Artist’s Statement
I have always been drawn to Watercolours, the transparency; the delicate colour shifts – all intrigue me.
As for style, I have many. I find there is always some different technique or method that I just have to try. My main interest is negative painting, painting the spaces around objects to make them visible.
My favourite way to start a negative watercolour painting is to put an underpainting on the paper and see what this structure tells me. From here, it usually becomes something organic, flowers or trees, occasionally with a small animal.
I also create realistic art in watercolour. Finally accepting that I like edges as seen in my negative paintings, led to this exploration. I find it relaxing. The main concern being the values within the shapes which give great contrast and really make the painting sing.
My mixed media paintings resulted from a need to throw product on paper and just see where it went. The negative style is apparent.
Oil painting involved a complete change to the order of paint application. I enjoy the challenge even if it is only against myself.
Biography
I have taken many classes and workshops, mostly local based instructors but also with international artists; Linda Kemp, Mel Stabin and Elizabeth Robbins.
I have shown in the GTA and have paintings hanging in Italy, the US and Canada. I belong to the Oakville Art Society (since 2002), Clarkson Society of Artists (since 2006), Visual Arts Mississauga (since 2006) and Central Ontario Art Association (2019). I was a member of The Lakeshore Art Trail 2009 through 2016.
Shows:
2022 – 2024 April VAM, Riverwood CSA Reflections Spring Show
2007 – 2019 April VAM, Riverwood CSA Reflections Spring Show
2009 – 2019 Various Locations OAS Annual Art Auction
2003 – current Oakville Art Society Gallery Group Shows
2018 April Oakville Art Society Board of Directors/Coordinators
2017 March Oakville Art Society Making our Mark (3 artists)
2016 July Twist Gallery Prism Mates ‘Unshackled’ (CSA)
2015 November Oakville Art Society 50th GALA Silent Auction
2009 – 2016 October Lorne Park Library Lakeshore Art Trail
2013 QEPCCC OAS Juried Show
2012 March QEPCCC Grand Opening OAS Group Show
Positions Held:
2024 Clarkson Society of Artists Treasurer
2020 Clarkson Society of Artists Social Media Admin
2012 – 2019 Oakville Art Society Treasurer
2012 – 2016 Lakeshore Art Trail Social Media Admin
2012 – 2017 Clarkson Society of Artists Social Media Admin
2009 – 2013 Clarkson Society of Artists Show Convener
Instructor:
Classes
2010 January – 2017 Oakville Art Society Watercolour Instruction
2012 January – 2014 Visual Arts Mississauga Watercolour Instruction
Workshops
2019 Tuesday Painters, Milton Negative Painting
2019 Clarkson Society of Artists, Mississauga Negative Painting
2017 Ennisclare Condo Artists, Oakville Negative and Outline Techniques
2015 Evergreen W/C Painters Club, Guelph Negative Painting
2008 – 2017 T.A. Blakelock High School Watercolour Workshops (2-4 day)
Miscellaneous:
Artwork used for Promotions:
“Mandevilla”
Spring 2019 OAS Class Brochure
“Virginia Creeper”
Fall 2017 OAS Class Brochure
In the News:
March / April 2017
