I started painting in watercolour as a young child and I’ve just never outgrown it. Something in that mysterious interaction between water and pigment continues to fascinate and inspire me. The nature of water is such that it can’t be controlled and, as a watercolourist, I have to jump on board and enjoy the ride. What unexpected gifts I get in return!
Though I have painted most of my life I began to feel like a ‘real’ artist when I started painting urban landscape about 20 years ago. At first I loved dealing with perspective and buildings but over time it became about the people in city. This fascination with people continues to grow and is coming out in my watercolour portraits. But whatever I do the painting has to tell a story. If there is no story what’s the point!
For me an eternal truth about art is that it is a journey. The trials, joys, growth and pleasure never end and I feel blessed to be on this journey!
Artistic Affiliations
Canadian Society Of Painters In Watercolour, Signature Status
Society Of Canadian Artists, Signature Status
Federation Of Canadian Artists, Signature Status
Leighton Centre
Awards & Recognition
| April 2023 | Small Town Summer won the Membership Award in the North West Watercolour Society members show. |
| March 2023 | Small Town Summer juried into the North West Watercolour Society members’ show Waterworks. |
| Jan 2023 | Smokey Day in the Foothills accepted into Works on Paper, Juried Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver |
| Nov 2022 | The Egg Pot accepted into Limitless, International Juried. Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver |
| Feb 2022 | All Quiet In Gibson’s Society Of Canadian Artists’ International Open Exhibition |
| July 2020 | Portage & Main At Night accepted into the Society of Canadian Artists 52 Open International Juried Show |
| April 2020 | Arctic Storm – Tuktoyaktuk accepted in the Leighton Centre’s Juried Members Show |
| Feb 2020 | Satellite City – Tuktoyaktuk accepted into The Society Of Canadian Artists on-line exhibition. |
| May 2019 | Received the President’s Award at the AGM of the Canadian Society Of Painters In Water Colour for outstanding contributions and leadership in the Society. |
| May 2019 | All Quiet In Gibson’s Harbour won First Place in the People’s Choice Award in the National Open Show of the Thompson, Nicola, Shushwap Chapter of the FCA |
| April 2019 | Jasper Ave won Third Place in the National Open Show for the Thompson, Nicola, Shushwap Chapter of the FCA |
| March 2019 | All Quiet At Gibson’s Harbour, Quiet Reflection & Jasper Ave accepted into Thompson, Nicola, Shushwap National Open Show, Kamloops |
| Nov 2018 | Cool Runnin’ accepted into the Federation Of Canadian Artists AFCA Medal Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver. |
| Oct 2018 | Jasper Ave received Heinz Jordan Product Award in Open Water, an international exhibition sponsored by the Canadian Society Of Painters In Watercolour. |
| July 2018 | Commissioned to do painting for the Calgary Stampede Sponsorship Committee. |
| May 2018 | Jasper Ave, accepted into The Society Of Canadian Artists Members’ Exhibition, Gainsborough Gallery, Calgary – Honourable Mention |
| May 2018 | Early Morning, Welcome To Calgary accepted into International Watercolour Society/Canadian Society Of Painters In Watercolour joint international exhibition, Richmond Hill, ON |
| Sept 2017 | In The Pit: The Conversation juried into Annual International Juried Show at the Federation Gallery in Vancouver, BC |
| August 2017 | Construction Season Vancouver juried into Society Of Canadian Artist’s 49th Internation Open Exhibition, Papermill Gallery, Toronto, Honourable Mention |
| August 2017 | Principal instructor at CSPWC Symposium in Calgary |
| April 2017 | Awarded Signature Status with the Canadian Society Of Artists |
| April 2017 | Slocan Valley & Granville Street both accepted into the Leighton Centre’s Juried Members Show |
| April 2017 | In The Pit: The Conversation juried into Water Reflections, national juried show, Owen Sound, ON, Honourable Mention |
| Feb 2017 | Early Morning, Welcome To Calgary accepted into Stampede Art Auction |
| Feb 2017 | Kensington Market, Honourable Mention, FCA Chapter Show |
| July 2016 | Construction Season, Vancouver juried into Painting On The Edge, FCA Signature Show |
| April 2016 | Stampede City – Leighton Centre Juried Members Show |
| April 2016 | Awards juror – Creative Arts Guild Calgary |
| March 2016 | Winter Sun, Inglewood – Calgary Stampede Art Auction |
| Nov 2015 | Critique for Calgary Sketch Club |
| March 2015 | Awarded AFCA signature status with the Federation Of Canadian Artists |
| Sept 2015 | Principle Instructor at CSPWC Symposium in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia |
| March 2015 | 4th Street: A Calgary Moment juried into Calgary Stampede Art Auction |
| Sept 2014 | Construction Season, Calgary juried into Scenes From Western Canada at the Federation Gallery, Vancouver. |
| Sept 2014- March 2015 | Winter Sun, Calgary accepted into XI International Watercolour Biennial in Mexico at the Alfredo Guati Rojo National Watercolor Museum |
| Aug – Sept 2014 | Solo show Naess Gallery, Edmonton |