My work is situated within the artistic and theoretical spectrum of German expressionism. Like German expressionism, my style is bold, free and personal. It tends to combine contrastive colors with immediate expressive gestures. This technique conveys a sense of energy and power to a viewer – a power of emotional expression. Though my brush strokes may be aggressive, they are balanced by a sensitivity to line, form and draftsmanship. I think of my paintings as human calligraphy combined with the power and simplicity of primitive mark making.
My style mirrors my subjects. Personal marks reflect the small, sweeping, passing moments of various subjects including: music, women, children, flowers, landscapes and butterflies. Through my brushstrokes – either dramatically layered or elegantly simple – I explore abstract themes of movement, stillness, and transformation.
In correlation with my style, I create paintings and drawings that capture gestures and patterns around me. My most recent work focuses on women’s private, unseen moments that pass and are gone. Likewise, my musical paintings depict the lyrical, impermanent moments of musical creation. The paintings of butterflies embody a sense of expectation, while the images of children become swirling moments of gesture and recollection. My expressive combination of bold brush strokes and soft drawing lines capture the under-layers, subtleties, complexities, and vulnerabilities of everyday moments.
Education
2009
Emma Lake Residency
Saskatoon, SK
2002
Mount Allison University
Sackville, NB
2000
Glasgow School of Art
Scotland
1997-2000
Alberta College of Art and Design
Calgary, AB
Solo Exhibitions
2010
Lake Escape
Ruberto Ostberg Gallery
Calgary, AB
2010
Men and Women: Private Moments
Propeller Gallery
Toronto, ON
2009
Awating the Butterfly
Arthouse
Calgary, AB
2008-2006
TD Waterhouse Annual Exhibit
Stock Exchange Building
Calgary, AB
2008
New Works by Any Dryer
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2008
CPO Gala Event
Calgary Gold & Country Club
Calgary, AB
2007
Between
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2006
Dancing Shoes, GALA Opening
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Calgary, AB
2005
Dichotomy
Art and Soul Gallery
High River, AB
2005
Amidst Life's Garden
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2005
Ways of Knowing
Untitled Artist Society
Alberta
2004
Home
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2003
Butterfly
Gallery 401
Toronto, ON
2003
Being
Image 54 Gallery
Calgary, AB
2001
Maps through the Skin
Mt. Allison
Sackville, NB
2001
Movement
Little Gallery
Calgary, AB
Group Exhibitions
2010
Rebirth
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2010
Love is Like a Box of Chocolates
Art and Soul Gallery
High River, AB
2010
Winter Juried ARt Show
The Old School House Arts Centre
Qualicum Beach, BC
2010
Go Figure
The Studio Gallery
St. Albert, AB
2009
Art Walk
Art-Four-Five Studios
Calgary, AB
2009
The Bare Skin Show
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2009
The Kiss
Art & Soul Gallery
High River, AB
2009
Passion Pages
Virginia Christopher Gallery
Calgary, AB
2008
Pictures at an Exhibition, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Jack Singer Concert Hall
Calgary, AB
2008
ROUTES
Arthouse
Calgary, AB
2008
A Black and White Affair
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2008
Spring Movement
Willow
Calgary, AB
2010-2008
Branching Out
Willow
Calgary, AB / Regina, SK
2008
Being Human: An International Juried Exhibition
Leighton Centre
Calgary, AB
2008
Brooding Side of Love
Art & Sougl Gallery
High River, AB
2007
Christmas in the Country
Leighton Centre
Calgary, AB
2009-2007
Christmas Small Works Show
Arthouse
Calgary, AB
2007
FLIGHT
Arthouse
Calgary, AB
2008-2007
Cork & Canvas
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Calgary, AB
2007
Artist Second Annual Timeraiser
Calgary, AB
2008-2003
Spring Extravaganza
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2009-2003
Christmas Small Works
Trinity Galleries
Saint John, NB
2006
2006 National Open Portrait Exhibition
Red Museum
Red Deer, AB
2006-2005
Western Shocase
Stampede Exhibit
Calgary, AB
2009-2006
Feast of Sound and Song
Mount Royal College
Calgary, AB
2006-2003
Rotary Club of Calgary Art Auction
Red and White Club
Calgary, AB
2005
The Picnic Project
Swoon Gallery
Toronto, ON
2004-2003
Square Foot Show
AWOL Gallery
Toronto, ON
2004
Spring Art Exhibition
Hummingbird Center
Toronto, ON
2003
Banff Midsummer Ball
Banff Center
Banff, AB
2000
Exchange Students Exhibit
Glasgow School of Art
UK
Reviews
2010 - Hayes, Scott, Human form uncovered for exhibit: Go Figure opening at Studio Gallery, Preview, St-Albert
2009 - Montgomery, Brian, CKUA Radio Interview, Calgary, AB
2008 - Hodgson, Jeff, Routes Show Interview, City TV, Arthouse, Calgary, AB
2008 - Neighbors, Route finding takes painters on artistic voyage, The Arts, Calgary Herald, Calgary, AB
2008 - Montgomery, Bryson, CKUA Radio Interview, Calgary, AB
2008 - Cox, Andrea, Perfect Balance, 20th Annual House & Garden Tour Magazine, Calgary, AB
2008 - Rowe, Sheila, Top Story, Crossroads Television System, Calgary, AB
2008 - Attwell, Karen, Best Of Calgary, AVENUE magazine, front cover & inside cover, Calgary AB
2007 - Bennett, Fern, Hopping for Saint John culture, here, Saint John, NB
2007 - A Back Door Publication, Village Spectrum Spring/Summer 2007, Front cover & Inside cover, Calgary, AB
2006 - Blagrave, Sheila, Alumni Profile: Recent Fine Arts Grad Living her Dream, RECORD No. 81, Sackville, NB
2005 - Paddy, Patricia, Answers in the Arts, Faith Today, Sept-Oct 2005
2005 - Kerr, Kate, Saint John Art scene is hopping, Saint John Telegraph Journal, SJ, NB
2004 - Kerr, Kate. For an Artist, there’s nothing like having mom rooting for you, Saint John Telegraph Journal, SJ, NB
2004 - Rai, Illiki, Rising Women, Front cover & Inside cover, Calgary, AB
Awards
2009 - Alberta Foundation for the Arts Purchase Award, Calgary AB, Short-listed
2001 - Printmaking Award, 3rd Year, Mount Allison, Sackville NB
1997 - West Irwin Scholarship, Calgary AB
Special Projects
2008 - Mural Painting, Epcor Centre, Calgary, AB
2008 - Guest Speaker, Arts and Culture Centre, High River, AB
2009-2007 - Guest Speaker, Jack James High School, Calgary AB
2007 - Heritage Property Corporation Art Competition, Finalist, Lougheed Building, Calgary AB
2006 - Mural Painting, Fringe Festival, Calgary AB
2006 - Guest Speaker, Federation of Canadian Artists, Calgary AB
2005 - Guest Speaker, Divine Mercy School, RCS School, Saint John, NB
2004 - Set Design, “Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love”, FireBelly Theatre, Calgary, AB
2004 - Guest Speaker, Inglewood Film Society, Calgary, AB
2003 - Guest Speaker, James Fowler High School, Calgary, AB
2002 - CD Cover Design, Dennis Dubbin’s “Blue”, Calgary, AB
1997 - California Field Hockey Team Logo, Calgary, AB
1997 - Dragon Boat Races Poster Design, Calgary, AB
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