Author: KCST

Getting to know Krista Hasson

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Krista Hasson, Painting, Studios on theTourLeave a comment

Who are you and what do you do?

Hi I am Krista Hasson and I am an artist but I am also a:

  • Wife
  • Mother
  • People lover
  • Introvert who loves to talk lol
  • Animal lover – I have 2 cats (Charlie and Theo) but I love all animals
  • Joker with a really bad sense of humor
  • Elected member of the SCA (Society of Canadian Artists)

I am also the Atlantic Canadian Regional Representative for the Society of Canadian Artists as well as their Treasurer.

I am a painter inspired by nature. The vast array of colourful flowers, beautiful landscapes and peaceful trails through the woods keep me captivated and fuel my creative spirit.

I am represented by:

Handworks Gallery – Saint John, NB

Fog Forest Gallery – Sackville, NB

What is the best and worst thing about your profession?

The best part of being an artist is actually getting to create art for a living! The worst part about being an artist is that it can be lonely especially when your studio is in your home. I actually work one night a week outside the studio just to be able to interact with other humans. (the cats don’t say much)

How has your practice changed over time?

I started with watercolor and realism and I have since used just about every medium out there. I specialize in watercolor on rice paper employing a   technique similar to batik. As time has passed my goal is no longer to paint an exact copy but to paint the feeling or impression of the subject that I am painting. I try not to fuss with the details. I have always painted nature and I can’t imagine not doing so, though lately I have been feeling pulled toward more figurative subjects.  I am constantly experimenting and trying new mediums and techniques; as an artist I believe you never stop learning.

What is your favourite or most inspirational place?

Being out in nature is my favourite and most inspirational place. I would much rather be out in the woods over a shopping mall any day.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

My strongest memories from childhood are the hours I spent playing in the woods. Creating art is a close runner up.

Krista is Stop # 4 on the tour

To learn more about Krista click here

Getting to know Helga Lobb

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Helga Lobb, Painting, Studios on theTourLeave a comment
What or who inspires you in your career?
I love to go to art galleries to see works of other artists, I come away     refreshed and ready to paint.
What themes do you pursue?
I love the coastline of the Atlantic Provinces, love the effect light has on the landscape, I have a large garden so flowers are also a theme I like to paint.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Best advice: JUST PAINT ! If you are not certain of what to do Just Paint
if you where right GREAT If you where not YOU LEARNED !
Tell us about your dream project?
My dream project is a 5’x6′ canvas. I am still thinking about it, waiting for the YES, THATS IT, THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO PAINT !!!
What wouldn’t you do without?
Two colors “Gold Green” by Golden and my newest favorite
” Quinacridon Nickel Azo Gold ” How is that for a name to remember
Helga is stop # 11 on the tour
To learn more about Helga click here

Getting to know Kathy Hooper

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Clay, Getting to know, Kathy Hooper, Mixed Media, Painting, Pottery, Studios on theTourLeave a comment
Why do you do what you do?
paint because in many ways I have to! Of course that isn’t really true but in lots of ways it is. I find I just cant feel complete unless I do.
I guess its my imagination or my ability to see what I want to say.
What is your most important artist tool?
My brushes and pallet knife
How long have you been painting?
I have been painting for about fifty years.
What themes do you pursue?
Mostly I paint figures and animals but a painting grows, it seems, on its own and may include many things to give it what it needs.
Kathy is stop #10 on the tour
Learn more

Getting to know Judith Baxter

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Judith Baxter, Painting, Studios on theTourLeave a comment

Judith had a lot of fun answering our questions.  Hope you enjoy really through and getting to know her!

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Who are you and what do you do?
Judith Baxter, retired, paint in watercolour & oil 
Why do you do what you do?
It’s what I do with some confidence and I enjoy doing it!
How do you work?
With some procrastination!
What’s your background?
I have always enjoyed some sort of artistic, have been an artist/illustrator, store in-house/window design, theatre set design, editor/writer….. Jane-of-all-trades
What is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?
Good light…. good, sharp pencils
What role does the artist have in society?
Huge, whether that artist is in fashion, architecture, social space design, sculpture, music or fine art.….. an active artistic community is as important as sport or business for a living/thriving community
Best and worst thing about your profession?
The people and the people. I’mcoming to this as a fish out of water…. when one works in a commercial field, one works primarily alone, producing what the buyer wants (hopefully) ….. finding acceptance in show/sale art world after seventy means my generational support is non existent and I’m out of my depth regarding new product/styles and pricing. And when it comes to the culture of galleries ….. I have no idea! 
What or who inspires you in your career?
I’m inspired at the present with the dedication and quality of the artists in our community.
What work do you most enjoying doing?
Whatever I’m doing at the moment….
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
Probably one that surfaces is when I was 12….. Bill Martel taught children art in the basement of the NBM on Douglas Ave. Joe Kashetsky and I were picked to be in an international children art travelling exhibition. There’s more to the story, but it illustrates my interest and ability.
What themes do you pursue
I guess I like to express the world I see, Sky, water, earth…..
Why art?
Why not!
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
For a set I did for ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf’ a national critic raved about the set and did not mention the acting crew….. never knew how to take it…. insult because the actors were so bad he had to say something or he really liked it….. tears and laughter in the green room.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
I’ve spent a lifetime volunteering in museums. They have always been my comfort zone, whereas art galleries terrify me !!
Should art be funded?
Now this is a big subject….. I totally believe art should be funded in the school system, from K-12….. I believe legislation regarding public art should be in place for all new builds and not just public founded construction….. 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t talk to the press.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
To keep painting, maybe try sculpture…… print making….. 

Judith is stop #9 on the tour

Learn more about Judith here 
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Getting to know Jill Higgins

On By KCSTIn Artists working in..., Getting to know, Jill Higgins, Painting, Studios on theTourLeave a comment

cropped-jill-higgins-pic.jpgInspired by nature in all its beauty, I live and paint from her home in Rothesay, NB. Trained and registered as an Architect (Reg. AANB), painting has always been my passion.

I’m working with the award-winning firm Acre Architects in Saint John, we are working on some very amazing projects at this time and have recently been awarded the “Prix de Rome” in architecture. We have a lot of exciting things coming up in the future.

I work mostly in oils but also in both watercolour and acrylics. I enjoy painting a variety of subjects including, landscapes, boats, seascapes and florals.

RED SKY

Why do you do what you do?

I use painting as a relation tool. When I sit down at my easel I can tune out everything else in my life that is going on at that moment. I love painting landscapes since it is very different from my work in architecture, less strict and more fluid.

What is your most important artist tool?

For me I would have to say oil paints. I keep trying different brands and types of acrylic paints, but I haven’t been happy with the vibrancy of the colours. As you can see from my paintings I love vibrant colours. I will keep playing around with acrylics, but they aren’t my favourite.

TROUBLED WATERS

Name three artists that inspire you?

Gordon Harrison, Tom Thomson and Emily Carr, their art really shows off the beauty of our Canadian landscape.

How long have you been painting?

I’ve been painting all my life, I even stole my mother’s tole paints and painted everything in sight. I then discovered an old set of oil paints of my grandfathers and that was the
end of tole painting.

What themes do you pursue? 

I paint mostly our maritime landscapes. It’s so beautiful here that there is always something that I see that is inspiring. Lately I’ve been painting a lot of sunsets, I love that time of day when the colours are in the sky and it’s so quiet and peaceful. It’s almost as if a hush comes on the world because of the beauty

After the Race

Jill is Number 1 on the tour

VIsit her page