Artist’s exhibit evokes feelings of calmness and tranquility

Toronto abstract artist Gloria Green

Painting is what Toronto abstract artist Gloria Green is most passionate about. 

The swirl of paint brushes, the use of sponges, palette knives, the scraping and layering of paint, colours mixing, spraying, dripping, smudging, diluting, building texture and collage, is what spurs Green’s creativity and ultimately drives her to the prospect of creating a new art series.

Green’s latest exhibit, Tranquil Series, is on display until Oct. 17 with a meet-and-greet reception from 6 – 8 p.m. on September 18th at the University of Toronto’s Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks Street in the Foulds Room. 

The Tranquil Series is meant to evoke feelings of calmness and tranquility.  

Green’s series was inspired by her recent feelings surrounding her mother’s diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, together with her day-to-day work at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children where she is a pediatric clinical dietician in the oncology unit.

“The Tranquil Series was created in an effort to bring back feelings of calm and peace, to find that place of inner tranquility experienced by breathing, focusing and revitalization. My choice of palette and dilution of colour were deliberate, using a resin finish as a metaphor to mirror one’s reflection,” explained Green.

With an interest in design, colour and space, art was a fitting medium for Green to explore.  

Some 10 years ago, Green first picked up a brush, paint and canvas to add some colour to her loft with its 14 by 16-foot ceilings and realized she really enjoyed creating something tangible with her hands.

Drawn to abstract painting, Green studied under Lydia Parnat at the Avenue Road School of Art and then at the Toronto School of Art. 

Green’s paint of choice is acrylic as it is very versatile.  Depending on the series she is working on will determine the effect she is looking to create.

“I can put layers and layers of paint to canvas and create a textural piece, or apply layers of translucent paint to achieve another effect or I may prime the canvas using different modeling paste with a variety of consistencies,” she explained.

Green can be found painting most evenings and weekends from her home studio/loft/gallery.  

 Green prefers to work on a larger scale.

“Due to space constraints, the largest canvas I’ve been able to get to my work space is 4 by 6 feet.  Recently, I have been trying to work on two canvases at the same time each 4 by 4 feet, but due to space availability and my height at barely 5 feet it has been a challenge,” she said.

All of the 11 pieces in the Tranquil Series are 30 inches x 40 inches and unnamed but identified in numbers from one to 11 priced at $1,800 each.  

Green has donated her pieces to causes such as Pediatric Oncology Group Ontario (POGO), Muskoka Woods, Aaron’s Apple, SickKids Hospital, and Peter Gilgan Centre for Research. 

Green’s art can be seen in commercial spaces, dental and medical offices, hospitals, restaurants, coffee shops, and in private homes.  Prices range from $1,400 to $6,000, depending on size.

As a classically trained pianist, music is integral to Green’s creative process.

“When I paint, I always listen to music. Sometimes it takes me a long time to determine what I want to listen to, depending on my mood and the type of painting I am working on,” she said.

Each of Green’s abstracts is a story in itself, drawing inspiration from her personality and emotions, transpired from the day and captured onto canvas.   Her past collections have been influenced by the beauty and grit of street noise, thoughts, and effects of weather.

Green’s next project is titled Puzzled Series and promises to be bold and very colourful a reflection of her happier disposition.

Visit:  www.glogreengallery.com