Copyright ©Moira Carlson
What I have been doing all these years...
I was born and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. Starving in a garret never appealed so, as I grew older, the dull, boring business of actually making a living needed to be dealt with. I decided to become an art teacher.
When I discovered that I really enjoyed teaching, my course was set. Encouraging other artists to develop their skills is great fun and always as much a learning experience for me as it is for them. I have a Bachelor of Education Degree with a Double Art Major in Painting and Graphics from the University of British Columbia. I am also a graduate of the Art in Merchandising Program at Vancouver City College.
Over my career I have worked as a fine artist, commercial artist, graphic designer, illustrator, teacher and writer. These days I am spending all of my time painting and drawing and playing in the garden. I live in Victoria now, and I never run out of subject matter in and around this beautiful city. My travels to other parts of Canada, England, Europe, New Zealand, Africa and the United States have also had a huge impact on my work.
For those of you who want more detail, here are a few highlights...
In the 1970s I sold drawings and silkscreen prints through Paperworks Gallery in Vancouver and Gallery Deux Tetes in Toronto.
In the 1980s I sold watercolours through the Art Emporium in Vancouver. In June, 1988 I had a one woman show at the Richmond Art Gallery.
I designed and illustrated the majority of the original Doodleart poster series published by DYOT Holdings Inc., including the official Expo 86’ Doodleart poster. I also designed the “Pirate’s Treasure” Doodleart poster for Doodleartworld in the 2000s.
In 1994 I designed and illustrated a greeting card line, “Moira’s Miscellany”, published by Paperpotamus Paper Products
I researched, wrote, designed and illustrated the “Tea Lover’s Handbook” for Intermedia Press (1980).
I researched, wrote and illustrated a series of articles on culinary herbs for Gardens
West Magazine (1993 -
I did book illustration for “The Survival Manual” (Corporate Safety Department, BC Hydro), “Your Own Food, A Forager’s Guide” (Intermedia Press), “The Coffee Lover’s Handbook” (Intermedia Press) and “Aristotle The Great” (Leprechaun Books).
I did magazine illustration for Gardens West Magazine, SIP McLean Hunter, Western Living Magazine, Woman to Woman Magazine, CGA Magazine, BC Farmer Magazine.
I designed print ads, spot illustration, logos, labels, marketing materials for Circuit Graphics Ltd., Mayer Systems Inc., Wrap It Up Inc., Design Resource Inc., Tiem Canada, Baker Lovick Advertising, Right Plant Right Place, Erikson’s Daylily Gardens, Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, Wild Mountain Preserves, Royal City Antiques, Open Learning Institute, Vancouver Public Library, Willow Point Community Care Centre, Pan American Nursery Products Inc., Dig This, Mediaworks, etc.
I have taught adult general art courses, beginner’s drawing and watercolour classes and workshops in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kitimat and on Mayne Island. I spent several years conducting art workshops as part of the educational program at VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver.
Shows
Along with the commercial work, through the years my paintings have been accepted into a number of shows....
Sooke Fine Art Show 2022, Sooke, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2018, Sidney, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show, 2015, Sooke, B.C.
CNIB “Eye Appeal” Art Event, Crystal Gardens, Victoria, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2014, Sidney, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show 2014, Sooke, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show 2013, Sooke, B.C.
CNIB “Eye Appeal” Art Event, Crystal Gardens, Victoria, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show, 2012, Sidney, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show, 2012, Sooke, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2011, Sidney, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show 2011, Sooke, B.C.
CNIB “Eye Appeal” Art Event, Crystal Gardens, Victoria, B.C.
"Look Victoria" Show, Victoria, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2010, Sidney, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show 2010, Sooke, B.C.
Winter Art Show, The Old School House Arts Centre, Qualicum Beach, B.C.
"Look Victoria 2010" Show, Victoria, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2009, Sidney, B.C.
Sooke Fine Art Show 2009, Sooke, B.C.
CNIB 10th Annual "Eye Appeal" Art Event, Sidney, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2008, Sidney, B.C.
CNIB "Eye Appeal" Art Event, Sidney, B.C.
Sidney Fine Art Show 2007, Sidney, B.C.
Two Person Show, The Amelia Douglas Gallery, New Westminster, B.C.
Group Show, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Maple Ridge Art Gallery, Maple Ridge, B.C.
Group Show, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
"Painting On The Edge" Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Abbotsford City Hall, Abbotsford, B.C.
Group Show, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Euphorbia Group Show, Semiahmoo House, White Rock, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Kariton House, Abbotsford, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, B.C
One Woman Show, Hycroft (The University Women's Club), Vancouver, B.C
Group Show, Kariton House, Abbotsford, B.C
'Painting On The Edge' Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Mission Gallery, Mission, B.C.
One Woman Show, Havana Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, B.C
Group Show, Fort Langley Centennial Museum, Fort Langley, B.C.
One Woman Show, Granville Island Waterfront Theatre Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Abbotsford City Hall, Abbotsford, B.C.
Group Show, Kariton House, Abbotsford, B.C.
Group Show, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, B.C.
Group Show, Exhibitions Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, Kariton House, Abbotsford, B.C.
Group Show, Mission Gallery, Mission, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, B.C.
One Woman Show, Act 1 Music and Sound, Langley, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, B.C.
Group Show, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Granville Island, B.C.
Group Show, Hyperspace Studio, Vancouver, B.C.
Group Show, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Group Show, Exhibitions Gallery, Bowen Island, B.C.
Group Show, The Prima Gallery, Lynwood, Washington, USA.
One Woman Show, The Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond, B.C.
Awards
Opus Art Supplies Honourable Mention for "Train To Victoria", Look Victoria Show.
Juror's Choice Award for "Over The Wall", Sidney Fine Art Show.
Winner of the Designer Picture Framing Award for "Santa Fe Bus Stop", Surrey Art Gallery Show.
FCA Award of Excellence for "Getting My Ducks In A Row", Surrey Art Gallery Show.
Winner of an FCA Award of Excellence for "Princess and the Peas", Maple Ridge Art Gallery.
Winner of an FCA Award of Excellence for "Goose For Dinner", Federation Gallery Show.
Winner of the Mayor's Choice Award, Kariton Gallery Show.
Winner of an FCA Award of Excellence for "Bramble Visits Laundry Mountain", Kariton Gallery Show.
Winner of the Robert Genn Award for "Let Sleeping Cats Lie", Mission Gallery Show
Winner of the Juror's Choice Award for "Self Portrait: No Spring Chicken", Mission Gallery Show.
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