"Artist, Educator, Consultant"

Mission Statement

My mission is to be creative and support others to unlock and express their creativity.

Artist Statement

I am a painter with a photographic eye. Traditional photography "captures" the moment and removes elements to create an image. Painting is an additive process of building elements to communicate a message. This blend of conceptual visualization is the foundation of my art. Mostly, I paint landscapes from intimate places to grand vistas.

As a result of my early black and white photographic training, I am interested in the fleeting quality of light. It could be the glare off a leaf or the cascading shape of a shadow that attracts my attention. I create images that focus on simple shapes or objects…to take notice of the ordinary and paint it to be extraordinary. Media choices are oils, acrylics, oil pastels and mixed media. Generally my tones are simple, but the color mix is complex.

My mentors are quite broad, from 14th century European Renaissance to 21st century impressionist and abstract artists. Rembrandt, Monet, and Pissarro influence my use of tone and painterly technique. Contemporary influences are BC’s Gordon Smith and New York’s Wolf Kahn. I also love the photography of Ed Burtynsky, who uses quite traditional compositional techniques in his image making.

It’s the nurturing state of being in nature that drives my artistic process. I paint what I feel when I am in nature. The first time I recollect this type of connection was my lengthy trip to Ireland in 1982. It was a spiritual anchor to the world, which still sustains me today.

Biography

I was born in Oakville, Ontario, 1953. My earliest influence to be an artist was my mother. She often painted images of Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park, Ontario and was influenced by the Group of Seven. It’s no coincidence that landscape is important to me and the main theme in my art.

I grew up mostly on Vancouver Island and got a BFA at UVIC in 1975.

From 1978 – 1982 I lived in Edmonton. I acquired a diploma in Graphic Design from Grant MacEwan Community College. The following 20-year period as a graphic designer further strengthened the conceptual and design aspects of my art.

I moved to Vancouver in 1983 working as a designer and marketing management consultant. Since 2000 I have focused more on my art and art teaching.

I have been a participant and supporter of the Alliance for Arts in Vancouver. I am a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (since 2001).

Gallery Representation

• VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery) - Art Rental and Sales Program, Vancouver, BC. Tel: 604-662-4716. Contact Donna Partridge.
• Inga Puhlmann, Art Dealer, West Vancouver, BC. Tel: 604-922-0017.

Collections

• Arca 3 Design Architects, Vancouver, BC.
• Hart House Restaurant, Burnaby, BC.
• Jill Leversage, Vancouver, BC.

Donations

• Minerva Foundation for BC Women & Girls
• Pacific Parklands Foundation
• Arts Club Fundraisers
• Singleton Urquart fundraisers for the BC Childhood Cancer Parent's Association

Curriculum Vitae

Education

• 1979, Diploma in Graphic Design, Grant MacEwan Community College, Edmonton, Alberta.
• 1975, BFA, University of Victoria, BC.

Art Shows/Exhibits

• Juror's Choice, Ferry Gallery, Aug. 17-29, 2010, West Vancouver, BC.
• Garden-works Show, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, Oct./09 - Jan., 2010, Vancouver, BC.
• Canvas Unbound Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, June, 2009. Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.
• Still Life Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, April.-May, 2009. Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.
• Landscape Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Feb.-Mar, 2009. Granville Island, Vancouver, BC. Vancouver Island, BC.
• Highlights Group Show, Peninsula Gallery, Sidney, BC, June 1 - 10, 2008.
• Solo Show: Landscape Oil Paintings, Waterfront Theatre Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC. May 5 - June 22, 2008.
• Beautiful BC, Group Landscape Show, West Vancouver Memorial Library, April, 2007. West Vancouver, BC.
• Landscape Show, Federation Gallery, Feb., 2007. Vancouver, BC.
• Discovery 2007- Sleep, perhaps to Dream, Seymour Art Gallery, North Vancouver, Jan., 2007.
• Private Solo show, Shadow Lands, Nov., 2006; Vancouver, BC.
• Canvas Unbound Show, Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery, May 16, 2006, Vancouver, BC.
• Federation of Canadian Artists, Small, Smaller, Smallest show, Nov., 2005, Vancouver, BC.
• Private Solo Art Show, Transition, Vancouver, BC, November, 2005.
• Nature Stories- BC Landscape Show, Ferry Gallery, West Vancouver, BC., July, 2005.
• Lighthouse Gallery, Bastion Square, Victoria, BC, 2005.
• Private Solo Art Show, Tree Poems, Vancouver, BC, November, 2004
• Richmond Galleria Art Gallery, Steveston Village, BC, 2004.
• Harmony Arts Festival, Art Beat Show, West Vancouver, BC, August 2004.
• Delta Art in the Park Show, Delta, BC, July 2004.
• Sooke Harbour House Gallery, Sooke, Vancouver Island, BC, 2004.
• Private Solo Art Show, Vancouver, BC. December 2003.
• Aaron Ross Gallery, Landscape Show, Vancouver, BC, August 2003.