Robert Amos takes over the conservatory at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel this month and next.
The Oak Bay artist is “in residence” as the first artist in a rotation of three who will share their work with visitors and neighbours at the Beach Drive establishment as part of the annual Artishow Victoria, a program created by Oak Bay Arts Laureate Barbara Adams where hotels and artists collaborate to paint the city in colour and culture. Artists have the opportunity to paint and sculpt in some unique locations and expose their work to new audiences, while visitors and locals alike have a chance to interact and enjoy the results in a comfortable environment.
Recent artist-in-residence appointments for Amos include eight months at the Fairmont Empress and three months at Union Club in Victoria
The historic scenes inside those buildings, for example the lobby of the landmark Union Club building are all a part of his plan.
“It’s part of the project of painting Victoria,” said Amos on his first day filling the conservatory with bright landscapes. “I decided early on, like 1980, that Victoria was my subject. I was going to be the artist that painted Victoria.”
Among his paintings of this seaside city are commissioned works for the University of Victoria, the Empress Hotel and hundreds of happy homeowners.
“I decided to specialize in people’s homes and gardens. It’s something they really love, that’s why they ask (me to paint it),” he said. “I paint on spec all the time, (but with commissions) you know who it’s for and you can tell by the look on their face if you get it right.”
He plans to dab Mt. Baker and the Victoria Golf Club to canvas during his residency.
“I really enjoy painting Mount Baker. This (Oak Bay Beach Hotel) has a fabulous view of Mount Baker,” he said, adding the foreground gardens and pools only enhance the visage.
Through the Artishow Artists in Residence program, visitors can experience the artists in action every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Amos is in residence for June and July. Lifu will be on site for August and Adam Noonan slides in for September.
Visit artishowvictoria.ca to see all artists in residence at hotels across the region.