Carolynn Doan has been a professional artist for over 30 years. During this time she has lived in British Columbia. She now calls the Sunshine Coast home. Her home and studio are situated in the arms of the rainforest and close to the ocean in the beautiful village of Roberts Creek. Carolynn was born and raised in Saskatchewan and is proud of her prairie roots. These roots are the foundation upon which she has built her artistic career. As a child she spent many hours roaming through fields, getting to know the land and the vast prairie skies. She believes it is this freedom and exposure to the natural world that has influenced both her education and the art she creates.
Carolynn holds a degree in Science (BSc) with a major in Biology, from the University of Regina. This background is evident in the choices she makes when developing ideas for paintings. ‘I see my painting career as a natural progression from the study of the natural world. This study taught me to look carefully, be investigative, to question, consider and to refrain from judgement wherever possible’.
Carolynn has had an interest in art from an early age. Being a self taught artist has offered its benefits. ‘Not actually knowing the rules makes it quite easy to break them’.
Carolynn’s work has been featured in articles in the Peace Arch News by Michael Skog and Alex Browne. Her painting was the feature for Canada’s 138th Birthday Celebration in White Rock, BC. She has taken part in many juried competitions and shows most notably those of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Artsolutely Fabulous for 6 consecutive years, Breath of Fresh Art, Arts council of Surrey where she won awards in both Arts’99 and 2012. She was also an award winner in Euphorbia and the Federation of Canadian Artist juried shows. More recently Carolynn’s paintings have been shown in the Sunshine Coast Arts Council shows and at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery.
Carolynn’s work hangs in private and corporate collections in Canada, Great Britain, the U.S.A., Germany and Japan.
Artist’s Statement
People often ask me how I came to be a painter when my education was in science – biology and mathematics specifically….the study of the Natural world. I tell them that that study has guided me through my journey as an artist. It taught me to be investigative, to ‘see’, to be nimble, to enjoy and respect the world around me. As an explorer I have painted in all media. Painted all manner of subjects. I have very much enjoyed and feel privileged to have taken this journey.
I have painted small and mini paintings in recent years with the desire for keeping my art affordable to anyone who wishes to own an original piece of Art. I will continue to do this but my work is evolving and changing direction somewhat. There is an urgency to my work in the last months. Living within the forests of the beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, I have come to marvel at the ‘magic’ of trees and the rainforest. They are in jeopardy. Global warming, fire and logging of forests for population expansion is threatening our forests, in particular the Old Growth Rainforests.
My mission for the next years is to record these ancient trees on canvas, on paper, with tiles. My record of them at the moment is large. It is the first time I have actually used a ladder to paint a painting. I am hoping to expose the vulnerability and fragility of these giants through my paintings, while acknowledging the majesty. I want their ‘voices’ to be heard…..we were here, we mattered……
PLEASE feel free to contact Carolynn about pricing if you are interested in purchasing any of her paintings – at carolynn.doan9@gmail.com