Abbotsford Art Gallery | Gallery | Shirley Thomas
Artist Statement:
I am a Canadian artist living in Mission, British Columbia (B.C.). I was born in Edmonton, Alberta, the next state over from B.C. and was painting as a child. Later, I took workshops and lessons when available, in Oregon in the U.S.A., the Okanagan in B.C., and the Fraser Valley, which is where I live. This valley is lush green valley between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, close to Vancouver, B.C. In this valley, everywhere that you look is a beautiful scene just waiting to be painted. I never run out of ideas.
I graduate from the University of Alberta and also hold a degree in music from Toronto, Ontario. I have been painting seriously since about 1974. Besides being a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, I belong to several art clubs, and am a life member of the Mission Artists Association, in my home city.
I am a self-representing artist who paints every day, if possible. Painting, to me, is like eating--if you don't do it every day, you get a gnawing in your stomach. My works are original oils, original watercolours, and original mixed media or collage. Some of my works are abstract. Usually I work in my studio, but I like to work outdoors "plein air" (out on location) too. I have works in private collections in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
My belief is that art is a gift and as such has to be used. To me, it is a lifetime love. I'm sure that a lot of what I feel shows in my original work. My paintings are always changing and evolving as I get new ideas.
