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bio, c.v. , artists' statement all rolled into one.

It is hard to say if at a young age there are those who knowingly choose to become an artist because that is not how it happened for me.  I had always drawn, but it wasn't until after university that it occurred to me to pursue art as a career.

Entering university was done with the intention of eventually becoming an architect; thinking it a prudent way of putting my drawing skills to use.  At the time, an engineering degree was a prerequisite to architecture so I enrolled at the University of Alberta.  In my second year I specialized in civil engineering which instilled in me the importance of proportion and balance. During this year, I began to question whether having an engineering degree was something I wanted.  Leaving university wasn't an easy decision, but I believe I made the right choice.

The following year, sketching once again became present in my life.  A sketchbook was a close companion and with the addition of ink, my lines became more flowing.

People began to take interest in my ink-flow works and encouraged me to pursue my art further.

While continuing to produce, I studied art by going to galleries, reading books of art and of artists and through experimentation.

Eventually progressing to the point where the addition of colour to my art was necessary in order to progress, I purchased beginners paint and set out to learn.

My first endeavor was to copy the work of a master.  A bit ambitious, but a proven way to learn.

''The Luncheon of the Boating Party'' by Renoir was chosen.

(see picture)

Going from no colour to every colour was overwhelming but looking back, the time and frustration was well worth it.

Knowing it wasn't enough to be adept at painting, I strove for interest in subject and method.  Constantly challenging myself, the past 15 years have been spent developing my style.

Locations of where my creativity took place progressed from sitting in cafés developing ideas in sketchbooks to eventually painting at home.  My first studio was in the Western Saddlery Building (Edmonton) which housed Latitude 53 Society of Artists (1998-1999). 

Eventually outgrowing the space, I designed and built a studio on family land in the Athabasca, Alberta area.

Here I lived and painted; part-time at first and eventually full-time for three consecutive years.  Although living a meager life, the time devoted to my art was necessary.

Creating paintings is one thing, getting them in view of the public eyes is another.

Exhibiting in restaurants and coffee shops in edmonton (sugarbowl, submission, steeps, upper crust café, new york bagel café) produced some sales, but little sign of recognition.

Della McLean of the Red Roof Gallery in Athabasca, Alberta has been kind enough to host two separate solo exhibitions of my work (2005, 2006).

(media)

In 2007, the Art Gallery of Alberta held a free for all to raise community awareness of the new gallery to be built in Edmonton designed by architect Randall Stout.  Five of my paintings were a part of this group show.

The Gallery at Milner (Churchill Square - Edmonton) hosted a solo showing of paintings in July (2011)

With my first commission, I switched to a higher quality paint and began painting on canvas. 

My signature for the most part appears in the lower right of my paintings.  Unable to adequately sign my name with a brush, all are signed in ink.

Every effort is made on my part to produce archival quality paintings which are of museum worth.  The process of building frames and stretching my own canvases is done with care and pleasure.

Although my style varies, Removal is perhaps the most ground-breaking style I have attempted.

Removal is manipulating paint to reflect the occurrence of erosion in nature.  Using a paint roller, I begin by building up consecutive layers of all required hues for a particular painting.  Then using sandpaper, I remove unwanted paint from a given area to reveal the layers of paint below.  Gradual exposure of the colours below creates softness, while sharp contrasts are achieved by quickly dropping into deeper layers.  All paint is applied before the image takes shape, therefore pre-planning is essential

(process)

Although gallery representation is appreciated, the bulk of my sales are through my website and word of mouth. 

At the top of this page, all galleries and contact information can be accessed.

trevor.