 Martina
Shapiro - Biography
- lives and paints in
Vancouver, Canada
- art school in Czech
Republic, then mainly self taught
- Bachelor and Master's
degrees (University of Manitoba and the
University of British Columbia)
- active member of the
Federation of Canadian Artists
- Internationally
collected, hundreds of paintings in both private
and public collections around the world,
including the collection of the Supreme Court of
Canada.
List of recent
exhibitions
- 2010, 2011, 2012, Summer Gallery art exhibition, Federation Gallery,
Vancouver, Canada
- May 2009, Abstract
Show art exhibition, Federation Gallery,
Vancouver, Canada
- April 2009, Still
Life art exhibition, Federation Gallery,
Vancouver, Canada
- March 2009, Human
Figure art exhibition, Federation Gallery,
Vancouver, Canada
- Nov/Dec. 2008, group
show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
- Jan/Feb. 2008, Red
and Gold Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver,
Canada
- October 2007, Allison
Corey Fine Arts, Long Island, New York
- Featured artist on
Canadian TV documentary Acent on Art, January
2007
- Federation Gallery,
Vancouver, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 (Award of
Excellence - Semi-Abstract Show, May 2007)
- Ferry Building
Gallery, West Vancouver, Canada - February 2005
- Showroom Elena Miro,
Milan, Italy - October 2004
- Gallery at the West
Vancouver Memorial Library - April 2004
- Ayden Gallery,
Vancouver - April 2004
- "Building New
Perspectives" June/August 2003, Gulf of
Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, Vancouver
- "ArtsPacific"
Juried Show, April/May 2003, Center for the Arts,
North Delta, B.C.
- “Human
Figure” March 2003, Federation Gallery,
Granville Island, Vancouver
- “Essence of the
Sea” group exhibition Jan/Feb 2003, Martin
Bachelor Gallery, Victoria
- Federation Gallery
group exhibition December 2002, Granville Island,
Vancouver
- “Essence of the
Sea” group exhibition October 2002, Alma
Mater Society Art Gallery, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver
- “Essence of the
Sea” group exhibition, October/November,
2002, Tidemark Theatre, Campbell River
- FANS Visual Arts
Exhibition (September 2002), North Vancouver
- “Beaux Arts
Exhibition” (March/April 2001), Zack
Gallery, Vancouver
In the Collection
of & Commissioned Work:
- 2004 Miroglio S.p.a.
(Alba, Italy)
- 2004 Supreme Court of
Canada (Ottawa, Canada)
- 2004 York University
(Toronto, Canada)
- 2003 Shapiro
Hankinson & Knutson (Vancouver, Canada)
- 2000 The Galt
Collection (Vancouver, Canada)
Martina Shapiro -
Artist's Statement
My paintings are
influenced mostly by Fauvism and Expressionism, but also
by Art Deco, Pop-Art and the old masters. I love to
create art and like to use expressive, vibrant color,
abstraction and distortions to portray human emotions and
passions. My favourite artists are Picasso, Matisse,
Chagall, Egon Schiele, Mark Rothko, Peter Max, Rubens and
El Greco, among others.
I can be inspired by almost anything – the shape of
a tree branch, the curve of a moving human body, a cloud,
a melody or a story. I then carry this inspiration with
me as I keep sketching and experimenting until I arrive
at an image that is my artistic response to that
inspiration. I then begin painting, but do not look at
the sketch any more – as that is too limiting.
Painting is like a dance, it has to flow effortlessly and
naturally, and it does, provided I can lose myself and
connect to the creative flow. When I do that, my hand
paints as if by itself. I am merely an observer. It is
only when I paint in this manner that creation happens -
the painting acquires a soul - through me, not from me. I
think this is why my original paintings radiate so much
energy and life and are a source of joy and inspiration
to those who acquire them.
To become sensitive as an
artist or even to recognize and appreciate art takes time
and effort, like any other endeavour. I believe that an
artist transfers some of his/her life energy as well as
some element of ‘universal energy’ into a
painting and it is this that makes the original work of
art so valuable. When you stand in front of a great
original work of art, for example a major work by
Picasso, you can feel his energy vibrating from it –
as if he was alive inside the painting - the painting is
alive. The impact on the viewer is commensurate with
his/her sensitivity to art.
I believe the reason we
are interested in art is that our spirit longs to
perceive and understand more than it currently does and
it instinctually feels that original works of art not
only radiate the artist's energy but also reflect some of
what's hidden.
You can read an article about art I wrote for a Vancouver
magazine here
Feedback from the
buyers of my art and others:
(Thank you all very much for your interest and your
support, I really appreciate it.)
-
Just a quick e mail
to let you know that we already received your painting and we were
stunned by it s beauty… both our reactions were:" Oh My God! " It
is even more beautiful in person.. thank you so much!
- I just received your
"Abstract Nude with Pink
Lips"...BREATHTAKING. I am a FAN FOR LIFE.
Your use of color inspires me and looking at your
painting not only pleases me, it reminds me that
life is about positively affecting lives and
making a difference. You've certainly affected
mine. THANK YOU!
- I received the
paintings today, I'm sooo in love with them.. i
just keep looking at them!! Thanks :) I love your
art, it really gives me this feeling I never get
when I look at any other artist's work :)
- I cried when I opened
her last night! I've never experienced such
emotion from art before! She is just incredible.
I don't think I would have enjoyed anything more
than Expression on Blue.
- I cannot express to
you in words how much I LOVE the paintings!! As
nice as they appeared on my computer screen they
are even more incredible to really see and feel.
The colours are so alive.
- Iam absolutely crazy
about the painting. I couldn't believe it! I love
it! It is so beautiful, and the colors are
fabulous in our bedroom. We already hung it in
the perfect spot and it has an art light shining
on it. It's gorgeous!!!!!
- Your subjects convey
their inner identity through your bold and
decisive artistic style. Your work conveys a
dynamic passion that transcends even the cold
medium of the internet. Bravo!
- refreshing, brilliant
and dynamic art work
- Oh My God!!! i just
received your painting and it is so much more
than i could have hoped for!!! i wanted you to
"get" the emotion that i am feeling as
a result of your creation, so i am writing this
without editing...fresh from unwrapping the
package.
- I just wanted to send
you a big thank you! The painting surpassed my
expectations...I absolutely love it.
- I live in Italy and
get the Elena Mirò mails (being a good customer
of theirs!!) I have just seen the paintings in
their competition and LOVED yours! I'm glad you
won a prize for it
- Reclining Nude looks
absolutely gorgeous in her new home. she took
over the room the moment she went up....
definitely the centerpiece of the sitting area
and fireplace.
- It's magnificent; I
love it!! The color, the energy, the
magnitude.... I could go on-and-on. The bright
and cloud-free sky today was perfect for
receiving the painting. This evening the painting
looks just as wonderful with a spotlight on it.
- I am thoroughly
enjoying my painting and find myself often
standing in front of it taking more and more in.
I have had numerous compliments on it, which
comes of no surprise
- Your work is
wonderful and inspiring. I love the energy and
movement!
- you are an artist
with unique perception and a wonderful sense of
form and color.
- dear martina, they
are more beautiful than i ever imagined…what
a wonderful experience...
- You have wonderfully
expressive brushwork and color reminiscent of the
postimpressionists Gaughin and Van Gogh. Do I
also see a hint/influence of the 17th Century
Dutch masters? Rembrandt, Vermeer. You have
successfully combined these influences with your
talent to come up with unique style. Keep up the
good work!
- a very special and
sensitive work
- beautiful colorful
paintings. there is so much energy and
sensibility in your work. i like it very much.
- aussergewöhnlich
gute Arbeiten, die mich ansprechen
- Wow, I´m absolutely
impressed, I do adore your paintings!!!
Kindest greetings ever from Vienna,
- Great work seems to
just dance with color and imagination
- Ciao Martina,le tue
opere sono molto belle e la gioia dei tuoi colori
riscalda i cuori.
- I love your use of
color and form! Truly brilliant.
- Love your work!!!I
just love your paintings! They are fresh, vibrant
and they do make you relax and let your mind
float.
- I received the
painting this morning. It was packaged/protected
very well and when I opened it, I was so
delighted. I LOVE the painting!!! There are so
many beautiful shades of blue, purple and green.
- This afternoon I
received The Red Tulips. It is beautiful piece of
art!!! The Red Tulips is my favorite artwork in
our home. It makes me so happy to look at it!!!
- I absolutely love the
paintings. You did an awesome job. I appreciate
it so much. You are such a good artist. Thank you
so much. I received them on Wednesday. Keep on
painting,
- I received the
painting on Friday of last week and I want to
thank you very much, it's gorgeous!!
- As a lover of the
early stages of expressionism I felt like I was
walking into a Die Brücke exhibition when I
stumbled into your website. Absolutely
magnificent works stemming from the inner self.
Congratulations.
- Oh my- I have
received the painting today and it is one of my
favorite pieces…a big thank you!
- I received the
painting FAUVE BLONDE yesterday. I LOVE IT You
are blessed to be soooo talented. Thanks again.
- Thank you so very
much for an incredible painting, can't stop
looking at it!
- Received the painting
yesterday. It is amazing. Amazingly quick
delivery also. I love it!!
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