I was given my first set of oil paints around the time that I was 10; my grandmother had been very artistic, and could never afford materials. My mother made a vow to herself that if any of her children showed an interest in art, that she would encourage it. Wonderful teachers provided me with some art training throughout my school years, and it wasn’t until the mid 80’s that I attempted to get a Fine Arts degree. I had almost finished that course at Canadore College in North Bay when the program was cut, and now, almost 20 years later, I have decided to finish my degree in Alberta. I will be attending the Faculty of Extensions’ Fine Arts program starting Jan 04, and I haven’t looked forward to doing something so much in many years.

While I was in Ontario, I exhibited for a couple of years with the Northern Ontario Art Association. In 1991 we moved to Alberta, and my art was put on hold for work and children. About 6 years ago my friend suggested that I paint with her at a class run by Gene Prokop, and I spent many happy years painting with a wonderful group of artists. Early on this year, I decided to explore different areas; but thanks to the Edmonton Art Club, I could still keep in contact with a large group of artists, something I just need to have in my life.

I am now painting at least 5 days a week, even though it might only be a couple of hours a day. At this point, I know I just need to work, and where I want to go with my art will come through experience. Sometimes it is frustrating to know you want to do more with a work, but just don’t know where to go, but that is just the life of an artist, isn’t it? I am hoping that completing my degree will help me out with the direction in which I want to go because right now I can sense it, but I can’t put it fully into action.

At least half the work I do is from commissions, and I find that they really push you to paint outside of your comfort zone. What I am striving for in the future is to be able to have all the layout, lighting and composition problems completely fixed before I put paint to canvas. By using preliminary sketches, asking the right questions of the client, and if necessary, a computer layout of the painting, I hope to know relatively exactly how the piece is going to proceed and end up.

I am looking forward to the coming years, exhibiting with the club and finishing my degree are going to be definite highlights. Looking to the future, I am hoping that I will know what I want to express in my work, and how to do it!

CONTACT ARTIST

Christmas and Wallace
conte on paper
16x20

Brothers
Oil on canvas
22x28