Artist Statement
Painting is the way I express my feelings about nature. With growing concern that our wilderness and forests are slowly being eaten up by industry, it is important to me that I paint a personalized interpretation of the landscape around me. Travelling to personallyt experience and internalize these areas, part of the process of building a body of work includes field work.
Through extensive road trips, hiking, sketching, plein air painting and photographic detail images, I document various North American terrains and geographies. Compositional development continues in my studio. Many of my studies done on location are used as references for larger works. I use oils, acrylics or pastels. Through both an additive and subtractive painting process with brushes, tools and palette knives, paintings are continually analyzed and adjusted. I often work on several pieces at once, going back and forth as the mood strikes. I am always looking for strong shapes, light, shadows and interesting colour.
Through the time honoured strategies of painting, my objective is to bring the viewer along with me to discover the beauty and the ruggedness of the landscape. I want them to experience my feeling of being in the moment.
Painting is an unending passion.
Bio
Catherine E. Schissel is a landscape artist best known for her portrayal of Canada’s woodlands. Recently, seascapes and coastal scenes have also become strong subject matter. She began her career as an artist when she was living in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia where she was raised. She acquired a love for painting prairie landscapes while living on a farm in Alberta for 10 years. Before moving to Ontario, Catherine exhibited in galleries, solo shows and group exhibits in Alberta and British Columbia.
An avid hiker and photographer, her art is inspired by places she has travelled and spent some time time exploring. She often sketches on location and the pieces come to life in her studio environment.
Open studios and international travel to attend workshops covering a wide range of visual art disciplines continues to have an impact on her work. Her work is in private and corporate collections across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
She now lives and maintains a studio in Stittsville, Ontario.
Recent Awards
- Manotick Art Association “Inspirations Art Show and Sale”, April 2023, “High Lonesome”, Peoples Choice Award.
- Arteast Juried Awards Exhibition (AJAE), February 2021, “Fosthall Rock”
- Juror’s Choice Award
- Opaque Acrylic: 1st.
- Ottawa Art Association, Fall Award Show, November 2016, “Escarpment Ice” Members 1st Choice Award, Acrylic.
- West Carleton Art Society, “Expressions of Art”, October 2014, “In My Element” People’s Choice Award.
- Nepean Fine Arts League, June 2014, “Sumac Pond” Award of Excellence in Acrylics, and Members Choice award.
- Nepean Fine Arts League 50th Anniversary Spring Show and Sale, March 2014, “On the Edge” Best in Show.
Recent Shows and Exhibits
- 2024, 2023, 2022, Manotick Art Association “Inspirations Show and Sale”, Manotick, juried.
- 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, Glebe Fine Arts Show, Group Exhibition, Ottawa, juried.
- 2023, Ottawa West Art Association, Group Exhibition, Cardel Recreation Centre, Stittsville, juried.
- 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, West Carleton Arts Society, “Expressions of Art” Exhibit, Carp, Ontario, juried.
- 2022, 2021, 2020, Artprior Gallery, Arnprior, Ontario.
- 2019, 2018, 2017, Buckhorn Festival of the Arts , Buckhorn Community Centre, Buckhorn, Ontario, juried.
- 2019, Ottawa Group of Five at the Cube.
- 2019, 2017, Nepean Fine Arts League Members Show, Ben Franklin Place, Ottawa.
- 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, West Carleton Arts Society, Group Exhibitions, City of Ottawa, Plant Bath Recreation Centre, Ottawa, juried.
- 2017, Christmas in Carp, Carp Memorial Hall, Carp.
- 2017, Nepean Fine Arts League Members Show, Ben Franklin Place, Ottawa.
- 2017, Nepean Fine Arts League, Fall Sale, Ukrainian Centre, Ottawa.
- 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.
Conferences and Workshops
- 2024, Albert Handell, Oil and Pastel workshop, Raleigh, North Carolina.
- 2023, Hunter – Fryer Invitational Gathering, Bellows Falls, Vermont.
- 2023, 2021 Plein Air Live.
- 2021, 2020 Realism Live.
- 2021, Pastel Live.
Memberships
- National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS)
- Ottawa Plein Air Painters
- West Carleton Arts Society
- Ottawa West Art Association
- Arteast, Ottawa
- Manotick Art Association