biography
Louise first trained in Fine Arts at Vancouver Community College, before studying in Italy with the University of Georgia, and receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University in Toronto. She obtained her accreditation as an art therapist from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She has traveled to England, Italy and the United States to take classes in sculpture and has studied forensic reconstruction under Karen T. Taylor.
Currently, Louise works on her own artistic practice and commissioned pieces. Her bronze portrait bust and statue of Pope John Paul II can be seen at the John Paul II Papal Centre in Vancouver. Her work can be found in private collections in Canada, the U.S., England, and Australia.
Louise has taught clay sculpting to all ages, both expressive and classical styles. Currently, she teaches workshops from her studio and as a guest artist in classrooms and community centers. In the Sculptors’ Society of BC she has held the titles of secretary, treasurer and vice president over the years.
artist statement
Clay, with its sensuality and earthy transmutability, its capacity for spontaneity and formal exactitude, is the medium that inspires me. Whether I am capturing another’s gaze in a portrait or communicating a thought or feeling through a figure, I try to express myself from the heart. My hope is that my artwork reaches, like a little outstretched hand, to the viewer who is looking to touch a strangely familiar experience.
I have taken a particular interest in art therapy, portraiture and forensic reconstruction. These paths weave their way in differing patterns through my work. How history expresses itself through our ancestors, making a current portrait seem timeless, or a feeling in the moment seem true.
public commissions
Bronze Bust of St. John Paul II, 4885 St. John Paul II Way, Vancouver
Bronze Statue of St. John Paul II, 4885 St. John Paul II Way, Vancouver
Chief Justice Allan McEachern, Law Courts, Vancouver, Unveiling June 22nd, 2017
awards
2021 First Place Sculpture, Shape and Form, Federation of Canadian Artists
2021 Award of Merit, Lifting the Sky: Elevating the the Works of American Women Artists
2021 2nd place, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art International Biennale Portrait competition, Wausau, WI
2021, First place sculpture, “On the Edge” Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver BC,
2021 First Place Sculpture, “Water” Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, Canada
2020 First Honors Award, Portrait Society of America, International Juried Competition
2020 First Place, Sculpture, “Bella” Federation of Canadian Artists
2019 15th Finalist non- commissioned category, Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition
2018 14th Annual Portrait Society Society of America, Finalist, Commissioned Portrait Category, Members Only Competition for “Abigail”.
2018 Portrait Society of America International Juried competition, Select 50
2018 2nd Place Sculpture Award, Shape and Form Exhibition, Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC
2018 14th Annual Portrait Society Members Only Competition, Finalist
2015 The Miracle of the Portrait, Canadian Portrait Competition, Certificate of Merit
solo exhibitions
2012 Kitsilano Community Centre, Vancouver BC
2011 Byng Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
2010 “Portraits of Recovery”, Place Des Arts, Port Coquitlam, BC
2007 Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada
2006 Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada
1984 Winters Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada
group exhibitions
2022
Breaking Through, the Rise of American Women Artists, March 5-May 29, Customs House Museum, 200 S 2nd St, Clarksville Tennessee, USA
Goddess, ACT Gallery 11944 Haney Pl, Maple Ridge, BC, Feb. 26-April 9
Shape and Form, Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC Feb 22-March 6
2021
Lifting the Sky: Elevating the Works of American Women Artists online Juried Show, May 20-Aug. 21,
On the Edge, Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC July 12-Aug 1.
Spring Online Juried Show, American Women Artists, Spring, 2021
“Water” Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC, Feb. 20 -March 31
The Poetry Project, Gallery George, 990 George Street, Vancouver, BC Jan 7-31
2020
Bella! Federation Gallery, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver BC, Nov. 16-20
Culture Crawl, Gallery George, 990 George Street, Vancouver BC, Nov 14-30
2019
Malleable: Changing Notions of Women, Oct. 18-Dec. 10, 2019 Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St. Vancouver, BC
Eastside Culture Crawl, Nov. 14 – 17, 1000 Parker St. Vancouver, BC
Shape and Form, Federation Gallery, Oct. 22-Nov 3, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Salon, Federation Gallery, July 15 – Aug 23, 1241 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC
Parker Art Salon, May 24th to 26th, 1000 Parker St., Vancouver BC
2018
Parker Art Salon, May 25th to 27th
Revision, Granville Island, August 30th – Nov. 30th
Shape and Form, Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Oct. 30 – Nov. 11
Eastside Culture Crawl, Nov. 15th to 18th,
2017
Parker Art Salon, May 5-7
Cityscape Gallery with SSBC, April 28-June 3
New Forms Matter, Cityscape Gallery, North Vancouver, Apr 24 to June 5th
The Persistence of Doubt, January 15th to May 14th, Tom Thompson Gallery, Owen Sound, with Michael Markowsky
2016
Leigh Square, July August, Sculptors Society of BC Exhibition, July 14 to Aug. 1
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada, July 29th to Aug 1st
Eastside Culture Crawl, 1000 Parker, Nov. 17th – 20th
Wood, Clay, Stone and Beyond, Sculpture Northwest Gallery, Bellingham, USA. Oct 7- Dec. 17th
2015
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada
SWARM 16, ACME Studios, 112 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC, Canada
East Side Culture Crawl, 112 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Avenue Gallery, Victoria, BC.
2014
6th Annual H’Arts for the Homeless, The Imperial, Vancouver, BC, Canada
SWARM 15, ACME Studios, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada
Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
2013
“Small Works”, Petley Jones Gallery,
“Tribute to David Marshall Exhibition”, Big Rock Sculpture Garden, Seattle, U.S.A.
Sculpture in Van Dusen Gardens, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Group Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
Bloedel Conservatory, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada
2012
Petley Jones Gallery with the MPA, Vancouver BC, Canada
“ArtSpacific” Juried Exhibition, Delta, BC, Canada
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver B, Canada
Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver BC, Canada
2011
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Group Exhibition, Vancouver B, Canada
Flowers for Food, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada
Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver BC, Canada
Artists in our Midst, Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
“For the Love of Art”, Scotia Bank, Vancouver BC, Canada
Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2010
“Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition” Place des Arts, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Perspectives on Identity, International Village, Vancouver BC, Canada
Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver BC, Canada
Sheraton Landmark Wall Centre, Feature Gala Artist
Gallery Gachet, Vancouver BC Canada.
2009
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver B.C.
“Winter White” Laura Jewitt Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2008
Sculpture in VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver B.C.
Byng Arts Community Show, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Van Ypren Jewellers, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Artists in our Midst Studio Tour and Roundhouse Exhibition, Autumn Brook Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
2007
The Sanctuary Gallery, Grace Church, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Burnaby Art Gallery, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver BC, Canada
Byng Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
2006
VanDusen Garden, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Pendulum Gallery, Sculptors’ Society of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2000-2003
Commissions from Gardenstone Statuary. Vancouver
1986 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1987 Weller Potovsky Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada
1988 Weller Potovsky Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada
1989 Weller Potovsky Gallery, Toronto Ontario, Canada
1985 Winters Gallery York University
collections
Louise’s art is featured in a number of private collections in Canada including the Catholic Archdiocese in Vancouver as well as private collectors in the USA, England, Australia, and the Netherlands.
memberships
Sculptors’ Society of BC
FIDEM, Federation of International Medallists
MASC, Medallists Association of Canada
Registered member of the American Art Therapy Association
education
2019 Master Class in Facial Reconstruction Sculpture with Karen T. Taylor, Texas State University
2018 Sculpting the Portrait in Clay, Florence Academy of Art
2017 Bas Relief with Eugene Daub, Scottsdale Arizona
2015 Master Class in Facial Reconstruction Sculpture with Karen T. Taylor, Texas State University
2014 Forensic Facial Reconstruction Sculpture with Karen Taylor, Scottsdale Art School, AZ
2011 Master Class through the Society of Portrait Sculptors, London, England
2009 Master Class through the Society of Portrait Sculptors, London, England
2006 Medallion Workshop, Geert Maas, Kelowna
1997-98 Vancouver Art Institute, figurative and portrait classes,
1992-93 Capilano College Art Institute, North Vancouver, B.C.
1987-1989 Masters Level Diploma in Art Therapy Toronto Art Therapy Institute,
1982- 1985 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Honours, York University, Ont.
1981, University of Georgia Studies Abroad Program (Cortona Italy)
1979-1981 Diploma in Fine Arts, Vancouver Community College,
teaching
MISSA, Metchosin International School for the Arts, June 2017
Kerrisdale Artists Group
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
Private workshops in Studio
UBC, support for Next-Gen U online programming, 2012
Byng Arts, 2012. 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018