While relevant formal education is very useful for someone wanting a career as an artist, it isn't always necessary—as Cassie Dickinson proves.
Dickinson loves art, but never went through with any kind of post-secondary fine arts training. In fact, she earned a health sciences degree out of a pragmatic belief painting wouldn't pay the bills. Then the Orangeville, Ont. native visited Whistler, fell in love with the region, and allowed her life to take something of a left turn.
Moving to the Sea to Sky in 2022 ended a two-odd year creative hiatus in Dickinson's life. She picked up a paintbrush again to recreate a photo taken while skiing and spent a few months knocking off the rust. Then she found her groove again.
"I saw the opportunity in Whistler for art, with a strong community here supporting the arts and so many beautiful galleries that are inspiring," says Dickinson.
The Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC) became her gateway. Friends introduced her to Stephen Vogler, the facility's director, and he granted her a shared studio space at an affordable cost. An ill-timed ankle injury forced Dickinson to hobble up and down the PARC's tall staircase on crutches when she first moved in, but before long she started to feel at home.
Sea to Sky landscapes represent a goldmine of stimulus for the artistically-minded, and Dickinson happens to love painting nature. It's an enthusiasm she hopes will rub off on others during her "Paint & Sip" nights at the PARC: a series of wine-and-art sessions catered to folks of all backgrounds.
Almost meditative
Dickinson taught her first round of classes in August 2023 with Vogler's endorsement. Local feedback was immediately positive.
"Some people sign up with friends, some sign up just by themselves," Dickinson recalls. "We have people from all walks of life, really: people who've lived in Whistler for 30 years, people who are here for a season, and everybody gets to know each other a little bit … which is something I love.
"Everyone here is in Whistler because they love the mountains in some way, shape or form, and I think that having the opportunity to paint landscapes is cool because people are always so immersed in their painting process. Usually I'm talking a lot [in class] because they're so quiet and focused, and it's not until the end where we start having big conversations. Painting seems to be an almost-meditative thing for everybody, not just for those like myself who paint all the time."
A glass of wine can certainly help set the mood. Some may joke that they need one or two in order to paint better (or lower their inhibitions enough that they're willing to try), while others are free to choose a nonalcoholic option. Either way, Dickinson thinks the combination of art-making and quality beverages fosters a pleasant social environment.
'Always very encouraging'
Dickinson is gaining some solid teaching experience, having helmed children's art classes and paint-and-wine nights at the Four Seasons Resort before. There she has the opportunity to meet people from around the world and direct them to local art hot spots like the PARC, Audain Art Museum or Maury Young Arts Centre. Eventually, she aspires to build her own repertoire and pitch it for display in venues such as those.
Many who stop by for a Paint & Sip don't have such lofty goals, but Dickinson wants to positively impact each of her students regardless.
"I'm always very encouraging with people, reminding them that if somebody can do it, you can do it," she says. "[You may be] in the learning stage, but you're probably going to be a little bit better in the sense that you'll create something unique—you don't have all these guidelines in your head like I do.
"I have an established style or pattern that I follow subconsciously when I'm painting, whereas people who don't paint have this [unburdened] approach. They can create something really cool because they're not held back by [rules]. There's no restrictions on who can paint … it's a really great thing to get out of your head, away from technology and all the other things we spend our time on. Part of it is just believing that you can achieve something with painting."
Dickinson brings up the Group of Seven as an example. Anybody can diverge from photorealism, as those famous Canadians did, to render parts of nature in a more abstract or liberal way. Nothing has to be exactly perfect—though that notion may be a challenge for perfectionists to internalize.
Therefore, Dickinson tries to channel Bob Ross in the way she facilitates each class: being as relaxed and uplifting as possible. She is frequently amazed by what beginners can make, anytime they have the courage to try.
The winter's remaining Paint & Sip nights take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 24 at the PARC. Find more details here.
