Artist Meghan Dauphinee pays homage in this vibrant series to the convenience stores that occupy key corners across Canada, notably in London, where she is from. We recognize variety stores as hangouts, ice cream shops, DVD rental outlets and pickup spots for milk and bread, but we infrequently note their architecture, signage and branding. Her “Matter of Convenience” exhibit (Jan 13-28) at The Art Exchange prompts us to take a closer look.
Often operated from converted houses in older neighborhoods, variety stores may have sweetly nostalgic names, such as Appletree General Store, above. The painting of Miles Variety store (below) has special meaning. I also grew up in London, where Dauphinee’s works were done, and I must have stopped at Miles hundreds of times through high school to pick up something for my mother on the way home.
Dauphinee says she set out to chronicle the variety – as well as the uniformity – of these meeting places:
“From the Dinky Toy-sized Westside Variety, to stately yellow-brick Helen’s Variety and sweetly named Mrs. Cooper’s Variety, few are alike in looks – although step inside and the staples of chips, lottery tickets and battered rental DVDs are almost always there.”
Horton Variety
Woodfield Variety
Carfrae Variety
Richmond Magazine & Variety
Dauphonee attended the H. B. Beal Secondary School art program in London, studied at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and is a graduate at the Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson, B.C.
Canadian Art Junkie 
Beautiful work . Love the colors and the subject matter. Brings back memories of the corner stores in my neighborhood growing up in West Philadelphia, less the vibrant colors. Now they are all abandoned. If you have time check out my city series at my blog.
Walter
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Thanks for stopping here, and your comments about west philly. I did have time to go and browse your blog, wonderful colors everywhere and great composition. I think I like the Urban Contemplation 14 best of all – something about it was very compelling.
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I love it! It seems Van Gogh mixed with Warhol and Hopper.
Best!
Carlo
(brandpowder)
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Great comment, and true. Thanks for stopping by.
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Congrats to Meghan on this series, gorgeous. We went to art school together in Nelson – have always loved her work.
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Hi plantfibre – so glad you got a chance to see these. She’s so talented.
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Hi,
Very nice work, and I love the vibrant colours.
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Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I love the colors, too, but also the way she lays on the acrylic paint, almost blobby, but beautiful.
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this is really great stuff.
if i had money, i would buy.
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As would I! Any one of them at all.
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