Shirley Rose Cockburn - Cockburnstudio

I am a progressive artist working in gouaches, watercolors, acrylic and gold leaf. I studied paper making and marbling, together with calligraphy while living in Singapore in the early 90’s. I was instantly captured by the silky flow of gouaches and inks applied to the picture plane, using various nibs and brushes. My fascination for the feel and texture of paper led me to study the techniques of handmade paper making and in turn produce handmade books. 

I returned to Northern Ontario in 1995 and my growing interest in a wide range of art forms guided me to expand my knowledge and applications. Since that time I have studied at Canadore College, Nipissing University Bachelor of Arts program and taken numerous courses and workshops from well renowned Canadian (Johannes Vloothius), Robert McAffee, Gordon Harrison, Cathy Boyd, and/or international (Richard Robinson) artists. My studies will remain ongoing  as I continue to interpret the landscape through my paintings. My studio holds a substantial library of art books as I am forever reading and studying to appease my insatiable hunger for knowledge.

I work mostly on primed canvasses. Once painted the canvases are ready to hang as is. The regular artist quality one inch frameless canvas adds to the peaceful, tranquil times that we can experience while living, visiting or travelling throughout the north. I paint on other high quality surfaces such as acid free canvas boards, mahogany, masonite, tree free paper and other specialty artist surfaces.

My work attempts to capture the serenity of Northern Ontario’s meditative landscape. The strength of the windswept pine parallels the intensity of human beings encountering life’s many challenges. The openness of our lakes and rivers allows us to absorb the quietude which we so desperately desire and need. The vastness of our forests reminds us that there are still countless unexplored territories in a world that seems to be getting smaller and smaller with the passing years. I do not strive for perfection in my paintings because as we all know life is not perfect and to pretend that it is would be a fool’s errand. I like to portray simple yet refined paintings because life is better understood by each and every one of us when all the cacophony and materialism of our societies are removed. Only then can we truly see ourselves as intrinsic individuals who can stand tall and proud in the face of adversity – our strengths can take us to the highest point in togetherness with the beautiful windswept pine and its encompassing environment.

I love life and I love being an artist.