MARC L. GAGNON FINE ART .
PROFILE
Marc L. Gagnon is a full time painter working with acrylics and water colours; he has been painting for over 30 years. He holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Architecture, from the University of Waterloo. In 2000 Marc was elected a member of The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, and served on the board of directors for several years. He was President of the CSPWC from 2005 until 2007. Marc's paintings have been exhibited in major exhibitions including CSPWC "Open Waters" exhibitions, Visual Art Mississauga Annual Juried Exhibitions, Gallery of Peel Annual Juried Exhibition and the 6th. International Water Colour Biennial in Mexico. Marc's paintings are included in many private collections and the following public collections: Ontario Archives, Bridge Point Hospital, CSPWC Diploma Collection. Mr. Gagnon has also been a juror for numerous exhibitions. Marc teaches water media painting at venues throughout Ontario and at his home in Newcastle Ontario. He has successfully combined his love of architecture and painting to create dramatic works.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As a painter I receive my strongest inspirations from both man made and natural environments. I begin the creative process by trying to understand what I feel about a subject and why. My sketch book is my most powerful tool for understanding my reactions and composing my paintings. I plan the numerous elements that make a painting a work of art: brushstrokes, colours, textures, lighting, angles, edges, focal points. When I approach the canvas, I begin by sketching anew employing broad strokes and loose colour mixing. I react to every stroke and refer less and less to my early sketches, I need to look, feel, evaluate, chase a line, silence an edge, drown a patch of blue, thicken the reds, slow down, pull away. The final painting phase is slow, quiet, long, reflective, dangerously close to doubt and when the paintings are resolved, they always points to the next painting.
Education:
Bachelor of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo 1978
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Waterloo 1980
Professional Organisation Affiliations:
Ontario Association of Architects: Retired member
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour: President, 2005-2007, board member and committee chair 2000-2007
Volunteer Board Positions:
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour: 2000 – present
City of Brampton Heritage Board: 1992-1994
Baptiste Lake Conservation Association: 1986-1988
Awards and Honours:
2015: Juror: Kawartha Group of Artists, annual juried exhibition, Peterborough, On.
2015: Juror: Quinte Arts Council, Expressions Art Exhibition, Belleville, On.
2014: Juror: Spirit of the Hills Warkworth Arts Festival, Warkworth, On.
2013: Best Watercolour:Visual Arts Clarington 33rd. Annual Juried Exhibition, Bowmanville, On.
2010: Juror: Canadian Society of Painters in Water colour, 85th Anniversary Members Exhibition
2008, 20102: Juror: Franklin Carmichael Arts Group Annual Exhibiion, Etobicoke, On.
2007: Juror: Humber Valley Art Club, annual juried exhibition
2006: Juror: Toronto Water Colour Society, annual exhibition
2006: 2005, 2004 Juror: Mississauga Visual Artists of the Year Award
2005-07: President: Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour
2005: Officiated: CSPWC Watercolour Symposium, Calgary, Alberta
2005: Daler-Rowney Award: “Open Water 80” CSPWC Annual Open Juried Exhibition, J.B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
2004: Honourable Mention: 27thAnnual Open Juried Art Exhibition, Art Gallery of Mississauga
2000: Best Water Colour: “Invitation 2000” Algonguin Arts Council Juried Annual Exhibition, Art Gallery of Bancroft, Bancroft, On.
1999: Honourable Mention: “Invitation 1999” Algonguin Arts Council Juried Annual Exhibition, Art Gallery of Bancroft, Bancroft, On.
1998: Best Watercolour: 25th Annual Juried Exhibition, Art Gallery of Peel, Brampton, On.
1992: Silver Award for 600sq.ft. booth design IIDEX:International Interior Design Exposition 1992: Co-Recipient with Barbara Clewley – Gagnon for Haworth Furniture booth design, Toronto, On.
Marc and Barbara Gagnon in Our Homes Magazine
marc55gagnon@gmail.com 1 613 334 7559