MOOSE MOUNTAIN PROVINCIAL PARK - Sylvia Grimes moved to Canada in 1992 after she met her husband Dan Grimes while on an extended vacation in Thailand.
Grimes was born and raised in Munich and frequently travelled to Asia when she became older. Often, she visited Thailand for two months at a time and once went for nine months, enjoying the beauty of the land.
During her childhood years, Grimes was always sketching or doodling every chance she had. She loved every form of art.
While her family remained in Germany, she made a new life with Dan in Canada.
Her passion for art was always there, but when she had her son Matt, she laid down her paint brush to raise her son.
The family lived on a farm west of Benson for 22 years and they felt it was time to slow down, as acreage work is never finished.
The couple owned a cottage in Kenosee and decided to move there until they figured out what they planned to do in the future.
Grimes said they were uncertain whether they were going to enjoy living in a smaller community, but they loved it and have great neighbours all around.
Grimes and Dan are both retired, but Dan still keeps busy puttering around with odd jobs, and Grimes began to pick up her paint brush again.
She needed something to do in the winter months and since art was something she loved; this was going to pass the time.
She has never taken an art course or class of any kind. Everything she knows has been self-taught and she loves to experiment with new things.
“Some people enjoy painting landscapes or flowers, but I am all over the place,” said Grimes. “I paint what pops into my head, and nothing is ever close to the same.”
A few winters ago, there was construction in Kenosee, and the company left bags of free scrap wood behind for anyone to take.
Grimes grabbed a bag and found the wood to be in great shape. The sizes were perfect to work on.
She painted different pictures on the wood but thought no one was going to buy just a painted block of wood. Dan proceeded to drill holes in the blocks so suet for birds could go inside. It turned out they were a big hit, and she has sold many of them.
Grimes uses oil and acrylic paints, and canvas or wood to paint on, but she also does clay work figurines.
She is excited to be a first time guest at the Artist Colony of Moose Mountain Provincial Park with her wide selection of pieces.
She will be at the colony twice, from July 23-29 and Sept. 3-9.
