Two Artists One Studio
Tanya Vipond
I continue to work with acrylic and move back and forth between the palette knife and brush: allowing the subject matter to dictate the best process. I linger over flowers and vases, and feel drawn in by their bold displays of the colour spectrum; and labour over perfecting composition, and complementary colours.
Writing and composing poetry and stories, and creating recipes off the top of my head; performing in speech arts, and even dabbling a little into sketching and watercolor painting - what young girl hasn't enjoyed painting flowers in the garden , or repeatedly drawing horses and figures on the back of notebooks? As much as I was creative, I also strived for order and structure, as a way to gather all my creative impulses, ideas and inspirations into one concrete expression that could allow me to express, create, and then move on. Growing up, it was difficult for me to find such a medium, and stick with it.
It was only when I endured true pain and loss however, in my personal life that I found painting - or I should say, painting found me. I began mentoring and learning with Michael Brouillet - now my husband. Under his supportive guidance, I started a healing journey through the visceral joy of painting; eventually coming to adopt it as a regular pursuit, in setting up in a studio at Welch Street Studios.
I started off in oils and abstract expressionism, with colourful strokes, smears and splatters; and then moved on to palette work with large chunkey textures and blocks of colour; and I have continued to evolve and grow bolder and more confident with what my purpose is and how to best express it through the medium of paint.
To this day, I continue to work with the palette knife, and move back and forth between acrylic and oils: allowing the subject matter to dictate the best medium. I linger over flowers and vases, and feel drawn in by their bold displays of the colour spectrum; and labour over perfecting composition, and complementary colours. Alas, nothing is perfect or ever can be perfected - and flowers are a beautiful example of the 'perfect imperfection' I seek to demonstrate in my paintings. I use the thick lusciousness of colour to display the beautiful imperfections; going with the flaw. For that is where I find my inspiration, in this big beautiful world.
Michael Brouillet
My inspiration started when I was out walking in local neighbourhoods during the Covid lockdown in 2020. I found by walking and taking time to allow a scene to appear was the best way to find I many interesting scenes. This showed up in a creative way, I found ideas and the energy in shapes and colours. Taking photos at the location is ideal way to observe and capture everyday scenes and understand the details. This way there is a memory implanted that assists me during painting.
Photo images are placed into an editing program, this is where I make the design decisions, there I make adjustments to the composition that enhance the scene’s story. Many versions and options of the colours and image are combined and adjusted until the elements are balanced and feel right. A print is made for reference while painting.
I draw the image onto the watercolour paper as line art. The painting process starts by light adding transparent watercolour washes. The painting develops slowly and comes to life by building up layers of watercolour. By adding stronger colours the image appears as starts to make more impact until the application of layers has the desired light and mood.
When finished the larger watercolours are adhered to a birch wood cradled panel and is sealed with varnish and waxed so it is protected from the elements. No glass is need and the painting can be hung as is or a frame can be added if desired.
When finished the smaller watercolour are framed with glass and the larger watercolours are adhered to a birch wood cradled panel and is sealed with varnish and waxed so it is protected from the elements. No glass is need and the painting can be hung as is. A custom frame can be added to the panel if desired.
Our Studio
Our studio is located in North Vancouver
Tanya and Michael met at the first North Shore Art Crawl in 2011.
