LindaLando Fine Art Presents Lori- Ann Latremouille

Artist Statement
Ever since I was a child I have always had a deep empathy and love for nature and all of its various and wonderful creatures. When I was about five years old I remember seeing a television documentary about whaling. I was horrified. How could people treat these intelligent and majestic creatures with such cruelty and dishonour. I felt as though I were watching my friends being slaughtered, and for what purpose? Apparently, it was to provide fine oil for perfumes. I had to look away from the television screen, tears running down my cheeks. I knew what I was watching was unnecessary and wrong. So at a very early age I became a bit misanthropic. Not to say that I didn’t love and care for my family and friends. I just couldn’t overlook some of the cruel and careless ways humankind was treating its fellow creatures and the environment. As I grew up, I also became aware of how terribly people could treat one another. I could never really understand why. But I knew much of the reason was related to fear and greed. And it seemed that much of the motive behind mistreating other species and the environment was also rooted in thoughtless avarice. But still, I knew deep in my heart, that humans were a good species and capable of tremendous acts of intelligence and love. I have never thought that humankind is somehow separate or more special than any other species on this earth. However, it is undeniable, that we do have tremendous power and influence on this planet. But, in my opinion, that doesn’t put all other life forms a step below us. It simply puts humankind in an important position with regards to the stewardship and the future of this world, which I regard as an important and honourable position. And despite our sometimes greedy nature, I think we are very capable of doing a great job. I regard all humankind’s misgivings and mistakes as part of a long journey on a very large learning curve. I think that now, finally, our apprenticeship must be coming to a crucial and decisive stage. As a species we are now poised to show what we have learned. We can now do what we are very capable of and that is to heal and protect this beautiful planet, and all it’s varied and magnificent species and ecosystems. I want to contribute whatever I can to this tremendous healing process. I have been a professional visual artist for over twenty years. I am self-taught and discovered my imagery simply by letting my subconscious mind open up. My images grow from my mind the way plants grow from the soil. It is a very natural and easy process. I draw the lines and forms that first come to my mind on the paper before me. Vegetation, trees, animals, human beings, and all the elements, seem to flow together interlocking, comfortably, and peacefully. My visual language has developed and matured considerably over the years. But there has always been one basic theme, that is that all living forms are intertwined and connected in one universal field. As an artist you are often asked what is the meaning or purpose of your work. At times it was hard for me to express verbally what I was drawing. But, I knew what I was creating had a tremendously strong and healing sense to it. And that strength was not in a particular narrative or theme of an individual piece or show. Instead, it was the physical philosophy of the imagery, the way all the forms were fitting together. When the image that I have titled ”Prayer For the World” first appeared in my sketchbook, I sensed that all my years of creating were beginning to culminate. At the same time I had written a song for which I gave the same title, as it aligned perfectly with the sketch that I had just done. For the first time in my life I found my songwriting and my imagery converging together. Then it suddenly dawned on me what all of my creative activities were about. They were to express the healing and loving potential of my species. It was so simple. It was what I knew and felt as a child and while growing up. All this time it was before my eyes and I had just finally realized it. With works like my drawings and song I hope to give the world this most beautiful and precious message that was given to me through my artwork. I think this is the reason and purpose for me becoming an artist. This verbal and visual prayer exists in everyone in some form. This is my version that I want to share. My dream is to inspire others to find and express their own way to love and heal our world. We all love living on this beautiful planet. And we all want to look after it. It is written in our hearts and minds to do so. When we all decide to put are minds’ together for this most special purpose, I have no doubt that we can save, nurture, and protect our unique and glorious world. Artist Statement Drawing is like diving into the subconscious. Unfettered by the chains of reason, line and form are free to unfold. The initial lines surface, creating positive and negative spaces, which in turn evolve into forms. Within these forms new shapes emerge and metamorphose. The image literally blooms on the paper. Figures, half animal and half human, fish, birds, flora and fauna all intertwine and interlock. The drawing reveals a kind of figurative language that dictates its own narrative. Charcoal and pastel provide the sensuous black and white tones which give the work a certain strength and vitality. My artwork is not easily categorized. One can see in it both our ancient ancestors and the multiracial villagers of our future. The work tries to display our inseparable bond with nature and all universal forms. Even in the most alien and clinical state, humankind cannot truly break this link. With or without intention, we will always return to earth. To a certain extent we have lost touch with this reality. In some way, I hope my artwork can serve to remind people, even just for an instance, of this vital connection. ------------------------------------ Exhibitions (selected) 2006 - LindaLando Fine Art, Vancouver, B.C. 2005 - Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery, Kirkland, WA. 2004 - Simon Patrich Gallery, Vancouver, BC. Dovetail Design, Chico, CA. Comox Valley Art Gallery, Courtney, BC. Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. 2003 - Simon Patrich Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. Artropolis, vancouver, B.C. 2002 - Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. Syd Entel Gallery, Safety Harbor, FL. 2001 - Evergreen Cultural Center, Coquitlam, BC. Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery, Kirkland, WA. 2000 - Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. Sunshine Coast Art Gallery, Gibsons, BC. 1999 - Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery, Kirkland, WA. Syd Entel Gallery, Safety Harbor, FL. 1998 - Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. 1997 - Simon Patrich Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. Syd Entel Gallery, Safety Harbor, FL. 1996 - Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. Winchester Galleries, Victoria, B.C. Sacred Heart, Vancouver, B.C. 1995 - Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. 1994 - Lisa Harris Gallery, Seattle, WA. Claire Oliver Fine Art, Stuart, FL. Art Miami International. 1993 - Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. Myxd Media Gallery, Calgary, AB. 1992 - Surrey Art Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. Walker Museum, Vancouver, B.C. Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. 1991 - Dider Mouron Gallery, Mont Pelerin, Switzerland. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. Simon Fraser University Art Gallery, Burnaby, B.C. Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. 1990 - Philip Brock Gallery, Seattle, WA. Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. 1989 - Kenneth Heffel Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. Augen Gallery, Portland, OR. Philip Brock Gallery, Seattle, WA. 1988 - Figurative Narrative Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C. Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA. B.C. Artists Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C. Kenneth Heffel Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. 1985 - West Coast Surrealist Group Show, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C. N.W. International Art Competition, Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA. Selected Collections University of British Columbia Simon Fraser University Surrey Art Gallery Whatcom Museum Canadian Airlines Price Waterhouse Macdonalds Ed Roland - Collective Soul Michael York - Actor _________________ Lori-ann Latremouille creates her captivating images by letting her mind flow freely without inhibition or preconceived ideas. "Drawing is like diving into the subconscious mind or into a dreamlike state", she says, "where lines and forms are free to appear and unfold, unfettered by the chains of reason." She is self-taught and developed her stunning technique and visual philosophy outside of any institutional influences. She recalls a pivotal moment in her artistic development, when instead of having a friend model for her she decided to just draw from her imagination. The moment she started drawing this way, the imagery poured out of her so naturally and effortlessly, that she knew she had found her true direction. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Latremouille is influenced by the lush and synergistic ecosystem of her coastal community. This is evident in her work, where human figures, animals, sea creatures, birds, flora and fauna all intertwine together. She begins each piece by "doodling" as she says, with lines that gradually shift into more complex shapes and forms. Positive and negative spaces dance back and forth, like a jigsaw puzzle and images spontaneously begin to bloom in front of her. Velvety charcoal and pastel colors provide sensual tonal gradations that give the work an evocative strength and intensity. Her unique blending of emotionally charged blocks of color with brilliantly contrasting black and white hues is striking and at times psychedelic. Latremouille's work is not easily categorized. There is a quality that echoes the native totem artifacts that stand not far from her home, the way her figures magically morph into each other. Some viewers see more contemporary influences like M.C. Escher, Pablo Picasso, or Henri Rousseau. The work is imaginative, at times surreal, gentle, erotic, exotic, peaceful and powerful. "It comes from the world of the fantastic and the alluring," says Art Perry, critic for Vancouver's The Province. "It's all unreal but totally believable." Latremouille explains that each work is born without any specific intention or message, yet all the work speaks of a larger philosophy of "universal wholeness and the vital connection between all matter and living things." She is also an accomplished poet and singer songwriter, which explains the musical imagery often seen in her work. Over the past 20 years her work has been exhibited extensively in the U.S. and Canada and hangs in many prominent private and public collections. She has also exhibited in Europe. Lori-ann Latremouille's artwork has made a lasting mark in the art world and will no doubt continue to draw acclaim for years to come. Please visit Lori-ann's website www.latremouille.com