Brian LaSaga
THE ARTIST
Brian LaSaga was born in St.Teresa's, Newfoundland in 1955. He moved to St.George's, Newfoundland in 1965. Brian's journey as an artist began when he was very young. He has always been a very visual person and with no formal training,
art is more instinctual, full of discovery and experimentation which
has continued with him today. Being somewhat of a perfectionist, Brian has always remained faithful to realism and his imagery. Although
he has experimented with watercolors, gouache, egg tempera, and oils,
the artist soon realized that acrylics suited his style and
technique. Brian has been painting with acrylics since 1980 and
considers them to be a very versatile and durable medium. He also notes
and subscribes to the fact that it's not
the necessarily the medium, but how one manipulates and uses it that
matters in the end.
The artist prefers to paint familiar experiences and subjects indigenous to his area. An area that he feels is raw and sacred. Upon viewing his work, you will notice that he has a very discerning eye for weathered textures and prefers to paint character pieces as opposed to pretty pictures. Over the years, many have labeled Brian a wildlife artist or a photo realist. He doesn't seem to dwell on labels or titles and just simply feels he is just a painter, an instrument and student of nature. Since he lives in Newfoundland and paints in a realism style, then Newfoundland Realist suits him just fine. At times, he may incorporate some form of wildlife into certain pieces as an extension of nature.
Brian's studio is located in his hometown of St.George's, Newfoundland. The island of Newfoundland is Canada's most easterly destination and offers the artist a sanctuary for his work. It has many rugged coastlines,rivers, forests, wildlife, ponds and marshes. It has also been the inspiration for Brian's work for over 30 years. When not in his studio, he can be found hiking, kayaking or making field trips to gather material for his paintings. Many of his works hang in corporate, public and private collections in Canada, United States and Europe.
In The Studio
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
"Nature is my muse and inspiration simply because of her endless subject matter and surprises. This collaboration offers me something I never even thought of. Although I prefer to paint nature themes, weathered objects and rural settings, I'm open to other things that may catch my eye. I feel that I'm just a work in progress, and there is always something to learn that can nurture the soul. I like to create a sense of place that is somewhere but nowhere in particular. My goal is not to paint life, but to paint life into my work and create an emotional connection that I hope will inspire my viewers."
EXHIBITION HISTORY
1981 "Small Works" / group / Atlantic Arts Ltd., St.John's, NL
1982 "West Coast Realism" / two man show / Arts and Culture Centre, Stephenville, NL
1983 "Weathered Relics" / solo / The Ewing Gallery, Corner Brook,NL
1984 "Coastlines" / group / The Ewing Gallery,Corner Brook,NL
1986 "Images Of A Realist" / solo / The Duke Of Argyle Gallery, Halifax, NS
1988 "Days Of Yore" / group / The Duke Of Argyle Gallery, Halifax, NS
1995 "Eastern Images" / solo / Gallery On The Lake, Buckhorn, ON
1997 "Realism At It's Finest" / solo / The Sheraton Inn, Fredericton, NB
2005 Public Showing / solo / Kennebecasis Valley Public Library, Saint John, NB
2005 "Catching The Eye" / solo / Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB
2007 Toronto Art Expo / Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON
2009 "Constant Observer" / two man show / Christina Parker Gallery, St.John's, NL
2009 Toronto International Art Fair / group / represented by Christina Parker Gallery
2009 "From The Studio III " / group / Christina Parker Gallery, St.John's, NL
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1980 Arts And Letters Competition - Second Place / St.John's, NL, Canada
1994 The Georgian Newspaper / In The Arts "Painting Stages"- Stephenville, NL, Canada
1994 CBC Radio Morning Show / Artist Interview
1995 The Artist's Magazine Competition / Honorable Mention / Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
1996 "First" Aboriginal Artists / Artist Profile Newfoundland and Labrador, St.John's, NL, Canada
2001 The Downhomer Magazine / "Super Realist"- St.John's, NL, Canada
2004 Saint John Weekend Newspaper / "Showcase" NL Artist- St.John, NB, Canada
2004 The Telegram/Backstage / "Painter Creates Lifelike Scenes"- St.John's, NL, Canada
2005 The Newfoundland Herald Magazine / Artist Profile - St.John's,NL, Canada
2006 The Newfoundland Herald / "It's All In The Details"- St.John's, NL, Canada
2007 Centre For Distance Learning & Innovation / Art & Perception: Art Movements: Realism / St.John's, NL, Canada
2008 The Painter's Keys Quotes
2008 World Of Art-Feature Artist
2009 Canadian Brushstroke Magazine / "Hard Way To Make An Easy Living" / Leduc, Alberta, Canada
2009 The Telegram / Arts & Entertainment / "Real Meets Surreal" / St.John's, NL, Canada
2009 Natural Awakenings Magazine / Cover Art and Profile / Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.
2010 Kennedy Publishing "Best Of Worldwide Watermedia" Williamsburg, VA, U.S.A.
2010 Monograffi-What Is High Realism
2010 Informed Collector "Focal Point" Profile, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Raymar Art Painting Competition / Finalist with painting "Winter Woodpile" - Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
2010 Raymar Art Painting Competition / Finalist with painting "Driftwood" - Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
2010 Bold Brush Painting Competition / Outstanding Acrylic - "Autumn Canopy" - San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Bold Brush Painting Competition / Outstanding Acrylic - "Red Squirrel and Stump" - San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Fine Art Views / Intricate detail bring captivating, realistic paintings to life - San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Ifontis 2009 International Juried Art Competition - 3rd Place - "Beach Bones" / Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
2010 Raymar Art Painting Competition / Finalist with painting "Corner Refuge" - Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
2010 Art Kudos International Juried Art Competition & Exhibition - Finalist with painting "Winter Woodpile"
PUBLIC AND CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Central Trust Tower,Halifax,NS
Fur Dressers and Dyers,Toronto,ON
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada,Ottawa,ON
United Nations,New York,U.S.A.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,St.John's
Confederation Art Centre and Museum,Charlottetown,P.E.I.
J.R.Smallwood Federal Building,Corner Brook,NL
Fox Harb'r Resort,Tatamagouche,NS / Mr.Ron Joyce
Jetport Investments,Burlington,ON / Mr.Ron Joyce
Brinkston Investments,Grand Bay,NB
Northgrave Architect,Toronto,ON
Home Depot,Toronto,On / Annette Verschuren
Coachford Mfg.Inc.,Toronto,ON
Bird Packaging Ltd.,Guelph,ON
Plus many private collections in Canada,United States and Europe.
CURRENT GALLERY REPRESENTATION
The Christina Parker Gallery,St.John's,NL
Peter Buckland Gallery,Saint John,NB
Zwicker's Gallery,Halifax,NS
The Ewing Gallery,Corner Brook,NL
The artist prefers to paint familiar experiences and subjects indigenous to his area. An area that he feels is raw and sacred. Upon viewing his work, you will notice that he has a very discerning eye for weathered textures and prefers to paint character pieces as opposed to pretty pictures. Over the years, many have labeled Brian a wildlife artist or a photo realist. He doesn't seem to dwell on labels or titles and just simply feels he is just a painter, an instrument and student of nature. Since he lives in Newfoundland and paints in a realism style, then Newfoundland Realist suits him just fine. At times, he may incorporate some form of wildlife into certain pieces as an extension of nature.
Brian's studio is located in his hometown of St.George's, Newfoundland. The island of Newfoundland is Canada's most easterly destination and offers the artist a sanctuary for his work. It has many rugged coastlines,rivers, forests, wildlife, ponds and marshes. It has also been the inspiration for Brian's work for over 30 years. When not in his studio, he can be found hiking, kayaking or making field trips to gather material for his paintings. Many of his works hang in corporate, public and private collections in Canada, United States and Europe.
In The StudioARTIST'S STATEMENT
"Nature is my muse and inspiration simply because of her endless subject matter and surprises. This collaboration offers me something I never even thought of. Although I prefer to paint nature themes, weathered objects and rural settings, I'm open to other things that may catch my eye. I feel that I'm just a work in progress, and there is always something to learn that can nurture the soul. I like to create a sense of place that is somewhere but nowhere in particular. My goal is not to paint life, but to paint life into my work and create an emotional connection that I hope will inspire my viewers."
EXHIBITION HISTORY
1981 "Small Works" / group / Atlantic Arts Ltd., St.John's, NL
1982 "West Coast Realism" / two man show / Arts and Culture Centre, Stephenville, NL
1983 "Weathered Relics" / solo / The Ewing Gallery, Corner Brook,NL
1984 "Coastlines" / group / The Ewing Gallery,Corner Brook,NL
1986 "Images Of A Realist" / solo / The Duke Of Argyle Gallery, Halifax, NS
1988 "Days Of Yore" / group / The Duke Of Argyle Gallery, Halifax, NS
1995 "Eastern Images" / solo / Gallery On The Lake, Buckhorn, ON
1997 "Realism At It's Finest" / solo / The Sheraton Inn, Fredericton, NB
2005 Public Showing / solo / Kennebecasis Valley Public Library, Saint John, NB
2005 "Catching The Eye" / solo / Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB
2007 Toronto Art Expo / Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON
2009 "Constant Observer" / two man show / Christina Parker Gallery, St.John's, NL
2009 Toronto International Art Fair / group / represented by Christina Parker Gallery
2009 "From The Studio III " / group / Christina Parker Gallery, St.John's, NL
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1980 Arts And Letters Competition - Second Place / St.John's, NL, Canada
1994 The Georgian Newspaper / In The Arts "Painting Stages"- Stephenville, NL, Canada
1994 CBC Radio Morning Show / Artist Interview
1995 The Artist's Magazine Competition / Honorable Mention / Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
1996 "First" Aboriginal Artists / Artist Profile Newfoundland and Labrador, St.John's, NL, Canada
2001 The Downhomer Magazine / "Super Realist"- St.John's, NL, Canada
2004 Saint John Weekend Newspaper / "Showcase" NL Artist- St.John, NB, Canada
2004 The Telegram/Backstage / "Painter Creates Lifelike Scenes"- St.John's, NL, Canada
2005 The Newfoundland Herald Magazine / Artist Profile - St.John's,NL, Canada
2006 The Newfoundland Herald / "It's All In The Details"- St.John's, NL, Canada
2007 Centre For Distance Learning & Innovation / Art & Perception: Art Movements: Realism / St.John's, NL, Canada
2008 The Painter's Keys Quotes
2008 World Of Art-Feature Artist
2009 Canadian Brushstroke Magazine / "Hard Way To Make An Easy Living" / Leduc, Alberta, Canada
2009 The Telegram / Arts & Entertainment / "Real Meets Surreal" / St.John's, NL, Canada
2009 Natural Awakenings Magazine / Cover Art and Profile / Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.
2010 Kennedy Publishing "Best Of Worldwide Watermedia" Williamsburg, VA, U.S.A.
2010 Monograffi-What Is High Realism
2010 Informed Collector "Focal Point" Profile, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Raymar Art Painting Competition / Finalist with painting "Winter Woodpile" - Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
2010 Raymar Art Painting Competition / Finalist with painting "Driftwood" - Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
2010 Bold Brush Painting Competition / Outstanding Acrylic - "Autumn Canopy" - San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Bold Brush Painting Competition / Outstanding Acrylic - "Red Squirrel and Stump" - San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Fine Art Views / Intricate detail bring captivating, realistic paintings to life - San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
2010 Ifontis 2009 International Juried Art Competition - 3rd Place - "Beach Bones" / Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
2010 Raymar Art Painting Competition / Finalist with painting "Corner Refuge" - Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
2010 Art Kudos International Juried Art Competition & Exhibition - Finalist with painting "Winter Woodpile"
PUBLIC AND CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Central Trust Tower,Halifax,NS
Fur Dressers and Dyers,Toronto,ON
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada,Ottawa,ON
United Nations,New York,U.S.A.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,St.John's
Confederation Art Centre and Museum,Charlottetown,P.E.I.
J.R.Smallwood Federal Building,Corner Brook,NL
Fox Harb'r Resort,Tatamagouche,NS / Mr.Ron Joyce
Jetport Investments,Burlington,ON / Mr.Ron Joyce
Brinkston Investments,Grand Bay,NB
Northgrave Architect,Toronto,ON
Home Depot,Toronto,On / Annette Verschuren
Coachford Mfg.Inc.,Toronto,ON
Bird Packaging Ltd.,Guelph,ON
Plus many private collections in Canada,United States and Europe.
CURRENT GALLERY REPRESENTATION
The Christina Parker Gallery,St.John's,NL
Peter Buckland Gallery,Saint John,NB
Zwicker's Gallery,Halifax,NS
The Ewing Gallery,Corner Brook,NL