Introduce Yourself

Start Here - Welcome to ArtBridge Canada
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Welcome to ArtBridgeCanada! :artist_palette:

Hello and welcome to our vibrant community of Canadian artists! We’re so excited you’ve joined us here.

Let’s get to know each other!

We’d love to learn about you and your artistic journey. Take a moment to introduce yourself by sharing:

Tell us about yourself:

  • What’s your name (first name or artist name is perfect!)
  • Where in Canada are you creating from?
  • What medium(s) do you work in?

Share your artistic story:

  • How long have you been making art?
  • What inspires your work?
  • Are you working on anything exciting right now?

Connect with the community:

  • What brings you to ArtBridgeCanada?
  • What are you hoping to get from this community?
  • Any questions about the forum or how to get started?

A few friendly tips for new members:

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Explore the categories - Browse through our different forum sections to see what conversations are happening

:camera_with_flash: Share your work - We have dedicated spaces for showcasing art and getting feedback when you’re ready

:speech_balloon: Jump into discussions - Don’t be shy! Our community loves meeting new artists and hearing fresh perspectives

:red_question_mark: Ask questions - Whether it’s about techniques, materials, opportunities, or navigating the forum itself

Remember: This is a supportive space for artists at all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, your voice and perspective matter here.

Looking forward to getting to know you and seeing what amazing art you create!

Happy creating,
The ArtBridgeCanada Community

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Hello from Joyce! 👋

Hi everyone! I’m Joyce Effinger, and I’m thrilled to be part of the ArtBridgeCanada community.

About me:

I’m based in Corbeil, Ontario and have been exploring art for nine years. My work focuses on painting, though I love experimenting with different approaches and materials. I love taking a surface that has had a previous history and life, and letting it guide my brush to new meanings.

You can see more of my work at anyflatsurface.ca - the name pretty much sums up my philosophy that art can happen anywhere! Sometimes, it is the imperfections that speak to me. As Leonard Cohen said, “There is a crack in everything, thats how the light gets in.”

What I’m working on:

Currently I’m preparing for a solo show at the Alex Dufresne gallery. and working with the North Bay Art Association helping celebrate North Bay’s 100th Anniversary Celebration.

Why I’m here:

I joined ArtBridgeCanada because I would love to collaborate on projects that strengthen our cultural fabric. I’m excited to connect with fellow Canadian artists, share experiences, and learn from this community’s diverse perspectives and expertise.

Looking forward to:

  • Seeing everyone’s amazing work
  • Participating in discussions about technique and inspiration
  • Learning about opportunities across Canada
  • participate in events and mentorship opportunities

Thanks for the warm welcome - I can’t wait to dive into the conversations happening here!

Happy creating,
Joyce

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Welcome — I'm Brian Usher

I'm the founder of ArtBridgeCanada, and I'm so glad you're here.

ArtBridgeCanada grew out of years of listening, learning, and working alongside artists across Canada. In 2008, Debra and I published a nationally distributed art, architecture & design magazine, ARABELLA. For over a decade, I’ve been immersed in the arts and culture world — from directing a national historic site to supporting artist-run projects and building creative community initiatives.

But no matter where I went, I kept hearing the same things:

  • “I feel isolated.”
  • “There’s no clear path forward.”
  • “I wish there was more support — and connection.”

So I decided to do something about it.

ArtBridgeCanada isn’t just an organization — it’s a response. A response to a system that too often overlooks visual artists, especially those outside major urban centres. It’s a platform to connect, empower, and celebrate the incredible creative energy that exists across this country — from early, mid-career to established, rural to urban, coast to coast to coast.

My background in psychology and career development shaped my belief that artists don’t just need exposure — they need mentorship, community, and opportunities that honour their full potential. That’s what we’re building here. And we’re doing it together.

Thanks for being part of this journey — I can’t wait to see what we create.

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My name is Kathy Marlene Bailey. I live in PEI and I work in oils. I have been an artist and making visual art my whole life. Nature and beauty inspire my work, and specifically, water. I am working on two paintings right now, both in part of my “Little Sands” Series - a series that portrays the experience of living here in this community on the Northumberland Strait. I was asked to come to ArtBridge by two of its members. I am interested in ArtBridge because I feel that it is important to revitalize the Canadian Art Community and its relationship to the consuming public. I am hoping to help.

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Nice to meet you Kathy!

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Hi dear Joyce, your work is excellent—so beautiful and well-organized.
I’m really glad to be here. Thank you for the invitation, and for all your effort!

[quote=“Joy, post:2, topic:57”]
“There is a crack in everything, thats how the light gets in.”

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Hi dear Brian,

Thank you for the invitation. I’m happy to be here and I hope we’ll do some creative work together.

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Hi Kathy,
It’s nice to see you again!

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:hugs: Hello everyone,

My name is Sandrine Piegay, a self-taught artist originally from Lyon, France.
I began my artistic journey five years ago, developing a practice focused primarily on realistic black-and-white drawing, using graphite, pencil, ink, and pastel. I also occasionally work with paint, depending on the project or the emotion I want to express.

My creative universe is inspired by everyday life, current events, the places I pass through, the faces I encounter, meaningful objects, and quiet landscapes — everything that carries a trace, a fleeting or intimate emotion.

Canada, and particularly Quebec, was the first place to welcome my work on the international stage. I found there a sense of human warmth, open-mindedness, and artistic energy that deeply touched me and made me want to build lasting connections.

I’ve been fortunate to be noticed quite early in my career. This has allowed me to exhibit both in France and abroad, publish a book, illustrate novels, collaborate on various creative projects (album covers, accessory collections, etc.), join several international art organizations (AIAP, Taylor Foundation, Mondial Art Academia…etc), and see some of my works enter museum collections in Asia and South America.

Why I’m here

I joined ArtBridgeCanada to explore a different artistic scene and share my perspective as a French artist. I hope to bring a complementary outlook, exchange practices, blend influences, and learn from the experiences and approaches of Canadian artists.

I’m curious and excited to take part in collaborative projects, to build creative bridges between our worlds, and to get involved in initiatives where dialogue and exchange are at the heart of the process.

What I hope to find here

  • Discover the work, sensitivity, and artistic worlds of fellow members

  • Share thoughts about techniques, inspirations, journeys, and even doubts, because art is also a deeply human adventure

  • Learn more about the Canadian art scene :
    its dynamics, projects, landscapes, and the stories it tells

  • Participate in collective projects: symposiums, gallery collaborations, in-person or remote co-creations

  • Give and receive advice, experiences, and creative tools with openness and mutual curiosity

  • Contribute to moments of support and transmission, through mentorships, workshops, or informal exchanges

  • Be inspired and surprised by the unexpected creative paths that emerge when perspectives meet

Thank you sincerely for the warm welcome.
I’m happy to be part of this beautiful community and I look forward to the creative exchanges ahead!

:arrow_right: émotion et réalisme... au coeur de mon univers artistique - Site de sandrinepiegay !

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Welcome Sandrine! Your picture is lovely. I enjoyed hearing your story.

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Thank you so much for the warm welcome Joyce !
I’m really happy to be here and truly touched by your kind words.
I’m looking forward to discovering your artistic worlds, sharing ideas, and connecting through creative conversations. See you soon!

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Hi everyone, I’m Zari.
I was painting, writing, and reading since childhood.
I studied fine arts in high school, focused on painting and charcoal drawing for a few years, and later, after studying drama and theater, I spent over a decade working in theater—acting, directing, voice, and puppet work.
After stepping away from the stage, I returned to my roots: painting, writing, and exploring Persian classical literature.
These days, I’m also working with generative AI and learning prompt engineering.
I’m here to get to know other artists, see their work, and hear their stories.
and maybe one day, even from far away, we’ll create something together.
Art, for me, is all about life itself.
Glad to be here and connect with artists who feel the same.
By the way, it’s important for me to say this:
Joining ArtBridge Canada wasn’t just about becoming part of a group.
It was the respect and sense of safety rooted in this community that brought me back to art after years of solitude.

هنر چشمه‌ای زاینده است اندرون
کز او برکند جان، گِل از واژگون
— سعدی
Art is a spring that flows from within,
Lifting even dust into soul and meaning.
— Saadi

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Hi Kathy
I was wondering where you went when you left the Mill and Ontario. Nice to reconnect. I’ll look forward to seeing what you are up to these days.

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Hello!
I’m Hilary Slater from Tiny Ontario.
I’m a landscape painter -pleinair watercolours and also studio oils /acrylics…
I also write novels, do pottery, textiles… -when the painting season goes quiet :smile:
I worked as a teacher and landscape architect when I lived in Toronto and Guelph.

I found out about Artbridge Canada through Joanne Poluch … and love the chance to connect across the country from my remote home or cottage.

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A few recent pleinair sketches

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Love the originality of your gallery :confetti_ball::seedling:🪻:dizzy::dancer::four_leaf_clover::wine_glass:
Welcome digit party

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I am on zoom each week with my masters course, so I hang up my weekly work behind me to share/ & make zoom more interesting;)

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Wisdom indeed :no_mouth:
Will you share your novel here someday?

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Perhaps once it’s finished!… but there’s a series if 4 books, so I’ll likely finish them all together before publishing :)…
By next May I’ll know where I’m at with this one -my favourite:)
Thanks for asking!

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Hello everyone and welcome.
I m not quite sure why some individuals are creative and some believe that they could never be. I m still puzzled by that. Myself, art has always been a complete confession of my inner self.
I never apologize.

I painted all my life and when the children arrived I painted murals on walls or ceilings in our home.

In the last 10 years, I have been exploring deeper artistic levels within and outbound. I am in more of a reflective period.

I am hoping to inspire others to be unapologetic and unafraid in creating

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.

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