GERRY THOMPSON
The first time I picked up a brush I became permanently hooked on painting. My earlier life was spent immersed in teaching music and playing piano, organ, synthesizer, and also playing violin in the Fraser Valley Symphony. After I graduated from the fine arts program at the Fraser Valley College, majoring in Painting and Printmaking, my time was divided between teaching music and art, performing, painting, and taking painting workshops and courses from prominent North America artists. I now paint and teach art full time.
Subjects that inspire me usually have one or more of the following attributes: Strong contrast between light and shadow, combinations of natural and artificial light, unique textures, close-up perspective, interesting colour combinations. Within that context I paint the world around me as I see it at that particular time of my life.
EDUCATION
University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Diploma—Major in Painting and Printmaking, 1980 ▪ Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA—Lettering, Illustration, 1980-1981 ▪ Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, ON—Associate Degree, Piano, Solo Performer, 1967
AWARDS, PUBLICATIONS
Northwest Watercolor Society ▪ Federation of Canadian Artists ▪ Vancouver Centennial Commission ▪ Images and Objects ▪ University of the Fraser Valley ▪ Fraser Valley Graphics Guild ▪ Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour ▪ International Artist magazine ▪ American Art Collector magazine ▪ Tri-Cities The NOW…▪ Tri-City News
EXHIBITIONS
Northwest Watercolor Society ▪ Fabriano in Watercolour, International Exhibitions, Fabriano, Italy ▪ American Watercolor Society, New York City ▪ Federation of Canadian Artists ▪ Australian Watercolour Society ▪ Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour ▪ Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, London, England ▪ University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC ▪ Trinity Western University, Langley, BC ▪ Charisma Gallery, Abbotsford, BC ▪ Art of Japan Canada, China, Korea ▪ Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Poway, CA—featured Canadian Artist ▪ The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, Qualicum, BC ▪ Image West Gallery, Vancouver, BC ▪ The Creative Framing Company, Vancouver, BC ▪ Ewart Gallery of Fine Arts, Saltspring Island, BC ▪ Images & Objects, British Columbia ▪ International Arts Gallery, Vancouver, BC
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Watercolor Society, New York, NY—AWS ▪ Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, BC—SFCA, Director of Communications, 2002 ▪ Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, ON—ARCT, Solo Performer, Piano ▪ Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, Toronto, ON—CSPWC, Director for BC and the North, 2006-2010 ▪ Northwest Watercolor Society, Bellevue, WA—NWWS ▪ University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC—Alumni Association. Catalogue cover recognition, Spring 2010 ▪ Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, BC—Member
ART INSTRUCTOR AND JUROR
Federation of Canadian Artists ▪ Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour ▪ Thompson Studios ▪ Fraser Valley College, Department of Continuing Education ▪ Royal Caribbean Cruise ▪ Montpelier Art Center, Virginia ▪ Bonsor Recreation Centre, City of Burnaby ▪ City of Kamloops ▪ Arts and Recreation Centre, City of Quesnel ▪ Art Societies throughout British Columbia ▪ Painting workshops in France, Spain, California, Virginia ▪ Yellowknife Watercolour Society