Connie O’Connor
BIO
Connie O’Connor grew up on a farm in Manitoba: expansive vistas of big blue skies, infinite horizons and colourful gardens influence her art and her vision. As a high school educator, Connie’s creativity shone throughout her career; her favourite course to teach was Fashion & Design. In 2006, a serious illness, breast cancer, was diagnosed. However, cancer paradoxically opened new doors for Connie. Her recovery plan included mindful meditation and an opportunity to take her first acrylic workshop. In December 2016 she entered her first show with the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). Since then Connie has been in many juried exhibitions with the FCA, other arts councils and local galleries. Recently, her florals and landscapes transitioned into abstracts. The influence of her fashion background is evident in her use of textures, patterns and varied colour palettes. Her intuitive style and inspiring meditative titles draw viewers in. Connie considers it an honour when someone loves her work so much it becomes part of their home.
ARTIST STATEMENT
To create this experience, I focus on my spontaneous process. My beginning is to energize the canvas with words: under multiple paint layers are inspiring thoughts, connecting themes, dates, and people’s names. Distinct gestural marks are a favourite of mine; these are made as I work around the canvas. I do not use an easel. While sometimes my canvas might be propped up against a wall, in fact, the majority of the time I paint flat, either on the floor or on a tabletop. Feeling. Intuiting. Sensing. These words encapsulate my work.
