There’s an art show in town, hosted by two residents of the Nicola Valley, Libby Dybikowski and Kim Vizi-Carmen. They’re calling it Art in XL, and it will be running until Dec. 24 at Brambles Bakery and Cafe.

“Art in XL was something that we devised — including big, bold and beautiful — because we are both tall women, and a lot of the work that we do is very large and very colourful,” explained Dybikowski. “I think that’s kind of our signature for our show.”

The two have been making art in the valley for a number of years now. Dybikowski started when she retired here in 2008, and for Vizi-Carmen, it’s a natural progression from her job as a graphic designer.

But while her job compliments her work in fine arts, she’s quick to point out it’s not quite the same.

“I feel sort of confined to that screen,” she said of graphic design. “When I can break loose and work in fine arts I don’t feel as confined to small space, and so I like working really big, because working with a screen is really small.”

Colour is a common theme in the works, particularly bright, bold colours, and the two artists’ styles compliment each other. “We’re big and we’re bold, and colour is bold,” explained Vizi-Carmen.

For inspiration, Dybikowski said she will take a photo with her tablet to base a work from, sometimes pulling from multiple different photographs. “I’ll get the sky from something, and I’ll get the horse from something [else],” she said.

Vizi-Carmen is inspired by scenic views she’s come across while out in the wilderness, or her Métis heritage. More than one of her paintings reference First Nations pictographs, some from the Stein Valley in B.C. One of those pieces is open to bids from the public, the proceeds of which will go towards a charity.

The work represents about six months of work for Vizi-Carmen, and a year and a half for Dybikowski.

While most of the works on display are paintings, some are mixed media and others are screen prints.

And as the exhibition runs until just before Christmas, there will be Christmas-themed pieces added as others sell. There are already some festive table runners available, made from strips of acrylic on canvas.

The opening reception is this Friday, Nov. 6. The public is welcome.