Elizabeth Elkin is a renowned professional artist with an international reputation, who searches for the most expressive and perfect medium and style of painting to create highly individual works of art. Over the span of thirty years, she utilizes her advanced painting skills to create superior quality paintings of still-lifes, cityscapes, landscapes, figurative, portraits and abstract paintings. The true innovation of her work lies in the power of her vibrant colors, her museum quality works of expressionist art and her unique style of cubism in which the painting only reveals its true complexity after careful viewing over time.
Elizabeth’s academic training spans over eight years of study at several post-secondary fine art institutions including university in Europe. She has experimented with various artistic forms, including expressionism, cubism, impressionism, abstract and realism.
Only recently, has Elizabeth returned from her art-study tour of the museums of Paris, France and of Flemish art of Belgium. Following an extensive three-week program, Elizabeth has come away with many fresh impressions and begun a new series of works dedicated to the beauty of old Europe and it’s many treasures.
Elizabeth has exhibited her work internationally for many years. In the last seventeen years, she has participated in numerous galleries and juried group shows with solo exhibitions throughout North America. In 2002, one of her painting was chosen for the poster for the Chamber Music Society and has received personal recognition from Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson. Her paintings can be found in many private collections in Canada, United States, England, France, Germany, India, Israel, Latvia, and Russia.
Marianna Mikhaylyan is a Canadian artist of Russian-Armenian origin born in Moscow in 1972. At a very young age she was inspired by her parents who were both artists to develop her artistic talents through figure skating and classical ballet. She later followed the footsteps of her mother who worked all of her life as a painter for the Russian theaters and of her father who was a jewelry maker. Marianna chose to study applied visual arts at University and graduated in 1995 with the Diploma of Excellence at the Moscow Academy.
The same year, Marianna became a member of the International Art Fund, dedicated to the promotion of talented Russian artists in Russia. Since then, she has participated in numerous art shows in Russia, USA and Canada. "Dance features prominently in almost all of Mikhaylyan's work. Graceful, feminine figures glide amid swirling colours, with sharp, textured layers of paint lending a sense of movement. They are paintings in which the figures seem to be moving of their own accord, a style which Mikhaylyan has playfully nicknamed ’Movementalism’." said Adam Volk of the Ottawa Xpress to describe her works. Marianna Mikhaylyan’s artworks can now be found in private collections around the world including in Russia, USA, Canada, France, Germany, U.K., Norway, Italy, Israel, Australia and Austria.
Stephen Rothwell, Kanata area artist, has become well known for innovation within the world of watercolour. His loose style, bold colour, ability to capture light and versatility to paint a variety of subjects has created an ever-increasing demand for his paintings and workshops. He enjoys sharing the expertise he has gained over the years with students anxious to emulate his distinctive style and learn the innovative technique he has developed for “watercolour without glass.”
Shirley Mancino is a professional painter living in Westport Ontario whose passion for life and travel can be seen in her colourful and dramatic artworks. Over the last 25 years, Mancino has developed a distinctive and innovative style using mixed media. She brings a fresh and vibrant perspective to landscapes, people-scapes and abstractions. Hardworking elegant women and the elderly are among the themes that capture her artistic imagination. Although excited by abstraction, she often produces quasi-representational works.
She completed four years study at Ontario College of Art where her major influence was Chin Tok Tan. and spent a month at Belles Artes Institute in San Miguel, Mexico studying with Helen Koffee.
Her art is inspired by the Canadian wilderness and by back-packing travels in Asia and North Africa. While travelling, she paints 'en plein air'. Curious onlookers often engulf her, trying to communicate in many different languages. A natural story teller, Shirley has fascinating tales to recount about her art adventures . At home, she works more with larger paintings experimenting with combinations of media, technique and subject matter.
She won the Juror's Choice Award, Toronto Watercolour Society (2000). Best of Show, First Place in Mixed Media and in Watercolour and the People's Choice Award (Rideau Valley Art Festival 1996). With 25 years experience as an adult educator, she delivers clear, succinct and joyful workshops and presentations to art associations and public groups. She has also served as an art juror, a professional art critic and demonstrator.
