About Us

   Artists Lesley Fountain and Pipi Tustian             

Lesley and Pipi met in 2011, when Lesley wrote and published a book called The Passionate Life - Creativity, Connection and Community, Cowichan Valley Women Tell Their Stories, and Pipi was one of the women she profiled in the book. As serendipity would have it, that collaboration lead to this new venture - truly an example of the women living their passionate lives, and of life imitating art...or is it art imitating life? There is no doubt, Tangerine Dream Gallery and Studio is a dream come true for both women - an opportunity to showcase their own work and the work of other talented local artists and artisans in the gallery, to work on site in a gorgeous waterfront setting in the studio, and to teach their own workshops as well as offer many other classes and workshops by guest instructors. 

All The Love in the World

Lesley Fountain has lived in the Cowichan Valley for eleven years. In addition to writing the books The Passionate Life and The Passionate Life II, she enjoys painting with acrylics on large canvases in an intuitive style - a free flowing technique where there is no preconceived outcome for the piece; instead the painting evolves after many layers of alternating colour and imagery. This technique can have surprising results, and Lesley finds it a joyful and satisfying way to create. Lesley also produces cards, journals, and prints of her work. She has been teaching a wide variety of art classes and workshops for over twenty years.  Find out more about Lesley's artwork at:  

http://lesleyfountain.blogspot.ca/  

her books at:
http://thepassionatelifecowichan.wordpress.com/   

 and deep personal thoughts at:   
  
http://www.pentimento-mama.blogspot.com/
 

 Prairie Love

Pipi Tustian has made her home in the Cowichan Valley for over 20 years. As a successful textile artist, Pipi's original pieces of "functional art" include banners, tablecloths, table runners, napkins, curtains, pillows and chair cushions, and are created in a variety of colour themes that change with the seasons and can be used indoors and out. You can view a sampling of Pipi's work at www.pipihomedecor.com  In addition to hand painted textiles, Pipi creates beautiful and vibrant paintings on canvas like this one below entitled "Prairie Love." Pipi works in the studio half of the gallery, as well as teaching a variety of workshops and classes. Come down and say hello - she is always up for visitors - any excuse to crank up her french press!