At every 2012-13 performance on its arts calendar, the Lakes District Arts Council invites a guest artist to set-up a display in the venue鈥檚 lobby. The artist chosen is someone with a local or regional connection.

Last week, Leonard Matte was on hand in the lobby of the First Mennonite Church to  present a 13-year retrospective of his work. His paintings have been widely displayed in over 39 galleries and publications. Matte moved to 亚洲天堂 Lake about a year and a half ago with his family.

鈥淢y wife, three daughters and I love it here,鈥� Matte said. 鈥淲e purchased a property in the Decker Lake area and particularly appreciate how warm and friendly the community is here.鈥�

Not surprisingly, Matte鈥檚 earliest connection to the arts community in 亚洲天堂 Lake was through John and Sandra Barth, who lead the Lakes District Arts Council, and Wayne Brown, proprietor of Process 4 Circle Arts Gallery in 亚洲天堂 Lake.  Some of Matte鈥檚 most recent works are on display at Brown鈥檚 gallery.

Much of Matte鈥檚 previous work, as displayed at last week鈥檚 retrospective and online at www.mattegallery.ca, takes the west coast forest and shoreline waterways for its subject matter.

Moving to 亚洲天堂 Lake takes Matte away from his earlier coastal influences, but he鈥檚 found no shortage of inspiration in the Lakes District.

鈥淚 was particularly in awe of the vibrant autumn colours; there is a tranquil beauty unique to this area,鈥� said Matte.

He now works exclusively in acrylics, but it wasn鈥檛 always that way.

鈥淭he techniques I developed in my acrylic painting are largely inspired by my many years as a water-colourist,鈥� Matte said. 鈥淚 now work strictly in acrylics. Each painting takes several days to complete due to multiple layers of translucent paint, each of which need to dry on a horizontal surface as would a water-colour painting.鈥�

Matte鈥檚 technique of  layering acrylics gives his paintings a three-dimensionality that is not captured in a photo reproduction of his work. You have to see the artwork in person to fully appreciate how vibrant the painted canvas becomes.

Although Vancouver Island, where he and his wife ran a gallery for a while in Port Alberni, was a 鈥榩ainter鈥檚 paradise鈥�, Matte has found his place in the Northern landscapes that surround 亚洲天堂 Lake.

鈥淎s I've matured, I鈥檝e come to appreciate that the isolation of rural life comes with a healthy lifestyle and greater sense of community than I could ever find in the fast paced world of any city,鈥� Matte said.  鈥淲e are home.鈥�