• About me
• About my art
• My art shows

About me

I have defined myself as an “artist” for as long as I can remember. I struggle with that title sometimes, for a variety of reasons, but in the end, it is who I am, how I see the world, and how I want others to know me.

I was born in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1974 but grew up with my parents and two brothers in Farrellton, Quebec, a small town north of Wakefield. By the time I was in kindergarten, I was already teaching classmates how to draw. On the first day of school, when the other kids were drawing stick-figure renditions of their families, I was working on “Scarecrow in the Rain”. It was no masterpiece, mind you, but I like to think the creative subject matter reflected my early artistic tendencies.

In 1986, we made a family trek across Canada and that was when I really became interested in drawing and painting landscapes. I always had a sketchbook on hand after that trip. I continue to travel as much as possible, sketching and painting everything I see. In fact, my travel sketchbooks and paintings are among my most favourite possessions, as they provide me with endless fuel for creativity.

I studied Fine Arts for two years at Heritage College in Gatineau, Quebec, graduating as Valedictorian with a couple of art awards under my belt. I continued to paint, both as a hobby and for extra income, while completing a degree in English Literature at the University of Ottawa. Much of my art from this time was commissioned and now lives in the homes of friends, family and former co-workers all over the city.

I currently live in Ottawa, Ontario, where I am fortunate enough to be able to pursue my artistic passions alongside a challenging but part-time career as a public servant. I truly have the best of both worlds. I have exhibited my work in a couple of venues over the last couple of years, and I am working towards participating in more art shows and displaying my work more regularly.

About my art

My style is a little like me – it’s hard to pin down. Vibrant colour and movement are a key theme in most of my pieces, but I enjoy the freedom of working in a variety of media, including oils, acrylics, ink and watercolour, and pencil. I am inspired by nature and music and beauty, so I can find myself painting a very detailed landscape one day, or a more fluid abstract the next.

In general, my art isn’t about proving a point or making any kind of grandiose political statement. I paint because I enjoy it, I paint to express myself and to create some sort of joy – but I can’t honestly say that I’m trying to change the world. My paintings are not filled with hidden meaning – they are filled with me, with things I find moving or interesting or beautiful. If the moments or emotions in my art strike a chord with someone else, well, that’s my connection with the world and that’s all I can hope for.

My art shows

Ongoing

In the past, I have exhibited at

• Capital Lounge, Ottawa Airport - October 2007 to November 2008
• Art in Strathcona Park - August 2007
• Art in the Park, Central Park in the Glebe, Ottawa, June 2007
• Café Nostalgica, 603 Cumberland Street, Ottawa, February 2007
• Art in the Park, Ottawa, June 2006
• The Table Restaurant, Ottawa, Winter 2006
• Art in the Park, Ottawa, June 2005
• The Table, Ottawa, Winter 2005
• The Clinic Upstairs, Ottawa, May 2004
• Various federal Government buildings

Enjoy,
N.