Janna Watson: There Is No Dimmer

In this exhibition, Janna Watson's vibrant abstract compositions carefully employ colour, line, and energetic brushstrokes to reflect on the notion of all-or-nothingness, or "the conflict between excitement and restraint." Of her work in There Is No Dimmer, Watson says, "Each of these paintings is a whole life mysteriously enclosed. All of the struggles, the feelings, the thoughts, doubts, enthusiasms and inspirations are encapsulated and captured onto the surface of the painting. Each line and gesture I create is the actual experience with its own innate history. It is not illustrating something – it is the sensation of its own realization." There Is No Dimmer will be on display at Bau-Xi Gallery from February 13 to 27. 

Takao Tanabe: Sumie: Ink Brush Paintings

Tanabe, who is known for his landscape paintings depicting Canada's west coast, explores something entirely different in this exhibition. It was in 1959 when Tanabe was first exposed to sumie, which translates to "ink wash painting". He travelled to Japan and spent two years working with sumie and calligraphy masters. His paintings showcase "a confident delicacy of technique, exploring both traditional Japanese subject matter and abstraction". More than 35 works will be on display. Sumie: Ink Brush Paintings will be held at Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre from February 13 to May 8. As part of this exhibition, calligraphy and sumie workshops have been scheduled for February 27 and April 30, respectively. 

Deryk Houston: LOVE: A Tribute to the Beatles

By building on both childhood memories and his own interpretations of their songs, Deryk Houston's paintings explore the messages of peace and hope in the Beatles' music. The colours used in his abstract impressions reflect on both the political and cultural themes of the '60s, and are almost psychedelic in nature. Sometimes his lyrical references are subtle, and at other times they are more obvious, scrawled directly onto the surface of the painting. The opening reception for LOVE will be a charity fundraiser. All ticket proceeds will be donated to Woodwynn Farms, Sole Foods, and Save-on-Meats token program.  Each of these organizations support and assist homeless people. LOVE will be on display at Art Works Gallery from February 12 to March 8. 

John Wood and Paul Harrison: I DIDN'T KNOW I DIDN'T KNOW IT

At this exhibition, British artists John Wood and Paul Harrison present their work for the first time in Canada, where they use household objects, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and video to explore the human condition. It provides a survey detailing recent propositions for the artists where narrative comes seeping in: taste, politics, aspiration, planning, individual and collective dreaming and ambition appear, literally and metaphorically, opening up on to the world outside. Viewers become implicated in their tragicomic world of absurdist humour, leading to both simultaneous delight and sombre reflection on the failures of human endeavour. I DIDN'T KNOW I DIDN'T KNOW IT will be on display at Contemporary Art Gallery from February 12 to April 24. An artist talk will be held on February 15 at ECAD's MoCap Studio.

Canada West Illustrators (various): Cultivating Imagination

The varied works of nine members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators are featured in this exhibition, which merges art with story. Styles of work will include watercolour, pen and ink, photography, and multimedia. Participating artists include Lisa Cinar, Dani Duck, Jami Gigot, Akemi Ito, Helena Juhasz, Anne Lei-Yeung So, Cyndi Marko, Anita Miettunen, and Nancy Vo. Viewers will be drawn into the imaginative worlds that these illustrators work tirelessly to create. Cultivating Imagination will be on display at District Library Gallery at the Lynn Valley Library from February 10 to March 29. An opening reception will be held between 2 and 4 p.m. on February 13.