I've always been interested in art and engaged with art practices one way or another.

I studied art and art history - and English -  in university, and have a broad base of practice and knowledge to play with. My work has put me in the dark room, at the printing press, behind the potter's wheel, at the easel and onto the computer. I  work playfully, even when working representationally, mobilizing the knowledge of materials, composition, colour theory and drawing built up over years as an artist and art teacher in secondary schools. 

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I'm continuing that authentic, low key, creative life here, online.

 

I'm currently involved in all kinds of activities - teaching, volunteering, creating YouTube content, and making art. I do not have gallery representation. My audience is online. I manage a gelli plate group with 100k + members, and keep up a YouTube channel that has almost 20k subscribers. I also have  an instagram account. At core, I guess I'm a teacher. 

 

I've always been an artist at some level, but my superpower is teaching. That's what I do. I love sharing my passion for art and inviting people into play. I have a particular interest in access and equity in the arts. Consequently, 'little stuff' in fun formats that anyone can access interest me. In the first place, that pursuit accommodates my own desire to try a lot of different things as I live my creative life, but also it results in accessible, affordable art to share. People can pick it up and carry it home to hang up or they can come for the learning: ask questions, join in and give it a try themselves. 

 

I keep a record of my activities on my blog, attached above.

 

I  am  a  member of The Oakville Art Society where I help with art shows, fund raisers and other community events, and participate in group Open Houses, juried shows, studio time, art classes, and teach art journaling, abstract art and gelli printing. Online, I manage the  "Learn Gelli Plate Printing" group on Facebook and share my gelli plate printing journey on YOU TUBE. I also volunteer with an art group that serves people with acquired brain injuries.

 

At this stage in my life my art activity is all about connection and well-being - both mine and yours. A life filled with art - of all kinds - is a rich life.

 

I took the life changing Creative Visionary Program with Nicholas Wilton in 2020 for the first time, and have subsequently had the honour of being invited to  be an ambassador for Art2Life. Through this program I gained, among other things, a community of fellow artists and friends who live both near and far. I cannot give enough credit to Nicholas Wilton and the Art2Life community for opening doors worldwide. It taught me we are here - online. In the past, artists had to wait for local galleries and collectors to agree to share their work. No more. Online platforms provide a huge stage for artists, and a huge community. If you're an artist, join in! It's an authentic, fun, social way to live with more opportunities for connection, learning and sharing than I ever thought I'd have.

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I am a certified Ontario Secondary School teacher, who taught Visual Art and English.

 

You can view my CV here.

 

Contact: carolyn.hassard@me.com or at  (1) 905 536 5335