Meet artist Pearl Van Geest

Colour and expressive line feature in my work. I generally work in series, developing a concept visually until the idea no longer compels me. In the making, I like to create a tension between open experimental mark-making and a refined deliberate responses to what was laid down, gradually becoming more responsive to the canvas. Much of my work is in one way or another inspired by prolonged observation of the natural world –colours and colour relationships, patterns and compositional structure, as well as textures and forms.  I have been in my studio in the Trafalgar Building in downtown Guelph since 1997. During that time I have exhibited my work in solo and group shows across Canada. I have also developed interactive exhibitions where people can become involved in the creation of artworks, including Kiss Paintings whereby kiss marks are imprinted onto a canvas or topographical map before I return to my studio to paint in response to the pattern and design made by these marks.  My work is part of the Canada Art Council’s Art Bank collection, and is in other private and corporate collections. I was the City of Guelph’s inaugural Artist in Residence, and together with participants, created an artwork that is on permanent display in the City of Guelph.

Pearl’s exhibition “Earth Poems: Resonance, Rythms and Reflections” is currently featured in the Minarovich gallery at the Elora Centre for the Arts from August 5 until September 12, 2021. This series of paintings featured in our virtual gallery are a study in reflections – shorelines mirrored into the water.  Wondrous when paddling by, shorelines reflected into still lakes and rivers transform, when rotated, into all sorts of things.