Artist’s Statement
I was born in Saskatchewan and have had the good fortune to make my home in every Canadian province except Prince Edward Island. This has allowed me to experience fist hand the incredible diversity and beauty of Canada that inspires my work. I retired and moved to British Columbia in 1985. In 1995 I began painting.
My own opinion is that I have no “innate artistic talent”. In fact, I believe that what is commonly referred to as “talent “is nothing more than learning how to use the tools and techniques involved in an activity and practicing with them until you succeed. All professions including professional athletes do nothing more than this to hone their skills to become superstars of the world. Doctors, mechanics, lawyers, hockey players and all other occupations become proficient, not due to talent, but to desire. It is desire that leads to the dedication and practice needed to succeed. It is no different for artists. It is a matter of choosing what you like to do. It is also true that if you get no pleasure from doing what you are doing you will never become proficient.
I believe that a happy artist requires absolute artistic freedom. Perhaps because my training was in finance and business and not in art my perception is that much of what is taught concerning design and composition limits creativity and free expression. My view is that art does not need to conform to what is currently acceptable; remember Van Gogh, Picasso and even our own Group of Seven. This does not preclude his belief that what is junk to one may be art to others.
I paint solely for pleasure. I am happy to sell my work so I can buy paint and paper, or to give it to charities to make room in my studio.
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Biography
I am a self educated artist. I learned everything I know about art from books and videos, and from studying and practicing the techniques of established artists at numerous workshops.
I painted with watercolours exclusively for some years but have recently added acrylics and casein.
I am a founding member of The Artists' Studio & Galley, the first artist run art gallery in Kamloops, where I my work was shown continuously for nine and a half years. Although I left the gallery it is still in operation at 945 Columbia St.
I have participated in numerous juried shows and had four solo shows, three in Kamloops and one in Fort St John
I was the Treasurer of both the ARTBC Society (formerly the Kamloops Water Media Artists) and the Community Arts Council of Kamloops for several years.
I was honoured by the Community Arts Council of Kamloops in 2007 with a life membership for contribution to the arts in Kamloops.
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