G. Ross Pritchard
JUDY COOPER
Judy Cooper was born in Paris, France, but grew up in Montreal and then Ottawa after a move brought her family to Canada. She has always loved to sketch and draw, especially animals, and found many subjects among childhood pets.
Her interest in nature, science and athletics caused her hold a variety of jobs in the fitness industry while pursuing studies in Biology and Engineering. During this period, Judy continued to develop her art, concentrating almost exclusively on realism and portraiture.
In 2005, Judy started painting professionally, concentrating on her first loves - animals and Nature. Her art is now collected in several countries and raises funds for conservation organizations like the Snow Leopard Trust and AMUR. Judy was also recently invited to become a member of the prestigious Artists for Conservation Foundation, a group of the world's leading nature artists that is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the natural world.
"I feel the role of a wildlife or nature artist is to present the natural world in a way that expands the viewer's appreciation or understanding of it. To do this, I feel the art must portray the subject in a unique way, while still allowing people to connect with it through memory and emotion. In my paintings, I try to create a scene that could not be photographed easily. This might be a scene that verges on fantasy, or something that draws attention to a new aspect of what is already familiar. Both are challenges I enjoy and hope to use in support of the Earth's natural wonders." - www.theartinearth.com
– Judy Cooper
Momcilo Simic
I was born and raised in Sokolac, a small town in Republic Srpska (at that time, before the war, it was Yugoslavia).The town is situated on a plateau, at almost 1000 m altitude. Clear fresh air, wide open space, harsh beautiful winters and colourful meadows and forests rich in fragrances during summer time is a short description of the area. The happy and playful childhood that I had there is the source of motivation and emotions behind my landscapes and paintings with children playing hockey. These two distant worlds(Sokolac and Canada) are connected in my art through the universal language of images.
After high school, I moved to Belgrade (Serbia) to study psychology. Very soon, after I got degree (equivalent to master) in psychology at the University of Belgrade and employment as a psychologist in a Regional Hospital in Loznica, the war began. I worked at that hospital for next five years.
One evening under candle light, due to electricity restrictions that were very common at that time (twelve hours with no power a day) I discovered my talent for art. I drew profile of my wife. “I made something from nothing“-was my first thought. I got an image from the darkness of a pencil and whiteness of paper. Contrary to my work at the hospital, art gave me a concrete result. “Something from nothing” has the same influence on me now as it has had then. There is something divine about that. I couldn’t ignore what happened and it was the beginning of my new career. My first paintings have been sold in galleries in Belgrade. I was 30 at that time. Without any formal training, only talent, I had earned trust and compliments from many interested in the arts and involved in the art industry.
I brought to Canada five paintings, and now I make living doing commissions and selling my paintings (making pictures-some would say)…
And the most important thing-I am in pursuit for beauty in this visual world, in and around us, its complicity and meanings, its mystery. I want to find it, share and emphasize it. I don’t romanticize or idealize, I understand and believe that the power of true beauty can only make us better and bring us closer to each other. It brings out the good in us, if treated well… I am also aware that, sometimes, beauty is a dangerous magic…And I am sure that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”.
In Serbia I had several solo and group exhibitions.
In 2006 I had an exhibition in Kitchener City Hall. In 2007 I participated in independent artists show- TorontoArtExpo. In 2008 my portrait ”Masa” was selected for The Top Finalist Show organized by Portrait Society of Canada, which I am member of. During my relatively short career I have sold more than 100 paintings in many countries, and they are now in private and corporate collections. In Toronto I am represented by Galerie Christin.
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Aprox. 4' x 5' Done in Encaustic and Mixed Media
Peter Markov was born in Tula Russia in 1962 to a teacher's family. From early childhood he took a great interest in drawing and later attended a special art school where he studied fine arts and graphic design. In 1980 he entered the prestigious St Petersburg Academy of Art and Design. He graduated in 1985 and started to work in galleries in Russia further developing his talents. Peter's watercolours and oil on canvas paintings were very popular but in the last few years he began working in contemporized styles using encaustics and other mix media. Peter moved to the U.S.A. in 2002 and lives there currently continuing his exploration of new media.
Peter Markov took part in many exhibitions in Russia and other countries. His paintings are in many private collections in Poland, Germany, Sweden, Russia, USA and Canada.