Rose-Marie Kossowan

Artist Statement:

The reasons I paint are varied and complex; the primary motive being the sheer exhilaration of experiencing the creative process. Art is an important part of what defines our humanity, and I feel grateful and privileged to be able to participate and contribute in my own way. Being an artist gives me a sense of individuality and describes who I am. I believe we all have a deep psychological desire to experience art not only as a form of expression, but also as a means of emotional reflection. I enjoy contributing to that.

I also use painting as a means to explain my views, and to demonstrate my interpretation of life experiences. My oeuvre consists of two main genre; abstract expression and impressionism. My impressionistic object based paintings are more of an exploration of the relationship between colour, light and tone values rather than the objects themselves. 

In my abstract expression pieces, my focus is to bring thoughts and emotions into visual form. I employ a complex process of creative exploration, exploiting all the characteristics of paint including, texture, viscosity, and thickness on the surface of my substrate. As I work through this process, ideas begin to emerge, forming a emotional theme or focal point. Decision making is based on my own psychological responses to what I am seeing as the painting begins to develop.

Making art has been a part of my life as long as I can remember, and will be something I will continue to do for the rest of my life. I can't image my life without creating art.
 

Awards & Distinctions:

I am an Signature Status Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Some highlights of my awards and honors include:
- 1st place award in the Federation Of Canadian Artists Abstract Exhibition, for "Unfolding", March 2016.

- November 2014: First Place Award in Exhibeo Art Magazines's Open Theme juried painting competition, for my painting titled "Vancouver Rain".

-April 2015; First Place Award for "Bloomin' Nasturtiums" in the Federation Of Canadian Artists's Foliage And Flowers Exhibition.

-March 2015; "Vancouver Rain" Awarded Third Place in the "Abstract Competition", Federation Of Canadian Artists.

-May 2015; Artist Of The Month, selected by Vancity Bank and the Federation Of Canadian Artists.

-November 2015: Honorable Mention for "Freshly Picked Flowers", Federation Of Canadian Artist's Muse Exhibition.

Publications:
Selected Art Reviews and Interviews, 2014-2015, Johnathan Raddatz, Editor

"Painting On The Edge", catalogue of works, 2015.

Celebratory Catalogue Of Works for National Crossing Boundaries Juried Art Exhibition 2015, published by the Federation Of Canadian Artists and the International Arts Gallery, Vancouver, BC.

Interview with Art Critic and Chief Editor Jonathan Raddatz, published online in Art Exhibeo Magazine.

Published in the August 6th Edition of Informed Collector's Daily Briefing as a recommended Artist.

Exhibitions:

March 2016: First Place Award, "Unfolding", FCA's juried Abstract Exhibition.

November 2015: "Comfortable In Pink" and "Maple Trees At Cultus Lake", selected for Ten Squared, an exhibition fundraiser at the FCA Gallery, Granville Island.

October 2015: "SHE", Finalist in Art Exhibeo Magazine's painting competition titled Power.

October 2015: 'Industrialization' and "Maple Trees At Cultus Lake 2", included by jury selection for Icon at the FCA Gallery, Granville Island.

September 2015: "Turning Point", selected as part of the FAV15% (jury's favorite 15% of the entries) in the September 2015 BoldBrush Painting competition.

September 2015: "Cottage At Riverview" included by jury selection for 'Autumn Salon', at the FCA Gallery, Granville Island.

August 2015: "She" included by jury selection for Painting On The Edge, an international competition and exhibition at the FCA Gallery, Granville Island.

June 2015: "Top-Bottom' and "Strange-Charm", selected for the juried Group Exhibition , Small, Smaller and Smallest, at the Federation Of Canadian Artist's Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

May 2015; Artist Of The Month, selected by Vancity Bank and the Federation Of Canadian Artists. 

May 26 - June 7, 2015: "The Fraser River - Part Of Canada's Heritage Rivers System", one of 60 paintings selected for The National Crossing Boundaries Exhibition, hosted by the FCA and The International Gallery, including publication in a celebratory accompanying exhibition catalogue.

April 2015; First Place Award for "Bloomin' Nasturtiums" in the FCA's Foliage And Flowers Exhibition.

April 7th - 19th, 2015; "Foliage And Flowers", Juried Group Exhibition, Federation Of Canadian Artist's Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

March 24th - April 5th, 2015; "Vancouver Rain" Awarded Third Place in "Abstracts Exhibition" FCA Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

March 2015; Top Tier Finalist for "Aftermath", Art Exhibeo's juried Abstract Competition.

February 17th - March 6th, 2015; "Landscapes", juried group exhibition, FCA Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

February 3rd - February 18th, 2015 ; "Artist Choice", juried group exhibition, Federation Of Canadian Artist's Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

January 8 to 15th, 2015 - Active Members Exhibition, Federation Of Canadian Artist's Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC

December 2014 - Two paintings Selected as part of the FAV15% (FASO staff's favorite 15% of entries) in the December 2014 BoldBrush Painting Competition.

November 2014 - In depth interview with Art Critic and Editor in Chief Jonathan Raddatz, published in Exhibeo Art Magazine.

November 2014 - First place over-all winner in Exhibeo Art Magazines's Open Theme juried painting competition, for her painting titled "Vancouver Rain". Jonathan Raddatz, Editor in Chief, Exhibeo Art Competition Magazine commented;
"her paintings are visceral, epic narratives of nature and a testament to the psychological power of color".

October 2014 - Two paintings selected for the Federation Of Canadian Artists juried show "365".

August 2014 - Selected as part of the FAV15% (FASO staff's favorite 15% of entries) in the August 2014 BoldBrush Painting Competition.

August 2014 - Published in the August 6th edition of Informed Collector's Daily briefing as a recommended artist: "Kossowan shares the sublime beauty of nature in a most freeing and unrestricted fashion, gorgeous work".

June 2014- winner of the "Outstanding Abstract Award" in the BoldBrush juried painting competition, FASO.

June 2014 - selected as part of the FAV15% (FASO staff's favorite 15% of the entries) in the June 2014 BoldBrush Painting Competition.
 

Tags:

Abstract, abstract expression, impressionism, canadian, contemporary.