'WEST COAST COLOURS'
An exhibit by award winning artist
GREGORY McKINNON
EXHIBITION | October 3 - 29, 2024
RECEPTION | October 12th | 1-3pm
[Unveiling of six new oil paintings]
ARTIST STATEMENT | In the early Gregory McKinnon was born in Alberta. Being encouraged at a very early age, he fell in love with art. The son of serving Air Force parents he spent several years living in Europe traveling the countries and visiting the galleries where the great masters painted. These early years left a very large impression on him and upon returning to Canada he started drawing.
1970’s he moved to White Rock, British Columbia where he fell in love with the west coast and attended college obtaining 11 certificates in computer graphics. He was employed in the printing industry for his entire career producing computer graphics and working on the production floor.
In 1999 he moved to the Okanagan for a few years, operated a municipal sign shop and while there he was briefly introduced to watercolors, producing his first pieces.
Since returning to the coast and living in White Rock, he has painted full time. His urge to paint has become all encompassing, and his love of painting has grown to include acrylics and oils as well as watercolors. His subjects are what he finds in his local photography excursions; animals, plants, still life, and landscapes all the while aware that portraits are in the near future.
His need to express himself through his art is so strong and overpowering that you can usually find him working on a dozen paintings at once, hanging all over the house in various stages of completion. Painting from his kitchen table or outside in sunny weather on his deck, Gregory is happiest covered in paint, so completely focused on the task at hand, that perfect brush stroke, that fine detail or the perfect blend to make the painting, totally oblivious to the world around him or that he has forgotten to eat meals.
He paints a number of his works using a realism style, struggling to achieve a level of perfection and fine detail similar to a musician seeking that perfect blend of notes. Then if he needs to clear his mind and loosen his hand you may find him outdoors exploring with his camera.
Gregory is completely self-taught, having painted for only two or three years during which in his first year he received “Active” status within The Federation of Canadian Artists upon sending in samples of his work. He has also won first place in several juried competitions and has had one of his paintings featured on the cover of a well known arts magazine. He has also participated in numerous shows and exhibitions. His work can be found in both municipal and private collections and has been seen in several galleries.
Gregory is a member of:
The Federation of Canadian Artists Active member 3 years
Arts Council of Surrey member 3 years
Langley Arts Council member 3 years
South Surrey White Rock Art Society member 2 years
Semiahmoo Arts Society
In-Person Viewing at the ACS GALLERY
in Newton Cultural Centre
No Appointment Required | 604.594.2700
ENJOY THE VIRTUAL EXHIBITION BELOW | Click on images to enlarge.
All image are subject to copyright.
There is no ACS GALLERY TALK for this exhibition