A View from the Window

Evening Repose

Artist Statement

Painting and music are my lifelong loves. Music was an integral part of my daily living while growing up with my eight siblings. My performing on the piano began at age 5. Later I gradually added violin, accordion, organ, and synthesizer.

After my son was born I picked up a paintbrush, and to this day my passion for painting and drawing has never diminished. My own three children grew up in a home that was filled with music and visual art. This has positively influenced their individual specific career choices and interests.

Teaching is also one of my loves. To see a budding artist or musician grow and excel gives me great joy. I don’t believe in the philosophy of “I don’t have any talent”. If a person has the desire, the tenacity, a positive open mind, and a good work ethic, one can become accomplished in his or her chosen field of interest. I believe that we do our best creating in a positive and relaxed atmosphere.

My main focus now is on painting. Sometimes I enjoy my “work” so much that I say, “I need to get a life!” It has now dawned on me that “this is my life!”

Trumpet Waltz

Day at the Empress

Biography

Gerry was born in and grew up in Vancouver. She spent several years in Alberta where she taught music at a college, and where she earned her Associate degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music as a solo performer in piano. There she began her painting career. Her three children were born in Three Hills, Alberta.

In 1974 Gerry moved to Abbotsford with her family. She continued to teach piano in her studio, Thompson Studios, also training student teachers at that time. She enrolled in the Fine Arts program at the Fraser Valley College, studying under Mircho and Janina Jakabow. After graduating from the program, with a major in painting and printmaking, Gerry began to teach watercolour in the Continuing Education Department of the College. Her classes continued for several years, until she moved to Vancouver in 1989. At that time a group of her students formed The Fraser Valley Watercolour Society. These artists flourish to this day.

Thompson’s association with the Federation of Canadian Artists goes back to the years when Allan Edwards was instrumental in revitalizing the FCA. For several years she took many courses that the FCA offered, studying under prominent North American artists.

Her award-winning paintings are found in collections throughout the world.

Gated Community #3

Life is Good

Awards

• Federation of Canadian Artists
• Vancouver Centennial Commission
• Northwest Watercolor Society (travelling exhibition)
• Images & Objects
• Fraser Valley College Annual Print Show

Exhibitions

• Federation of Canadian Artists Medal Shows – Vancouver, BC
• Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour – Toronto, Ontario
• Limitless Potential – one of 40 CSPWC artists across Canada who were chosen for this travelling exhibition; image chosen for invitation.
• University College of the Fraser Valley – Abbotsford, BC
• Northwest Watercolor Society – Bellevue, Washington
• Australian Watercolour Society - Australia
• Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour - London, England
• Trinity Western University – Langley, BC
• Global Canada Cultural Exchange - Art of Japan, Canada, China, Korea
• Poway Center for the Performing Arts – Poway, California; featured Canadian artist
• Charisma Gallery – Abbotsford, BC
• Image West Gallery – Vancouver, BC
• The Old Schoolhouse Gallery – Qualicum, BC
• The Creative Framing Company – Vancouver, BC
• Ewart Gallery of Fine Arts – Saltspring Island, BC

French Gold

Petals of Crimson

Professional Associations

• Federation of Canadian Artists, AFCA; Director of Communications, 2002
• Royal Conservatory of Music, ARCT
• Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, CSPWC; Director for BC and the North
• University College of the Fraser Valley Alumni Association

Professional Experience

• Instructor, Piano and Music Theory, Thompson Studios - Abbotsford, BC, 1974-1989; Member, BC Music Teachers Association.
• Art societies throughout British Columbia
• Painting workshops in France, Spain, California, Virginia
• Thompson Studios

Art Instructor and Juror

• Fraser Valley College, Department of Continuing Education – 1981 to 1989
• Royal Caribbean Cruise – “Sovereign of the Seas”
• City of Quesnel
• The Montpelier Center for Arts and Education – Virginia
• City of Kamloops
• City of Burnaby – Bonsor

Shelf Life

Education

• University College of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC - Associate Degree, Major in Painting and Printmaking (1980)
• Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA - Lettering, Illustration (1980, 1981)
• Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON - Piano, Solo Performer (1967)

Contacting the Artist

Gerry Thompson
Unit 52 - 1238 Eastern Drive
Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 6C5
Phone: (604) 942-6672
Email: g.thompson@telus.net