~ By Sylvia Holt of The Chemainus Writers
Turning the last page
of Sylvia Verity's huge
scrapbook of memorabilia,
spanning over forty years
as a professional artist, I turned to her in awe.
This petite, soft-spoken woman has accomplished
more by far than most of us dream of, and she is
a long way from laying down her brushes yet. I
gushed some words of genuine admiration and she
responded with a quiet, "Thank you, would you
like a tea or coffee?"
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| Sylvia Verity |
When I arrived at the flower festooned entry
to "Wormlight Studio Gallery" on Beach Drive
in Chemainus, I didn't know what to expect. The lavish garden suggested someone meticulous, gentle - and
this lady was all that and more. "I love gardening", Sylvia told me later, "I find that everywhere I look, there is
God." And that, I saw, was the very foundation of much of the art that filled her studio and home. Although
not religious, Sylvia’s connection to a higher realm is evident in the ethereal qualities of her paintings, especially
those of nature. Her work has been recognized and commissioned by a very impressive and international list of
admirers, including royalty, and can be found in collections all over the world. She is also a master of lino block,
silk screen, foil, calligraphy, and, as everyone in Chemainus knows, murals. Sylvia painted the splendid old
sawmill that stands behind the park’s waterwheel. Merritt and Burnaby also boast murals done by Sylvia Verity.
My guided tour eventually led me to the dining room of Sylvia and husband, Russ's charming home where
we were joined by Happy, one of their five loved and pampered cats. Happy curled up by Sylvia and laid his
head on her extended hand. I would have been introduced to Taffy, Sophie, Ollie and Lucky as well, but they
were napping. Three pooches also share this wonderful home: Snuffles, Gracie, and Benjie. Absently stroking
Happy's ears, Sylvia shared a little of her family story with me. She has four children, including twin boys, two grandchildren and
three step-grandchildren. Sylvia was born in North Vancouver, the only child of British parents, "but", she assured me, "I was not
spoiled, not at all". As a child she was taught music and played both violin and piano but "hated those exams". Her grade two
teacher told her parents she would one day be an artist. That was very prophetic for, as Sylvia said, "I never planned anything
else".
Just when you think she could not have squeezed one more accomplishment into her prolific career, you find she is also the
author of two books of poetry. My interview ended as it had begun – in awe. It was a privilege and a pleasure to meet such an
accomplished woman as Sylvia Verity
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