Shayn Hagel grew up among trucks, machines and construction.
It is what he is reflecting on in Diesel and Gearz a series of industrial, mechanical abstract paintings in collaboration with Art House Penticton during his show Dec. 27 to Dec. 30.
Introduced to the culture at age four when his father started driving a big rig, Hagel has taken aspects of that life along with his 10 years in the plumbing industry and his passion for working on and racing bicycles into his artwork. Hagel said his father was also known for his artist upholstery talent and opened his first shop in Penticton in the late 70s.
“The Hagel’s have all been artistic, be it upholstery, custom vehicle interiors, graphic, visual and sculpted arts. I was always creative as a child, but I didn’t focus on the arts until Grade 8 when my teacher Mr. Buchko opened my eyes to my potential,” said Hagel.
It was with that teacher he first painted on plywood. Like many youths his passions were varied and in 1999 he returned to art after receiving his first commission. In 2003 he began to paint again and recycled 10 large panels of plywood into fantastic colourful images that will be on exhibit at his show.
Also appearing at Art House will be the open studios of Penticton artists Jan Little, Liz Marshall and Derrie Selles.
The Art House Penticton is a project of Cowork Penticton, based on the idea of allowing artists working in a wide range of media to rent space and provide an opportunity to share ideas between other artists.
The working studio and exhibition space is located at 2345 Government. St. Diesel and Gearz will be on display from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Opening night is from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes food, music, wine and the open studios.