YORKTON - Artist Grace Warren, whose works are currently on display at pARTners Gallery in the Yorkton Public Library, has lived a life on the move.
Born in Salmon Arm, B.C., she has moved much of her life back and forth between B.C. and Saskatchewan living for a time in Salmon Arm, Yorkton, Aldergrove, B.C., Melville, Kelowna, Vancouver, Mikado, Sask., and now in Medicine Hat.
Warren is 24.
“I am currently enrolled at the Medicine Hat college to study my Bachelor of Applied Arts,” she said indicating her obvious dedication to art. “I am also working part time as a ceramic’s artist at Plainsman Clays. I plan to pursue a career in art therapy along side working with Plainsman Clays.”
The interest in art goes back, “since before I can remember,” noted Warren.
So why art?
“I have always been attracted to visual arts,” offered Warren. “I have always been a visual learner, so I suppose that part of my brain is more wired that way.
“As a child we would go on long car rides back and forth from B.C. to Saskatchewan. During these trips I would listen to music, close my eyes and imagine what the sounds of the songs would look like.
“With every beat, a new colour.
“As a child I always wanted to get my imagination out to show the world.”
And now she is adding formal training to her long held passion taking Art & Design at the college in Medicine Hat.
So has her approach to ‘the music of art’ changed as she has grown and now taking that training?
“All my artwork is inspired by feelings, music, and emotion,” said Warren. “My approach to each piece is to follow my intuition. If I over think and try to make something in particular, I end up ruining it.
“In other words, I don’t let myself get in the way.”
But when putting together pieces for an exhibition, like the one in Yorkton does Warren seek any special inspiration?
“I painted all of these pieces before art school during a very isolating time of my life, during the COVID lock-down and a city girl living in a small hamlet was a stretching time for me,” she said.
“I painted these pieces to add colour in my life, express myself and to one day live my dream of having my very own exhibition.”
That said not every piece Warren may have desired to show is hanging in the library space.
“Due to transportation difficulties, I was not able to display my favourite piece,” Warren explained. “My favourite is ‘Rebirth’ because it was my first ever serious piece.
“I created it on a note pad making sketches everyday of random shapes until I discovered this, I drew it free hand on the large wood canvas and kept going from there!
“It also represents the rebirth of a new chapter in my life in the midst of COVID-19.”
Doing the work on wood is significant.
“I am a huge fan of wood due to the durability and endless sizing opportunities,” explained Warren. “When it comes to painting, I love doing large pieces. I have recently been getting into murals and spray painting.
“My second favourite medium is clay. With clay the possibilities are endless!”
