Biography - Maureen Maryka

“"Creativity in one form or another has always been a force in my life, either through art, music, or design. My paintings are lively and full of movement.; an exploration of colour, light, patterns, and textures. My work reflects my sense of optimism through the use of a vibrant, cheerful palette, painting only subjects that inspire me to be my best."

I was raised in Calgary, attending the Alberta College of Art, the University of Calgary, and completing a Bachelor of Arts (English) at the University of Victoria. I'm married with two terrific children and a sweet Labradoodle named Sammy. After spending ten years visiting Quadra Island in the summers, we finally decided to move to Quadra full-time in 2012. I am delighted to be working in my beautiful timber frame studio, with gorgeous view of the Discovery Passage.

I am primarily a landscape painter, working mostly with acrylics. The Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, the Group of Seven, as well as many current artists have had a great influence on how I paint. I believe colour and light are the essence of painting. Nature often provides us inspiration and a beautiful palette, but it's the artist’s attention to light can make the colours dance on the canvas. Like the impressionists, my work often portrays visible brushstrokes, a suggestion of movement, and the idea of taking an ordinary view and creating something extraordinary from it. Vibrant colour is especially important to me, but I am careful to balance it with soft edges and quiet spaces.

I am an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the FCA Arrowsmith Chapter, the Campbell River Art Gallery, the Campbell River Arts Council, and the Comox Valley Arts Council. I was a member of the Calgary Sketch Club in Calgary for from 2007-2012, and served on their Board as Show Director for three years. At Calgary Community Painters Society I worked with both the "Program Committee" as Coordinator of Programs and the "Show Committee" for three years. I have attended courses at the University of Calgary, ACAD, and workshops with Catherine Gerus, Brent Laycock, Jerry Markham, Rick Berg, Robert E. Wood, and Brian Ateyo.

Recent Awards: In March 2013 Maureen was presented an “Award of Merit” for her painting “A River Runs Through It” at the Members' Show at the Campbell River Art Gallery. She received “honourable mention” at the River City Arts Festival in 2012, and won 1st and 2nd place for her paintings entered into the Quadra Island Fall Fair. Her paintings have found homes in both residential and corporate settings across Canada and internationally.

2013/2014 Exhibitions include: White Dog Whistler Gallery, Sidney Fine Art Show (both years), FCA Gallery on Granville Island (Autumn Salon & Landscapes) FCA- Arrowsmith Chapter, at Art Worx Gallery in Qualicum, Discovery Islands Gallery on Quadra Island, River City Arts Festival in Campbell River, Campbell River Art Gallery, Works of H'Art on Quadra Island, Heriot Bay Inn, Kameleon Food and Drink, Pearl Ellis Gallery, FCA Arrowsmith Spring Show, The Village Gallery, Sidney (Birds and Flowers Show)

Through White Dog Whistler Gallery Maureen participated in "Painting the Peaks", July 5&6, 2014 at the Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler.

Older exhibitions:

Calgary Community Painters Society: Oct. and April - 2007-2012

Elveden Centre: November ‘07, Feb. ‘08, Nov.’08, Feb.’09, Nov. ‘09, Feb.’10, Nov. : Juried Shows with Calgary Sketch Club

Woodgreen Church - March’08, ‘09, Heritage Park - March ‘10 :Juried Shows with Calgary Community Painters

Calgary Sketch Club Shows: Woodgreen Church, Dalhousie Community Centre, River Park Church ‘07 - ‘12

Affiliated Galleries: White Dog Whistler Gallery www.whitedogwhistler.com

Works of H'Art – Quadra Island

The Village Gallery, Sidney