The RedUmbrella Tea Canadian National Arts Series mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of all those who come in contact with RedUmbrella Tea by bringing the artistic work of foremost Canadian artists to RedUmbrella Tea customers, and the wider Canadian public at large, and by using a portion of the sale of each product to help fund charitable programs.
To learn more about the RedUmbrella Canadian Art Series click here, or if you are an artist who would like to be considered for the second series, or just join a mailing list for updates and information about the program, please contact us at artistseries@redumbrellatea.com.
All media inquiries should be directed to joyo@redumbrellatea.com, or call 416-888-2164.
A graduate of the Haliburton School for the Arts, Wilf is vice-president of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, and a member of the Toronto Watercolour Society, the Willowdale Group of Artists, Aquarella and the Minden Hills Cultural Group. He has studied with many well known Canadian and U.S. painters, including the notable U.S. artists William Vrsack and Frank Franchese. His work appears in galleries, at juried exhibitions and theatre events. He also maintains on-going galleries at several of Ontario's most historoic Inns. Wilf also teaches with his critique sessions almost always being over-subscribed.
His trademark use of warm oranges and reds fill his bright fall landscapes, and his flowing impressionistic style carries through into his tranquil winter scenes. His work is designed to be seen and noted from across any room. Once in a while, he'll even turn his hand to whimsical illustrations for children's books. His favourite subject is the Ontario countryside and cottage country which changes its moods and dress code with the passing seasons. He is a master at captuirng the regal nature of the birch, aspen and hemlock trees, trees which abound throughout Canada's northlands. He also loves to paint the light and enchantment of his native Ireland.
His work sells across Canada, the United States and Europe. His work is also sought after by both interior decorators and collectors at large.
Valerie is an experienced artist and teacher who paints en plein air and in the studio. She studied in Montreal at Ecole des Beaux Arts and Concordia University, in Toronto at York University, University of Toronto, Ryerson University and Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, in Nova Scotia at St. Francis Xavier University and at the University of Iowa.
Valerie paints in watercolours, acrylics, oils and mixed media. She enjoys diverse subject matter, experimenting with mixed and multi-media and incorporating environmentally friendly materials. She regularly offers workshops and courses to art societies and at art schools and colleges: Loyalist College, Haliburton School of the Arts, Southampton Art School and others throughout Ontario. She leads art river cruises in France and land trips to Italy in the summers.
She is currently the President of the Richmond Hill Group of Artists, is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and member of the Society of York Region Artists.
Her work is in collections worldwide and she is represented in Ontario by The Art of the Matter Gallery, Aurora, The Ethel Curry Gallery, Haliburton, Art Décor, Richmond Hill and Artplus Gallery, Belleville. She writes articles for the Watercolour Gazette, Good News Toronto, Richmondhill.com, and is a Canadian Regional Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. She has frequently appeared on television shows doing art demonstrations. To learn more about Valerie and to view her works, please visit www.ValerieKent.com.
Gill is a professional watercolour artist with a B.F.A. from the University of Guelph. Her work as a graphic designer gives her a clear eye for form and content. The possibilities and complexities of colour, design, and the power of clean elemental imagery infuse her work.
Gill’s bold paintings build on the positive energy of scenes from nature. She describes her sense of wonder at the beauty of Canada through her lush landscapes. The complexities of colour and texture are interwoven into her design, whether it is fabric, mountains, vineyards or rock. She is intrigued by shapes and patterns and how they relate to each other in their natural habitat.
Gill is an award-winning artist. “Strong pattern-making, clarity and simplicity of design. Unusual viewpoint. Crisp, clean colours. Flawless. Stunning.” were the words of Marc Gagnon and Marlene Madole, jurors of the Toronto Watercolour Society’s Aquavision 2006.
Gill has traveled extensively throughout her painting career. Her watercolours are inspired by her explorations in Ontario: Georgian Bay, Killarney, the French River, Lake Superior and the Niagara Escarpment.
Gill has had numerous group exhibitions in Toronto, Collingwood and Pointe au Baril. She is a signature member of the Toronto Watercolour Society. Her studio is in Toronto and her work can be viewed there by appointment.
Rina sees her life as a continuum of change, constantly being shaped by the people and places she encounters. As an artist who paints from the heart, these experiences that enrich her life also influence her art.
Rina is a Canadian artist living in Toronto. Reflecting a strong sense of colour and design and through the use of line and texture she creates paintings that are bold and expressive. Whether working in acrylics or mixed media, Rina is always seeking to explore and create new and exciting effects in her art.
Rina has been exhibiting her work since 1999 and has won numerous awards and honours.
Her painting 'Through My Window' was chosen for publication in the book 'The Collected Works'; her painting 'Finding My Way Back' was acquired by the town of Vaughan as part of its permanent collection.
Rina has participated in many juried and non-juried shows, and her work can be found in corporate and private collections in both Canada and the United States. She is a signature member of the Toronto Watercolour Society, programming chair of the Markham Group of Artists, and a member of the Society of Canadian Artists and the Willowdale Group of Artists.
Marianne was born in England but spent much of her childhood in Malaysia. The stunning scenery and abundance of exotic animals and plants heightened her love of nature and keen interest in drawing and painting. Her artwork was selling in local galleries and department stores while she was still a teenager. Marianne settled in Canada in 1980 and lives in Schomberg, Ontario.
As a full time artist and a sought after art instructor Marianne travels extensively. She is never without her sketchbook and camera, always looking for new subject matter for her stunning paintings of flowers, landscapes and wildlife. Marianne also enjoys taking on commissions of subject matter that she may not otherwise paint. Some of these have been commissioned for publishing purposes.
Marianne’s art education in England has been furthered by studies at The Haliburton School of the Arts and courses and workshops with many respected artists.
Marianne’s work has been exhibited in many juried exhibitions in which she has received numerous awards. The most recent are three Best in Show awards, Best Watercolour in Show, The Franklin Carmichael Award, The Marianne Crone Award, 2nd prize in the COAA Virtual Juried Show, Juror’s Choice, Honourable Mentions and several People’s Choice awards.
Her work can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada, U.S., England, Australia, South Africa and Malaysia.
Valerie was born in England and now resides in Toronto, Ontario. She has completed courses at Haliburton School of Art, Bridgewater Retreat and Elora Arts Centre. However, Valerie is basically a self-taught artist and paints land/seascapes and wildlife, created on location and in a representational style.
Valerie’s watercolour painting titled “Gilbert’s Cove, NS” was accepted into the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour juried show “Open Water” in 2004.
Valerie has traveled to many area of Canada and Europe including Alberta; BC; Newfoundland; Scotland and France and most recently to the Canadian Arctic & Greenland for 2 consecutive years to gather reference for her favourite subjects and to personally experience the effects of climate change in the Arctic.
Valerie is a member of East Central Ont. Art Assoc.; Cedar Ridge Creative Centre; Pine Ridge Arts Council & Toronto Watercolour Society, where she is currently Secretary. Valerie is also a Member Emeritus of the Scarborough Arts Council and Past President of the Art Guild of Scarborough.
Valerie has exhibited in a vast number of group exhibitions in throughout Ontario and has recently completed a successful solo exhibition at the Gallery Wall in Toronto.
Valerie’s artwork has been continuously accepted and juried by her peers (including Doris McCarthy) and is held in many private collections in Canada; USA; South Africa; Taiwan and the U.K.
To learn more about Valerie and to view her artworks, please visit www.GalleryVallery.com.
This article was published on Sunday 08 November, 2009.
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