Artist Statement

My art has taken me down many different paths. From a very early age my parents encouraged me to paint. Family vacations were often spent sketching and painting in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. I furthered my interest in colour and composition taking Fashion and Design in college and later, enrolled in Fine Arts at the University of Edmonton, Alberta. I lived on a farm in Alberta for 10 years and developed a love for the prairie landscape. Presently residing in the Ottawa valley, recent inspirations have been Algonquin Park, the Gatineau Hills, the Laurentians and the Maritimes.
I am presently working with acrylic and oils. An avid hiker and photographer, many preliminary sketches are executed on site with pen and ink. Often my photographs are used to complete studio work. Layers of paint and glazes are evident to capture the depth of my subject matter and loose mark making, strong shapes and shadows are apparent. I often work on several paintings at once when developing a new series.
I have been fortunate to live and travel in many parts of Canada and the United States enabling me to pursue my artistic passion.
I continually strive to develop a painted language to capture the fleeting essence of nature's behavior and my objective is to pass this on to the viewer.
Bio
Catherine Schissel is an award winning artist best known for her passionate portrayal of landscapes, from the Canadian Pacific to the Atlantic coast. Working in acrylics and oil she has lived and travelled throughout North America painting what she loves for over 35 years.
Catherine started painting landscapes in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. She exhibited in galleries, solo shows, and juried group exhibits, in Alberta and British Columbia before moving to Ontario. Recent influences include the nearby Algonquin Park region, the maritimes, the Gatineau Hills, and the Laurentians. Catherine currently lives and maintains a studio in Stittsville, a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario.
Primarily self taught, Catherine's studies include classes in the University of Alberta Fine Arts program, Edmonton, Alberta. Open studios and international travel to attend workshops covering a wide range of visual art disciplines continue to have an impact on her work.
Catherine's work is in private and corporate collections across Canada and the United States.
Recent Awards
- Nepean Fine Arts League Fall Sale, October 2017,1st Place People's Choice - "Favourite Artist"
- Nepean Fine Arts League Members Show, June 2014, "Sumac Pond" Award of Excellence in Acrylics, also 1st Members Choice award
- Ottawa Art Association, Fall Award Show, November 2016, "Escarpment Ice" 1st place Acrylic - Members Choice Award
- West Carleton Art Society, “Expressions of Art” Exhibit, October 2014, "In My Element" People's Choice Award
- Nepean Fine Arts League Members Show, June 2014, "Sumac Pond" Award of Excellence in Acrylics, also 1st Members Choice award
- Nepean Fine Arts League 50th Anniversary Spring Show and Sale, March 2014, "On the Edge" 1st - best in show.
Previous Shows and Exhibits
- 2017, Nepean Fine Arts League, Fall Sale, Ukrainian Centre, Ottawa
- 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, West Carleton Arts Society, “Expressions of Art” Exhibit, Carp, Ontario, juried
- 2017, 2016, Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, Group Exhibition, Buckhorn Community Centre, Buckhorn, Ontario, juried
- 2017, 2016, 2015, West Carleton Arts Society, Group Exhibitions, City of Ottawa, Plant Bath Recreation Centre, Ottawa, juried
- 2016, Red Trillium Studio Tour, Group Exhibition, Ottawa, juried
- 2016, West Carleton Arts Society, Group Exhibition, Ottawa City Hall
- 2016, 2015, Nepean Fine Arts League, Spring Show and Sale, Ukrainian Centre, Ottawa
- 2016, Red Trillium Studio and Garden Tour, Ottawa, juried
- 2016, 2015, Ottawa Art Association, Group Exhibitions, Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa,
- 2016, South of 60 Arts Centre, Group Exhibit, The Railway Station, Barry's Bay, Ontario, juried
- 2015, 2014, Nepean Fine Arts League, Fall Show and Sale, Ukrainian Centre, Ottawa
- 2014, Ottawa Art Expo, St. Elias Centre, Ottawa. juried
- 2014, West Carleton Arts Society, Foyer Gallery, Ottawa, juried
- 2014, Nepean Fine Arts League Members Show, Ben Franklin Place, Ottawa, juried
- 2014, Nepean Fine Arts League 50th Anniversary Spring Show and Sale, Ottawa, juried
- 2011, Sienna Gallery, Rockland, Ontario
- 2007, 2005, 2004 Red Trillium Spring and Autumn Tour, Ottawa, juried
- 2005, 2003, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 West Carleton Arts Society group exhibit, Carp, Ontario, juried
- 2004, Art West exhibit, juried
- 2003, Florellas - Burnstown, Ontario
- 1984, Solo show, “Paintings of Western Canada”, Beiseker, Alberta
- 1984, Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation, Calgary, Alberta, juried
- 1983, Solo show, Free Spirit Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- 1983, 1982, 1981, Free Spirit Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- 1983, 1982, 1981, Gainsborough Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
- 1983. Solo show, Beiseker, Alberta
- 1983, Alberta Wide exhibition Red Deer, Alberta, juried
Memberships
- West Carleton Arts Society
- Nepean Fine Arts League
- Ottawa Art Association
- Ottawa School of Art