Biography of the Artist

I am a painter that is inspired and excited by the Canadian landscape. I have been painting and drawing since childhood. Being an organic gardener and landscaper for more than 25 years, I have felt the changes of the weather and heard the sounds of nature and smelled all of the both good and bad aromas of the earth. This sensual work has given me plenty of time to contemplate many ideas-undisturbed. Painting is is stewardship of the soul and organic gardening is stewardship of the land, and this land is my soul. I paint in oil and acrylic too, but watercolour has been with me since taking a class in Saskatchewan as a young girl where the instructor, a wonderful watercolour painter, Kay Bould, inspired me to paint with this most difficult of mediums. 

Education
 
I studied two out of four years towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Regina. I wanted a fresher take, so I started all over again in the Painting Department at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. There, I studied for four years and achieved an AOCA Diploma.

There my favorite teachers inspired me: I was taught by these conceptual artists: Ian Carr-Harris, Tom Dean and Naboyo Kabota. Somehow, I still wanted to paint, so a kind and patient John Inglis, understood and encouraged me.

During sunny summer weekends between July and September,  Arts Off Main will once again be hosting "Boulevard Days".  Artists from  all mediums are invited to participate in one day event by showcasing their work outside the gallery. Each Boulevard day may feature one or more artists and some of the artists will be giving live demonstrations of their creative process. Be sure to check the website for dates and featured artists. Then stop by and join the fun.

The artist of Saturday, July 6, is Celia Brauer:

Bio

I obtained my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Mount Allison University in 2008 and my Postgraduate Certificate in Web Design from Sheridan College in 2009. I worked as a designer in Toronto until 2010, when I relocated to Vancouver to begin a new artistic practice.




Artist Statement

My work explores the processes of deconstruction and assemblage. The works are created by repurposing various traditional and digital creative techniques. My experience as both a commercial graphic designer and traditional artist allows for technical combinations that are unique, heavily layered, and intriguing. I engage modern imaging techniques to prepare subject matter. Source photos are slightly altered in Photoshop to create subtle effects, distortions and colour combinations. Using a series of expressive and uninhibited paint, collage and texture applications, I create a loose and abstract structure upon which to assemble detailed ink drawings. I selectively interpret and reworks various layers until they are harmoniously integrated. Old halftone printing techniques are recreated with stencilled dots of acrylic paint, emphasizing the use of various techniques.

Ultimately, the most satisfying component of my work is the manipulation of various materials and layers until they reach that special moment of completion that balances expression, representation, abstraction and detail.

www.jonshawpaintings.com

Would you like a venue to show and sell your work in the Main Street
neighbourhood? Are you interested in joining a friendly group of artists? Do you
work in a 3-D media? Is your work highly marketable and interesting? Then
we want you!

Arts Off Main gallery is currently seeking submissions for a new artist/partner. We are a group of nine partner artists responsible for the running of the gallery. Each partner has a designated area in the gallery for showing their work and is free to select and display whatever they choose.

We take turns staffing the gallery, about 2-3 full days per month each. There is a minimal monthly rent to pay for a convenient Main Street location and a  buy-in cost in exchange for 100% of the sale of your work.

We are looking for someone who works well with others and has a  collaborative
approach. Monthly meetings at the gallery allow us to catch up with each other
and make collective decisions on the gallery's operations. We also use email to
discuss a lot of topics.

Our aims are to offer reasonably priced, good quality artwork and gifts as well as to participate in the community. We held a group show last year at the Seymour Art Gallery, exhibited at several other local events, raised donations for the Vancouver Food Bank and joined in Main Street merchants association activities.

Application Process

• All submissions will be juried by the existing partnership


• Art work should be interesting and of high  quality


• 3D work only is being accepted at this time - ceramics and pottery are stronly preferred. No jewellery please.


• Only submit artwork that you that you feel would be a good fit to sell
  in the gallery. This is very important as we like to achieve a balance between all artists' work and need to know exactly what you plan to sell. We aim to offer our clients a variety of styles, media and techniques. If you're unsure of what work to submit, please visit us to see what we currently have for sale and the price points. 


• Only submissions sent by the online application will be considered. The application form can be found in tab Call For Artists|Seeking New Partner


• Please understand that we cannot respond to every submission. Only
  artists who will be offered a partnership will be contacted.

Interview

Artists whose work is approved by the partnership will be invited to bring in some of
their work and meet with the Partnership Committee. This will give the
gallery a chance to see the actual work and for the artist to meet some of the
members and  ask any questions they may have.

A few facts:

• Arts Off Main is a co-operative gallery of nine artists who show and sell
  their work through the gallery.


• Each partner brings a unique aspect to the gallery.


• Partners pay an initial fee to join, pay monthly rent and are responsible to
  staff the gallery 2-3 days a month.


• Partners receive 100% of the sales of their work.

Read more about us. We look forward to reviewing your work!

Deadline for applications:
Monday, May 28, 2012