Artist Flourishing: 2022 in Review
As the end of 2022 approaches and many are writing their year in review lists, I too am looking back at a prolific, venturesome and prosperous year making art in Canada. In any good year I find myself making between 25 and 30 new paintings, this year with all that was on my schedule I would have been happy with 15 new paintings, and as I look back at the year I realize I made 34 new paintings ) 37 if you count the studies that never ended up becoming final works. The year included travel and art making in Maui, Hawaii and Banff, Alberta. Two contrasting climates offering fertile beauty and impressions that will feed hundreds of paintings to come. At the end of each year I prepare for the next with a solid outline of what I plan to accomplish as well as big audacious hopes and dreams. This annual review and plan for the coming year offers balance as I focus on production of new work, art shows, and art sales. It can be challenging to balance artist brain with financial brain, but it is essential in moving to each next level with my art career. Being a successful Canadian artist carries responsibility as success is earned and the rent is due every every single day. Here are some highlights from a year I will call ‘Flourishing’. Cheers to 2023!
January – began with new paintings that were off-the-cuff as I challenged myself to make art in the moment and without the usual photo reference. These paintings offered very abstract backgrounds using shape and intense colour to communicate the landscapes that the central characters would inhabit.
Modern Canadian Elk: painting of an Elk on a Northern Lights inspired background
February – continuing on my path of exploring Canadian culture I found myself entranced with Nanaimo Bars on Valentines Day
On Top of Nanaimo Bars: a figure skater perched a top a tower of delicious desserts made in Canada
March – a few more paintings including two showstoppers featuring red canoes
Brandy Saturley in her Victoria BC studio with two canoe paintings, March 2022
March also included a trip to Vancouver to deliver art and see Yoko Ono: Growing Freedom at Vancouver Art Gallery
Growing Freedom: the instructions of Yoko Ono, the Art of John and Yoko
April – new self-portrait for my ‘Pop Canadianisms’ series – solidarity with our Ukrainian friends
Portrait Painting of a Ukrainian Canadian Artist
May – mindful of our Alberta cousins and Indigenous relations
Painting of Blackfoot tribal chief next to red canoe at Lake Louise, Alberta
June – all about Maui, Hawaii – a beauteous place to fill my eyes, nose, ears and brain
Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley at HUI NO’EAU VISUAL ARTS CENTER
Painting inspired by Maui Hawaii residency.
July – Sooke Fine Arts show, Sooke BC Canada
Ukraine Strong, acrylic painting on canvas, 2022 – Brandy Saturley
August – Society of Canadian Artists 54th Annual Exhibition in Toronto, Canada
Society of Canadian Artists 54th International Open Exhibition Features Portrait by Brandy Saturley
September – photography and preparations for the annual art magazine/catalogue
Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley in studio with some of the paintings created in 2022
October – with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II – two paintings honoring Britain and the monarch
Painting of Queen Elizabeth II by Brandy Saturley, 2022
End of An Era – painting of Union Jack and Canadian Flag at half mast, 2022, Brandy Saturley
Annual art catalogue is completed and printed.
Modern Canadian Pop Mythos – 2022 art catalogue Brandy Saturley
November – bound for Banff, Alberta two week painting residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
In Banff, Alberta at Lake Minnewanka
Thom Studio at Banff Centre – Brandy Saturley Canadian Artist
Brandy Saturley in Thom Studio at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, November 2022
Brandy Saturley with final paintings created at Banff Centre residency 2022
December – Art of Winter at Adele Campbell Fine Art
Brandy Saturley northern portrait – part of Art of Winter group show at Adele Campbell Fine Art
December – the Art of Brandy Saturley now represented by Willock & Sax in Banff, Alberta
The Art of Brandy Saturley – now on view at Willock and Sax Gallery in Banff, Alberta
December – Brandy Saturley awarded residency in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland at Pouch Cove Foundation artist work/live studios
Pouch Cove Foundation artist residency in Newfoundland, Canada.
See more paintings created by Brandy Saturley in 2022.
