About my Art: I currently work primarily with acrylics, pastels, charcoal, and inks. I really enjoy using lots of colour, experimenting with patterns and textures, and mixing a little bit of abstraction into a little bit of realism. With my acrylic paintings, my intention is for emotion and personality to be emphasized. These facets of art are more important to me than an exact shape or likeness to the subject matter when creating an acrylic portrait. I can usually be found rocking out to a pretty diverse and eclectic mix of music as I paint and often the extra markings and textures are influenced by whatever was on the playlist at that time!
My drawing practice is still exactly that-practice. I do create portraits as a finished work but, I prefer drawing to be the start of my process. It's the planning, preparation, and study of a bigger, or more in depth project. My history: I studied Fine Art at The University of Alberta and Grant McEwan College in Edmonton way back in the late 90's. I loved my courses, I always have loved learning and being in the studio in a group setting. Collaborating with others, experimenting with different styles and techniques, the smells of old paint, discussions about the latest installation at the local gallery, all of these things stayed with me. My Classes: I was fortunate to stumble into a teaching position almost immediately after moving to Kelowna in 2013. It was at the school teaching K-12 students where I learned much of what I took for granted when it comes to creating art. Teaching the process, asking about the intent, choice of mediums, composition, and breaking down the techniques for my students taught me to put all of that back into my own art. Lately, I have been all over Kelowna instructing drawing courses for children, workshops and camps in mixed media, and hosting regular pet portrait paint nights for adults at Unleashed Brewing Company in Kelowna. Giving Back: I love volunteering! I am very proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Studio9 Independent School of the Arts. One of my life's driving forces is furthering Arts education opportunities for children locally . Studio9 is a local non-profit school that provides superior academic learning with an arts focus. I also volunteer there in the classroom as an instructor. I donate custom pet portraits to many local charity auctions (usually at least 5-or 6 per year). Ask me for your next fundraiser-I almost never say no! Fun stuff: I also paint murals, costumes, theatre sets, and help with specialty branding for events. |