Journal
March 2024
My proposal is accepted, becoming part of the exhibition " The MEAM Hall: 5th Edition " which will take place at the First Street Gallery in New York and at the Museo Europeo de Arte Moderno ( MEAM ) in Barcelona.
February 2024
I am invited by the European Museum of Modern Art ( MEAM ) to make an exhibition proposal.
October 2022
I return to Florence to begin my research for the Solo Exhibition. The idea for my Pomegranate Lovers and their " Journey of Love " was born.
July 2022
I am invited to have a Solo Exhibition at Geko Art Studio, Florence, Italy.
November 2021
COVID - A child is evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Hong Kong, China.
June 2021
COVID ( Preliminary Study ) is selected by the Art Gallery of Ontario for "Portraits of Resilience"
September 2020
Paintings are delivered to Suppan Fine Arts, Vienna, Austria:
- 1) Hungrig ( Hungry ) - A Rohingya migrant boy waits in line for breakfast at a temporary shelter in Indonesia.
- 2) Versetzt ( Displaced ) - A migrant girl from Honduras is covered in an emergency blanket while taking refuge at a shelter in Tijuana, Mexico.
- 3) "To Save A Life Is To Save All Of Humanity" - Members of the Syrian Civil Defence rescue children after an airstrike in Aleppo, Syria.
August 2019
I am commissioned by Suppan Fine Arts, Vienna, Austria to paint "Hope".
May 2019
At Sea - The southernmost tip of North America as we set sail across the South Pacific Ocean.
November 2018
" To save a life is to save all of humanity " - The motto of the Syrian Civil Defence workers, more commonly know as the White Helmets.
My Story
The issue of support for the Government of Canada's immigration policy as it pertains to bringing in large numbers of Syrian refugees in our country was a polarizing discussion in 2016 and continues today.
I am proud of Canada's sensitivity and awareness of our responsibility to help those individuals around the world who were not as fortunate to have been born in this free and safe country.
- February 3/17. I am granted permission to use an image seen in the Globe and Mail as an Artist's reference.
- February 11 - March 7/17. Preliminary sketches, composition and size adjustments.
- March 8/17. Preparation of canvas commences.
- April 13/17. Painting started.
- October 15/18. Painting completed.
Currently the painting is being considered for acceptance by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights ( CMHR ).
The CMHR mission is to support the broader understanding of human rights and to encourage reflection and dialogue, the Museum selectively develops collections that support its mandate and work.
Their Story
July 2017
The Florence Academy of Art experience; Grazie per la piu incrediblile esperienza che un artista avrebbe potuto avere!
Elisa Serboli, my Italian language instructor can be credited with the naming of my Still Life Painting ( Accidenti ).
Jacky Chan, 21 June, 1988, Borneo, Malaysia.
May 2016
This month marks the 10th Anniversary of my return to full time painting. Ironically, my first permanent exhibition is of two large neon signs representing two chapters of my adult life when I was unable to paint.
The National Portrait Gallery, London, UK and the BP Portrait Award competition has provided a venue for the professional critique of my work. Being selected for the second round of judging in 2014, 2015 and 2016 places my work in the top 10% Internationally. The NPG and their staff are owed a gratitude for their support.
Shortlisted Works:
- 2014 BP Portrait Award Finalist, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK
Boy With Hoodie
( 1 of 250 works selected from 2377 entries ) - 2015 BP Portrait Award Finalist, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK
Joven Para Siempre
( 1 of 456 works selected from 2750 entries ) - 2016 BP Portrait Award Finalist, National Portrait Gallery, London,UK
Die Toeris - The Tourist
( 1 of 439 works selected from 2557 entries )
March 2016
We celebrate this newborn's miraculous recovery and reflect on the fragility of life. With life comes death. and the passing to "the other side". What is it like to be there, on "the other side"? Following an emergency c-section the baby was revived.
Part 1 of the diptych (My Heart Stopped for Seven Minutes) is my granddaughter in her incubator just hours after her delivery. Part 2 is her in her mother's arms three months later.
April 2015
During a South Atlantic Ocean crossing with my husband Leonard I was able to complete his portrait for my painting Die Toeris ( Afrikaans to English ) The Tourist.
My makeshift studio did not have the light, space or materials that I would usually have in my studio. Compounding the problem was the constant movement of the ship and the less than enthusiastic but nonetheless cooperative model.
The impact and aftermath of South Africa's successful election of Nelson Mandela as President can be seen in the final background. East Africans migrated to these Informal Settlements in hopes of a better life.