Renowned Canadian artist Gordon A. Smith, co-founder of Artists for Kids, epitomised the idea that art is a gift. Painting until the age of 100, his lifelong dedication to creativity was a journey he generously shared throughout his career, leaving an indelible and far-reaching impact. 

James Rottman Fine Art - Gordon Appelbe Smith

Artist Shantel Miller is a Jamaican-Canadian visual artist known for her vibrant reimagined spaces that intricately depict pivotal moments in Black lives. In this episode of Living A Creative Life, we continue our theme of Materials At Work.

As an artist, Shawn taps into his imagination, as well as his Heiltsuk, Scottish, and French heritage to create utterly unique, surreal and sculptural artworks. Shawn prioritizes the flow state, preferring to utilize minimal materials that allow him to work more instinctively. 

To see more work from Shawn Hunt, visit ShawnHunt.net/

Emmett Sparling is a travel photographer and videographer, capturing engaging stories from his adventures around the world. In this episode of our Living A Creative Life series, you'll get insight into Emmett's creative process and career. He speaks about building careers with his peers, pushing boundaries, and translating photography into print at Opus.

Anong Migwans Beam, painter and founder of Beam Paints, is thoughtfully and methodically building her art practice and art materials business. Beam Paints (the business) is like a natural extension of Anong. The idea for the business came after sharing images of taking her two sons on rock/pigment gathering excursions. The positive response and interest online had Anong thinking about how she could share her handmade paints. In this episode of our Living A Creative Life series, you'll hear from Anong about her approach to combining traditional and modern knowledge, and the backstory of the Beam Paints business – all part of Anong's Creative Adventure.

To delve into this theme, we asked plein air oil painter Sheree Jones to share her insights on the exciting experiences of painting outdoors. Get inspired by the adventures Sheree has had, as she learned to take her art practice out of the studio and into the outdoors. Sheree is enthusiastic about the workshops she teaches, both locally and abroad.

Our theme at Opus for the upcoming summer is "Creative Adventure".   To help launch our theme, we thought to explore the experience of plein air painting through artist Gaye Adams. In this video, she shares the excitement, inspiration and challenges faced when painting outdoors. Gaye is an enthusiastic plein air and landscape painter who is fascinated with catching the effects of light in her paintings. She teaches plein air workshops in Canada and internationally.  - - -   About our theme: Creative Adventure  As we move into the Summer season, we're exploring the theme 'Creative Adventure’ - a celebration of fresh air and fresh interactions in the artistic process.   Being out in the open as well as coming together as a community can reinvigorate our spirits and spark our creativity. Whether we’re Plein Air painting, sketching, photographing natural landscapes, exploring the world (through lens, pencil or brush) or creating site-specific installations, these shared experiences and the inspiration gathered from our surroundings are stepping stones towards the creation of something truly unique and meaningful.   So let’s get out there and fully immerse ourselves and interact with the outdoors. Let’s connect with fellow creatives. Nurturing our spirits through these experiences will set us up for a memorable summer full of inspiration and creativity, enabling us to gain new perspectives, find inspiration, and appreciate our artistic pursuits more deeply.

Join us for a colourful conversation with artist James Wiens as he shares his insights into the world of art and the beauty of blooms. In this interview, James discusses his experience in the commercial art world and how it influences his approach to colour. He also shares his fascination with flowers and the intricacies of their design, which inspire his art. Discover the creative process behind James's stunning floral paintings and the techniques he uses to capture their vibrant colours and unique structures. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world of art and the beauty of nature.

This audio is from our video interview available online at www.OpusArtSupplies.com

Born and raised in S’olh Temexw, Artist Carrielynn Victor (Xémontalot) combines ancient and modern design principles to create murals, illustrations, and exhibition pieces. Her works offer insight into local history and stories, and feature elements from the natural world.

LIVING A GREENER PRACTICE

Artist and amateur lichenologist Natasha Lavdovsky is committed to continually deepen their understanding of anti-colonial theory and environmental stewardship. She utilizes salvaged and scavenged natural materials – to be returned in order to operate as ecologically responsibly as possible.

LIVING A GREENER PRACTICE

Artists have long been fascinated by and respectful of the planet we inhabit. Through the creative process, we have the power to promote environmentalism and make green initiatives a priority in cultural conversations. This April, we're diving into the myriad ways that artists can forge meaningful connections with nature and integrate sustainable practices into their artistic pursuits, while exploring diverse perspectives on the interplay between art and environmentalism.

How does a connection to nature influence our work? What sustainable practices can we incorporate into our creative process? How can we use our platform as artists to promote environmentalism and inspire others to prioritise sustainability in their work and daily lives?