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Craig Adair Craig Adair’s artistic aspirations began in 1973, at the age of 5, when he told his mother he would be an architect. His childhood was spent painting… and attending sporting events with his father. The spectacle of sports enthralled the young artist and he would relive these events over and over through his paintings.
The decade from age 13 to 23 was active rather than creative. If there was a competitive sport available to play, Craig Adair would play it. He loved the energy and team spirit of sports.
After completing a business degree at the University of Western Ontario in the early 1990s, Craig Adair applied to the School of Architecture at the University of Toronto. During his architectural education in the mid-90s, the world of art and ideas began to open up for him again. Art classes inspired him to revisit a childhood passion: painting. While other students drafted their architecture assignments with technical pens, Craig Adair frequently painted his. Paint texture and pigment made images more real for him. Upon completing his architectural studies, his true calling was clear. He was a painter.
His early career paintings varied in theme but each was influenced by three art movements: Futurism (for motion and speed), Pop Art (for bold color), and Abstract Expressionism (for unexpected shapes that interlock and for expression of the subconscious through art).
By 1997, one inevitable theme arose: sports. By 2005, Craig Adair created over three hundred artworks depicting events such as football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, extreme sports, horse racing, motor sports, golf, boxing, racquet sports, boating, rodeo and cycling. Serge discovered photography at the young age of 11 more out of curiosity than anything else, when he found his family’s old Yashica – what his father termed ‘La camera’. Growing up in Toronto, most of his earlier photography revolved around the old Ontario Place Forum, where he would photograph rock musicians of the day. By his late teens, he came to the realization that photography could be a medium for artistic expression. Ultimately, photography became a means for documenting his travels. He has traveled to various countries over the years: Canada, The United States, Cuba, Mexico, England, Israel, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece thus far….. In late 2004, came the arduous task of editing his images and in 2005 he began selling his prints at The Distillery Historic District’s Art Cart program. Serge is a self
taught photographer and has learned to create captivating photographs
from 25 years of experience. His photography strives to turn the
ordinary into the extraordinary through the use of strong compositions
and intriguing content. He presents each image in one of 4 distinct
styles, depending on which he feels best suits the image: full colour,
black and white, sepia or colour isolated - the latter, his favourite,
allowing him the most opportunity for artistic expression. With a BFA in fine arts, Rob has been painting professionally for over 12 years. He began as a 'Scenic Painter' for theatrical institutions including: The C.O.C., The Shaw Festival, and Opera Atelier. Soon after, Rob began painting murals all over the world for some of the largest Mural companies in Canada. In 1994, Rob opened his own studio. Finally, in 2002 - his biggest leap - 'full time Visual Artist'. After years of painting someone else's vision, Rob has his sights set on total global art domination! Rob has shown in galleries all over Toronto and in numerous outdoor art events. Alfredo DeCurtis was born in Naples, Italy in 1938. He started drawing and painting at a very young age, and at sixteen was accepted at The Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, Italy. He attended this art academy until 1958. In 1958, Alfredo was in a serious automobile accident that hospitalized him for the next two years. In 1964 Alfredo moved to Milan, Italy where he further pursued his artistic education at a local Art school, and where he had his first one-man show. From 1964 to 1967 the artist traveled Europe extensively, always exhibiting his work along the way. In 1968 the artist came into Quebec. After a brief stay there and in Florida, he settled in Toronto, Ontario. Alfredo's work expresses originality, clarity and creativity. His subtle translucent colours, as well as his interlacing compositional forms, evokes intense poetry and gives lasting richness to his classic figurations. Alfredo's technique of painting in oil on hand-made panels resembles in some cases ancient wall frescos. It is a unique and truly innovative process which allows the artist to achieve the effect of depth as well as rich and delicate texture, freeing the artist to fully express his deep poetic and spiritual emotion. Lucy has left her corporate career after 21 years to pursue life as a full time artist. She is self taught and has enjoyed painting and drawing from a young age. Lucy's work is continually evolving. She prefers a simplified style to express her vision and thoughts. Her work is applied in layers to achieve depth, with rich textured backgrounds and over-painting. Some pieces are seemingly so old world while others are graphic and rhythmic. The textured surface on her large format compositions is achieved by the use of a palette knife, resulting in a sculpture on canvas. She paints places of nature and beauty with a sense of mystery. Her goal is not to replicate nature but to create an impression through her interpretation of the beauty that surrounds her. Her work is embraced by many and is currently held in both private and corporate collections across North America and Europe. Lucy lives and paints in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and children. Elizabeth Elkin is a master of the palette
knife. She is a full-time professional award -winning artist, with over
25 years worth of experience in the field. Elizabeth's academic
training extends back to 1970 with 8 years of study at Art College and
University. She has experimented with various artistic forms,
including expressionism, cubism, impressionism, abstract and realism.
The true innovation of her work lies in the power of her vibrant colors,
her museum quality works of Toronto photographer and arts educator, Nancy Schroeder-Gosset is a graduate of fine arts from York University (honors BFA) and the highly acclaimed Artist in the Community program at Queen’s University (B Ed).
Nancy’s work has been published in various decorator magazines and has been purchased by collectors and local celebrities. Her work is exhibited in Ontario galleries and in France. Shows and affiliations include the Kimberley Seldon Design Group as well as the Distillery Outdoor Art Exhibitions (juried) and both solo and group exhibitions. Born in Romania, lived in Israel, Bianka emigrated to Canada in 1998. Now living in Richmond Hill, Ont., she became an active artist in the community. A graduate of Art Instruction Schools in Minneapolis MN., USA as an illustrator, Bianka is also holding a double degree in Mechanical and Computer Science. Represented in many private collections and working as an active member of Bayview Watercolour Society from its beginnings, Society of York Region Artists, Richmond Hill Group or artists, Bianka has participated and won in numerous juried art shows.
Markus is a Toronto native who has been capturing landscapes through his While most of us are concerned about the traffic or construction work delaying our travel across the city, David Johns is riding his bicycle searching for the hidden gems that are featured in his exhibits of road art - a collection, currently with over 180 images, that provides a unique perspective on the items we encounter in our daily travels, but often overlook. His photographs feature captivating images of crushed soft-drink and beer cans - probably the ultimate test of brand recognition. A storm grate with a little leaf that seemed determined not to fall even though it was a very windy day. Another favourite is the unusual reflection of office buildings on the engine hood of a parked car. David was born and raised in Toronto. He attended the Ontario College of Art and graduated with honours. He has worked in private and government sectors as a graphic designer. During his daily cycling to and from work in downtown Toronto, he developed an interest in road markings painted by surveyors. This interest expanded to include all types of material found on Toronto roads and sidewalks. I dreamt of dedicating my time to the exploration of wind, water and colour...traveled Zimbabwe on safari, sharing the Savannah with lions and wild zebra: colours detonated, bursting into new and different shapes...played in the French gardens of Claude Monet and recognized the harmony between appealing structures, luxurious plants and wonderful lighting...rafted the mighty Colorado through towering Grand Canyon walls...taught artistic self-expression at the village of San Miquel Allende... The results are simultaneously varied and uniform-an intense enthusiasm for the inner spirit, to see a chair bear wings or a house empowered with movement!! Colours and exciting experiences imaginative animation and emotion with the here-and-now: finely fusing fantasy with reality... My photographs are captured, hand-manipulated, painted, enlarged and painted again, bringing together the perfect melding of paint and photography. After studying art under the legendary Doris McCarthy at Toronto’s Central Tech, Harry established Joy Studios and developed specialized screen printing techniques. In the mid-1940’s Harry's interests moved to cinematography from which came his innate ability to anticipate and capture peak moments in time as can readily be seen in the powerful images now on display at the System 4 Gallery. Limited edition archival prints are signed, dated and authenticated by the artist au verso are available for purchase and will be on display from Nov. 15, 2005 until April 30, 2006.
It has been a winding path leading to this place. My grandfather was a photographer in Europe all his life. He made his living at this, well into his 90’s. I was born in Canada, July 14, 1968. I grew up watching my father, a hobbyist, create fascinating prints in his makeshift darkroom. I picked up a camera on New Years Day 1987 at the age of eighteen and spent an entire day wandering through fields and forest taking photographs of images I still have today. I should have known from the joy of that day, I should pursue photography. But being a practical soul I discounted it and began college. In the mid-nineties I enjoyed a three year career as a computer and network consultant at a Toronto corporation. I started song writing and composing music at this time, successfully publishing the fourth song I co-wrote to then Warner Chappell Records. The artistic side was beginning to resurface. At this time I began to hone my photography skills. In the year 2000, after seeing prints of the “Simcoe Steam Train 136”, “Citroen”, and “Seeder in Grasses”, all on the same roll of film, I made a decision. I would pursue a new career. A passing thought shelved years ago, had found its time. I have been showing and selling my photography for over six years and exhibit at galleries, art shows, and travelling exhibitions. Yvonne Scott was born and raised in Southern Ontario. Surrounded by the ever-changing landscape and natural hues of pastoral farmlands. As a teenager, Yvonne's artistic expression began to reveal themselves through her first drawings and sketches. Soon after, Yvonne's artistic passions led her to embark on a personal journey to broaden her growing creative inspirations. Living in, and exploring the beauty of the peoples and cultures of Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia and the Southern United States, Yvonne's artistic works began to resonate with the sense of wonder, openness and diversity that each person can truly appreciate, in a most singular sense. Yvonne's art indeed reflects her experiences. Presently, Yvonne resides in Toronto where she enjoys the modern abstract style of painting, both in acrylic and oil. Born in Sweden, Johan spent much of his childhood in Paris where he discovered his interest for photography. Moving to Canada in 1981, Johan studied photography at Humber College of Art. Since graduating he has worked as a commercial photographer, as well as pursuing his own artistic work. Johan's work has been exhibited throughout North America and Europe and has been highly acclaimed by international critics. As a self-taught photographer, I've been capturing images from an early age. Several years ago I left a corporate work life to concentrate on photography on a full-time basis. Positive response to my work has led to a busy schedule exhibiting in juried art shows and in galleries. My work has also been well received in retail locations across Toronto and I will be expanding the availability of my work, particularly through my line of greeting cards. My library of images consists of thousands of photographs captured over the last twenty five years and continues to expand as I experiment with new subject matter and techniques. I particularly enjoy shooting with black & white infrared film, and have also been working with Polaroid Image Transfers and Emulsion lifts. If you enjoy the style of my work, but have a particular need for an image that my current body of work does not meet I will accept commissions and assignments. Born and raised in Beijing China, Ruby attended school at the Beijing Art & Design College and later at the Central Academy of Art & Design. Finishing her schooling an obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ruby obtained work as a designer and later returned to Beijing Art & Design College as an instructor. Since her arrival to Canada in 1997, Ruby has resided in Toronto. In the years she has made Toronto her home, Ruby has come to have an appreciation for her new city and country. Adopting Ontario as her subject as much as it has adopted her. Bringing the city of Toronto and the surrounding areas to life for the viewer as much as it appears to her, vibrant and beautiful. Ruby continues to show publicly in the Greater Toronto area, her works have been made a part of the City of Toronto's collection and also given as gifts to visiting dignitaries. Her works have received awards from various Art Societies; such as the CSWCP and the TOAE as well as being widely purchased for private collections.
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