Why does someone become an artist? It's a big question that can yield seemingly inconsequential answers. Sometimes, it all comes down to a childhood chance encounter — stumbling across a comic strip, attending an art exhibition for the first time or an emergency trip to the hospital. I asked Rubeena Ratcliffe to tell me about the early art memories that inspired her desire to create and set her on her career path. [...]
MARA KORKOLA: SMALL PAINTINGS MARCH 24 - APRIL 16, 2022 Mara Korkola's captivating works compress worlds of information into small intimate oil paintings. The featured sunset paintings are based on photographs taken from hiking trips along the west coast of British Columbia. The intimate night paintings are based on photographs taken from evening walks through tree-lined streets of Vancouver neighbourhoods. [...]
In this interview we delve into the meticulous three dimensional cast resin sculptures by Halifax artist Jessica Korderas. Film is a major inspiration for Korderas and the new work we examine is based on her recent discovery of 1970's genre of Italian movies called "Giallo”. Can you tell me about the process of making your work? I have [...]
Our interview with Toronto-based painter Mara Korkola took place by telephone and email over the course of two months. Mara Korkola's captivating works compress worlds of information into small intimate oil paintings. The sunset paintings featured here are based on photographs taken from hiking trips along the west coast of British Columbia. Late evening is Korkola's signature time of day. This is when she prefers to paint as [...]
Our “Artist Spotlight” series focuses on the lives Canadian Artists: their aspirations, influences, and creative challenges. Gillian Richards spoke to me about her path to contemporary art making and the curiosity that continues to drive her work. Richard’s body of work including painting and drawing examines the beauty and banality of urban life. Was there a pivotal moment when [...]
BIOGRAPHY Late evening is Mara Korkola’s signature time of day. This is when she prefers to paint as it allows for uninterrupted sessions and working wet on wet, a technique that gives her paintings their lush and fluid surfaces. It is also her favourite time to photograph cities, when streets are devoid of human traffic and the lights emanating from buildings, headlights and street lamps appear jewel-like against the [...]
