Julia’s love of painting started when she was young, “When I was six I went to a new school where they had art classes. I remember so well working with poster paint! I did a painting called “The Wedding.” My teacher entered it into a show and it was displayed at The Royal Drawing Society’s Exhibition – Competition in London, England. I still have the painting!

Lovely Landscapes
An imaginative and unique perspective helps create outstanding landscapes. She started off using water color and oil. Julia finally decided that acrylic was her medium of choice. “I like the vibrancy and the fact that it dries fast.” Her work obviously speaks for itself as her landscapes have made it in the OAA Juried show several times. She notes that, amongst many of her creative achievements, “Winning Landscape artist award twice at the RMG show with the OAA” has been a highlight. Her piece “My Happy Place” won at the 57th annual Oshawa Artist Association Juried show last year. Julia is also looking forward to selling more of her work at the next Camp Samac show in the Spring.

Success as An Artist
Julia is adamant that in order to succeed as an artist, “Paint a lot, take workshops, look at books. Paint with other people.” Learning means making plenty of mistakes so in order to move forward, you can’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It also means taking active steps towards improving and being around others allows you to feed off positive energy. The message is really quite simple, “Join a group, take workshops, go to galleries and local art shows.” Immerse yourself with like-minded people and doors will start to open.

Advice for Beginners
“There is a book called Daily Painting by Carol Marine. This is one of my favorite art books with invaluable info on getting started.” Julia recognizes the invaluable influence of joining art groups such as the OAA, “Members can share their knowledge which will be so beneficial.” Julia reminds us all the influence that other artists can have on your work. Being a part of the creative community means making meaningful connections.

Being a successful artist is about making time for what you love.

Art is her happy place and if her story can teach us anything, it can be your happy place too.

Find her on instagram: @Julia_hitchcockart

It’s evident when you speak with Patty Bowman Kingsley that she creates from her heart and soul. She has a longstanding connection with creativity and her connection goes beyond physical. It is a spiritual experience that allows her to connect with and lift those in her company.

Although her creative journey started young, it wasn’t until her later years she discovered her true purpose, “I realized that the best use of my history and personal agency is to lead community transformation in arts and culture nationwide through creating, activating, mentoring, and publishing.” Her goal is not just to create, but to help create a better world through active leadership.

Just like keys on the piano, “while only one inch deep, create a dynamic range of sound and experience unique to my personhood in creative expression.” Faith plays a large part in her life and clearly represented in her art. Patty serves the community in whatever way is needed. This means creating with a multitude of mediums and working independently or collaboratively.

She admits that sketching and portraiture are her first love. Patty has been working on a three-year project called, “Beauty in the Ashes” which has been her focus.

“Now, as I explore sculpture within that theme and the complexity of abstraction, my heart is whole. I may return to realism and portraiture, yet I love the challenge of the work in front of me.” Her hard work paid off when her piece, “Vessel of Honour” was awarded at the OAA Annual Juried show earlier this year.

It is clear that Patty Bowman Kingsley is a force for good and her creativity is forged in faith. I wish I could dedicate more space and time to encapsulating everything I learned about her. She is dedicated to her practice and not only that, the success of others. The clearest lesson I learned is the value placed in community. “Create, learn, volunteer, and support those you want to learn from, in what they are doing. What is caught and taught by them will transform your practice.” It is by working together we can transform the world around us.

PATRICIA BOWMAN KINGSLEY
https://www.pattykingsley.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pattybowmankingsley
https://www.instagram.com/pattykingsley/

Charity Donations Canada https://actcanada.givingfuel.com/kingsley

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Betty McGowan. She won an honorable mention in the 2025 OAA Juried Show in the Non Objective Abstract category.

As an intuitive abstract artist, much of her work does not have a planned result. “I will choose my colours and a mood or a feeling that I wish to capture. The painting may end up portraying this mood. As the process goes, the direction can change on a whim. “Partway through the process, the painting will speak to me.” The painting may start one way and end up quite different than what was anticipated. The mood in her painting changes as her feelings reveal themselves.

As many artists do, they change course, “I started out working in watercolour, but now I work exclusively in acrylic. Having experience with watercolour, I love the look and feel of the paint mingling on the canvas, creating the wonderful fusion of two colours.” Recently, she has been exploring something new. Betty is moving away from her usual spontaneous style to a multiple-layered style. “I am still attempting to keep the freshness and energy I love so much.”

Her words of encouragement are simple and clear, “Try it, try it, try it!” The goal is to learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to experiment. “Mix, mix, mix those colors and then try them out on paper or canvas to see what they really look like in action!” It’s important to note that in the process of experimenting, you’re going to make mistakes. “Take these “failures” as a sign of progress.”

It's clear that Betty finds the joy in spontaneity. The lesson is to let the feelings flow off your paintbrush and onto canvas.

Thank you Betty McGowan for sharing your journey!