In many ways, art has chronicled my life and moments in time.
Born and raised in Montreal, I’ve lived there off and on , throughout my life. An interest in travel led me to live in many cities across Canada and countries around the world. Creating art has always been my passion and a constant no matter where I resided. After graduating in visual arts at CEGEP in Montreal, I obtained a Fine Arts degree, studying at Concordia and University of Ottawa. I held manager and assistant director positions, at several Canadian art galleries, including Robertson Galleries, in Ottawa. These were wonderful experiences, actively involving me in the art world. While I exhibited and had clients during these years, the opportunity to focus on my art full time, came in 1988, when I moved to Ghana, for two years. Being immersed in many cultures and environments, influenced much of the art that followed. For example, in the 1990’s, shortly after returning to Canada and settling in the 1000 Islands, I completed two series based on west African people and Zimbabwe wildlife. African Images was a solo exhibition held at St. Lawrence College, in Brockville. Around that time, I also participated from 1991 to 1994, in the Art Colony, 1000 Islands Parkway Studio Tour. My explorations of the surrounding 1000 Islands, with it’s unique scenery, history and wildlife, influenced much of my work, at that time.
After the birth of my son, our family resumed travelling. We lived in Cote D’Ivoire, Panama and Florida, eventually settling back in Montreal. Fast forward to 2018, when we returned to the 1000 Islands, where I continue to work from my home studio, in Kingston, Ontario.
Whatever the subject, I hope to capture a mood, the essence of a sitter or scene, through colour , play of light or movement.
I prefer working in series. This allows me to explore a theme extensively and occasionally delve into a different subject, of interest. Portraiture, gardens, and water scenes, are recurring themes in my art, occasionally coming together in one image.
For years I expressed myself through oil paints and pastels. When I could no longer use these materials because of sensitivities, I switched to acrylics. Short studies aside, my process usually involves many thin layers of paint. My style falls somewhere between representational and impressionism. The more pronounced the individual strokes of colour, depends on the subject or medium. Realistic detail is a concern, but not my only priority.
I have been represented by galleries in both Canada and the U.S., exhibited in solo and group exhibitions, environmental & conservation fund-raisers and received numerous portrait and garden commissions. My work can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada, the U.S. and overseas.
