Published: August 31, 2010

When artist Patricia Peters was driving by a ranch in the Nicola Valley one evening, the light was perfect and she suddenly saw a scene she just had to paint.

The grass was a brilliant scarlet, as though Nature herself had used a broad brush to dash a stroke of colour along the ground.

She slammed on her brakes and stopped her Jeep right in the middle of the highway.

She needed to capture the excitement of the scene presented so boldly before her.

Fortunately, Peters had her tools with her and was able to get a good idea of what she saw with a sketchpad and camera.

Later, she recreated it in a painting called Where the Red Grass Grows.

Peters used to live in the Shuswap area and visited Merritt regularly to capture the beautiful scenery around here in acrylic and watercolour.

Driving through, she would often see a particularly striking scene near Nicola Lake or along the hills of nearby ranch land, stop, and take note.

“It particularly appealed to me; the roll of the hills, the land, everything,” she said.

“The Nicola Valley is just uncluttered. I don’t know, the rawness of the land, it is still so beautiful.”

Today, Peters lives in Grand Prairie, Alb., but still comes to Merritt to find inspiration for her art.

For the first time, her work is being showcased at the Courthouse Gallery at the Olde Courthouse Arts Centre on Nicola Avenue, from Sept. 3 to 25.

Gallery curator Kathi Dalquist-Gray said it will be great to have Peters’ work shown here since so much of her work is of the local scenery.

“She’s a real craftsperson when it comes to laying her paint,” she said. “I’m trying to get different [artists] coming into the gallery here, than what has been here in the past, and she’s definitely one of them.”

A pubic reception will be held on Sept. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and everyone is welcome to come and meet the artist.

She is looking forward to meeting the residents, herself.

“I hope people come down and have a look,” she said. “I’d love to hear their reaction.”

For those who would like to take a class with her, Peters is also offering a two-day workshop for Merritt residents on Sept. 18 and 19.

For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Kathi Dalquist-Gray, curator of the art gallery, at 250-378-6515.

The art gallery is open Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Peters’ paintings can also be seen on her blog, http://freshpaintstudio.blogspot.com.