The Artists of 2017

Acrylic / Mixed Media

Mahtab Abdollahi strives to fully explore her creativity, to experience the outer limits and push the boundaries of her artistic journey. As an artist who desires to excel in her craft, Mahtab uses a variety of mediums to express herself and achieve the right texture and feel in her work. The canvas is her playground where she embraces the joy of the creative process, where she delights in happy accidents and other unplanned surprises. Her artworks represent a passion and excitement that she has cherished and nourished, and arise from the many memories of the experience of life itself.

Mahtab graduated with honours in Graphic Design from George Brown College. She has a BA in Fine Art, and a MA in Illustration. In addition, she has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions, including the National Gallery of Canadian Drawings. She is also a board member of the Newmarket Group of Artists.

Oil

Carlo received his formal training in Fine Art, Philosophy, Mythology, and Photography at Centennial College in Toronto from 1978 to 1981.

A full-time Artist since 2008 with over 100 juried Art Exhibitions and Gallery representation Carlo has established himself as an accomplished mid-career Artist in the industry.

The subject matter in his work varies from Canadian Landscapes to Abstract and Figurative presented in a unique contemporary style.

Mixed Media

I was born in Romania, grew up in Israel and arrived to Canada 13 years ago. I have been teaching computer integration in education for 30 years.

Coming from a family of photographers, I was introduced to photography at a young age and immediately fell inloved with it. I enjoy creating mixed media pieces, utilizing digital photography and paint. I am inspired by real life, nature and our surroundings, and love enhancing captured moments with paint application to create original pieces.

Jewellery

Born in Israel, a kid who gets bored easily, I always needed a creative outlet. I loved music and singing and would draw and paint at every opportunity- especially in class. I was always drawn to being able to create without limitation. I found it exciting to apply this to jewelry and challenge myself to create pieces that are both comfortable and inspiring.

I primarily use precious metals such as sterling silver and fine silver in my pieces, I love how silver goes with everything and can still be so exquisite and refined.

In my pieces, the stone is the inspiration; its origin, the colors, shape, imperfections- all speak volumes to me and inspire me to create something spectacular that will capture the natural essence of the stone and be forever cherished by the wearer.

Sculpture

I have lived in King since 1996. This is where my artistic career began. I have gone through many sculpture media including wood carving, stone, and for the last 6 years I have dived deep into Raku. I have taken years of training in Naples Florida when I am 'snow birding' in the winter.

I love the anticipation that comes with the colourful surprise that is the technique of raku. Each piece is unique with it's own character. I focus on faces in the form of masks for wall hanging or free standing sculpture.

Acrylic

I have lived in King since I was 12. I attended the Toronto Waldorf School until Grade 12 where they require you to draw and compose your own text books. I have been very involved in art my whole life. I was a professional athlete traveling the world gathering inspiration for my painting along the way. Now I work as an In Home Personal Trainer, which brings ideas in the form of human anatomy to my work.

While living in Australia I moved into Oils but when I moved home I came right back to my favourite medium, acrylics. I focus mainly on canvas and wood but also do smaller colour pencil pieces as well. I bring my colourful past and mix it with the seasons outside my studio window to complete scenes of wonder.

Jewellery

Amanda Brittin is a visual artist from Mount Albert, Ontario, working predominantly in silver and stone jewellery. Her work is both whimsical and funky.

Although I work in a variety of media, including jewellery, mosaics and floorcloths, my work has a unifying element in that I focus on the functional aspects of creativity. My intention is to make pieces that can be used as part of daily life and bring a small element of joy and beauty to the owner. There is nothing precious about my work - it is fun and whimsical, often humorous - whether a ring, a canvas floorcloth or a mosaic window, the piece will be light-hearted and colourful.

Oil

Jordana is a Professional Graphic Designer and YSDN Design Honors Graduate from one of the top Design Schools in Canada. She commissions custom fine art with all kinds of media and techniques as well. Jordana's passion lies in the art of creation, expression and self growth.

Art is a time to become in-tune with yourself, and reach the heart of others. It connects us all. Her passion grows every day in hopes to make this world a more beautifully creative place, one project at a time.

Woodturning

George began wood turning in the late 1980's, making gifts for family and friends.

George's work has been sold through several galleries across Canada - from Jasper BC to Perth, Ontario. He has participated in many of the Ontario Craft Shows, including One-Of-A-Kind Show and Sale for ten successful and rewarding years. The vases have been sent or taken as gifts to all parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Hawaii, the Oreint and USA - even to a Tibetan Monastery.

His love for the wood is evident. He loves saving the wood by creating beautiful objects that others can love and appreciate. Each piece unique, people who love wood, love his work. George uses a tag for every creation " This is made with the hope it provides you as much enjoyment as it did for me in its making".

Painting/Sculpture

CLAUSTRO culminates the collaboration of husband and wife artists: painter, Carol Currie and sculptor, Stuart Leggett, and manifests artistic creations known as ‘sculpted paintings’. Both self-taught artists, they have been working collaboratively and professionally full time for over 20 years. Their collaborative works have been highly sought after and commissioned for the last 10 years.

Their love of nature and adventurous trekking expeditions offer an interpretation of nature that has become synonymous with the pieces that they create.

Acrylic/Oil

Before I fully devoted myself to art, I graduated from different faculties but my last degree, with honours, from Ontario College of Art and Design is the most precious to me.

Besides doing fine arts, Alexandra is an illustrator and her medical illustrations were printed in numerous medical publications: books, lecture materials for University of Toronto and also American Medical Association Journals.

Alexandra's fine art paintings are mainly in oil and acrylic but she enjoys other media as well. Her subjects include portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, nature and abstracts and are expressed in vibrant colours with strongly accented brush strokes and thick application of paint. Alexandra particularly enjoys painting portraits in which she is focusing on the individual's gesture elements, which are the "soul of the person".

Alexandra's artworks are in private collections in Canada, Europe, Japan and Brazil.

Sculpture

I was born in Latvia, lived part of my life in Moscow, Russia, being a surgeon; then came to Canada in 1991 and became a Naturopathic Doctor. Now, 20 years later, I have finally embraced my life-long love for ceramics and became a potter.

I believe that our daily seemingly mundane moments of food preparation or eating or drinking can be transformed into esthetic and joyful moments by using certain utensils and dishes. I prefer creating simple pots but the ones that warm the soul.

Oil

Santino was born in the small beautiful seaside town of Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Italy. Here he attended his early schooling. Being part of a large family, the first son of six children was not easy for a poor family therefore during the early 1960’s the parents looked to immigrate to America in order to provide a better life.

During the early years, he held various jobs, gaining experience in various fields finally settling in a career in the shipping industry. For over 25 years he has dedicated his life to the shipping trade and today being in charge of a large shipping company in the city of Toronto Canada.

His love for art started during the early, like every other student started doodling on scrap papers, in exercise books, pen & pencil drawing in classroom book pages. In High School, Charcoal drawings became an easy transition. Today his preferred media is oil, painting landscape sceneries, nature and symmetrical structures, with a love of trees.

Acrylic

Colour, whimsy, and a touch of humour are all important components in all of my paintings.

My painting style is illustrative. Words and phrases that capture my attention are the creative inspiration for my paintings. My medium is acrylic paint on canvas, paper, and wood panel. I prefer to design my paintings by first doing a series of sketches to capture the image exactly as I see it in my mind. Many times I stretch and prepare my own canvases to suit the image instead of trying to force an idea onto a standard size.

Over the past few years, I have reveled in painting work for the Urban Series, but the 'Cruizin' Series paintings are the most enjoyable for me. They are also the most time consuming to produce. Much thought and consideration is put into researching specific features of each car I select for a painting, making it easily identifiable to the viewer. Characters of my own design are added, many of whom are inspired by people I have met at some point in my life, who suit the selected car and the selected phrase, creating a play on words with the title of the painting. People can identify with my whimsical, surreal worlds giving them an emotional connection either through the car, the characters, or the depicted activity.

In 2011, I decided to make visual art my sole career. Since then, I have participated in a variety of juried shows including the Downtown Festival of the Arts in Naples Florida. I have also had a solo exhibition at the Colleen Abbott Gallery in Aurora, Ontario and have gallery representation in both Canada and the United States.

Pottery

I started on the Potters Wheel at age 16 learning with my students and then went on to graduate from Seneca College with a Visual Arts Instructor's Diploma in 1981. After successfully completing a four year apprenticeship with a Master Potter of FINE Porcelain, I continue to teach pottery in my studio and showroom, north of Toronto in Caledon.

I produce Wheel Thrown, Fine Porcelain dinnerware and gifts. My work shows in many galleries and stores including The McMichael Gallery Canadian Art Collection and The Art Gallery of Ontario. I participate in Trade and Contemporary Craft shows; through these shows I have won several awards of excellence for Master Quality Craftsmanship and Booth Design & Display.

I enjoy working with FINE Porcelain because of the physical purity and hardiness. Fine Porcelain has its' own qualities from the 'whiter than white - baby powder' feel to incredible strength and durability when kiln fired at very high temperatures. The colour effects create depth and textures which make us want to use and enjoy each piece.

Fine Porcelain is all about the natural relationship between 'true form' and the 'FINE' touch. It draws you close and exposes its honest beauty through everyday use.

The development of my pottery has always been with the desire to improve on style. Over the years, as my technique has become increasingly refined, I feel I've developed a clean and elegant look to the pieces in keeping with my overall view of simplicity in life.

Wood/Metal

Acrylic/Oil

Brigitte Granton's passion for painting landscapes in acrylic and oil paint comes from her love of nature and education in the biological sciences. As a resident of King Township for much of her life, she is drawn to the woodlands, rolling hills and farms of the surrounding Oak Ridges Moraine as well as the rugged landscapes of the Parry Sound/Muskoka area.

While working in medical research and forensics, art was always a part of her life, and after raising a family, she was able to focus on painting full time. Over the years, Brigitte has taken numerous courses and workshops in oil and acrylic painting from various prominent artists.

Brigitte has participated and won awards in numerous juried art shows and her works are currently displayed on banners throughout King Township, publications of the North American Native Plant Society and in private collections and in corporations in Canada.

"Inspiration is everywhere. The countryside of Canada never disappoints!"

Oil

Donna loves animals. She grew up helping in her dad's animal hospital tending pets. Horses and dogs were her art subjects from the time she was young and Donna spent all the money she earned from babysitting to go to horse stables on weekends. In 1974 Donna and her husband moved to their 50 acre organic cow-calf farm south of Schomberg, Ontario. After retiring from teaching high school Computer Science in June of 2001, Donna started painting precise watercolour botanicals, progressed to bird subjects and farm life. She loves painting her own animals plus those of farming friends. For the most part she prefers animal "portraits", close up head shots. As of 2013, Donna has converted to oil painting, a medium she loves.

Donna paints with Kaleidoscope, a group of six York Region friends. She was previously the Treasurer of the Schomberg Horticultural Society for six years and the Treasurer of Botanical Artists of Canada for four years.

Donna is represented by Ethel Curry Gallery in Haliburton, Ontario and Gallery 21 in Tottenham.

Oil/Arylic - Photography

Jewellery

Karen's handcrafted jewellery is very colourful and fun. She works with Sterling Silver, semiprecious stones and Niobium, a very rare pure metal which is naturally hypoallergenic and when anodized produces a rainbow of colours. Karen graduated from the Design Department of the Ontario College of Art in 1985.

Photography

The intricate details and organized chaos of the natural world captured Chris Kingdon's imagination at an early age. Whether it be the largest of ecosystems or the smallest of insects, his photographs put a spotlight on this often-overlooked beauty, and demonstrate just what we risk losing if humankind doesn't soon start better protecting and preserving the world around us.

Now a student of Wildlife Biology at the University of Guelph and an active wildlife rehabilitator, Chris invites visitors to view some of the most unique, colourful and complex pieces of artwork mother nature has gifted us. An artistic photographer, he has exhibited his photography is multiple juried art shows and won art and photography awards both locally and internationally.

Watercolour

This internationally award winning artist paints primarily in transparent watercolour. Ona specializes in portraiture of people and animals but also enjoys painting landscapes, still life and more creative pieces. She was selected as one of the top 10 “ones to watch” by the popular Watercolour Artist magazine in 2012 and has since won major awards both Nationally and Internationally for her work and has had her work featured in magazines and books around the world.

Acrylic

Ileen Kohn, artist, seeks to capture the figure in movement, the spirit of a portrait, the beauty of landscapes and nostalgia of still life using oils, watercolour and charcoal.

Ileen trained with the Academy of Realist Art (formerly Michael John Angel Studios). She received further training in Figurative Painting at the Ontario College of Art, and Cartooning at George Brown College. Ileen teaches art at the high school level in Toronto; she accepts art and tutoring commissions.

Oil

Andrej is masterful painter and illustrator. After earning Master Degree from Academy of Art in Warsaw he went to New York getting Kosciuszko Scholarship. He lives in Ontario Canada and has a wife and three children.

Mixed Media - Pottery

I first started throwing pots over thirty years ago and have refined my exploration of the vessel over several decades. Having recently completed my Masters Degree in Visual Arts at York University, I am now working solely in porcelain as it combines the delicacy of high-fired clay with the challenge of traditional form.

My work can be found in several important collections, most notably the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

Mixed Media - Wood and Resin

I have been enduring Trigeminal Neuralgia for the past 15 years.

I truly believe in fate, to stay positive and make the best of what is handed to you. If not for TN I may never have discovered the magical world of Art.

Art is my therapy. I am self taught and have been painting for a number of years now. Abstract mostly. I then fell in love with Resin and never looked back.

Oil

Olena Lopatina was born in Ukraine and graduated from the Academy of Art and Design with a Bachelor in Fine Arts Diploma. She moved to Canada in 1997and is now living in Stouffville, Ontario. After moving to Canada she attained a degree in Computer Graphic Design and Multimedia Web Design. She became an active artist in the community.

Her love of art came at an early age. The inspiration of nature - landscapes, waterscapes and floral became the themes of her paintings. As an intuitive painter she finds beauty in her surroundings and enjoys painting what inspires her, using oils to portray that beauty.

As a member of Richmond Hill Group of Artists (RHGA) she has participated in numerous solo and group art shows at Mill Pond Gallery.

Nothing is so perfect and so beautiful as nature. I have always been fascinated by harmony and beauty of nature. To study nature was always a source of great pleasure for me. My passion for nature is reflected in my painting. And much of my imagery I found just by opening my door, outside in the ever-changing landscape and in the garden. Inspired by nature I want the viewer to be able to feel like they are actually there. I want the viewer to fill like me every time they look at one of my paintings.

Oil

I paint landscapes. I want/hope that the viewer will appreciate the emotion and energy of the paintings and that in turn will trigger a memory or a wish to be there. I have recently branched out from the traditional oil on canvas to the use of different substrates - aluminum, rusted steel and live edge wood and use those when the material will contribute to the feeling of the scene.

After a 30+ year career in engineering my creative passion for painting was rekindled through a seminar series about operating a consulting business. "if not now when" became the phrase.

I am primarily self taught but have taken a few workshops in the Rockies and Algonquin Park.

Since then I have participated in 100+ shows varying from arts and crafts to the McMichael Art gallery to the Calgary Stampede Art auction plus a number of gallery shows. My work is in private and corporate hands in Canada, Australia, through out the US and in Europe.My work is also available in a few different galleries - the Loft (Thornbury), Paula White Diamond (Waterloo), Koyman (Ottawa), the Ethel Curry Gallery (Haliburton) and Arta in the Distillery (Toronto - at this point she is carrying my aluminum works)

Highlights include 4 years in the top ten seller list at the McMichael Gallery Autumn ArtSale and People's Choice awards at the TWAC/Artworld art show at the CNE for 2015, 2017.

I also sit on the board of the Artists Network.

Mixed Media - Leather

It all kind of started by accident while idly fidgeting with a cool piece of glass-mounting hardware that someone had left on my desk.

Growing up with a father who is a custom muzzle loading rifle maker, complete with buckskin outfits, I was always exposed to the leather products that went along with his trade. One of his friends, a leathercrafter, made me a leather pencil case with my initials engraved on it. I had the coolest pencil case in school and I still have it!

One day, I was suddenly inspired to make myself a cool leather cuff using this piece of smooth, round, glass-mounting hardware. I went to my closet and found an old belt that was far too worn out to wear any longer and started chopping. I had some snaps and a setting kit from my various adventures in Halloween costume making, so I dragged them out and went to town on this cuff. I was quite impressed with the result, so I wore it to work the next day.

I received so many compliments on the cuff! One colleague even asked me where I had bought it. When I told her I made it myself, she asked if I could please make her one too. I happened to have another one of the pieces of glass-mounting hardware, so I did just that, and she purchased it from me. Then another colleague asked if I could make her something, too. And so this adventure began.

Oil

"Some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world are right here in Canada waiting to be discovered by those adventuresome enough to step off the beaten path. My challenge in life is to present Canada on canvas to the world. To assist each one who wishes to bring a dramatic Canadian landscape experience into their private space, at home or in the office."
Robert McAffee

"I have always had it in my blood, the desire to draw and paint". Any surface was fair game in the early years of Roberts's life. "I remember my mother shrieking from the dining room, when I arrived I could see that she had discovered my well crafted carving of my name into the surface of her cherished dining table, but she didn't seem to think it was such a nice piece of work!" Such was the beginning of Robert's long road through the creative arts and the constant rediscovery of new methods and mediums.

In 2007 Robert was given an oil painting kit which would dramatically change his life and the direction of his art. "Oil gave my painting power and texture, colours were richer and far more expressive." He explains. What followed was a succession of sales of his art that to the present time has exceeded over 300 original paintings.

Join Robert in his examination and celebration of beauty, colour and light as he steps off that beaten path.

Acrylic/Watercolour

Mary's love of painting started in her early school years and in her teens she attend a few art courses. She took a break from her artistic talent to concentrate on her marriage, career and raising a family. After 40 years she decided to return to her passion of art and attended an art class to refresh her memory and history was made.

Painting gives her a feeling of peace and satisfaction. Her paintings are relaxing, peaceful, an expression of beauty, and inspirational. It touches her creative imagination of her visualization of a great world and takes you in a place of peace, tranquility and serenity. She expresses her ideas in the use of different mediums acrylic, watercolour, charcoal, ink, oil pastels. The realistic fine art painting begins from an individual photo and or multi photos perfectly composed to the right composition. With the use of imagination, colors, value, tone and texture along with an extra touch of expression her painting is created.

The Alzheimer Society has used her inspirational painting "Forget Not" for their Alzheimer Awareness campaign.

Oil/Watercolour

I was born in Goderich, Ontario, Canada in the mid nineteen-fifties. My first memories, though, are from a three year stay in France, in the town Longuyon near Marveille, on the German border, where our family lived while my father was stationed there.

When I came to enter high school, I was advised to enroll in a commercial art program I hadn't known existed, but which proved to be a saving grace, and the better for being unlooked for. Prior to this I'd assumed in general that my habit of sketching constantly was an unhealthy distraction from schoolwork.

In high school, however, instruction in various art subjects proved to be a breakout environment for me, and I flourished! Then, in my 3rd year I discovered The Lord of the Rings, on my sister Cathy's recommendation. Her high school friends were 'into' this author, JRR Tolkien, and this spellbinding trio of books became an urgent and deeply satisfying new focus for me. There's nothing quite like finding something important you didn't know you were looking for!

Recently, I've been rediscovering the mediums of pencil, coloured pencil, and oil pastel, exploring images of picturesque rural decay in old collapsing barns, sheds, and farmhouses. And whenever time allows in my very busy life, I love to get away to Ontario's north country, satisfying a love of nature which was nurtured from the beginning for me. It provides the kind of escape only a wilderness environment can, and always contributes to my staying centered.

Oil, Acrylic

Hoda Nicholas is a Canadian artist born in Cairo, Egypt and currently living in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Her journey with art started a long time ago with a passion for all expressions of art and everything beautiful. She is self taught through books, workshops, art classes, instructional videos and any opportunity she can get to learn and be mentored. She primarily paints in oil and "plays" with pastel and watercolour. She loves painting different subject from people, flowers, still life to abstract in vibrant expressive colours and bold brush strokes. Through her art, she intends to send a message of joy to the viewer's heart leading to an appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us. Hoda uses colors expressively and vibrantly to capture moments in time highlighting the beauty in a flower, a landscape, a pear or a child's face. She is after evoking a feeling rather than depicting an accurate representation of the subject allowing the viewer to interact with the paintings at a more emotional level.

The subject might vary but the end goal remains, invoking a sense of joy and beauty through each painting. Pursuing art is an ongoing journey for Hoda filled with excitement and anticipation of what each painting will bring forth.

Oil

Gaia sees the world as a harmonious geometric composition. Her work explores many archtypical themes about all aspects of life and refelect her interest in the interconnectedness of our lives with the elements and cycles of nature.

Sacred and ancient forms of art from various cultures throughout history have always Gaia. With beauty in their simplicity, their strong lines,vivid colours, the images transcend time through feel 'like they have always been here'. These images have the same power as the beauty we find in nature. The more connected we are with our own true nature and the natural world the greated harmony we feel.

Photography

Dominick Petrungaro began exploring his interest in photography and film as early as grade school and his photographs have appeared in Toronto newspapers and magazines. He specializes in portraiture, landscape, and architectural. He is also a freelance photographer whose work includes; Justin Trudeau's campaign trail in Ontario, Cadbury Canada, Parkinson Society Canada, Ashley's Angels, Sick Kids Hospital, Art World Fine Art,The Breast Cancer Society of Canada,

His style has been described as being abstract, and cinematic. His major influences in his artistic endeavours are from such renown Cinema directors as Federico Fellini, Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, Michelangelo Antonioni and Sergio Leon. Like these maverick artists, Dominick aspires to form a visual language in his art that renders unnecessary any explanations to plot, story or emotions.

Dominick has won numerous awards for his work including being the first and only photographer to win the 2010 'Best in Show' in the history of the Franklin Carmichael art Centre. In August of 2014, he won the 'Unexpected Rainbow' National contest hosted by Mocca (Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art) and Nikon Canada for his image, 'Azul'. He has also participated in the Contact Photography festival in May 2014, and 2015 at Artworld Fine Art in Etobicoke.

Dominick currently resides in Nobleton, Ontario and is a graduate of York University and Humber College.

Oil

Silvia has been creating in various forms throughout her professional and personal life. Mostly self taught, her favorite medium is oil.

Her paintings are her response to what she sees and feels around her, repeated in form and colour. Silvia was born in Germany and now makes her home in Schomberg ON .

Oil

"My passion for painting is rooted in nature and the fascination I have for light and shade. That has drawn me to paint through my senses to share what I'm feeling".

A native of Colombia, Lucy grew up enjoying the mountains and the tropical beaches where she found a great appreciation for nature. In high school she was interested in many forms of art and later, when she received a degree in Architecture, her passion for art focused on oil painting. After graduating, she attended private classes with different teachers and also participated in numerous workshops to improve the technique.

Although she is known for her depictions of landscapes and still life, Lucy's work is very diverse and includes a wide variety of subjects. Her richly colored style has afforded her the opportunity of showing her work in private collections and shows in Colombia and Canada. Now, living in Canada, she finds inspiration in the endless wonder of the seasons and the beautiful scenery that Canada offers

Oil, Acryllic, Watercolour

Anne Reimer's paintings show a remarkable sense of colour, love, and understanding of nature.

Her inspirations come from the beauty of area scenes and travels, depicting barns, mills, and capturing still life from her garden.

Anne was born in Paraguay, South America, and immigrated to Canada in 1955 at the age of 16. Her training has helped her gain much understanding of the fundamentals of art. Feeling a deep love for fine art, she has been inspired to perfect her technique in oil, watercolour, and mixed media.

Living in the Niagara area since she immigrated, she has married and raised a family of three children, and continues to be involved with grandchildren as the family grows. Over the past 25 years, she has exhibited in a variety of shows and galleries. Her works are displayed in many homes in Canada, the United States, and many other countries.

She spends many hours in her home studio, painting for shows and filling commissions, as well as teaching. Her love for art grows with each painting as she seeks to fulfill her ambition.

Acrylic

Born just outside of London, England, in the beautiful rolling hills of Essex County, Michele Rose has been using her creative forces from the young age of ten. In 1982, she moved to Canada and studied at Ontario College of Art. Michele experimented with many styles and media throughout her post graduate years. She soon discovered her one true love, painting inspirational landscapes, florals and abstract works.

Her paintings depict the quaintness of Michele's homeland while celebrating the vastness of Canada's beauty. Her primary goal is to create peaceful, calming landscapes, into which the viewer can escape from the hectic demands of everyday life.

Mixed Media

Formally trained as a graphic designer in Montréal, I subsequently discovered the tremendous liberation found in expressing my imagination and projecting my unique whimsical imagery on surfaces using the power of texture and colours. My current series of paintings concentrates on an exploration of the boundary between sea and land: the place where the terrestrial and marine realms meet. The beauty and power of the marine world profoundly move me, and its variety and mystery infuse me with a deep sense of awe.

I project my imagery in a bold colourful style using a variety of media and techniques which include acrylic paint, pencil crayon, block prints and ink and whatever medium strikes my fancy.

I hope that my work instils in you a small measure of the joy and wonder that I feel when marvelling at the natural world!

Oil

After a career as a graphic designer / illustrator and then travelling to Florence, Italy to study academic painting and drawing, Judy decided to pursue her career as a visual artist full time. Her work is shown in galleries and exhibitions. Judy has received OAC Grants and won various awards for her work. Her pieces hang in private collections throughout Canada, USA, Scotland and Ireland.

"I have always admired the quality and aesthetics of the old masters and at the same time was fascinated with the reality and emotions that cartoons evoked. They could convey a message with such simplicity and ease. After much contemplation, I decided to incorporate the two ideas. With this combination I am excited to paint in the traditional style that I admire and at the same time include toys that evoke a spirit of nostalgia and elevate the soul".

Photography

A native of Toronto, Canada, Steve Silverman is an international award-winning, fine art photographer with a keen and unique artistic vision. His love and appreciation for black and white photography is reflected in his dramatic landscapes and engaging architectural cityscapes from across Canada.

Steve's photos represent a visual interpretation of his outer reality. He uses strong tonal contrast, texture and mood to express his artistic vision. His photos are easily recognized by his use of strong leading lines combined with the interplay of light and shadows to create depth, giving a two-dimensional image the illusion of three dimensions. Simply put, he can transform a simple, mundane scene into a compelling black & white fine art photograph.

Steve's photos have been published in many international books and magazines. He is also a guest speaker at local camera clubs.

Steve works in conjunction with several Canadian art galleries and publishers on a variety of corporate and home decor fine art projects. These include Kodiak Gallery, Denison Gallery, Liss Gallery, Select Art Gallery, Mima Fine Art Publishers, Out of the Blue Art Publishers and Laila's.

Wood

My name is Devinder Singh. I am 32 years old. I have been interested in woodworking since I was a child. My father was a large influence in getting me interested in crafting bookshelves, carpentry skills. I also currently teach figure skating and have been involved in that for over 10 years. I was a former national competitive figure skater in singles and pairs and competed internationally representing Canada.

The last few years I have been very interested in working with solid hardwoods and constructing not only durable cutting boards, but ones with visual interest and elegant serving boards.

Pottery

Holly's passion for clay started 30 years ago when she joined The Richmond Hill Potters Guild. Since then, she has taken many workshops as well as attending George Brown College and The Koffler Centre for the Arts. Holly taught pottery to seniors for the North York Board of Education for eight years and at CACY (Caledon Art Camp) for five. She now creates wheel thrown functional pieces in her studio, inspired by her garden, pets and wild unruly property. Holly teaches classes in the studio in the spring and fall.

Acrylic

Karola Steinbrecher was born in Germany and now resides north of Toronto. She has been painting for over forty years and is primarily self-taught. She has exhibited in both group and solo shows, won awards for her work, and is a member of artist leagues both in Florida and Ontario.

Karola has a penchant for warm colours and can be detail oriented or abstract in her selection of subjects often presenting a familiar subject with unusual backgrounds. Her use of red hues are most obvious in her present work and she has recently moved to more abstract subject matter. Her pieces are lively and expressive, delivered in very intense colors, on simplified rich backgrounds. The work is very modern and contemporary and illustrates her versatility, particularly in her works of nature.

Karola has shown frequently in galleries, shows and exhibitions in North America and her art has been purchased to private and corporate collections in Canada, the U.S.A and Europe.

Oil

I inherited my artistic ability from my father. I took several art courses at York University where I received my Art Specialist certificate. I also took several art courses at an art college in the States by correspondence where I received a proficiency in art certificate.

Acrylic

Nature, when it is not satisfied with circumstances, creates new ones. A sapling will bend, strain and swerve to become a great tree, water will wear away at rock to reach its destination and as an artist I strive to do the same. With my art I never want to be just satisfied. Instead, I continually aim for joy.

I have spent over 25 summers in the interior of Algonquin Park. I have lived amid waltzing trees, decaying stumps, painted skies, and barren rocks. Nature has been my temple, my school, and my home. I have come to realize that trees often show more humanity than humans, that the sun rejoices in it’s setting, and that moonlight makes even the most common object beautiful. In nature I have seen the struggle for life, the necessity of death, and the reality of something greater.

Growing up in the Algonquin wild, I fell in love with the created world, with the howling wind, the dying trees, and the lonely moon. I want to share that love with others, and so I paint.

Acrylic

I love to paint flowers (both realistic and impressionist) and also paint abstract images combining both regular acrylic, mixed media and metallic acrylics including iridescents.

Some of the comments I've heard from customers is ... "a very strong presence" ... "would be quite complementary to modern and/or corporate spaces" .... and comments about my mixed media textured large pieces "they look like they are hard, metal sculpture yet are soft to the touch" .... "amazing, strong pieces"... "they make me happy when I look at them".

I am also into photography, especially in black and white. My favourites are close-up floral images and architectural pieces.

I had the opportunity of displaying my art at the Skylight Gallery at the Aurora Town Hall in 2007 for one month and display and sell both my paintings and my photography at local juried art shows, town festivals, restaurants and shops. I also do commissioned pieces and have had the pleasure of clients purchasing more than one of my pieces to display in their home.

Oil

Darlene J. Winfield has traveled the world extensively and while living abroad spent time drawing and studying art and art history. Her passion to travel allowed her to visit some of the most important galleries and museums around the world. The joy of living abroad in Mexico and Indonesia has bought her to a new understanding of the world and our place in it.

The main focus of her art is the Canadian landscape done through representational painting. Landscape to her, represents our world, our responsibility.

Photography

Tom's medium is photography and his inspiration comes from outdoors.

He captures images of landscapes, waterscapes and flowers, turning them into compelling pictures that have an almost painterly quality about them - hence the name Images Photo Art.

When Tom takes a photograph, he thinks about composition, angle, light and atmosphere. The finished picture might be soft and dreamy, or bright and cheerful. His intention is to evoke an emotion; it might be calming, exciting or mysterious. Maybe it conjures the memory of a previous experience. And sometimes his images will pose the question "What is that?" provoking a sense of curiosity.

A number of Tom's pictures have been purchased by Southlake Hospital for their Cancer Centre, and he is one of the artists on their Legacy program. Artwork in the hospital follows themes of wellness and nature. The selected pieces benefit patients, their visitors and healthcare workers alike.

Tom can be seen at his home studio/gallery, the annual King Studio Tour and Schomberg Street Gallery.