Giving Solace
Artist’s Statement:
“Nature is Nurture. My art is a visceral connection to nature balancing exploratory freedom with craftsmanship. I seek out unusual views whether broad vistas or intimate spaces. My desire is to make the ordinary ~ extraordinary.”
Artist Biography – Introduction:
I was born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was privy to my mother’s painting style early on. My mother was influenced by the Group of Seven, especially Tom Thompson who was a personal friend of the family, particularly her father, Dr. Alexander Pirie. My grandmother was an avid art collector, buying well known Canadian and European artists including Turner, Rembrandt, Cornelius Krieghoff and Paul Peel. So, at a young age, I was exposed to excellent art. I received a BFA in 1975 from the University of Victoria. I studied drawing, painting and conceptual thinking. I also embraced black and white photography. This period allowed me to understand the differing approaches to creativity. Photography captures and edits an image to communicate a story. Painting selects and combines elements and builds the story. This combination pervades my work. The gestation period for a painting series can be long, from 2 to 10 years.
Continuous Learning:
After university I worked for a photography store in Victoria, BC and a magazine/newspaper publisher (1976-77, Yellowknife, NWT). I moved down to Edmonton, Alta. and worked in the publishing industry for a few years. I went back to school, acquiring a degree in graphics and advertising from Grant MacEwan Community College, 1979. This deepened my design acumen greatly. In 1982 I made the first of several trips to Europe. I visited over 50 galleries and museums. Many left an indelible impression on me. I fondly remember going to the British Museum, Tate, Prado, Louvre, Jeu de Paume and the Alte Pinakothek as if it was yesterday. The first time I saw one of Rembrandt’s self-portraits, I was stunned. I could feel what he was feeling as an aging man. And Turner, wow! His later painting style was so avant-garde and abstract. It’s no wonder 19th-20th century artists such as Claude Monet were influenced by Turner and started the Impressionist movement. I moved to Vancouver in 1983, and worked in the graphics industry. After 25 years as a designer, then 10 years as a marketing management consultant, I went back to my first love… painting. Since 1998, I’ve been creating many works in oil pastel, graphite, acrylics, ink, and oils. I have taught fine and applied art students and continue to conduct workshops. I believe that it’s easy to paint, but difficult to paint well. Therefore I teach my students to build skills.
A Lifetime In Art:
I pay homage to a range of great deceased masters: da Vinci, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Constable, Monet, Turner, Gorky, Diebenkorn, Rothko, Kahn, Smith and so many more. Living masters, I admire include, Jeremy Mann, Alex Kanevsky, Cecily Brown and Ann Gale. Since 2012, my newer work is more of an inner journey of impressions and feelings in the guise of nature. The work is more visceral and abstract. Again, these new series take time to gestate, born from years of skill building and acquiring many visual memories. I cannot give what I do not have, therefore I give what I am, and that’s the gift. My hope is to give solace to viewers, a place of rest and nurturance. I also want viewers to notice simple scenarios in nature and treat it with more respect.
Artist CV, Resumé:
Representation:
Various art consultancies in Vancouver, BC. Artwork sold to private collectors in Canada, USA, Central America, Europe.
Donations:
• Canadian Cancer Society- BC Daffodil Ball, Nature Trust BC, BCCPA, Wigs for Kids, BC Women in Finance,
Arts Club Theatre, Dress 4 Success, Working Gear, Minerva Foundation, Ronald McDonald House.
Education:
• 1979, Diploma in Graphic Design, Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, Alberta.
• 1975, BFA, University of Victoria, BC.
Expertise:
• Art show production, management.
• Drawing, painting, colour & design, formal instruction & course creation/writing, workshops.
• Marketing, business management.
Residencies:
• Similkameen Artist Residency, Keremeos, BC, Canada, May 2023.
Exhibitions (Selection):
• Open Studio Show, Oct. 27-29, 2023 at 2nd floor, 142West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC.
• IDS Vancouver, Sept. 22-26, 2022, Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC.
• Earth Matters, group landscape show, Gallery George, April 4 – May 1, 2022,Vancouver, BC.
• Federation of Canadian Artists, Concept Show Sept. 13-26, 2021,Vancouver, BC.
• Sky Cathedrals & Other Stories, solo show, Visual Space Gallery, Vancouver, Sept. 11-21, 2020.
• Chali-Rosso Gallery, Richmond, BC, August, 2020 – Aug. 2021.
• Kube Gallery, Langley BC, Feb. 2018 – Feb. 2021.
• Annual Small Art juried show, Federation Gallery, Aug. 19 – Sept. 1, 2019.
• Solo Show, Old Bridge St. Gallery (CMHC pop-up),Granville Island, Vancouver, June 2019.
• East Side Culture Crawl, Nov. 17 – 20, 2016, #218 – 1000 Parker St., Vancouver, BC.
• Solo Show“ Sky Cathedrals & Other Stories”, May 16 – 29, 2016,Waterfall Gallery, Vancouver, BC.
• Solo Show“ West Coast Views”, June 6 – June 21, 2015,Gemini Jewels Gallery, West Vancouver, BC.
• Nature Nurture Group Show, Fragrant Wood Gallery, May 29 – July 20, 2014.
• Participant and speaker for the Third Annual South Granville ArtWalk, June 21, 2014.
• BC Landscapes, Solo Show, Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver, July, 2013.
• 100Years, 100 Artists, juried show, June 5-17, 2012, Ferry Gallery, West Vancouver, BC.
• Artists in Our Midst Group Show at Laura Jewitt Gallery, Vancouver, BC, March – May 2012.
• Summer Show, Omega Gallery, July-August, 2011,Vancouver, BC.
• Annual Juror’s Choice, Ferry Gallery, Aug., 2010,WestVancouver, BC
• GardenWorks Group Show, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, Oct. 2009 & Nov. 2010,Vancouver, BC.
• Canvas Unbound, juried show, FCA Gallery, June 2009,Vancouver, BC. Still Life, Show, April–May.
• Vancouver, BC. Landscape juried Show, FC A Gallery, Feb. – Mar, 2009,Vancouver, BC.
• Highlights Group Show, Peninsula Gallery, Sidney BC, June 2008.
• Solo Show, Waterfront Theatre Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, May–June 2008.
• Landscape Show, juried, FCA Gallery, Feb. 2007.Vancouver, BC.
• Discovery 2007, juried show, Seymour Art Gallery, N. Vancouver, Jan. 2007.
• Canvas Unbound juried show, FCA Gallery, May 2006,Vancouver, BC.
• Private Solo show “Shadow Lands”, Nov. 2006Vancouver, BC.
• Small, Smaller, Smallest Juried Show, FCA Gallery, Vancouver, BC. 2005.
• Nature Stories BC Landscape Juried Show, Ferry Gallery, West Vancouver, BC. July, 2005. (sold out)
• Private Solo Art Show “Tree Poems”, Vancouver, BC, November, 2004
• Aaron Ross Gallery, International Juried Landscape Show, Vancouver, BC, August 2003.
Arts Industry Participation:
• Art course developer & instructor: ECUAD 2008,VCAD 2009 – 2018.Teaching: Drawing, Painting, and
Colour & Design. Private instructor and mentor to visual artists in Vancouver, BC.
• Workshop Presenter, Juror for Plein Air Competitions, Opus Framing & Art Supplies, 2012>.
• Volunteer Fundraiser/advisor, Artists in Our Midst, 20thYear Anniversary Celebration, 2012.
• Juror, Granville Island bi-annual Artist Selection, 2011. Juror, Filberg Festival, 2011-2014.
• Board Member, Marketing Director Drawn Festival, 2010. My plan doubled attendance from the previous year.
• Member, Federation of Canadian Artists, 2000-2022.
• Member, CARFAC.
Media:
• West Coast Curated blog, Sept. 10, 2020.Written by Mark Shelling. Produced by Patio PR.
https://westcoastcurated.com/vancouver-artist-marion-webber-is-taking-to-the-skies-with-her-latest-show/
• The Daily Juice Box radio broadcast (Evolution 1079) interview with Simon Armstrong, Jan. 19, 2016.
• Straight.com: online article “Portrait of an Artist:MarionWebber,Oct. 24, 2014, by Marley Bathe,Arts Ally.
https://www.straight.com/arts/757146/portrait-artist-marion-webber
• You tube video, Sept. 2010:“Magic Time” (produced byVFS). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPd28dzfa2g&t=11s
• Peninsula News Review, June 2008:“Highlights”,Group Show at the Peninsula Gallery, Sidney, BC.
• North Shore News, July 2005:“Nature Stories” at the Ferry Gallery,WestVancouver, BC.
• You Tube Video (self promo): What Makes A Great Painting? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrrAWtsHoVA&ab_channel=MarionWebber
