feature | London Artists

London Artists

connecting to their

Community

By Anne Marie DeCicco-Best As Mayor, I often describe London as a gateway open to the world, strategically located, progressive and cutting-edge. A city we are all proud of, the city we call home. We are a city that is innovative, caring, safe and affordable, where the economy is strong and robust. A city that's easy to move around, where families can raise their children in a healthy environment. A city with urban buzz and appeal, with flourishing opportunities, places to go and things to do. London is also city with character where arts, culture and heritage are an important component to our community. Over the past half a dozen years, there has been a greater appreciation of this sector being an integral part of London's future. Fortunately, we are blessed to have so many talented artists in our midst, that are carving out a niche not just locally, but across the globe. Today, I introduce you to three incredible women, each as unique as her art, all accomplished, spanning different generations, but each passionate and committed to her gift of painting. They have all chosen to hone their art through the many studios and galleries that call London home, and they have incredible stories to tell. Let's begin with Angela Fisher who has a rare talent passed down from four generations, starting with her great grandmother, to grandmother, to mother, and now herself. Angela's grandmother, who is a full blooded Chippewa of the Thames native, inspired her as a child, to see the beauty in nature, animals and all creation. Angela Fisher at work in her studio Angela has also travelled to some of the most spectacular places like South America, Belize and Grand Cayman that have inspired many of her pieces, but here at home, she has a true appreciation for the beauty that surrounds her. "Certain people connect with certain images," says Angela. "I remember seeing a woman as she looked at one of my paintings and tears came to her eyes. I am most at peace when I'm painting. As I'm doing it, I know I was meant to paint, to create art work. This was my God given talent, and when I'm finished, I have a feeling of great accomplishment. I know I have touched someone." That success is created these days in her studio at the Arts Project in the core, a place, Angela says, has great meaning to our city as the heart of London. Her latest creative endeavor is to design five panels to hang in the marquee along Dundas Street at the Arts Project. As she contemplates what she will design, Angela says she is moving into a new phase of her work, one that she hopes will resonate with the community more. "I want to take my art and try to put a message out there of acceptance," she says. "Art is supposed to make you feel something, and I want my art to make you feel something important." This change may come from different places. Angela has 16-year old trip- lets and one of the children was born with cerebral palsy. She also believes her native background has something to do with her new focus. "I want people to think, and respond and react to my painting, and hope the images help people think more deeply." Angela also hopes to use her art in a philanthropic way to give back and financially support worthy causes with her pieces. Another artist who shares similar sentiments is Bernice Vincent, who has been painting for over four decades and is still going strong. Born in Woodstock, Ontario, Bernice knew in kindergarten she was an artist through and through. "It's become a bit of a joke now," says Bernice in a whimsical way. "But I could always colour between the lines better than some of the others, and thought even then, I'd be an artist." Throughout her career, Bernice found herself fascinated with landscapes, skies and buildings, and she uses bold colours to depict her acrylics. "Everything changes, all around you. I get excited again and again about different neighbourhoods and look at houses and get that feeling, as I am about to paint." Surveying her surroundings, Bernice is adamant "you don't have to go far to find an inspiration to paint, you just need to look around you, and what's around me, London!" Often, she'll sit on her porch, or take the bus and travel around the city, and find something so intriguing and unique that she just simply starts to paint it. "We Bernice Vincent with her eye on London "Mirage," by Laura Tetrault 6 | CITYWOMAN ISSUE ELEVEN: JULY/AUGUST 2010 www.citywoman.ca

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