Yves Schmidt was born in Montreal, in 1957.  He considers himself a self-taught artist because he believes art as in life is ever changing.

Although Yves has sketched and painted ever since he can remember, it is ony late in his life that his passion for painting has developed into a serious form of expression.  He credits artists such as Van Gogh, Edward Hopper and the Group of Seven for creating a desire within him to explore painting.

Buildings, houses and trees, as well as the elements, which surround them, are, for the moment, his favourite subjects to paint.  From them he manipulates their shapes into a colourful experience.  His sense of style and vision come from within the soul, and to create he feels an artist must rely on his soul.

Yves is currently enrolled as a part time student at the Emily Carr Institue of Art and Design.  He has studied briefly under prominent Vancouver artist, Michael Abraham.  He first exhibited his work with Open Art Galleries in Vancouver.  More recently, he was a finalist in the Aim International Art Competition for which he received an award in excellence.

He is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and makes his home in Vancouver, BC.

Statement:

The idea that colour can not exist without light has always fascinated me.  Like magic, the world we live in is painted with every sunrise.  All so different and all so beautiful.

The canvas, for me, is somewhat like this world and, to a degree, I use the light from within to recreate the familiar shapes and textures which I have grown accustomed to throughout my life.

The real joy comes from knowing that I still didn't get it quite right, that I still need to keep painting.