Artwork
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Vanessa Leanage
I love life and I share my observations with others and learn through the process of creating. I grew up in an artistic family and was exposed to a large variety of art and architecture. As well, for physical reasons, I had to change direction from making jewellery, and I discovered that I'm able to manage my time and physicality through painting. Often my goal is to emulate the magnificent colours, harmony and rhythms that nature provides. I studied Art, Design and Jewellery Arts at Mohawk College, Sheridan College, Dundas Valley School of Art and George Brown College. I began exhibiting her work in Barrie, Ontario in 2005 at the MacLaren Art Centres' first regional juried show entitled "Local Colour". As well, my work has been shown at local restaurants, coffee houses,Barrie's City Hall Rotunda, The Creative Space and the 3rd Annual Barrie Art Spring Tour.
Whether I am painting a landscape or directly applying leaves to my work, nature is my favourite subject. As an artist, I am devoted to nature and its beauty. I love to unearth, explore and experiment as way to challenge my own perceptions and increase my learning. While I'm doing multi media projects, I include as many new items as I can find to build and discover something new. The self-portraits that I do, look like a topographical map because I use blocks of colour to demonstrate the connection I feel between nature and myself (people). I know a piece has turned out well when an inner light emits from within the painting.
I needed a change and a challenge recently so I decided to focus on abstract painting. To achieve balance in an abstract requires much thought, placement and patience. When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of bliss, peace and completion. I'd like the work I do to enrich the lives of others by inspiring them in some way and ideally, that it bring forth the beauty that already exists within them as it does nature. I'd love to collaborate with other artists who are interested in working together with Non-for-Profit and Charitable Organizations to help them, and thus, the local community with their fund-raising activities.
