My Process
I am a Landscape and Animal Artist.
I love the colours of expressionist painters and often choose colours based less on hue and more on light and how the the paint colours interact on paper. Using combination of transparent watercolours to bring light into my painting, and granular watercolours made from natural minerals and semi-precious ground stone to add depth, I hope to give my painting a voice.
The paintings on this site show a journey of discovering a style that brings me joy. I have explored more realistic and more fantastical painting styles, taking inspiration from my favourite painters both past and present.
My current paintings blend abstract vibrant backgrounds with more realistic foreground elements to create images less about reality and more about possibility. A friend once told me that my paintings "speak" to her. That is the highest praise, to have someone see a story, for the paining to evoke an emotion.
To bring the painting to life.
Over the last few years I have begun hosting paint events including Tumbler Ridge's first Art Circuit, Watercolour Paint Nights and most recently painting classes for individuals and groups. Art is about the experience, both that of the artist and that of the viewer. I've shared my story and thougths here, and would love to hear from you too! Share your thoughts, your story, your questions.
Come, explore, journey with me.
Why I Paint
I have fallen in love with watercolour. I often try to control life, my situation and watercolour doesn't care what I think - it has it's own agenda, does what it does. I can guide it, but when applying wet paint to a wet surface? I can't force it anymore than I can force a child to swallow mashed peas. And this is liberating, therapeutic, exciting. Watercolour teaches me patience, wet paint must dry before adding detail. It teaches me to adapt, be flexible, to be better at being me.
Who I Am
I am married to a writer and photographer with a love of the outdoors. I work full time and paint most evenings taking inspiration from photography and life recollections. In addition I have recently branched out an am now teaching watercolour paint nights and offering individual lessons.
My paitings are the works of an art explorer - a traveler. I am always learning and growing as an artist, and I believe in valuing the journey. I hope to inspire you by sharing my art.
Artist who Inspire
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Emily Carr - Emily Carr lived in British Columbia, Canada and was inspired by the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. She is the first artist I remember learning about as a child. Her works inspire me to look past the visible to what is within, to give life to my paintings.
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Georgia O'Keeffe- Georgia O'Keeffe was an American artist known for her enlarged flowers and New Mexico landscapes, and who has been recognized as the mother of American Modernism. There is something magical to me about the sweeping strokes of colour in her paintings, evoking movement and grandeur in the subjects she paints.
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Angela Fehr - Angela Fehr is a BC Watercolour artist living in the Northern British Columbia who's style is "heart-led". Angela's inspirational videos and painting gave me the freedom to paint in a way that brings me joy and to allow my work to reflect that. Angela encourages fearlessness in painting, for authenticity instead of perfection. You can find her site at www.angelafehr.com.
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Darcy Jackson - Darcy Jackson is a veteran painter living in Tumbler Ridge who's heart is as big as her talent. Last year Darcy invited me to join a group of ladies who paint together once a week and I have been inspired and encouraged by each of these precious artists. Darcy is a bright light in our artist community.