Louise Garin

Fine Art
199 Collard Drive
905.833.1370
www.louisegarin.com

Artist's statement
I took several trips to the American South West (Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico) and soon thereafter spent many years living in Mexico. It inspired me profoundly to paint.

Initially, my portraits of Native Americans from the US and Mexico were my main theme and I still do from time to time but am now concentrating on painting life around me. My paintings range from colorful portraits to landscapes and depictions of every day life whether it be on the beach, in the city or in the country. I depict my subjects as faithfully as possible while being true to myself. I am forever pushing the use of color to the maximum, exploring all its possibilities. I use bright colours and large canvasses depicting what attracts me and what I find challenging to paint. I do a detailed drawing at first and really enjoy applying bold, bright colours and working on light and shadow.

I initially began painting in acrylic, then added gold, silver and bronze leaf to my acrylics. I also paint in watercolour at times but now work mostly in oils. I carry my camera with me everywhere and capture what fascinates me and then translate these images by infusing colour and that inner spirit in my portraits. I can sense when I start to paint if the work is going to come together; it becomes exciting to see it develop. My heart and feelings are wrapped up in my work and I hope I can share these feelings with those who view my paintings and portraits.

I grew up in Montreal, Canada. I have traveled extensively throughout Latin America and have lived over 8 years in Mexico and now live in Toronto and continue my artistic pursuit.