Gaye Mcconnell
2022, Artist In Residence
“Our days were structured with painting being the main focus. Every morning we would get up early, have our breakfast then bring our coffee to our respective studios and paint until lunch. We would return to the house for lunch followed by a yoga session then back to the studio. Each day after our dinner, we would choose a hike to take in Vernon and photograph the beauty surrounding us. These photographs became my inspiration and photo references for the paintings I would work on in the following days.
While there we scheduled a tour of the Caetani House and the studio showing the amazing works of Svena Caetani. The tour and book both give a very interesting history and fascinating life story. This was a fabulous experience, especially as it was just after the restrictions imposed by the Covid 19 pandemic. ”
Artist's Statement
Art has always been an interest in my life, I have explored and worked in a variety of mediums. I pursued Fine Arts in both John Abbot and Dawson Colleges. At Concordia University I earned Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Graphic Design and Photography. After working for a few years in Graphic Design, I went on to McGill University to complete a Teaching Diploma in Art Education.
For me, painting is a way to recreate intense personal moments, to depict light, colour and form in an aesthetically pleasing way. I am inspired by the beautiful moments around us in the world and attempt to convey that beauty in my watercolour paintings. In my multimedia paintings there is a deeper level for the viewer’s interpretation; they are more abstract and through my choice of materials I am able to experiment with a range of possibilities.
I am an active member of three local Artist Associations: Lakeshore Artist Association, The Artists Circle of the West Island , and Dorval Artists Association.
Website: www.gayemcconnell.com
Last Light in Vernon - 10 X 14 Watercolour
Hike in Bryce Canyon
Kalamalka Lake, BC