Art
House Beautiful: Eclectic owners fill Central Saanich home with art – Times Colonist
“Eccentric … well, maybe I am, but never, never boring.”
That’s how artist Carolyn Kowalyk describes herself, and it’s the same way one could describe her home, which is as colourful as the woman who lives there, surrounded by art, books and treasures she’s collected on her travels.
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You won’t find any “Live, Laugh and Love” poster art from a big-box store in the artfully curated yet cosy home Kowalyk shares with her partner, Roy Walters.
Kowalyk believes houses should reflect the individuality, culture and history of their inhabitants, as well as showcasing what they love — which the couple’s home does in spades.
“I’ve never lived in a boring house. I’ve always lived in a place with my treasures around. It makes me feel warm,” she says, adding: “I’ll never be bored.”
There’s something magical about the house, which you can sense as soon as you pull up to the driveway and hear what sounds like a river flowing, but is actually wind blowing through a nearby row of trembling aspen trees.
Then there is the house’s unusual colour combination: ochre with green and blue trim. Its original colour was white with brown trim, which Kowalyk repainted soon after moving in 20 years ago with her cat.
Walters, an American scientist she met in New Zealand, joined her two years later. She jokes that it was a good thing Walters wasn’t around initially, lest he object to her exterior colour choices.
The house, which has had additions over the years, is a Second World War-era home that was originally built on the site of what is now Mayfair Mall. It was moved in 1971 to its present location, down a country lane in central Saanich.
When Kowalyk moved to the three-quarters-of-an-acre property, it was overgrown, but the avid gardener immediately set to work to create an enviable garden that has colours blooming practically year-round.
Walters is also a keen gardener who grows much of the couple’s vegetables and tends to the many fruit trees. From the office deck, you could reach out to pluck fruit from the top of one of six apple trees overflowing in the fall with apples. The property also boasts two pear trees and two plum trees.
The couple’s 1,700-square-foot house takes full advantage of the pastoral setting. “Every room here has multiple windows looking out to gorgeous scenes, birds, changing skies,” Kowalyk says.
The main living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, as does a nearby sunroom that leads to a backyard patio. The absence of window treatments allows the homeowners to fully enjoy the home’s park-like setting.
Kowalyk’s favourite room, though, is her light-filled work studio on the lower level, with sliding glass doors that open onto an inviting side-garden patio. While most of the flooring in the house is wood, she installed tiles in the studio for easy clean-up. And when her artist easel was not able to open fully because of the room’s height restriction, Walters took out part of the floor above so the ceiling could could be lifted, even though it meant sacrificing part of his office area.
The office is where Walters’ personal history is most evident, with maps and books like the The Nordic Seas. Above his computer is a wall full of photographs, including a picture of him with buddies on a long hiking excursion and a photo from his days working as a boat captain in Alaska.
Walters also loves art and commissioned New Zealand artist Cheryl Oliver to create a pottery piece of a Viking with his ship, one of many art pieces in the couple’s living room.
“Cheryl made a flag for the ship, one that she thought fitted in with the colour scheme, but Roy insisted on our next trip south that she make a proper Viking flag, an Icelandic one,” says Kowalyk, noting Roy has Icelandic genes.
Kowalyk, who is active in the local arts community, helped to bring Oliver as a guest artist to the Fired Up ceramic-art show in Metchosin in 2016.
Ceramic art is evident throughout the couple’s home — Kowalyk has been an avid collector since the 1960s.
Along a living-room ledge is a ceramic house made by a friend, while another pottery house on the mantle is from an artist in Tasmania, Australia, and a mixed-media house sculpture on sticks with fish below takes centre stage in the dining room. The piece, called Fishhaus, is by Victoria artist Leonard Butt.
“I am an artist, so the walls are filled with my work and that of fellow artists I admire,” she says.
Kowalyk’s studio has paintings on the go as well, beadwork to be turned into jewelry and paper maché sculptures of houses and “chickens with attitudes,” which she has returned to making in recent days.
It’s no surprise that so many of her paper maché art pieces are of homes, since Kowalyk “loves houses” and calls herself a nester by nature.
Everywhere you look in the home there are art pieces and little dioramas that Kowalyk has created. In the sunroom, for instance, she has combined a beloved sailor doll once owned by her father’s great aunt with heart-shaped and circular stones.
At the entrance to their bright kitchen, with open shelves full of bold-coloured Fiesta ware, there are two art pieces on each side with memorable back stories. One is a marionette-type figure called The Birdwatcher that Kowalyk purchased in Mahone Bay, NB, 40 years ago, before the internet made finding artists easy.
She knew about its artist, Kate Bird, and managed to find her “modest little house” and bought the Birdwatcher, which was adorning the artist’s mantle at the time.
The other piece at the kitchen entrance is an Indian magic basket, a quilted art piece that was rescued from Christ Church Cathedral in New Zealand after a devastating earthquake in 2011.
Kowalyk had just visited a friend, who was the artist in residence there, 10 days prior to the earthquake. Her friend was standing at an upper-storey window when the quake struck and plummeted to the basement. Luckily, she survived, as did the artwork now adorning Kowalyk’s wall.
“Everything has a story,” says Kowalyk.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has stopped the couple from travelling overseas, Kowalyk has found some of her more recent “must have” pieces by visiting local auctions.
“I love the hunt and having new treasures,” she says.
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
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