Sarasparks66

I was born in Saint John New Brunswick and grew up in Montreal and Ottawa. I've painted since childhood and as a young woman I modeled for artist EIy Kish. She encouraged me to take up a serious study of being a painter and helped me with my application to The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. I moved to Halifax and studied at the NSCAD where I was taught and greatly influenced by Eric Fischl, whose insight into the "heart" of an artist has stayed with me during my career. I graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 1976 and since then have supported myself with my art in one way or another.

My work is always representational, using oils on canvas, or oil pastel. My subject matter has varied over the years; at present I do a lot of animals, birds, ravens in particular, but there is an emotional component with whatever subject I choose. It's not just about an owl or a crow, it's a mood that's represented and I hope that the viewer senses and responds to that more than the fact that they recognize the subject.

I have lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, Wakefield Quebec I have travelled all over the world, but it was always my plan to move back east by the Bay of Fundy to my home town St. George, New Brunswick. In 2008 that is what I did and I now own and operate Gillmor's Coach House Gallery, a boutique and Gallery.

I am very grateful for the people who have supported my artistic journey through the years.