Interview #11
Only 5 days to the studio tour!
Q1Why did you choose to become an artist? Did someone influence you?
A1.My fascination with drawing and painting began before I can remember. Enjoying drawing is earliest memory. All through my school years, being an artist seemed to be what I was noted for. So I’ve never actually had to make any sort of conscious choice to be an artist.
I can’t single any person out as a main influence, but I’ve been lucky to have received lots of encouragement from many sources all along the way.
Q2. If you could use your art to express something socially important to you, what would you do?
A2. I’m certainly not out to change the world or tackle important social issues of the day. I do, however, feel a very strong connection and dedication to this province that I was born in and that I have never seen reason to move away from. I would hope in some small way my work celebrates our natural environment and it’s worthiness of protecting.
Q3.Can you tell us your favorite artist(s)? Can tell us why? Did one or many of these artists influence your style? In what way?
A3.I would say the strongest influences on my art would be the watercolourists I became aware of through Capilano College, Harry Heine and Kiff Holland. Though never my instructors, both did demos for the students. Two very different styles, but each a master in his own right. What drew me to the work of Harry Heine was his crisp edge, deft strokes and, realistic yet stylized approach. With Kiff, it was more about the big rich washes and dramatic lighting that makes his work sing.
Q4.What is your favorite subject to paint?
A4.Any subject can grab me, given the right lighting and composition. I believe some of my most successful paintings are of the most mundane, everyday subjects. There is sometimes a certain poetry about an unremarkable scene or object when light hits it just the right way. A grouping of rocks in the water. Weathered and worn cobblestone pavers. A typical back lane in South Burnaby.
Q5.What is your medium? Why? Do you like to try different mediums or you are more conservative person?
A5.My medium is watercolour. I was first drawn to it in my high school years, but it was the Capilano College Commercial Art Program that opened my eyes to what could really be done with it. It’s definitely time to expand my repertoire, though. At this point, I think the unforgiving and overly technical nature of Watercolour may be holding me back creatively and acrylics would be a refreshing change.
Apricots and old jars
