Frank's Island, watercolour

About the Artist

My grandmother was an artist and from a very early age, I went on sketching and painting expeditions with her. Art has always been a part of my life. After high school I went to art school in England and after a pre-diploma course, I had a hard time deciding what my specialty should be as I enjoyed doing everything. I decided on commercial art and design as I enjoyed drawing the most. However, I soon discovered I have a painter's soul and I was not on the right path. Nethertheless, until I immigrated to Canada, with a young child, It was how I made my living. Then having some time on my hands, I taught myself how to use watercolour. Undoubtedly the greatest attraction for me was painting "wet into wet". Wetting down the paper, getting colour on it, tipping the paper, watching it run and fuse, creating wild, untamed passages then bringing them to some order and meaning. I also like to employ my drawing skills and there are always well-defined areas and detail in my work as well. It is this contrast that excites me.

I have a representational style but I paint in an abstract way. I think it is the art school background that makes me think in terms of warm and cool colour, soft and hard edges, interesting shapes, patterns and textures rather than just the objects. My subject matter is varied and I am always on the lookout for something new to challenge myself but I always paint what I love. Emily Carr said: "if you do not paint from your heart your work is meaningless". I believe that.

My commercial art experience has not been wasted: I have found ways to utilize it. I publish prints, art cards and Christmas cards but I love the challenge, the creativity and the intellectual, emotional and spiritual stimulation that painting brings to my life.

For the Birds, watercolour

Warming Up, watercolour

Gallery Representation

Harrison Galleries

Vancouver
2932 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC  V6H 3J7

West Vancouver
1471 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC  V8T 1D8

Calgary
109 - 1013 17th Avenue S/W, Calgary, Alberta  T2T 0A7

Maggie also displays her work in her studio. Please call ahead should you wish to pay a visit. Telephone: 604.469.1689

Poppy Mix, watercolour

• "Excellence in the Arts", an award presented at a banquet attended by five district mayors and hosted by the Arts Council of these five districts.
• "Best in the Show", cash award from the juried Fraser Valley Show, Images and Objects.
• Five "Honourable Mention" awards from Fraser Valley Regional shows, Images and Objects exhibitions. Work selected to tour with this show.
• "Honourable Mention" awarded at Canadian Federation of Artists exhibitions.
• Cash award for "the most popular painting in the show" - Coquitlam Festival.

Beach Tapestry, watercolour

I have taught watercolour classes for 12 years and I find it a very rewarding experience. If there is one thing equal to the joy of creating, it is helping someone else discover this.

• Instructs watercolour classes at Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, BC. Call 291-6864.
• Instructed for A.R.C. (Coquitlam Area Art Council) for seven years. Classes on watercolour for beginners, intermediate and advanced; colour and colour mixing; drawing and design.
• Participated as an artist in the "Artists in the Elementary Schools" program for the Coquitlam area.
• Presents workshops and demonstrations.
• Giving "Master Watercolour", beginner and intermediate classes at the Port Moody Art Centre.

Whistler, watercolour

• Signature Member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour.
• Signature/Associate Member (AFCA) of the Federation of Canadian Artists.
• Past President, Port Moody Art Association

English Village, watercolour

Please contact Maggie White by e-mail (maggie_white@hotmail.com) or telephone 604.469.1689.

More Works by Maggie

Please visit Maggie White's Web Site at www.maggiewhite-artist.com

Winter Walk Vancouver, watercolour

• Places I Remember, one woman show at Port Moody Arts Centre.

• One-woman exhibition, Harrison Gallery, 2932 Granville Street. Includes new works of Hornby Island, Vancouver and florals.

• One-woman show, Harrison Galleries, Calgary, Alberta

• Two women show, mother and daughter,
  Port Moody Art Centre, BC

• One-woman show, Harrison Galleries, Vancouver, BC

• One-woman show, Harrison Galleries, Vancouver, BC
• Group show, Women of the Harrison Galleries
  Gallery artist at Harrison Galleries, Granville Street, Vancouver and Marine Drive, West Vancouver and at Northern Passage Gallery, Victoria

• Selected to show in the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, annual exhibition
• Group show, Women of the Harrison Galleries
• Selected to show in the Federation of Canadian Artist's fall and winter shows

• The B.C. Creative Art Show
• United Nations show and the annual Medal Show at the Federation of Canadian Artists gallery
• Gallery artists at the Harrison Galleries, Vancouver; Northern Passage Gallery, Victoria; Maris Gallery, White Rock and the Rainforest Gallery, Tofino, BC

• Group exhibition of four BC artists at the Federation of Canadian Artist's gallery

• Annual Medal Show, Federation of Canadian Artists
  Featured artist at the Rainforest Gallery, Tofino, BC