Like the name of his new show implies, Fort Langley painter Alan Wylie has keep the theme of his most recent pieces Close to Home.

Wylie is an award-winning artist whose varied uses of mediums and paints has spanned a variety of subjects such as landscapes, figures, and still life. It's this diversity that has garnered his work attention through the past five decades and on multiple continents.

The Scotsman's newest show opens this weekend at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery, and Wylie will be on hand for an artist's reception Sunday, June 10 from noon to 4 p.m. His show runs until July 22.

Gallery owner Brenda Alberts hadn't yet taken possession of all of Wylie's new paintings, but shared that she was particularly taken by one of his pieces he did of Napiers antique store in Milner, describing it as a "cool painting."

CARTOONIST'S BOOK A TOP SELLER

Speaking of recognized artists, Langley Advance cartoonist Adrian Raeside's newest book reached number six on the B.C. Bestseller List after one week in stores, and was ranked #10 nationally in the humour category by book managers.

Local readers might find this interesting, since the book, No Sailing Waits and Other Ferry Tales - 30 Years of Raeside BC Ferries Cartoons, contains many pieces that originally ran in this newspaper.

"Who would have thought a balding, inkstained cartoonist would make a bestseller list?" Raeside said.

SINGERS HELPED FIGHTING HUNGER

A series of local up-and-coming singers recently partnered with Willowbrook, to fight hunger and raised $2,000 for the Langley Food Bank during the mall's Can Corral event.