"An eight day trip to a gold mining camp at Rankin Inlet on Hudson Bay sparked a
whole new world within me. I viewed this vast northern land from a helicopter and
was inspired to recreate - first on paper - then on canvas - the flowing,
aerial views of this exhilarating experience."
Biography
Nell La Marsh was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan of
Ukrainian parentage, and was raised in Leamington, Ontario.
She received her professional training as a teacher at
London Teacher's College, London, Ontario.
As an artist, she is basically self-taught.
DEVELOPMENT OF WORK STYLES & MEDIA
The major stages include:
1965 - Thick, palette - knife technique in oils
1968 - Acrylics on textured surface
1971 - Acrylics on large canvas
1976 - Acrylics on paper
1978 - Watercolours
1981 - Oils featuring Ukrainian themes
1982 - Impromptu sketches of musicians
1984 - Toronto landmarks - watercolour
1985 - Semi-abstract landscapes - oil
1988 - Landscapes on canvas
1992 - Mixed media - musical themes
1994 - Monotypes - women themes
1997 - Oils - fruit scenes
1998 - Large oils - interiors
1999 - Toronto Landmarks - watercolour
2000 - Monoprints - silk screen
2002 - Helicopter views - acrylic
2009 - Mosaics
2014 - Stained Glass
EXHIBITIONS
1966 - La Casa de Las Americas, Yorkville, Toronto
1970 - Juliane's Gallery of Fine Arts, Toronto - First Gallery Show
1971 - Aviva Art Auction, Toronto
1972 - Christel Gallery, Toronto - One Woman Show
1978 - Cumberland Terrace, Toronto - One Woman Show
1983 - Art Invesco Gallery
1966 - 2007 - Group shows - Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, London, Windsor, Stratford
1984 - 2006 - One-of-a-Kind Show, Toronto
1987 - 1988 - First Canadian Place, Toronto - One Woman Show
1989 - Movenpick Restaurant, Toronto - One Woman Show
1988 - 1991,1993, 1997 - Home Shows - Own Studio
1995 - Inn at Manitou
1997 - Tango Palace, Toronto - Toronto Board of Trade
2000 - 2008 Home Studio Shows - Riverdale Art Walk
2009 - Retrospective
2008 - 2011 Fundraisers
AWARDS
1969 - People's Choice Award - St. Lawrence Market Show
1974 - Paint Historic Scarborough Contest
1974 - Award for Acrylics - Group of 100 artists show, Nathan Phillips Square
1979 - Award of Merit for Watercolours - Windsor Arts and Crafts Show
1981 - Watercolour Award - World of Art Show, Burlington
1986 - Painting Award - Niagara-On-The-Lake Art Festival
1989 - Painting Award - Grimsby Festival of Art
SPECIAL PROJECTS
1973 - Illustrated the historical book, Facts & Folklore
1976 - Designed and taught basic oil painting program - Seneca College
1992 - Book Cover - The Home We Leave Behind
1995 - Cover - Hospital Menu
1996 - Mural - Childrens Daycare Centre
2001 - Headed Charity Fundraiser - Riverdale Art Walk
2003 - Hanson Brick Commission
2008 - Conducted acrylic workshop in Whitehorse, Yukon
2009 - 2011 - Art Classes Applegrove Community Centre
2012 - New York Commission
TRAVELS
1967 and 1983 - Mexico
1974 - Newfoundland
1979 - Guatemala
1982 - Guadeloupe
1987 - Cuba, N.W Territories, Nova Scotia, P.E.I.
1988 - Amsterdam, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia
1985 - U.S.S.R. - The Ukraine
1989 - Portugal
1990 - New York
1992 - Grenada, W I.
1993 - St. Kitts, WI., Chicago
1995 - Montreal Jazz Festival
2001 - Italy
2004 - Los Angeles
2005 - Barbados, Cross Canada tour West
2006 - Morocco, Cross Canada tour East
2007 - Southern US motor tour
2008 - Whitehorse, Yukon
2010 - Greece
2012 - Jazz Cruise Caribbean
2014 - Paris, France
Artist Statement
They came and went, the streams gurgled over and I saw the field of flowers abloom in splendour.
The ebb of the day flowing out towards the horizon where birds flew and the sun shone,
it's rays revealing the smiles of a thousand clouds.The distant dark, blue, as a painter's
brush dipped in purple ink. I stood naked, open to the truth of life, hoping to see my next
steps revealed to me, so I could move on in freedom and joy, true, to my-self alone.
Site by Artists Toronto ©