs.”

The outdoor show runs until Sunday and wraps up around 4 p.m. Admission is $5 and children 12 and under are free.

Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter @Labine_reporter