My name Is Linda Millar and I am an artist. It's pretty thrilling to see those words in writing! I was born into a first generation German family, in Windsor Ontario. Our family was poor and moved often. I was expelled from high school 3 months into Grade 10 because I didn't own the uniform that made up the school's dress code. In hindsight, I'm pretty amazed I managed so long just by borrowing uniforms from friends! I didn't return to finish high school until I was 37 years old. It was a life-changing, awesome adventure to befriend a bunch of teenagers and discover I was an adept student. In fact, at graduation, I was named valedictorian. After receiving several scholarships, I entered the Journalism/Print/New Media program at St. Clare College; the Windsor Star hired me before I graduated. I'd like to say I had an interest in art during those years, but life was so busy with family, school, and work, I didn't have time for creating. And then I moved to Northern Ontario. I was so lonely, I bought and learned to use pastel pencils. I was 48 years old. At first, drawing was a way to fill in the isolated, dreary winter hours. It wasn't long before I was using chalk pastels and to this day, this is my favourite medium. Acrylic painting became a passion a couple of years later; I was drawn to it because the paint dried fast, and I could gesso over any messes I made (which were many.) I am self-taught and because of this, I don't have a lot of confidence as a painter. I don't belong to any artist groups, although I'm considering this as I go forward. Recently, I've begun to paint with watercolours. I created a series of Christmas cards, made prints of them, and sent them to family and friends. I was so surprised to see how well they were received - many people framed their cards! This really boosted my confidence. Still, I tend to work quite slowly as an artist, mainly because I use art as a meditation. It requires me to be present in each moment I'm working, and this has a deeply calming effect on my perspective and state of mind. Being able to create something that didn't exist before I picked up a paintbrush, feels spiritual to me. I am most content and 'at home' when I'm working on a painting. Even when things aren't going well, I feel harmony with myself, God, and creation, when I paint. Art gives me a sense of doing what I was intended to. The whole creative process brings me joy, peace and a sense of being who I really am. I'm learning about light these days. How light bends our perception of an object through things like water or glass, is really interesting to me. I'm also learning to depict how water magnifies or distorts an object it's covering. Colour theory is an area I am determined to make greater progress in, but I know the time has come for me to receive some professional instruction if I'm to do this. For me, painting feels the same as writing. I am communicating something about myself in every stroke of the brush, or pastel. And I often learn important things about myself in the process of creating. Being willing to share what I've learned through allowing others to view what I've made, proves to me that I'm growing in confidence and self-knowledge. Art is a vehicle for me to learn about the natural world as well as my inner world. Art is what I use to present what I've learned. I am a life-long learner, so I know I will always paint.

Name:Lise King

Bio:Lise King believe art is a life long journey. I’ve been doing art for as far as I can remember. I started as a child learning from my father how to colour with coloured pencils within the lines, then colouring in the same direction, using proper colour…

Story:ART IS LIKE CHOCOLATE! Artist Lise King, (CRI, CRWI), is a multidiscipline artist and art instructor. She loves exemplifying beauty with colour, texture and innovation in her realistic, impressionistic and abstract paintings. Art for her is like chocolate Why? Art is a personal act, and at the same time sensual! Art is a personal act insofar as it comes from the pure observation and perspective of the person creating the piece who reveals a bit of themselves through their art. But at the same time, it is a self-fulfilling act which expresses itself in the rendered interpretation of the artist’s observation. Beauty is not superficial, it is something that goes below the surface and captures the character of the artist and spectator. In Lise’s art forms you have to look beyond the surface to capture the true beauty of the narrative, flow or energy of the artwork. Lise wish to produce beauty for the observer to perceive and ponder in her paintings, for she believes art transmits tremendous power that can change the world. As one person’s perspective sees the world in its entirety, I wish to show a glimpse of its beauty. For this reason, she relates her narrative with nature and its beauty, for she feels that when we are around beauty, we become beautiful. In her world, Lise yearns to saturate herself in natures beauty. She hopes her work opens up portals for people so that they can expand themselves, and that it gives them serenity and joy. Please enjoy the moment! The artwork submitted is a watercolour titled Point Peele, a representation of one of our trips to Point Peele. I used a mix of M Graham and Mission Gold watercolours on Arches watercolour paper. I would love to try the New Daniel Smith watercolour pan; the compact set would be great to bring with my next outdoor adventure. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my passion with you.

Name:Cheryl Barrett

Bio:This is my story. I have two amazing children and a very supportive husband. My art skills started out as decorating cakes, I sold my first cake at age 13. I make chocolate sculptures and do vegetable and fruit carvings. I also have carved ice too. I have

Story:I felt taking art lessons could help me add more realism to my cake decorating that I do and it has. I have been able to incorporate what I have learned in class to my flower details and modeling my characters. I couldn't draw Anything realistic on paper to save my life but Lise has been able to give me the direction to be able to make my drawings look great . I have been taking classes for 2 years now and have learned so much. I have also taken a love to watercolor. My first experience was a Christmas project of trees and then i took color theory I did my first flower a white wild rose and I was hooked. I took as may classes with Lise as I could with watercolor. Last summer when kings gallery hosted a guest artist Soon Warren we made a beautiful watercolor iris. I was really excited and wanted to practice water drops so I did a rose and a few more paintings I took a sea scape water colour class to help learn water. I am now trying my hand painting birds I am now volunteering to introduce autistic children into art I work with them once a week doing arts and crafts on a very basic level as children with special needs don't always have the ability to focus long on one piece of art. Titled Dew Drops, medium water color, i used water color brushes 3/4" black velvet, #2 black velvet, #3 golden natural, paper is Winsor & Newton cold pressed 140lb 9x12 . water color sheet 100% cotton. The paint used is watercolor M.Graham & co. Sepia, Alizarin Crimson, Hooker's green, Hansa yellow. Lucas brand Indigo, Magenta, Phthalo blue, Your fellow Artist Cheryl Barrett

Name:Ruby Allan

Bio:BIO: Ruby Allan has spent years finessing her craft and exploring her art. She works in a number of mediums including oils,acrylics, watercolors and more recently has revisited her love for drawing through colored pencils.

Story:My love for art goes way back to when I was a little girl. I can still feel the excitement when my mom would bring home a new coloring book and a new box of crayons. Opening the cover, turning the first page, inhaling that new book smell, I was adamant to color each page in order. I obviously had the patience to color through the subjects that were not that appealing to me but when I turned the page and caught a glimpse of the next in line, a close up of Cinderella and her beautiful gown I was so motivated. This enthusiasm and patience has been carried on to this day. Through my art I aim to capture the beauty of seemingly ordinary objects and places. I find inspiration in my surroundings and I am constantly searching for a new perspective with my subject matter. Striving to think outside the box has lead me to become a successful artist and to pursue my passion. This painting titled "Tom the Turkey" was done with colored pencil on UART Sandpaper with Fabercastell Polychromos. I painted this during an art residency last summer in Sherbrooke Village Museum, NS. Having three weeks to ponder in the village, circa 1800, gave me the time to find interesting subjects. This turkey was no exception. I was amazed at all the colors a turkey actually had. That same JUMP for JOY feeling as I felt for Cinderella in my childhood years overtook me and I just couldn't wait to paint this portrait! Tom the Turkey looks very proud in this old fashion oval frame measuring 16"H x 12"w and the sparkle in his eye is clearly my passion showing through. To have the chance to try the Daniel Smith watercolour pan set would be a great asset to my outdoor art endeavours, especially the new Jane's Grey colour as this would be a great tool to set the tonal values before proceeding with colour.

Name:Luc Guillemette

Bio:My name is Luc Guillemette and i’m from Grand-desert Ontario. I grew up in the country but now I live in North Bay. I’m 41 years old and I am an owner/operator of a taxi for U-Need-A-Cab.

Story:Up until a year ago I hadn’t painted in probably about 20 years. My girlfriend Lisa started doing some arts and before we knew it our dining room transformed into our art studio. I don’t see the time go by when i’m painting so I guess that’s when you know you really love doing something. I built a woodworking shop in the basement so I can do custom frames for my paintings. So basically art has taken over our home and our lives but we’re ok with that. The painting I submitted is titled “88” and was done a couple months ago using Liquitex heavy bodied acrylics. It’s a commissioned piece I did for a friend of mind.

Name:Linda Millar

Bio:Hello! I am a 62-year-old retired journalist who moved to the North 17 years ago. Much of my time is spent with my beautiful husband, kids, and grandkids who are the joy of my life. After moving North, I achieved a teaching certificate and taught Adult

Story:My name Is Linda Millar and I am an artist. It's pretty thrilling to see those words in writing! I was born into a first generation German family, in Windsor Ontario. Our family was poor and moved often. I was expelled from high school 3 months into Grade 10 because I didn't own the uniform that made up the school's dress code. In hindsight, I'm pretty amazed I managed so long just by borrowing uniforms from friends! I didn't return to finish high school until I was 37 years old. It was a life-changing, awesome adventure to befriend a bunch of teenagers and discover I was an adept student. In fact, at graduation, I was named valedictorian. After receiving several scholarships, I entered the Journalism/Print/New Media program at St. Clare College; the Windsor Star hired me before I graduated. I'd like to say I had an interest in art during those years, but life was so busy with family, school, and work, I didn't have time for creating. And then I moved to Northern Ontario. I was so lonely, I bought and learned to use pastel pencils. I was 48 years old. At first, drawing was a way to fill in the isolated, dreary winter hours. It wasn't long before I was using chalk pastels and to this day, this is my favourite medium. Acrylic painting became a passion a couple of years later; I was drawn to it because the paint dried fast, and I could gesso over any messes I made (which were many.) I am self-taught and because of this, I don't have a lot of confidence as a painter. I don't belong to any artist groups, although I'm considering this as I go forward. Recently, I've begun to paint with watercolours. I created a series of Christmas cards, made prints of them, and sent them to family and friends. I was so surprised to see how well they were received - many people framed their cards! This really boosted my confidence. Still, I tend to work quite slowly as an artist, mainly because I use art as a meditation. It requires me to be present in each moment I'm working, and this has a deeply calming effect on my perspective and state of mind. Being able to create something that didn't exist before I picked up a paintbrush, feels spiritual to me. I am most content and 'at home' when I'm working on a painting. Even when things aren't going well, I feel harmony with myself, God, and creation, when I paint. Art gives me a sense of doing what I was intended to. The whole creative process brings me joy, peace and a sense of being who I really am. I'm learning about light these days. How light bends our perception of an object through things like water or glass, is really interesting to me. I'm also learning to depict how water magnifies or distorts an object it's covering. Colour theory is an area I am determined to make greater progress in, but I know the time has come for me to receive some professional instruction if I'm to do this. For me, painting feels the same as writing. I am communicating something about myself in every stroke of the brush, or pastel. And I often learn important things about myself in the process of creating. Being willing to share what I've learned through allowing others to view what I've made, proves to me that I'm growing in confidence and self-knowledge. Art is a vehicle for me to learn about the natural world as well as my inner world. Art is what I use to present what I've learned. I am a life-long learner, so I know I will always paint.

Name:Angie Wright

Bio:My name is Angie (Angela) Wright Submission: "spring is coming" hummingbird floral in watercolor Materials used: 10*13 inch BockingFord cold pressed 140lb paper Paints used: Daniel Smith watercolor sticks and Holbein watercolors I chose t

Story:I have always been a creative in one way or another. I've always loved color, drawing, painting, crafts. When I was young I always wanted to be an artist but never knew how to do that and have a successful career. Through my life I've used my art as a place of refuge from the world, a place where my dreams and thoughts can take shape on paper or canvas. I painted my first canvas painting in August 2012 and fell in love with art on a whole other level. From that moment on I couldn't put down my brush and had a new love in my life. I was in college, going back to school for nursing and every spare moment I was in the university arts department looking at art books on painting techniques, studying until midnight, waking at 5:00 am to get in an hour's painting before going back to school for the day. I was truly obsessed lol and still am. I became very ill for two years, I have fibromyalgia, its hereditary. This was the most difficult time in my life as I could not continue nursing which I'd worked very hard for. During this time I used my art to get me through those days and honestly I'm not sure what I would have done without it. It gave me hope, and something beautiful to obsess and look forward to daily. Looking back it was a blessing in disguise, it gave me the time I needed to learn and improve my art and bring it to a new level. I don't share my story of using art therapy daily to get through with many people because I don't want them to focus on my illness when they look at my artwork. I only want them to see my vision that I'm sharing. I've shared my art therapy only on occasion with my friends on Facebook which is where I've been sharing my artworks for the last 5 years. I've had friends who have messaged me thanking me for sharing my art therapy as they tried it and found a new love as well. That makes me happy knowing I could help someone else in their journey. As my health improved and I got through that trying time, today I have some artworks on display and have joined two local art groups. I feel proud of how far I've come. In the grand scheme of the art world I'm still small in comparison to other artists but I don't compare myself to others. I compete every painting with myself to improve and be better, learn from everyone and every experience I can. I used to work strictly in acrylics and now I'm completely obsessed with watercolors and use every medium. I strive to be in a constant state of learning and improving, I attribute my watercolor journey this last year to great improvements in my artworks, it has truly freed my spirit in a way I cannot describe with words. When I paint I feel my spirit sings as I look at the beautiful colors and shapes that enchant me. Painting has given my life a new direction and focus and I feel truly blessed to be able to do this everyday. I originally was painting an orchid in acrylic for this contest but could not finish it on time with commitments I had so I wanted to share my hummingbird as I'm truly proud of it. My Daniel Smith paints are my most valued possession and I feel this painting would not have the same glow without them. I hope I was able to convey my story in a way that will inspire others. Realize that sometimes life has its own plan, there's always hope for the future and to embrace and truly do what you love. That is the key to happiness. It really is, I'm proof of that. Thank you, sincerely Angie Wright