The Jasper Artists Guild is kicking off the 2011 year with a show by local artist Melissa Woodcock, who is fresh off the heels of a two year trip-of-a-lifetime to Thailand where she helped establish the art program at a private school.

Woodcock took inspiration from her home in Jasper and painted abstract landscapes and cloud scenes, while using the tumultuous weather pattern of Bangkok as her muse. 

“Even though it was based in Thailand, it was amazing how much of my Canadiana came out,” she said. “Canada came with me.”

In her roof-top studio, Woodcock was able to watch clouds and storms roll up and over the building, and listened to the advice of her grade-school-aged students. She became inspired by the weather, which served as a profound reminder that life keeps going no matter what. 

“I think the feeling of Bangkok came out in interesting ways,” Woodcock said. “No matter how crazy the weather is, you knew it would pass.”

Each painting has a bit of light in it, to reflect the calm or brightness after a storm.

Woodcock was in Bangkok from 2008 to 2010, and has been back in Canada for the past six months. The paintings of city, sea and mountain-scapes that will be exhibited at the Brushfire Gallery starting on Jan. 7, 2011, were all created in Bangkok over the two years using mixed media. Woodcock started with a base of poured paint and built up each painting using dipped string and oil. 

“There’s definitely a focus on movement,” Woodcock says of the pieces. 

Another element that is clearly featured is mountains, which Woodcock found arose whenever she started longing for Jasper. 

“It’s interesting, whenever I felt homesick I painted mountains,” she said. 

Because her teaching load was fairly light, Woodcock found more time than ever to paint. 

“When I went to Thailand I had so much time, it gave me this chance to just paint,” Woodcock said. “I don’t think many people really get that opportunity.”

The school had 300 students in Grades 7 to 12, and was one of the top three best schools in Thailand. 

“I could have stayed forever,” Woodcock says of the school. But eventually the mountains called her back, and Woodcock helped a friend move into the artist of residence position. “I got things going and sort of passed on the torch.”

Woodcock’s Horizons show will open on Jan. 7. There will be food and beverages, and two musical guests including Sam Heine and DJ G-Frazzle. The art will be displayed until Jan. 24, 2011, through the Jasper in January festivities.