Living Fully Alive
Alive (40”x20”)
Welcome to my world of art and design. I hope that you will find it a refreshing corner full of colour and beauty combined to celebrate Life.
I believe each individual has something unique to share with others. That unique thing may not be life-saving in a literal sense, but I think we, as people, become more fully alive when we use what gifts we have in order to brighten the lives of others, and to push back the gloom in the world. In that sense, therefore, it is rather a matter of life and death that we use our lives, skills and resources to free the passion inside us. Existing without joy, purpose or passion, our lives can become hollow. And though our hearts beat, we can be walking around lifeless. If we ourselves are dead, how can we bring life to others?
Dr. Howard Thurman’s quote resonates with me: “Do not ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
We seldom realize how our contributions may raise someone’s spirits from a dark place. Though my art is unlikely to prevent death, I choose to believe that it can touch a spot in the human heart –in varying ways from person to person – and can have a life-giving effect to those who are open to it. If even one person’s day can be brightened by gazing at my work, I feel a deep satisfaction.
Mouse House (built when I was 8 years old)
I paint and design because I love to. The reason I love to create is because the process makes me come alive. Since childhood I have had an imaginative streak. I created some epic mouse houses (using boxes, Styrofoam and the like), jaw-dropping plasticine sculptures, runway-worthy fashions (that is ‘Dress Up Box fashions’), and I was famous, in my own home, thanks to our Kitchen Wall Gallery. My siblings and I exhibited there for years. When asked now how long a particular painting took to complete, my answer is “a lifetime.” Had I not been given creative freedom with my childhood artistic pursuits, I would likely not have refined my artistic skills in order to make art as I currently do. I am thankful to have grown up in a wonderful family that celebrated the art I produced, and helped foster my passion.
Following a two-year vocational art program in London, Ontario (Bealart, at H. B. Beal Secondary School), I studied Scientific and Technical Illustration at Sheridan College (Oakville). After traveling around North, Central and South America, I worked as a photographic retoucher for a number of years. I like to say I falsified a lot of documents (portraits) in that time! In 2006, while on an overseas adventure to New Zealand to investigate my paternal roots, I sold my first painting, and received my first commission to paint a Grace Seabrook Rhododendron. I officially began exhibiting in 2008 at “Art in the Park” in my hometown of Stratford, Ontario. Since that time I’ve made Ottawa, Ontario my home. Here I continue to relish the creativity of my career as a graphic designer and artist. I have been a member at Foyer Gallery, represented by Quinn’s of Tweed, and continue to exhibit my art locally at various venues.
My first piece sold, entitled “Liquid” (three 12”x24” canvases)
I feel tremendously privileged to have as a career that which I love doing; however, just because I enjoy it doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There are always hills to climb, but as Bruce Cockburn eloquently sang: “nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight.” I sincerely hope to encourage you to fight through whatever barriers may try to prevent you from coming fully alive! The World needs you to bring your unique flavour to the monotony by releasing your passion. Here’s to Life and living fully alive!
