Artway Invitational - Past Exhibits

Many years ago, I was accepted into York University’s Fine Arts program, but due to financial reasons, never completed it.

I had always promised myself, that once a very busy IT career was done, I would return to my passion for painting. Last year, the pandemic and my retirement coincided and I was afforded the time to devote to painting after a forty year absence. It has been a relearning process, but once brush was put to canvas, it started all coming back. As a former abstract painter, it was time to go back to the basics of composition, design and colour.

I like to capture images of relics from the past. It is a reminder of the frailty of what we build, and the realization that it once had importance and needs to be remembered.

Artwork from Visual Arts Brampton members, featuring: Chris McGlynn, Colleen Dee, ecmunson, Graeme Stammers, John Van Gameren, Maureen McLellan, Merlene Boyce, & Rochana Khadka

Christa was the owner of an Engraving-Visual Communication Company, where her talents as a graphic artist were applied to work with computer designing and developing themes. She retired early and now has the privilege to paint again.

Christa’s paintings reflect her accumulation of experiences by taking art classes, by travelling the world, and by visiting International art galleries and museums. Her painting style is Impressionism, but can change from week to month depending on the mood and the surrounding at the time. Landscapes are an integral element to Christa’s painting, whereas her abstract work reflects an emotional and spiritual space.

Working in acrylic constantly stretches her imagination and encourages experimenting with new techniques and methods. Her passion and restlessness to learn more, explore new avenues of capturing moments of joy and satisfaction, is part of her life. Instagram

Nafisa is a freelance visual artist, art historian, author and educator based in Brampton with around 7 years of experience in pastels, Charcoal, acrylic, watercolor. "Her subject matter is nature, whether it is a traditional landscape or a bird and flower painting. She uses a colourful palette materials, to capture movement and life - making the brush dance and the colours sing. Everything is captured in the spontaneous dance and movement of the brush as it foretells a story. The story of the artist and the world around her." She has exhibited globally in several group exhibitions in India, UAE, US, Canada, Lebanon, Brussels, Turkey, France, Russia, Singapore, Qatar and Ukraine. She has also authored a Book "Mughal Jewellery: An Insight to the Jewellery under the Mughals". In addition to this, she has a few research papers to her credit including "The Hand of Hamsa: Interpretations Across the Globe", IISTE, 2016. Apart from this, she has been awarded Ratan-e-Hind Award for Excellence in Abstract Art, Delhi, India.

She has been involved with Artists and Artisans Development Network as President, Brampton Chapter. In addition to this, she is an ambassador of Artifientique Initiative started by Aisha Mir creating sustainable art using expired cosmetics. She has been actively participating in cultural and artistic activities such as Ontario Culture Days, private workshops and charity art fundraising.

Artwork from Visual Arts Brampton members, featuring: Gisele Boileau, Merlene Boyce, Monica Jain, Chris McGlynn, Maureen McLellan, Richi Saluja, Graeme Stammers & H. Christa Zimmer.