About

Contents

Biography

Who am I?

  • a 28-year-old artist living and working in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • a Queen’s University fine art program graduate (BFA, 2006), which culminated in a year of study focused on the art of painting that helped me gain tremendous knowledge and build a strong portfolio
  • very interested in cultures and traveling; this passion can often be seen in my art

Why do I create art?

Some feel the need to explode through art: I feel the need to be meticulous, pensive. In a sometimes chaotic, uncontrollable world, I find peace in what I’m able to control; through paint strokes, I create soothing rhythms.

With a paintbrush in hand, the world stands still and I can control everything. To me, painting is empowering, but more importantly, soothing. Art is my yoga… achieving perfection is my peace.

Why do I draw and paint people?

Capturing a certain look or expression that’s so unique to an individual and recording even just a small part of someone’s spirit and energy on paper, while challenging at times, deeply touches and inspires me.

“An air, a feeling, not a portrait - if it’s a portrait, it’s a portrait of an emotion.”
- Jenny Saville

Artist Statement

My art focuses on humanity and emotional expression. It often speaks of my fascination with cultures: the imagery is, at times, drawn from my own memory and experience, or, sometimes, encountered through specific research. I work with both types of images in the same way, treating each as my own and appropriating them at will.

My works speak of places I’ve been, both physically and emotionally, and of places where I wish to go. I hope to illustrate universal emotions in my paintings; I want to explain the things that unite us, beyond race and physical boundaries.

At the same time, I also wish to draw attention to the differences between cultures, to the things that divide us and make people unique.

My paintings are intended to be a celebration of life and humanity as a whole.

Current influences include Angela Grossmann, Cian McLoughlin, Jackie Anderson, Jenny Saville and Jonathan Yeo. My paintings are also inspired by the photography of Alroy Fonseca, Julie Bisnath, Lucille & Ron Desroches and Olivier Föllmi.

Exhibition Record

2006

  • Solo Exhibition, Developmental Studies Department Lounge, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
  • BFA on View ‘06, BFA Group Exhibition: Class of 2006, Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Kingston, ON)
  • How much would you say this weighs?, BFA Graduating Exhibition: Class of 2006, Ontario Hall, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
  • Common Ground Art Wall, BFA ‘06 Silent Auction, John Deutsch University Centre, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
  • Women’s Week Art Show, Stauffer Library, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
  • HOME·[made], Exhibition with artists Irina Skvortsova & Aimee Sawyers, Union Gallery (Kingston, ON)
  • Cézanne’s Closet, Gala Fundraiser, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)

2005

  • Common Ground Art Wall, John Deutsch University Centre, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
  • Mini-Works Silent Auction, Union Gallery (Kingston, ON)
  • Women’s Art Festival in Kingston, Kingston City Park (Kingston, ON)
  • Women’s Week Art Show, John Deutsch University Centre, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
  • Cézanne’s Closet, Gala Fundraiser, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)

2004

  • Hot!, Juried group exhibition, Union Gallery (Kingston, ON)
  • Short-Cuts, Collaborative time-based media exhibition, Union Gallery (Kingston, ON)
  • Cézanne’s Closet, Gala Fundraiser, Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)

2003

  • Mirror, BFA Class of 2006 exhibition, Union Gallery (Kingston, ON)

2002

  • Arteast 2nd Annual Budding Artists’ Juried Exhibition, Juried group exhibition, Visual Arts Centre (Orleans, ON)

Reviews