Susan Dain, Lock

 

Susan Dain, Lock, acrylic, 121.9 x 91.4 cm, NFS

Susan Dain was awarded 1st Honourable Mention for Lock in Visual Arts Mississauga’s 33rd Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts.

1. Tell us about the artwork you have in the VAM 2011 Juried Show.

The piece that I have at the VAM show called Lock is from a series that I have been painting on canals and locks that started with the Panama Canal. I was inspired by the sheer size and scope of the engineering feat that created the canals. And the ability to channel water to transport ships across land.

This painting is of the Kirkfield Lift Locks in Ontario. I like to work with a limited palette and create power in the painting using value contrast and shape. I worked toward achieving a tension between the massive scale of the structure and the smaller openings that show depth and allow breathing room.

2. How and when did you first become interested in creating art?

I first started drawing as a child and have been involved in art in some way ever since.

3. What do you think of the art scene in Mississauga? Where do you see it heading in the next ten years?

It seems to be a very active and growing art community.

4. What advice would you give young people who want to become artists?

Becoming involved in diverse and active art group is the best way I know to grow as an artist.

5. What do you have lined up after the VAM Juried Show? For people interested in finding more of your artwork, do you have a website, blog, Twitter account or gallery?

I’m going to continue working on the Locks and Canals series and hope to find somewhere to show it as a whole. I have artwork at the Latitude 44 Gallery at 2900 Dundas Street. I am currently working on a new website.

See Susan Dain’s Lock at the Art Gallery of Mississauga in the VAM 33rd Annual Juried Show until February 26th.

Voting for People’s Choice Award ongoing until February 26th. Ballots available at Gallery reception.

Shinhee Kim, Reclining Woman

Shinhee Kim, Reclining Woman, acrylic, 80 x 95 cm, $900

 

Shinhee Kim’s Reclining Woman won 3rd Place in the Visual Arts Mississauga 33rd Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts.

1.  Tell us about the artwork you have in the VAM 2011 Juried Show. 

I was inspired from growing up in Korea during the Korean War. I can remember seeing people who lost their families, specifically young women who lost her children. I felt sorrow and sympathy for those people which inspired me to do life painting.

2. How and when did you first become interested in creating art?   

I was always interested in art however I did not have enough time to learn earlier in my life. I began studying art in 1997 at Sheridan College.

3. What do you think of the art scene in Mississauga? Where do you see it heading in the next ten years? 

Mississauga is a very multicultural city and the art scene is an example of the diversity that is found within the city. In the next 10 years I hope that there will continue to be more art shows and support for the arts.

4. What advice would you give young people who want to become artists? 

I would tell them to be patient, practice hard, and to develop your own individual style and character.

5. What do you have lined up after the VAM Juried Show? For people interested in finding more of your artwork, do you have a website, blog, Twitter account or gallery? 

I plan on continuing to enter into more juried art shows and I am currently preparing for my third solo exhibition at the Japan Cultural Centre in Toronto. A website is currently in development!

See Shinhee Kim’s Reclining Woman at the Art Gallery of Mississauga in the VAM 33rd Annual Juried Show until February 26th.

Voting for People’s Choice Award ongoing until February 26th. Ballots available at Gallery reception.

Susan Donati, Checkered Past

Susan Donati, Checkered Past, oil, 76 x 61 cm, $1500

 

1. Tell us about the artwork you have in the VAM 2011 Juried Show.

)  At one time, I did a lot of portraits, but moved to other subject matter.  I always return to creating them, though, as I am very intrigued by the human face and figurative art.  As far as inspiration goes, I find every face of interest; however, I am more interested in capturing a mood rather than a photo image.  My painting in the show started from a photo I had of a family member in a checkered shirt.

The ghostly image represents the past and the far away expression of the main image reflects a thought process, or musing, about said past.

It actually took me quite a long time to capture what I had in mind and I ended up using an abundance of red as I see that in faces.

Usually, I do a painting per week and this took longer as I had to keep going back to it.

2. How and when did you first become interested in creating art?

I have painted all my life.  My very first painting was at the age of 4 – I was lucky to have artists in my family.

3. What do you think of the art scene in Mississauga? Where do you see it heading in the next ten years?

The art scene in Mississauga is improving all the time.  We have many very good artists living in Mississauga and the Art Gallery, VAM and MAC ensure that we are in some way represented.  I would like us to become more international (other than AGM) and to erase the stigma of art buyers feeling that anything west of the 427 is both too far and less worthy than the downtown venues provide.  I think this is a matter of competitions and advertising to correct.

4. What advice would you give young people who want to become artists?

I am often asked how to get into the art world and I always suggest that young artists take courses, become involved in local competitions and put themselves out there.  It is in great part a matter of confidence and self-worth which are, of course, hard things for any artist, young or old.

5. What do you have lined up after the VAM Juried Show? For people interested in finding more of your artwork, do you have a website, blog, Twitter account or gallery?

I am represented by a gallery in Yorkville, Leonardo Galleries, so my work is often there.  I have an exhibition coming up with MAC at a law firm downtown, beginning next week.  I am a guest artist a couple of times a year at Victoria Park Gallery.  My website is: www.susandonati.com.

See Susan Donati’s Checkered Past at the Art Gallery of Mississauga in the VAM 33rd Annual Juried Show until February 26th.

Voting for People’s Choice Award ongoing until February 26th. Ballots available at Gallery reception.