Victoria Pearce

Victoria Pearce’s most recent series follows the journey of the spirit on the waters flowing thru the Haliburton Highlands, Muskoka, Temagami and the waterfalls of the Bruce Trail. Each piece is a reflection of the healing energy which is part of her morning ritual, paddling or hiking the natural beauty of Ontario. This series reflects her ongoing love of the interconnectedness of water, sky, land and air. The labyrinth offers a perfect symbol for this relationship. The graphic painterly use of complimentary and tonal lines against contrasting grounds is played out in labyrinth patterns which tie together various geographical elements. The mind attempts to make sense of these shifting markings. The viewer attempts to make sense of the pattern and finds all manner of computer chips, tiles, and ancient writing in the forms. Furthermore, she is fascinated by the shifting of colour hues when they are played against each other within these shapes. The coloured ground beneath plays tricks on the eye throughout the process making it a demanding and fascinating undertaking. Born in southern Ontario and a student of vivid colour and spatial contrast, Victoria worked with Doug Morton of York University while doing her undergraduate degree in fine arts. After extensive travel, she turned her attention to painting large scale murals in homes and public buildings. Victoria was absorbed by this work for 25 years, during which time she painted an enormous 4,600sq. ft ceiling to resemble a sky typically associated with the Renaissance period. Victoria has continued to study at the Haliburton School of Fine Arts and the Burlington Art Centre. She currently paints from her studio in Hamilton’s James St North Artist District and lives in her home in Hamilton, with her husband and daughters and dog Sunshine. Victoria is the current Vice President, Program Co Coordinator of Burlington Fine Arts. Her award-winning work is exhibited in Canada and the United States in juried, group, and solo shows. She lives in the Gage Park area of Hamilton with her husband and poodle Mae Mae. A member of Burlington Fine Arts Assoc and past program coordinator for twenty years and past president and a avid member of Ontario Society of Artists. Each of Victoria's surreal florals are set against dramatic skies and appear to be viewed from an ants eye view. They begin with a poem or prayer infusing a kind of mantra, the healing energy that defines her process as a Reiki master.

What does nature do for you? Is it just a backdrop for your busy day for something precious that soothes,  heals and supports? For me , it is the latter.  Over the last ten years I have focussed on interpreting the Canadian landscape in my labyrinth style. The interweaving of lines represent the interrelation of all elements within the landscape.  I hope to echo the solace I find there in the rocks, trees and waterfalls of Ontario’s Bruce Trail or on the waterways and paths of Ontario’s northlands . I feel most fortunate to be able to travel so many pristine landscapes from Georgian Bay to Algonquin, Kawartha to Killarney, we are so blessed.

 But what happens to that sense of peace when it is threatened. Fire certainly is part of nature’s way, a cleansing of sorts but last summer we all felt the threat when temperatures rose and rain failed to keep forest fires in check.  I hiked Killarney and walked with trepidation on cracked mosses and crunchy ground. From the peak of “The Crack”, I was alarmed to not be able to see OSA  lake or much else down below. Who doesn’t love to sit around a campfire with or without  s”mores  and a guitar? But last summer did not offer that comfort as campfires were banned and breathing was hampered.   There is a terrible beauty in smoky, rose coloured skies and wild fires. But when my husband  and many others struggled to breathe a sense of dread replaced the calm. So, in this show you will find pieces echoing the beauty of clean sacred environments as well as those threatened like never before.

We ignore the warning at our peril because we most certainly are interrelated.