I am thankful for all the encouragement I received from an early age, starting in the late 1960s. Apart from the fact that it was the only surefire way to get me to be quiet and sit still, a pencil and crayon in my hand unlocked something within me - but it would be fourty odd years until I actually had anything to say.
My parents were very generous with National Geographic and Scientific American magazines, which both had a profound visual impact on me. I could walk out the back door right into raw countryside, so much stuff to check out and keep tabs on as the seasons changed. My sister was a great person to bounce ideas off of and to destroy stuff with, as we were both a bit obsessed with the inner structure of the world around us.
Prehistoric and ancient art really got through to me, unlike anything else.
I had two really solid art teachers all through high school - colour theory, media, composition, aerial and linear perspective, etc. They gave me a strong foundation. My folks also had a good friend who was a very well trained life-long artist and she was a source of inspiration and great technical advice ( she also got me into Matisse ). Lots of trips to museums, loved that.
I studied, and made, experimental film in college. Through friends, I got turned on to all kinds of art - Survival Research Laboratories, Public Enemy, Louise Bourgeois, Jean-Michel Basquiat, etc. Opened me up to what was happening in the present moment. DIY and the local scene in Toronto. Needed that. Also had a professor who encouraged me to continue reading a lot ( the other classic way to help me to shut up as a child ) and also encouraged me to start writing.
Through my twenties, thirties and early forties, I did all kinds of jobs and lived in a bunch of different cities; New York, Toronto, Vancouver, New Orleans and London. Absorbing, learning, making mistakes, making empty art devoid of any content. At one point, I worked at the British Museum and had the privilege of being able to wander around - and study - by myself during non-public hours. That had a colossal impact upon me and my practice, took me right back to first principles, first loves.
Eventually, I had to move back to Canada to provide long-term home care for my parents, who were both seriously ill. After they both died, I had a nervous breakdown / PTSD. I only mention this as that event completely unlocked me creatively and suddenly I had something to say and decades of close study of art ( memory work ) was suddenly easily accessible to me.
Since my parents, that artist friend of theirs, and my sister have now all passed on, I have the feeling they would have been pleased that their respective passings did provide one positive - opening me up forevermore and my loving the challenge of the continuing attempt to create art with actual emotional and intellectual content. I fail constantly but succeed occasionally.
Note - I have not exhibited since 2013 in order to concentrate on developing my practice, I am now interested in exploring opportunities to exhibit my work and to eventually acquire representation
EDUCATION
Graduated Sheridan College ( Oakville, Ontario ), Media Arts Dept. / Experimental Film, 1988
EXHIBITIONS
2013 - “Pyramid Schemes and Circle Jerks.”, Walnut Contemporary, Toronto - solo, drawings and a wall sculpture
2012 - “Group Show.”, Walnut Contemporary, Toronto - group show, paintings and a wall mounted engraving
2011 - “A Dumb Swan.”, Peak Gallery, Toronto - solo, ( installation ) a wall sculpture and several free standing sculptures
2010 / 2011 - Peak Gallery, Toronto - showed several paintings and wall sculptures in back room of gallery during this period
2010 - “The Shape of Things.”, rental space, Dundas St W, Toronto - group show, wall sculptures
2010 - “What are we doing here?.”, rental space / self-curated, Dundas St W, Toronto - solo, paintings
2009 - “Paintings.”, rental space / self-curated, Queen St W, Toronto - solo, paintings
2009 - Art Toronto ( art fair ), Angell Gallery booth, one wall sculpture
2009 - “A Roman Siege, well laid.”, Angell Gallery, Toronto - solo, wall sculptures and prints of drawings
2009 - “Through Lines.”, rental space, Niagara St, Toronto - group show, prints of drawings and a painting
2008 - “Make a Pattern, break A pattern.”, rental space / self-curated, Queen St W, Toronto - solo, wall sculptures
2008 - “Farewell Nicol.”, Walnut Gallery, Toronto - group show, wall sculptures
1998 - “Recent Work.” rental space / self-curated, Brooklyn, NY - solo, paintings
1996 - “Gotta get outta this place.”, rental space / self-curated, Harbord St, Toronto - solo, paintings
1994 - “Ongoing.”, FFAG Gallery, Guelph, Ontario - solo, paintings
1991 - “Half Loaded.”, rental space / self-curated, McCaull St, Toronto - solo, paintings
1989 - “Group Activities.”, rental space, London, Ontario - group show, paintings