Tiverton artist is guest at Victoria Park Gallery till the end of March

Tiverton artist Nicole Kunkel has her work exhibited in the guest gallery at the Victoria Park Gallery, located in the Kincardine Arts Centre in downtown Kincardine, until the end of March.

Born in Iron Bridge, a small village in northern Ontario, she now lives in Tiverton and has been a cook at Malcolm Place Retirement Residence in Kincardine, for almost 30 years.

Kunkel has entered her paintings in local art shows, such as the Southampton Art Centre and Paisley's Nature's Millworks. Her art reflects her love of nature and life, and her favourite medium is water-soluble oils. She credits Jean Lagace for introducing her to these oils and teaching her how to use them.

"I like this medium because the clean-up is better," said Kunkel. "You can thin it with water, but it looks and feels similar to oil paint."

Kunkel was a member of the Victoria Park Gallery until 2016 and hopes to return when she retires. This is her first time as a guest artist and she is pleased to have her work on display.

"I hope people enjoy my art as much as I enjoy creating it," she said.

The gallery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, check the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victoriaparkgallerykincardine/

When she's not painting and working, Kunkel enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married for more than 40 years, and has three children and seven grandchildren.