Julsing’s jewels

As fans and collectors of Will Julsing’s works likely already know, Maple Bay residents Will Johnson and his partner Courtenay will be hosting a special art show and sale of the late artist’s paintings and drawings.

Johnson says his partner met and befriended Will and his wife Bernice through her work at a framing shop in Duncan, and he met the popular West Coast painter a few months before his death in 2006. The idea for the show came about after Bernice asked the two of them to help her go through what was left of Will’s works.

“All of us, I think, were a bit overwhelmed when we went over that day,” says Johnson, who has worked as an art critic in New York City in the past. “I couldn’t figure out how all these pieces hadn’t already been sold. What we’re showing isn’t just the dregs that have been left over, it’s first-class Will all the way.”

While Johnson says the show isn’t a true retrospective, it does showcase works from the last 15 to 20 years of Julsing’s life. “Something happened to Will in the ‘90s and something shifted. You can see it in the works that become overwhelmingly sumptuous in colour. There was a joy and a hope that was coming into his vision. I know Bernice has talked about this, and it was very much for him about embracing the quality of the feminine.” says Johnson. “I think for Will, something shifted and the palette exploded.”

Johnson says the opportunity to help honour the memory of a good friend has been a lot of work, but has also been a great experience.

“Courtenay and I both had such a strong feeling for him. He was clearly a remarkable guy, not just a remarkable artist. It just felt very good to be able to offer this and to do this,” says Johnson. “This is a tribute to Will and a completion of some sort for both Will and Bernice—and we want these pieces in people’s homes.”

The show opens 7 p.m. Friday and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with private appointments available the following week at 6688 Grandview in Duncan. Call 250-746-7618 for details.