ANGELA SMITH-POLLARD: Artist Biography
Canadian Artist Angela Smith-Pollard uses acrylics to convey her Modernist style. Angela works as a full-time artist in her studio in the enchanting town of Roblin, Ontario, Canada. She keeps close to her rural roots and lives near the Land O’Lakes in the Addington Highlands which are part of the Great Canadian Shield. She retired from her position as an Early Childhood Educator and Educational Assistant for the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board after 28 years where she often developed and implemented art curriculum, murals and school fundraisers for teachers and students. Her many years of travel and art study with Mastrius has allowed for a deep dive to develop her artistic voice and create her body of work. As she emerges humbly along her way, Angela has been juried into the Colours of the Heart by the GNAAA at the Window Gallery, Kingston, ON. Winning 2nd place in her very first show in 2022. She was also juried into the Coming Home gallery exhibition at the L&A Museum, Napanee, ON in 2024. Angela has been a member of the Greater Napanee Area Arts Association since 2022 and is involved in many local shows, events and displays, selling her art work at the Waterfront River Pub & Terrace, L&A County General Hospital and the L&A County Library Napanee Branch on a 4-month rotation. You could also visit Angela’s art studio on the L&A Studio Tour over the past 2 years and she also volunteers as Distribution, marketing materials, and Signage Coordinator for the L&A Studio Tour. As of Nov. 1/24 Angela has joined The Hive Bath, ON Artist Collective, Gallery and in Studio there 1 day/wk.
ANGELA SMITH-POLLARD: Artist Statement
From an early age I was creating. My self-taught Modernist style has been a big part of who I am. I was influenced in art history in high school, connecting to Emily Carr's immersion into nature, Vincent Van Gogh's life experiences present on canvas, and the dream like state of Salvador Dali. It was mesmerizing to me. I often sat and watched my mom paint in her own art journey and have passed this love down to my own son who is also an artist.
It took a long journey to get here, but it has been so worth the wait.
The parallels of nature, life experiences and my dream visions have come to me in the form of many layers of exquisite brush strokes using acrylics that set the mood and share my deep emotion on canvas. The deliberate elements of nature can be seen throughout my work, depicting the fragile balance of nature and the human spirit. It is reflected on canvas as strongly as a rock grounds me, as a tree keeps me rooted to my belief system, as water soothes my soul, as the movement of wind carries my worries away and as the glow of light that shines hope and fills me with gratitude.
My creations share a sense of tranquility, peace and support that intertwines through us all. Using many layers of glazes and veils in the background contrasts to the powerful uplifting light, healing harmony of a limited pallet of complimentary colours, a freedom flight of sorts for the individual subject matter. The natural organic shapes and supple cool colours intertwine in movement around warm tones uphold the narrative that nature is in delicate balance and is as fragile and true as our own humanity.
I currently have ongoing series of works that have accumulated into a year-long projects, Gemini & The Creative alongside Threads that Bind. The intentions are to share and encourage conversations in a safe space of art, empowering people of all ages. Giving back to the community with fundraisers to support the need to Women’s Shelters and Mental Health.
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