Stan Olthuis

www.stanolthuis.com
I am a student of process focusing on energy, gesture and time. I have made art all my life and at it's core is my love for... drawing. I was born in Neerlandia, Alberta, Canada and now live and work in Toronto, Canada. I am grateful to be an award winning, internationally collected artist, I am represented in Japan by Motokawa Gallery and a consignment artist with the Art Gallery of Ontario (Purchase & Rental Gallery). I exhibit regularly. My most recent award was received from the Ontario Society of Artists 2014 Open Juried Exhibition.
My current work takes inspiration from the city streets. I'm fascinated with unexpected beauty that emerges from time's harsh effects on surfaces. They become worn and weathered, then layered by random human interferences. Evidence of invisible energy that is symbolic of our life experience. In this environment I note the stark contrast created by things as yet untouched, such as the silent, silken evening gowns that glow pure in designer's shop windows...full of promise.
My work process may include use of house paint, artist mediums and street poster remnants - whatever serves my purpose - then introducing these materials to each other on a common plane. I generally work on wood surfaces that can withstand the execution delivered with tradesmen's trowels, scrapers, and sometimes power tools. The strategic starting point, however, is always the drawing. Show more