THE ARTIST PROJECT

QUEEN ELIZABETH BUILDING -  EXHIBITION PLACE - TORONTO

 

VISUAL ARTS MISSISSAUGA

presents

the 34th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts

at the

ART GALLERY OF MISSISSAUGA

The VAM call for entry is one of the regions most anticipated events, bringing in hundreds of submissions from practising artists across Ontario.  My painting entitled 'ALMOST FRENCH' was selected to be a part of this exhibit.

Jurors:  Catherine Beaudette - Art Green - April Hickox

_____________

Jan. 12 - Feb. 25, 2012

Opening Reception - Thursday, January 12, 2012 - 6:00pm

For more info, go to www.artgalleryofmississauga.com

*

 

pencil crayons

Colour and I have had an intense relationship as far back as I can remember. It stimulates me. I remember wishing for the 24-pack of Laurentian brand pencil crayons; I only had the 20-pack. I don't have a single favourite colour - it is the potential of mixing paint and creating new colour combinations, that can often be my inspiration, long before subject matter.

twist of fate

My post secondary studies began in Fashion Design, but I ultimately graduated from the Interpretive Illustration program at Sheridan College School of Art and Design. I studied painting under the renowned Canadian artist, Helen Lucas. I remember her telling us that teaching was just a job and that she couldn't wait to get home so she could tie her hair back and paint. I watched as her career took off and flourished.

Upon graduating, I spent several years working in the advertising industry as a fashion layout artist, creating ads for newspapers and magazines. It was truly a privileged, exciting and formative time – having received the invaluable mentorship by some of the top creative minds and fashion illustrators at the time. This exposure surely influenced and continues to be a source of inspiration in my style and subject matter. Years of Graphic Design further developed my style, as dedication to detail and strong composition, shaped the future of my work.

perspective

My work eventually became secondary during the many years of raising my family. This was a period of growth for me in more ways than one. First, my vision broadened as I began to see things through my childrens eyes as well as my own.  And secondly, I re-immersed myself into painting and illustrating - pursuing the fine arts instead of the commercial. I experimented with textures and mixed mediums to create dimension, as backgrounds became an integral part of each painting. 

expression

 

While practicing traditional art processes with mixed media techniques, my fascination with texture is evident in the many collage elements that find their way into my work.  I paint in many layers, repeating the process of adding and subtracting as the work progresses.  While not exclusive to fashion, it is a recurring theme in my subject matter.   Strongly aware of stylistic trends, I also enjoy interpretive room settings and impressionistic florals or landscapes.  Several of my paintings have been published and internationally distributed.  I have made a full-time return to my career in art and currently work from my home studio in Port Credit (south Mississauga).  As an active regional artist, my work can be found in exhibitions across Ontario.

curriculum vitae

• 2012 - The Art Gallery of Mississauga - Ontario Artists Fine Art Exhibit - juried - (City Hall)
• 2011 - The Elaine Fleck Gallery - Nuit Blanche Group Exhibit - juried - Toronto
• 2011 - Open Studio Tour - (Lakeshore Art Trail) - Port Credit, Mississauga
• 2011 - Barrymore Art Event - Group Show - Toronto
• 2011 - Art Gallery of MIssissauga - Ontario Visual Artists Fine Art Exhibit - juried - (City Hall)
• 2011 - Living Arts Centre - Group Exhibit - Mississauga
• 2010 - 11 - Petroff Gallery - Toronto
• 2010 - The Elaine Fleck Gallery - Nuit Blanche Group Exhibit - Best of new submissions - Toronto
• 2010 - Open Studio Tour - (Lakeshore Art Trail) - (Port Credit, Mississauga)
• 2010 - Art Gallery of Mississauga - Ontario Visual Artists Fine Art Show - juried - Recipient of the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
• 2010 - Sunnyside Beach Exhibit - juried - (Toronto)
• 2009 - Art Square Gallery - Solo Art Exhibit - A Room with a View - (Toronto)
• 2009 - RIDEAU HALL - Exhibit at official residence of Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. - A Cultural Event - juried - (Ottawa)
• 2009 -10 - Barrymore Furniture Galleries - (Toronto)
• 2009 -10 - Sunnyside Beach Exhibit - juried - (Toronto)
• 2009 -10 -  Image 2000 Inc. (art print publisher - Toronto)
• 2009 -10 - Parkyn Design Studio - display - (Port Credit)
• 2009 - RedEye Gallery - Group Exhibition - juried - (Distillery District - Toronto)
• 2008 - 09 - In2art Gallery - (Oakville)
• 2007 - 10 - Lailas Fine Art Publishing - (Brampton)
• 2007 - Cabbagetown Art Exhibit - juried (Toronto)
• 2006 - Artistry-by-the-Lake - juried (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
• 2005 - One-of-a-Kind Show - juried (Toronto)
• 2004 - 10 - Canadian Art Prints - publisher (Vancouver)
• 2004 - 05 - Artworld of Sherway - (Toronto)
• 2003 - Tony Chaar Salon - display - Yorkville (Toronto)

editorial illustration:

2010 - Elaine Fleck Gallery - Best of new submissions - Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art - curated by Elaine Fleck - (Toronto)

2010 - Love Sewing online magazine - Cover illustration (2010 May Issue)

2009 - Fashion Design Council of Canada - Toronto Fashion Week - 2009 image design for ad campaign

charitable donations:

MUSE 09 - Grey Matters will celebrate local artistic achievement and cultural diversity while donating all funds to expanding the world-class Brain Sciences Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.  Proceeds from this year’s event will help fund the purchase of a Transcranial Ultrasound, a revolutionary life-saving machine that detects and helps to prevent strokes. www.muse09.com

TREES FOR LIFE - Through the magic of Twitter and other social media tools, artists from around the world are coming together to create beautiful artworks inspired by their own natural environment.  Each signed, original artwork is selling for only £45!  Every artist is very generously donating 100% of the sales to the award winning Scottish charity Trees for Life!  The United Nations declared 2011 International Year of Forests and this year Trees for Life aims to plant its one millionth tree!  http://treesforlifeexhibition.blogspot.com/search/label/.Canada