julia veenstra

{JULIA VEENSTRA ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
I work mostly right now in Acrylic. Sometimes watercolour.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
This is a hard one! Maybe “how does it feel when people buy my work?” The answer would be: “Humbling and very thankful for the opportunity to share the work and thankful that they love it too.”

Why art? and why art in Hamilton?
Art is because I have to! And Hamilton is where I grew up and returned to after time away abroad. It is definitely my choice. I have family here and people here are very cool!

Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by the paint itself. I love seeing what it will do. Light and shadow are a real draw for me as well as shape and pattern. I have attempted to raise creative children and have succeeded. They and my husband inspire me as well.

Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
Keep painting...all the time...do it and develop.

Is there anything in your art that you are afraid people might discover?
Sometimes I think that if people found out how much fun and how “easy” it is for me they would think I was cheating!

Graduating with a degree in Illustration from Sheridan College, Julia has continued to grow and expand in her painting. As a wife and mother of five, her family gives her great inspiration and joy.
Recently in her travels and time spent in Africa she has developed a distinct style that is now reflected in her work. She has been compared to Vangogh, Group of Seven, Emily Carr, The Impressionists. “I like those comparisons and I think that is why people like my work, there is something about it that they ‘know’”
People and their surroundings are what attract Julia, whether from her travels or from her homeland of Canada. Particular images capture her and will 'demand to be painted.'
Julia works in watercolour but mainly acrylics and the mood reflects the medium. An acrylic to portray the brilliant hues or a watercolour to share whimsy and passion.
Recently she has developed a project in partnership with Wild Hope Ministries in Tanzania to work with Artisans from amongst the Maasai people. The women she trains were handpicked for their skills and work with her on designs she has created. "These women are skilled and take my designs to the next level. It is great fun to work with them and see what they create." The products are sold in Africa as well as in North American markets. "It is a joy to help these women use their talents to create income for their families. The situation is desperate and the income well needed."
Julia has illustrated several children's books and covers. She has held various art shows, been the featured artist in galleries, and her work is hung in private collections in many countries across the globe. You can presently find her at her studio in the burgeoning art community of James Street North.

“How cool is it to be able to do something that you love everyday!”

julia veenstra
fan page on facebook click here
published with permission

brigitte huard

see list of images below*

{BRIGITTE HUARD ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
My first love is drawing and for it I use a variety of mediums. I love sculpture an originally went to school to pursue it but I came out covered in oil paints and it just stuck.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
What is the most important thing an artist should aspire to? Growth. Nothing else matters. Everything changes and moves along regardless of your resistance.There are plenty of things to get systematic about and mired in on an everyday basis, your creativity and ideas should not be part of that. Do something totally different every so often - things that makes you completely uncomfortable and frustrate you. You won't regret it, and if you do, forget I said anything.

Why art? and why art in Hamilton?
It was the most logical and practical career choice my right brain could make.
Hamilton because I live here. Carpe diem, and so on.

Who or what inspires you?
Expressive lines, mistakes, underdrawing, Ragtime, negative space, Wunderkammer, fragility, birds, sea monsters, 1950's Girl Groups, journeys, humility, evocation, winter, subtlety, tall tales, connections, art deco, nonsense, jolie laide and words like "hornswaggle".

Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
-Study and learn as much as you can then push it out of your mind and do whatever feels right. No one can agree on what "art" is anyways so don't worry about it.

-Work two or three jobs but never accept having to do it forever, even if it feels like forever.

-Teach others and you may actually end up practicing what you preach.

-Stop putting down your own work, give others a turn, then defend it.

-Enjoy working on series but beware of them. Remember that first cat figurine that was so cute at the time, so you bought a couple more? Then everyone started giving you cat figurines as gifts and then you had to explain the whole awful cat figurine journey to that person you were interested in. You end up lucky if someone doesn't refer to them poetically in your obituary. Throw a bird in the mix, go nuts.

-Don't get too fancy with your explanations about your work; you'll bore everyone to tears. It, like you, should aim to be open and accessible and not take itself too seriously.

-Don't hold on to your work: sell it, give it away, throw it out. Just don't sit there pining over that one thing you did well/ badly that fateful Tuesday afternoon 6 years ago.

-Don't worry about what everyone else thinks, they are usually worrying about themselves and/or what you are thinking of them.

-Draw zombies, then show eight year olds how to draw them. Be very busy at the end of class during pick-up.


Is there anything in your art that you are afraid people might discover?
No, otherwise I wouldn't put it out there.

Born in Ottawa, Brigitte Huard spent her childhood and early teens living in Montreal and Quebec City, before moving to Burlington, Ontario in 1992. She graduated with a B.A. Honours Art degree from McMaster University in 2001, and in 2006 graduated from the Advanced Studies post-graduate program at the Dundas Valley School of Art.
She has exhibited work in over thirty solo, group, and juried shows, and has volunteered for various local arts organizations, in particular the Women’s Art Association of Hamilton. She has been an art instructor for the John Howard Society, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Burlington Art Centre, and the Grimsby Public Art Gallery where she is the current Education & Media Coordinator.

*Image 1: Craft birds 2. Oil on canvas, 2009
Image 2: Craft birds 3. Oil on linen, 2009
Image 3: Cross-Contamination Two. Joint painting with Michelle Doerner. Oil on canvas, 2010
Image 4: "The Good Girl". Charcoal, conté and oil on paper, 2010
Image 5: "Tangerine". Charcoal and conté on paper, 2010.
Image 6: "Don't put your shit on me". Charcoal and conté on paper, 2010.


brigitte huard

christine duncan

{CHRISTINE DUNCAN ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
I am a Fine Art Photographer. My work mainly centers around nature, landscapes, and I also love to focus on the surrounding Hamilton, Ontario architecture. I am currently hired by the City of Hamilton to document our public parks and gardens photographically through the seasons as well. You can find me at www.c-duncans-photography.com and on flickr.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it? "How important are mentors in your chosen art?" Firstly, mentors are very different from influences, so I'd say they are much more important to me as a photographer. I once read a quote that said, "A mentor changes how you see yourself as an artist, an influence is something that changes how you see your art". I had two teachers very early on in my pursuit of photography that changed how I photographed or "saw" my subjects. One was a photographer himself who pushed me to be bold and get the exact shots I wanted regardless of where I was, and to stay in the darkroom till I had the exposure I needed... and the other was an art teacher who took my concept of art & design, and turned them on their heads. Because of them both, art no longer fits in a tidy box for me, and I hope it's reflected in alot of what I do.

Why art and why in Hamilton?
Photography for me is "instant" art. I would paint all the various things I see that make me stop in my tracks... but I've discovered I'm not THAT good with a brush! Instead, I have an instant to capture things I may never see the same way again and I love that challenge. And Hamilton because it's really what I know best, and am inspired the most by everyday. Don't get me wrong, I've travelled, but locations that are new require you to reveal all the "layers" to be found within a very short amount of time. Here at home, I'm so familiar with the way the light looks throughout the city, the history conveyed, the designs to be found, the nature to discover. Geez, I sound like an ad... but I love Hamilton.
(HaMA would like to stop and comment here that when the artist says she is not good with a brush HaMA disagrees)

Who or what inspires you?
Not to be cliche, but other photographers... pro's and amatures alike. I'm a huge fan of Freeman Patterson's work AND his dedication to nature conservancy... his images remind me to play and dream, not to take every subject so seriously that I can't see the wonder and whimsy within nature. On the other extreme, I was very much affected by the work of a fellow photographer recently, who photographs just about anything from the confines of her home right now while she recovers from an intense illness. Things the rest of us might think are mundane, she makes into delightful close ups and scenes. I guess I'm mostly affected by others who know how to see past the typical, and can display for us the magical... no matter where they are.

Any wisdom to share about living as a photographer?
Connecting first and foremost with all the different people in your community is vital. Every new connection you make leads to new opportunity. Talk and talk and talk some more about what you do, pursue and love as an artist or photographer. And that's not just good business sense, as you gain more exposure, but you begin to expand as a photographer, you find new valuable mentors, and you learn things about your city and environment that help you make better images with substance and truth. That to me is the most important. Because along the way, you discover who YOU are too.

Christine Duncan was born and raised in Hamilton Ontario, Canada, and began photography and art almost 16 years ago, but put it on hold while she focused on raising her two beautiful kids, and supporting her wonderful husband. Four years ago she gave digital photography a try and fell in love with it! During that time she also continued painting in oils, something she continues to express herself through today as well. Her favorite styles are landscape, floral, and architectural.
Some of the more noteworthy highlights in Christine's career have recently included: the cover photo for the inspirational book "Come Rest With Me" by Bryan Coupland available on amazon.com; a photo selected for the Schmap.com guide called "An Ideal Farm"; a celebrated first place win in BetterPhoto.com's prestigious monthly contest open worldwide for the photo titled "Dynamic Dundurn View", a second place win for the image "The Opposites" and numerous finalist images for the same contest over the past years. She is also currently the parks photographer for the City of Hamilton.

christine duncan
published with permission of the artist.

harry gils

{HARRY GILS ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
I shoot all digital photography. It’s been 4 years since I loaded a roll of film. I do still own my film cameras and maybe one day I’ll feel nostalgic and load up some 120 film into my Bronica. I enjoy working in digital. Some people believe it’s not true to photography but for my business, it only makes sense.

What in your opinion makes the difference between good art and great art?
The viewer.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
Who are your favourite photographers?
Patrick Demarchelier, Mark Zibert and Chris Woods.

Why art? and Why art in hamilton?
Ummm, cause it’s the only thing I like to do. Hamilton has a nice small town feel mixed with big city and it’s close enough that my commute to Toronto isn’t too brutal. Plus we have family here, and in the end, that’s most important.

Who or What inspires you?
My wife Dana and God.

Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
Do what the client wants and don’t make a stink about it. If you can’t handle that, then get a normal full time job and do your art for fun.

Harry Gils is a commercial photographer who just relocated to Hamilton from Toronto. He got sick of the sketchiness of where he and his wife were living and the lack of community. Harry started off by shooting photos of his friends skateboarding and now does national ad campaigns and has shot many well know musicians.

Harry Gils
published with permission of artist

dana cowie

{DANA COWIE ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
Lately I've been working with acrylic on canvas. I also use watercolours a fair amount. I love the immediacy of acrylic. The quick drying time allows me to keep my colours bold. I do miss oils but have avoided them for the last few years as they tend to be a bit strong in the fume area. I use watercolours on smaller paper works. These are usually more illustrative than the larger acrylics.

I also work in beads, thread, lace and other fabrics for my quirkybeauty line. I see it as wearable art and drawing with beads. It's very meditative.

What in your opinion makes the difference between good art and great art?
Fearlessness. That's a tough one for most artists. I'm all about attacking the canvas at once and almost being in a trance while working. When I start over-thinking it the work becomes static and boring. I can really see that in other works. I'm attracted to pieces with movement, freshness and life. I feel that the process of creation should be there in the work. Not just a finished image but I love to see the brush strokes and pencil lines. It is the thinking of the maker that excites me when looking at art.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
Who is your favorite artist? I love David Hockney. As a guy and his body of work. He has experimented with most every medium and form of art from painting to set design, photography to writing. He tries it all and is successful with it. I love that he can draw something from life beautifully or work in an abstract manner. I love his personal style as well. That hair, the bow ties, the glasses. He is amazing. I can only hope to have a life so rich and exciting as his.

I get bored doing the same thing over and over. There are reasons I don't just focus on one medium. 1. I get bored doing the same thing and 2. I like to make a living and pay the bills! So that is why I am a painter, an illustrator, I make fashion accessories and I'm a stylist and was a window dresser. As long as I'm making things that I love I'm happy.

Why art? and Why art in hamilton?
I've wanted to be an artist since I was a very young girl. I've pursued it all my life. It's all I can do to be happy. I'd be crap at anything else. My husband and I just relocated to Hamilton from Toronto. I am a Hamilton native. I grew up around Locke and Aberdeen so that's home to me. Part of our family and many friends are here and we love what's going on here. It is a true community here. We love the fact that you can walk down the street and actually know people! We didn't have that in Toronto. Our vision is to set up our studio so anyone can come by and work with us.

Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by my late mother who did an awesome job raising my brother and I on her own. She made most of my clothes and painted. She introduced me to fashion and art and made it a daily practice. My husband, Harry is my other big inspiration. We work off of eachother in a springboard sort of way. We bounce ideas back and forth. It's really helpful to have someone who is a visual thinker so close to you.

Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
Be patient, keep making things. If that piece doesn't work out just keep working. Experiment and try new things. Keep it fresh.

Dana Cowie was born in Oakville, Ontario in 1975. She was educated at Toronto's Central Tech's Special Arts Program in the mid-90's and has just moved back to Hamilton with her photographer husband, Harry Gils. Her work is bright, painterly and expressive. Dana is inspired by nature, fashion, people, architecture and textiles. She has participated in many group and solo shows in galleries across Ontario as well as selling her pieces internationally.

Dana Cowie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/quirkybeauty
published with permission of artist

john steinberg

{JOHN STEINBERG ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
The mediums which I work with are photography and digital drawing, the former more often than the later.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
Your work is inspired by the industrial landscape of Hamilton, why is it important to you to record that through photography?
History is important to me, and given the rate of change in this day and age the preservation and recording of modern events and times is vital. History isn’t always nice and clean, often it’s gritty and dirty and should be remembered as such. Take Colborne Street in Brantford if you will, regardless if your infavour of its preservation or of tearing it down it should be recorded and photographed in its current state for future generations to remember.
What type of training do you have?
Mostly I’m self taught, I’ve studied photoshop and photography through a series of trial and error. After acquiring a basic grasp I began to work in and experiment with techniques I’ve picked up from other fellow artists.

Why art? and why art in Hamilton?
Why art? I think I have unique way of seeing things, when everyone looks left I sometimes look right, photography is a good way to show people the little things I see … the things that they may over look.
Why Hamilton? The architectural features that many of Hamilton’s old and endangered buildings are stunning. Beyond that factory spaces, and structures in the process of being reclaimed by nature fascinate me.
And of course there are at couple of spaces like that here.

Who or what inspires you?
Old buildings inspire me. Imagine how much they've changed, how much life, the city, and the world have really changed over the course of their existence. The conflict between nature and man inspires me, from things as simple as a sprout poking through a crack in concrete to a building that has decayed to a point where plants grow haphazard throughout its ruined interior.
Industrial spaces inspire me their disregard for aesthetics in their pursuit of function. A factory isn’t trying to sell me or convince me of anything. It’s not trying to direct my attention anywhere. It simply is. I love that honesty, it’s a rare find anywhere else.
In terms of fellow artists I'm inspired in some way or other by most works I come across. I really enjoy the works of Reg Beaudry for one, if you have the time you should track them down and give them a look they’re incredible. The artist that's done the most to inspire me is Micheal Seelt through a series of person challenges and willingness to provide advice and guidance.

Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
I think I'd likely benefit more from receiving then giving advice. Other then maybe make sure it stays a passion instead of just becoming another job.

Is there anything in your art that you are afraid people might discover?
Discovery and interpretation I think are as much up to the viewer as they are up to the artist. Everything someone sees or interacts with is influenced so much by what is deep down inside of them, that I doubt any two people really see a work of art in exactly the same way. In a way I'd think what someone gets from a work of art may say more about the viewer then the artist him/herself.

John Steinberg was born and raised in Hamilton. Amidst studying Philosophy, he left to China twice to teach English.
The industrial landscapes in both Hamilton and China have inspired his photographic and digital work. He studied under Calgary’s Michael Seelt for over a year which to this day have inspired his start in digital work. John Steinberg is a
photographer and digital artist. His work has been displayed in Toronto, Hamilton, and this summer in Cambridge at the Cambridge Centre for the arts. His exhibit "Looking Under Rocks" is inspired by the hidden beauty of the industrial and Natural landscape that surrounds us.

Hamilton artist John Steinberg, an emerging photographer/digital artist has his first solo exhibit this July/August at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts.
Who: John Steinberg
What: Art Exhibit "Looking Under Rocks"
Where: Cambridge Centre for the Arts
When: July 16 - August 20, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday July 17, 2010 from 1:00-3:00pm


john steinberg
published with permission from artist.