Leanne Baird
The Canopy
Thursday, September 3 – Sunday, October 4, 2020
The Colborne Street Gallery is excited to welcome back local artist, Leanne Baird. With many new works included in the exhibition, Baird visited locations around Awenda Provincial Park, located on a peninsula jutting into Georgian Bay north of Penetanguishene, Apsley, and Wolf Lake, Ontario.
Using the Carolinian Forests and Canadian Shield as a constant source of inspiration, Baird explores nature with her camera in hand. Snapping hundreds of photos, only 10-20 make the final cut. The artist then edits her sources and begins to paint. During the painting process Baird endeavours to maintain an alpha brainwave state by listening to instrumental world music and chanting. October is her favourite time to photograph for inspiration. The change in seasons and drama of the forest during this time draws the artist in and bathes her in enchanting light. The artist is currently experimenting with fog in some of her latest works as well as different perspectives in order to push her painting practice.
Baird has a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Toronto. She has also completed studies internationally and at the Haliburton School of Arts, the Royal Conservatory, and the Art School of Peterborough. Baird has exhibited her work at the Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre, Ethel Curry Gallery, the Art School of Peterborough, Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Varley Art Gallery, Rails End Gallery and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. She has participated in many studio tours including Peterborough, Uxbridge, and the Kawarthas. Baird was a Guest Artist at Lakefield College School in 2016, a past Board Member at the Art School of Peterborough 2010-2012, and has been featured as a Guest Artist on HGTV. She has also taught children’s art classes at the Varley Art Gallery and numerous school boards in Southern Ontario as well as Lakefield College School and the Art School of Peterborough.
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