My Artist Story

My love of art began in grade 9. Our teacher shared his enthusiasm as an artist and creator, as well as his knowledge about the Group of Seven and the great European Master painters. I was a sponge, taking it all in. I can vividly remember one particular class where I was using a small brush, holding it like a pencil as I stood up close to my easel. My teacher saw me and began to excitedly command me to stand back, hold the brush at the tip of the handle, arm straight out and make big shapes. The best was yet to come when we went on a class field trip to an art supply store where I bought my very first oil paints, some canvases, and a new paint box with a leather handle. This was very exciting for me but when the school year ended, so did art lessons. 

Years later, as a part-time hobbyist, I learned how to make stained glass lamps, windows, and panels. Like so many artists, it wasn’t until after a life-long professional career that I was able to actively pursue art full time. Under the guidance of Toronto landscape artist Sam Paonessa, I dug out those oil paints and brushes, added a few other tools, and learned to paint landscapes in an impressionist style. This was immensely satisfying as I am an avid nature lover. 

My learning continued through attendance at workshops, finding inspiration from other artists, and the beauty in the world around me. This enabled me to take a leap and shift my focus towards creating more representational art by painting studies of animals, still life, and florals. This exploration has been equally challenging and exciting. Each completed painting taught me valuable lessons for the next one. It was truly gratifying to realize that I could apply the same theories of colour, hue, value, and composition from landscapes to new subjects. This newfound joy in my art journey is incredibly rewarding!

Dreams have no expiration date!