Featured Artist for the Month of January, 2024
Email: sherrillgirard@gmail.com
Sherrill Girard
Artist Bio:
I am a painter and primarily watercolourist who makes my home in the vibrant and diverse community of Scarborough, Ontario. I have settled here in this corner of Canada finally after a life of living in just about every province, from the Yukon to Nova Scotia. I grew up in a military family, constantly moving and resettling. After getting married, my husband’s career took us all over Canada once again, but we have now chosen Scarborough to stay put.
As a result, I have been exposed to all the amazing wilderness vistas and urban cityscapes of Canada. I have lived and painted in every province in Canada, including the Yukon, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Montreal, Nova Scotia and Ontario.
As a child, my family provided me with a rich artistic life, both my father and grandfather were painters and musicians, and as children we all took up art and music as well. I have passed this passion on to my own children, who have also carried on the artistic life in, music, painting, and filmmaking.
My husband and I love to travel, and since we were first married, we took many motorcycle trips through Northern Quebec and Ontario. Of course, I was always on the back of the bike, taking photographs (one of my other passions) of the passing landscape. The constant changing of spectacular scenery, as well as the many friends and people we met on our journeys have been an inspiration for me and has influenced my approach to my art. Our travels to other countries such as Ireland, England, France, Italy, Spain, Kenya, Benin, and Thailand have furthered my interest in the art and music of other cultures. We once took a road trip to Asheville, North Carolina, travelling along the Blue Ridge Mountains, just to buy art supplies. I still use the brushes I bought on every painting!
One of my loves is passing on my interest to others, and I have been an art instructor and demonstrator for many years. I gave my first demonstration at the age of 15 at the local library while living in Alberta. Continuing this path, I currently teach watercolour in Toronto and other Ontario communities, holding online Zoom and in person classes, and as well as giving demonstrations and workshops to numerous Ontario and Quebec art organizations. I also have juried shows and exhibitions for various art associations in Ontario and Quebec.
I am proud to be a member of numerous organizations, including The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (Signature Member), The Art Guild of Scarborough, Central Ontario Art Association, the Toronto Watercolour Society, the International Watercolour Society, La Société Canadienne d’Aquarelle (Signature Member). However, The Art Guild of Scarborough remains one of my fave groups, such a warm and welcoming bunch of people!
I received my art education at a number of institutions including Western University, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, Guelph University, and numerous courses and workshops in printmaking, photography, textile art, and ceramics.
Some of my proudest moments in my career include gold medals from the Toronto Watercolour Society, First prize Watercolour, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2003, Best Watercolour award with the Art Guild of Scarborough, and Best Watercolour and Juror’s Choice Awards with the Central Ontario Art Association. Other significant awards include International Artist’s Magazine Finalist, 2006, “Flowers and Gardens”, Premiere Prix, Medal d’Or, Technique Distincte CAPSQ Quebec, Higashi-Ura Mayor’s Prize for Watercolour, Florart 2000, International Arts Council of Japan, Awaji Island, Japan 2000, Annual Juried Miniature Show, Gibson Gallery, London, Ontario, First Prize 1995. And of course, my award at 6 yrs old in Kindergarten, from the Catholic nuns for Best Colouring, in Whitehorse, Yukon.
Today I continue to paint and explore in my basement studio, mostly from photos and studies from photographic shoots I have done. The peace and solitude of my studio fosters my create process, and allows me to put down on paper what I see in my mind’s eye.
If you would like more information about a painting or the artist contact the artist directly through their contact information on this page or complete the form on the Contact Us page.
Copyright notice: The copyright for these artworks resides with the artist. It is illegal for these images to be reproduced in any way or by any means, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the artist.