A Bit of an Artist Bio

I thought I'd write a bit about myself and what it has been like being an artist.

I have always enjoyed creative writing as long as I remember. In the seventh grade I won a writing contest put on by the Timmins School Board. In school I got into the habit of faking essays and book reports. I would even invent the titles and authors of books. Once my teacher failed me because she believed that I plagiarized my book reports from other sources. Even after I informed her that I actually created fictitious books that didn't even exist she still wouldn't believe that.

I wrote my first song in my early teens. It was a protest song. I may someday try to re-create that.

Canadian artist and songwriter Fred Joly

There were many years of my adulthood where creating art was not a part of my life, either I was too busy working, in prison or on the street active in addictions likely. Ironically, in was on the street in Montreal where I first come across an art studio drop-in place located at the St James Church. This is where I did my first painting. That was around ten years ago.

I stopped painting for a number of years after that but picked it up again at the CMHA in Aurora Ontario in a program they called Community Connections. They had an art studio started and I joined in. I produced probably about thirty paintings, wrote a dozen poems and shorts stories. I also used the space to write and practice six new songs. Some of them I later recorded and created videos for but they no longer exist to show you.

Last year I attended UBC's Writing course. That is a twelve week program run by the Arts & Humanities department. I was invited as writing mentor for the next term and they presented me with an award.

Six months ago I joined a couple other artists to create a new studio. Our Vancouver art gallery and studio is gaining popularity. We even have a new web site Recovery by Design.

Limitless Canadian artist Justin Trudeau

Always remember that it is the active artists who are the soul of the community.

In all of us there is a primordial need to create art in some fashion. Every Canadian, every single one of us, is an artist (although most don't pay attention to that part of them because they're caught up in more "important" things, other life pursuits.

Art can be created using practically anything around us. The types of art is boundless, new forms of art emerge daily I would think. Essentially, art has no limits and artists, also are limitless.

Justin Trudeau is an artist and he's a passionate Canadian. Those are good things to have as a leader at the federal level (rather than the corporate arse kisser we have in office now, sorry couldn't control myself).

I remember what he said in 2005 concerning the mining company's desire to extract from the  Nahanni River NWT Canada "..., "The river is an absolutely magnificent, magical place. I'm not saying mining is wrong ... but that is not the place for it. It's just the wrong thing to be doing."

If you are interested in reading more of my opinions on this then follow up with Why You Should Elect Justin Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister.

Vancouver Conference About Canada's Next Leader Today!

On that note, SFU is having an interesting free conference about the similarities between Justin and his father Pierre. I might attend it but here's the web page for more information and to register for the event:

Thursday, 28 November 2013 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM (EST)

Trudeau 2.0: Pierre's Legacy and Justin's Future

Fletcher Challenge Theater, Harbour Centre 515 W Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6B 1A1
Canada

a Balanced Artist

I love this picture of me and thought I'd share it. It is me in a contemplated poise carefully observing the delicate balance of a pile of rocks. I even look like an artist in this picture. I hope you enjoy it.

an amazing balanced artist near Collingwood Ontario Canada

Heritage Art Show Painting Changing Silently

artist Fred Joly with his Changing Silently

I submitted this rendition of the kissing bridge for the 2011 Heritage Art Show.

Attended My First Art Show

Well I managed to put five paintings together for the Gathering Place art show. Here's a really bad picture of me.


my five submissions

I have some new paintings and have been invited to attend two more shows this year - more info to follow

Homeless Action Week Vancouver Art Show

Hey I managed to get a couple of small pieces ready for the Vancouver art show at the Gallery Cachet.



Canadian artist Fred Joly with paintings Separated and A Fall Piece

My two paintings are of Canadian landscapes, a bit abstract but each plays an important role in my recent art therapy. Artists were given a yellow ribbon and tons of great food and fun! I suppose I was a bit drunk but luckily did not behave too badly.

Park-a-Palooza! exhibition at the Gallery Cachet in Vancouver

October 24, 2013 - December 1, 2013

becoming a famous canadian artist

... while still alive is not an easy dream. Normally that occurs after death. It is no wonder so many good artists are addicts of some sort. They can never be able to reconcile their madness. The brush but an exception to the soul's need to cry. Artists say good bye the are re-created in the after life.

Famous Canadian Artists Die

... only in body. The world scrambles for a piece of their early works. A famed painting is the one yet found.

Separating Tears

The painting Separating Tears is an art therapy piece. I needed to accept the separation I now have with my soulmate. She is leaning to the other side now and I am the one who will fall off the cliff as soon as my trunk snaps. The tears are heavily falling from my branches in hopes of lightening my soul enough to recover. ilu4afred