BIO
Artist Profile
“Creating is a vital part of my existence and art allows me to connect with others through a broad range of entry points of both history and materials; specifically traditional oil paints and modern mixed media, abstraction, collage, and representational elements. My art encourages people to reflect on the things we have in common while acknowledging and embracing our unique stories and pasts.”
Kirsten Latimer is a dedicated lifelong artist living in Port Perry, Ontario. She uses mixed media techniques including but not limited to collage, inks, acrylics, charcoal, graphite and gold leaf to create abstract backgrounds while completing the piece in a more realistic subject matter with the intensity and depth of oil paints. Combining the two techniques, along with abstract realism, most accurately communicates the various entry points of connection we have with each other as a people.
Her love of art starts as early as she can remember, with an incessant need to wake up early and quietly create at the kitchen table while her family could sleep until at least sunrise. Although she wanted to take on an art career, being an English major, History minor and pursuing instrumental music qualifications for elementary school teaching seemed to be a secure career course and offered some degree of creativity. However, while on maternity leave in 2019 and after a decade of teaching, she decided to harness her artistic passion and focus her efforts on original oil paintings.
A source of inspiration has always been her mother, a watercolour artist. Kirsten has always been fascinated with realism as a record of time and place, but also deeply moved by abstract art as an expression of a person. After meeting her musician husband and having three wonderfully spirited boys, Kirsten finds herself in a space of endless possibility and creativity. Her work has been exhibited in juried shows and galleries, as well as held in private collections across North America.
She is currently homeschooling, teaching art and music both privately and in the public school system, while taking an online art course through the Milan Art Institute to deepen her artistic skills. She usually manages daily studio time and aside from art enjoys gardening, camping, exercise and playing music.