| I learned
to paint at a very early age tutored by Hamilton artist
Allan J. Scott. In a place surrounded by old world oil
paintings and plaster casts, my teacher shared with me
the idea of art as discipline and the importance of history
in art. From his studio, I continued
my study of art at McMaster University, University of
Toronto, and the Ontario College of Art and Design.
Today, as a practising artist and a
teacher of art for over 20 years, I like to challenge
my own students to analyse their work and to question
its forms and efficiency in conveying meaning. They,
in turn, have engaged me to do the same. In this light,
I have aimed to be always open to the exploration of
new media and techniques and to incorporating them with
my oils and acrylic paintings.
My most recent work centre around a
fusion of black and white photography with that of painting.
I find the timeless quality of my photographs when combined
with the golden translucency of the oils and acrylic
is a strong tool for expressing the ideas preoccupying
my thoughts. By doing my own model shoots, processing
negatives, and developing and manipulating final prints,
I gain satisfaction in moulding images that mirror the
pictures in my mind. I see a figure reflected in calm
waters on a still night. Quietude pervades this examination
of what is hidden deep within the inner self.
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