Peaceful Reflections, Jennifer LaBella and Desiree Mendoza

Desiree Mendoza and Jennifer Labella

November 9 to 21, 2023
Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm, evenings by appointment

Meet the artist Desiree Mendoza: Thursday, Nov. 9, Friday, Nov. 10 & Saturday, Nov. 11, 11 am-5 pm & Friday, Nov. 17, Saturday, Nov. 18 & Tuesday, Nov. 21 (11 am-5 pm).
Meet the artist Jennifer Labella: Friday, November 10 & Saturday, November 11, 11 am to 3 pm & by appointment with the artist.

Peaceful Reflections is an art exhibition bringing vibrant, soulful, and reflective watercolour paintings by Winnipeg-based artists Jennifer LaBella and Desiree Mendoza. All paintings are the artists’ “reflections” of the inspiration drawn from nature or the natural things around us. What we observe or appreciate is often a reflection of who we truly are and what we choose to be. It is the artists’ hope that visitors experience a feeling of peace and calm as they walk through and ponder on the various paintings showing landscapes, florals, animals, etc., in Peaceful Reflections.

Desiree Mendoza is a Philippine-born, Winnipeg-based Canadian artist who describes her art as whimsical, vibrant, and with a touch of doodles. Working mostly in watercolours and ink, she draws inspiration from both nature and her innate imagination. She finds a sense of peace and satisfaction in every artwork she creates, whether that would be on the subject of florals, dragonflies, or landscapes. She has also done commissions for both businesses and private collectors, who find her style as expressive and one-of-a-kind. While her artworks continue to be an expression of her distinct voice as an artist, she hopes that others will feel a sense of peace, harmony and inspiration in each one of her paintings. See more of her art and follow her journey on Instagram @desmendozaart

Jennifer LaBella is a Winnipeg-based watercolour artist. She has painted all her life, starting as a young child when her mother gave her a set of old oil painting supplies. Over the years, her true passion became the medium of watercolour. She taught herself by taking out every single library book on watercolour techniques and then shared her knowledge by teaching art classes at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory for several years. Jennifer enjoys painting in her home studio, especially animals and landscapes.

Jennifer is also the author/illustrator of two children’s picture books: A Polar Bear Night of Stars and Light and Good Night, Little Zebra. Both books are filled with watercolour illustrations. The original paintings for A Polar Bear Night of Stars and Light were featured in an exhibition at The Buhler Gallery in 2014, curated by Patricia Bovey, FRSA. Jennifer later donated most of the works to Ronald McDonald House, which is displayed in the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg.

In 2005, Jennifer was one of the artists chosen to paint large concrete bears for CancerCare’s fundraising event called Bears on Broadway and painted three of the sponsored bears.