Influences and Inspiration
The natural environment in the Grey-Bruce region influences my work and the Niagara Escarpment is a place I gravitate to when I need to feel spiritually connected to the land. Whenever I take time to walk along the rugged coastline of the Bruce Peninsula (which is part of the Niagara Escarpment), or hike along the Bruce Trail, I’m excited by the natural dynamics. The textures, the blended earth colours, the intensity of the blue water of Georgian Bay, the organic rock shapes and deep crevices, along with the isolation of the Bruce Peninsula and the feeling of timelessness, give me creative energy and the desire to paint.
I see abstraction in nature around me and my work is heavily influenced by that. I like to look deeper; closer. In that sense, I guess I am more of an explorer than an artist. I paint what I see; I paint what I feel. In addition to exploring the natural environment, I like to travel and each culture and its history has inspired and informed my work. There is a fusion of place, time and memory in each piece.
CV
Education
1978 Professional Spinners and Weavers Masters Designation
1979 – Fine Arts Fanshawe College – London, ON
1980 – 81 Studied Printmaking with Methius Muleme – London, ON
1981 - 84 Fine Arts, University of Western Ontario
1981– Ed Zelenak – Sculpture -University of Western Ontario
1984 – Delvia DeSilva – Pottery Workshop – Stratford, ON
1988 – Diploma in Adult Education – St. Francis Xavier University
2008 – Workshop with Lynn Conell, Dunedin, Ontario
2010 – Workshop with Jean Myers – Seattle Washington
2010 – Workshop with Don Cavin – Abstracting the Landscape
2011 - Cold Wax Painting with Janice Mason-Steeves – Elora, ON
Professional & Teaching Experience
1985-1990 Visual Art and jewellery design – Zappha Studios – Stratford
1984 –1990 Stratford Festival Theatre – Costume Dyer, Jewellery Designer
1989 – 1992 Fashion Merchandizing and Design – Toronto School of Business and CCI Oshawa, ON
1989 - 2003 Costume Design: Oshawa Little Theatre; Peterborough Theatre, Canadian Opera, National Ballet and CBC
1997 - 2003 Computer Graphics and Design – Creative Career Systems
2007-2008 – Shanxi Modern Bilingual School – China
2003- Present Graphic Design. Fine Art and Director of My One Square Mile Project and Art Quest Consulting
2009-2010 – Director, Southampton Art School
2011 Instructor at Southampton Art School
2011 Workshop Facilitator at Studio XX – Owen Sound, ON
2003 Curator – Mile One Square Mile Project
2010 Curator – The Shilling Experience: Past and Present
2011 Curator Imagining Ourselves: A Perspective on the Lives of Women - Southampton Museum
2012 Curator - group exhibit Abstractions: Works on Paper - Meaford Hall, Meaford, Ontario
Directorship
1982 – Director Gallery 96 – Stratford
2004-2006 Board of Directors Bruce Trail Association
2009 – 2010 Director, Shoreline Artists – Education
2010 – 2011 Board of Directors – Shoreline Artists – Vice President
2009 – 2010 Director of Southampton Art School
Gallery Representation
1984-1990 Gallery 96, Stratford, Ontario
2009 – present Three Ravens Gallery – Ardmore, PA, USA
2009 – present Southampton Art Gallery
Awards and Exhibitions
1984 Canada Council Grant
1985 Stratford – Art in the Park
1986 Solo Exhibit – Gallery 96, Stratford, Ontario Canada
1986 – Ontario Arts Council Grant
1987 Solo Exhibit – Gallery 96 Stratford, Ontario Canada
1988 Group Exhibit – Gallery Stratford, Stratford, Ontario Canada
1988 Visual Arts Exhibition, Juried - Faculty of Education, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
1992 Art at the Station – Group exhibit Station Gallery, Whitby Ontario Canada
2006 Collingwood Juried Exhibition – Collingwood Ontario
2009 Visionary Artist Award – Feast for the Eyes – Southampton Art Gallery
2009 Editor’s Choice Award – Downtown LA Life Magazine
2009 Owen Sound Banner Project Juried Competition
2010 Collingwood Juried Exhibition – Collingwood Ontario
2010 Doors Open – Owen Sound, ON
2010 Owen Sound Banner Project Juried Competition
2010 Meaford Hall Gallery – Juried Exhibition – Third Place
2010 Owen Sound Banner Project Juried Competition
2010 Group Exhibition – Three Ravens Gallery, Ardmore, PA
2011 Group Exhibition – Three Ravens Galley, Ardmore, PA
2011 Studio XIII – A Printmaker’s Vision
2011 Meaford Hall – Solo Show
2011 Bluemountain Foundation for the Arts – Juried Exhibition – two pieces accepted
2011 Solo Exhibition – Grant Gallery, Lucan, ON
2011 Group Exhibition - ‘In the Name of Honour – Jharoka Art Gallery, Islamabad Pakistan
2011 Group Exhibition – ‘ United in the Age of Dialogue – National Art Gallery, Islamabed Pakistan
2011 Artist in Residence and exhibit – Cobble Beach Cultural Center
2012 Group Exhibit - Abstractions: Works on Paper - Meaford Hall, Meaford, Ontario
2012 Pushing Colour - Recent work by Sharon Barfoot and Susan Seitz - Bruce County Museum and Cultural Center - Southampton, Ontario
1978 Professional Spinners and Weavers Masters Designation
1979 – Fine Arts Fanshawe College – London, ON
1980 – 81 Studied Printmaking with Methius Muleme – London, ON
1981 - 84 Fine Arts, University of Western Ontario
1981– Ed Zelenak – Sculpture -University of Western Ontario
1984 – Delvia DeSilva – Pottery Workshop – Stratford, ON
1988 – Diploma in Adult Education – St. Francis Xavier University
2008 – Workshop with Lynn Conell, Dunedin, Ontario
2010 – Workshop with Jean Myers – Seattle Washington
2010 – Workshop with Don Cavin – Abstracting the Landscape
2011 - Cold Wax Painting with Janice Mason-Steeves – Elora, ON
Professional & Teaching Experience
1985-1990 Visual Art and jewellery design – Zappha Studios – Stratford
1984 –1990 Stratford Festival Theatre – Costume Dyer, Jewellery Designer
1989 – 1992 Fashion Merchandizing and Design – Toronto School of Business and CCI Oshawa, ON
1989 - 2003 Costume Design: Oshawa Little Theatre; Peterborough Theatre, Canadian Opera, National Ballet and CBC
1997 - 2003 Computer Graphics and Design – Creative Career Systems
2007-2008 – Shanxi Modern Bilingual School – China
2003- Present Graphic Design. Fine Art and Director of My One Square Mile Project and Art Quest Consulting
2009-2010 – Director, Southampton Art School
2011 Instructor at Southampton Art School
2011 Workshop Facilitator at Studio XX – Owen Sound, ON
2003 Curator – Mile One Square Mile Project
2010 Curator – The Shilling Experience: Past and Present
2011 Curator Imagining Ourselves: A Perspective on the Lives of Women - Southampton Museum
2012 Curator - group exhibit Abstractions: Works on Paper - Meaford Hall, Meaford, Ontario
Directorship
1982 – Director Gallery 96 – Stratford
2004-2006 Board of Directors Bruce Trail Association
2009 – 2010 Director, Shoreline Artists – Education
2010 – 2011 Board of Directors – Shoreline Artists – Vice President
2009 – 2010 Director of Southampton Art School
Gallery Representation
1984-1990 Gallery 96, Stratford, Ontario
2009 – present Three Ravens Gallery – Ardmore, PA, USA
2009 – present Southampton Art Gallery
Awards and Exhibitions
1984 Canada Council Grant
1985 Stratford – Art in the Park
1986 Solo Exhibit – Gallery 96, Stratford, Ontario Canada
1986 – Ontario Arts Council Grant
1987 Solo Exhibit – Gallery 96 Stratford, Ontario Canada
1988 Group Exhibit – Gallery Stratford, Stratford, Ontario Canada
1988 Visual Arts Exhibition, Juried - Faculty of Education, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
1992 Art at the Station – Group exhibit Station Gallery, Whitby Ontario Canada
2006 Collingwood Juried Exhibition – Collingwood Ontario
2009 Visionary Artist Award – Feast for the Eyes – Southampton Art Gallery
2009 Editor’s Choice Award – Downtown LA Life Magazine
2009 Owen Sound Banner Project Juried Competition
2010 Collingwood Juried Exhibition – Collingwood Ontario
2010 Doors Open – Owen Sound, ON
2010 Owen Sound Banner Project Juried Competition
2010 Meaford Hall Gallery – Juried Exhibition – Third Place
2010 Owen Sound Banner Project Juried Competition
2010 Group Exhibition – Three Ravens Gallery, Ardmore, PA
2011 Group Exhibition – Three Ravens Galley, Ardmore, PA
2011 Studio XIII – A Printmaker’s Vision
2011 Meaford Hall – Solo Show
2011 Bluemountain Foundation for the Arts – Juried Exhibition – two pieces accepted
2011 Solo Exhibition – Grant Gallery, Lucan, ON
2011 Group Exhibition - ‘In the Name of Honour – Jharoka Art Gallery, Islamabad Pakistan
2011 Group Exhibition – ‘ United in the Age of Dialogue – National Art Gallery, Islamabed Pakistan
2011 Artist in Residence and exhibit – Cobble Beach Cultural Center
2012 Group Exhibit - Abstractions: Works on Paper - Meaford Hall, Meaford, Ontario
2012 Pushing Colour - Recent work by Sharon Barfoot and Susan Seitz - Bruce County Museum and Cultural Center - Southampton, Ontario
Testimonials
John Buckland: "Zaph is a constant source of inspiration and talent, her boldness to to take herself to uncharted waters gives hope and inspiration to those of us who are not so adventurous, thank you Zaph"
J.A. Mortram: "Breathtaking vistas from and of places we dare hardly to dream but are gifted with each of these magnificent works.
Such a journey they depict of dually the inner selfs musings and of the outer world and reflections from it.
Compelling viewing."
Sigi Kolb: "Your paintings are a journey into the unknown for me. They speak of hidden worlds and secret desires, they draw you in and leave you wishing for more. I love your use of color and the uniqueness that finally comes to being! What impresses me even more about you dear Zappha is your kindness, honesty and warmth..something I can feel thousands of miles away from you!!! Bless you always!"
Mary Ann Wakeley: "It has not been long since I have had the pleasure of being Zappha's friend but within this short span of time she has enriched my life through her art and genuine caring as an individual. The depth of her character comes through beautifully in her painting, each one taking us further down a path of discovery. For me, great art takes the viewer on a journey to the deeper part of ourselves. I find myself looking forward to seeing what she will offer next so that I can continue on my personal adventure through her work. Take the time to really see zappha's paintings. You will be better for it."
J.A. Mortram: "Breathtaking vistas from and of places we dare hardly to dream but are gifted with each of these magnificent works.
Such a journey they depict of dually the inner selfs musings and of the outer world and reflections from it.
Compelling viewing."
Sigi Kolb: "Your paintings are a journey into the unknown for me. They speak of hidden worlds and secret desires, they draw you in and leave you wishing for more. I love your use of color and the uniqueness that finally comes to being! What impresses me even more about you dear Zappha is your kindness, honesty and warmth..something I can feel thousands of miles away from you!!! Bless you always!"
Mary Ann Wakeley: "It has not been long since I have had the pleasure of being Zappha's friend but within this short span of time she has enriched my life through her art and genuine caring as an individual. The depth of her character comes through beautifully in her painting, each one taking us further down a path of discovery. For me, great art takes the viewer on a journey to the deeper part of ourselves. I find myself looking forward to seeing what she will offer next so that I can continue on my personal adventure through her work. Take the time to really see zappha's paintings. You will be better for it."
