This show is aptly named "ABSTRACT COLOUR": These two women are amazing people, artists and happily doing what they love.  Their complete CV's are in the gallery, please stop by and pick up information for their upcoming workshops, the Open House at Nadine's Fine Art is this Saturday evening September 9th from 7 to 9 p.m. join us and meet these artists!

CARMEN THOMPSON, BFA

“I seek to bring my personal experiences gathered from natural and urban environments into my studio to create an interpretation. Using primarily oil and acrylic on canvas, my work reflects my desire to explore the materiality of paint as well as evoke the attitude of the varied landscapes I am influenced by. I convey my interpretations through abstraction using bold colours, multiple layers, and contrasting edges.”

In 2015, Carmen graduated from the Vancouver Community College earning a diploma in Jewelry Art and Design. She apprenticed with Vancouver jewelry designer Benne Rubin and studied under master jeweler Darius Bebel. In 2017, she graduated with her Bachelors of Fine Art (Interdisciplinary) from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Carmen has juried several art exhibitions for the Craft Council of BC, and worked as the Youth Art Curator for the Vernon Public Art Gallery. Carmen is currently the Artist in Residence and Program Coordinator at the Caetani Cultural Centre. Her artistic endeavors focus on colour theory, oil and acrylic techniques and abstract painting. Carmen has lived and worked in Italy, Denmark and Mexico. Currently, she lives in Vernon, BC. 

 carmen_thompson07@gmail.com  

www.carmenthompsonart.com

HEIDI THOMPSON

CAPTURING MOMENTS OF BEAUTY

 “What I dream of is an art of balance, purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter¬ – a soothing calming influence on the mind rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.” – Henri Matisse

Inspired by Matisse’s artistic quest to uplift the viewer, I strive to create paintings that illuminate, soothe and vitalize the human spirit. I love beauty found in abstraction – especially abstraction found in nature. 

Perhaps my love for beauty comes from living in Canada surrounded by mountains, lakes, sky, fields and forest. Nature inspires me. I love her colours, chaotic designs, wild jumble of branches and leaves, her depth, movement and especially how all her elements feel harmonious. My aim as a painter is to capture this natural beauty – not by painting a scene or landscape as I know it with trees, mountains, clouds and sunsets. Rather, by painting the essence of nature using her pure visual elements of colour, light, movement, texture and space. 

I create compositions that feel natural; feel like a dramatic sunset, a cascading stream, sparkling waves, deep green wood or expanding blue sky. I strive to create “abstract landscapes” that evoke profound feelings of harmony, goodness and peace - emotions you may experience while walking through a forest or gazing at an exquisite sunrise. If my paintings succeed in resonating with that deeper emotion within myself, I become more aware of who I am. What feelings I am capable of. Perhaps, my paintings become a mirror of that unknown part of who I am. 

– Heidi Thompson

Heidi Thompson, BFA, Swiss Diploma of Photography, BC Teacher's Certificate

Heidi Thompson was born in Vernon, British Columbia. After graduation, she moved to Europe where she studied art at various academies. From 1975-1979 she attended the University of Art & Design Zürich earning a Swiss Diploma for Professional Photography. In 1980 she moved to Germany to study painting at the Nürnberg Art Academy. Her final year in Europe was attending the Hungarian State University for Fine Art in Budapest. In 2001, Thompson earned her teaching certificate through University of Victoria. 

In 1982, Thompson returned to Canada where she worked as a photographer, painter, teacher and book publisher. She became friends with Canadian Italian artist, Sveva Caetani and in 1995, published Recapitulation, a book about Sveva’s life and art. Recapitulation won the VanCity Book Award and continues to provide inspiration for authors, poets, playwrights and filmmakers.  

Thompson also wrote: Calm Focus Joy: The Power of Breath Awareness a guide for helping children focus and attention. Thompson has been interviewed international radio talk shows about this topic. In 2013 she was invited to speak at TEDx Kelowna about breath awareness. 

Thompson advocates art in the Okanagan. She has presented solo and group exhibitions at the Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong and Lake Country public art galleries. Every year she donates to local art auction charities to help raise money for the community. 

Heidi Thompson resides in Coldstream, BC and paints full time. Her work can be seen at ARTE Funktional in Kelowna, Headbones and Spinner’s Sound Centre in Vernon and at in her Coldstream studio by appointment. Thompson’s artwork is represented by galleries in Europe, Canada and the USA. 

1956 - Born in Canada

1974-1979 University of Art & Design Zürich, Switzerland, earned Swiss Dipl. Photography

1980-1981 Academy of Art Nürnberg, Germany

1981-1982 Hungarian State Academy for Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary

2001-2002 B.C. Open University, Canada, earned B.F.A

2002-2003 University of Victoria, Canada, earned B.C. Teaching Certificate

www.heidithompson.ca

htcthompson@hotmail.com

250 542-1551

9905 Coldstream Creek Road

Coldstream, BC V1B 1C8 Canada