From Orchard to Community: Bringing the Okanagan’s Natural Beauty to Life in Art

PARC independent senior residences have always prized art and artistic endeavours as an invaluable part of an active and fulfilling life. From resident art classes and painting activities to partnerships with community art galleries, and scheduled excursions to the province’s best artistic venues—PARC embraces art in all its many forms. Plus, our founder, Rainer Mueller, is an avid art collector himself, and all six of our residences reflect this passion with carefully curated collections.

When the opportunity arose to work with a BC naturescape artist to build a formative art installation for our newest residence, Cristalina PARC in Kelowna, we didn’t hesitate. After all, Cristalina PARC is located in one of the most picturesque locations in its region. Just blocks from Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, it’s surrounded by vineyards and orchards. Its very namesake is the cherry varietal that’s first to bloom every year, so it was only fitting that we commission a feature artwork and outdoor painting installation that showcases the beauty of an Okanagan cherry orchard.

PARC commissioned BC artist Jeremy Herndl to create the artwork for the new residence. 

Recently, we had the chance to catch up with the Victoria-based artist to learn more about his artistic process and the experience of creating public art for the PARC community.

PARC: Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?

Jeremy: I’ve been drawing my whole life, and I started painting when I was 17. I grew up with limited means, but art was always something that was accessible to me. In 1992 I was accepted to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (now known as NSCAD University). When I finished in 1996, I came back to BC and have been painting ever since.

Painting is a passion, but it’s also a lot of work. At first it can feel daunting, then I persevere and the work starts to carry me. Core to every project is a study regarding the place. Not just painting it, but also learning about its history, the people and how they shape the place. The painting starts to ask itself questions, and I’m there to paint the answers. It starts to have a life of its own.

PARC: How did the Cristalina paintings take shape?

Jeremy: I started the project two and a half years ago. I went to look for cherry orchards and came upon Twin Oaks Organic Orchard in the Mission area of Kelowna. The family had lived there for three generations – over a hundred years! At first I was interested in painting there because it’s an organic farm. But I found out it’s more than just organic, it’s a piece of Kelowna history. They planted those trees over a hundred years ago and they’re still producing fruit. The two-year-old girl who lives there now can pick fruit from the trees that her grandfather planted.

When I approached them about painting there, the family was more than welcoming. I started in the spring, then went back in the summer, winter and fall. It was quite an experience – working in the rain and wind. I met the people working on the farm and I was inspired by their hospitality.

PARC: How did you make the painting that adorns the outdoor areas at Cristalina?

Jeremy: It’s important to me that this isn’t construed as a mural. I made a painting and we magnified it. It’s a high-resolution print of a painting, so people can really look at the texture. We reproduced it in such a high resolution that when you’re a block or two away, it looks like a painting. But when you’re up close, you can see the texture of the brush strokes and linen. It draws attention to the art of painting. There’s a tactile sense to it.

PARC: Why do you think spaces like Cristalina benefit so much from having art and culture intertwined within them?

Jeremy: I have a large art collection in my home. I’ve bought and traded with friends over the past 30 years and I feel sad for people who don’t have some sort of relationship with art. Paintings are inspiring – they convey not only beauty but also a sense of effort and time. They’re not inert things – they emit energy and thought and inspiration. They contribute to a great quality of life.

I aspire to engage in a conversation with a place, and to spend the time having this interaction. And then when the painting is done, I can put it somewhere special for whomever is the viewer. Whether it’s a moment or forever, the viewer gets to participate in the conversation I had. It’s a chronicle. 

PARC founder Rainer Mueller is such an advocate for quality of life. I’ve been extremely fortunate in that Rainer has taken an affinity to my work. He purchased almost all the paintings for this project and put them inside the building. It’s an artist’s dream come true.

You can learn more about Jeremy’s work at: https://jeremyherndl.com