Artist’s Statement
“I approach my work in a non-traditional manner as an exploration of flow, energy, texture and spirit. I am fascinated with the human aspect contained within painting and work specifically to avoid ‘perfect’ renderings by exaggerating strokes and colour to create a sense of energetic movement. I am not attempting to capture a perfect vision, but rather, the feeling, energy and timelessness of life’s dance.
My work is rooted in my spirit and love of life, and my paintings are an expression of this ongoing relationship and an exploration of the never ending dance between the masculine and feminine. My main focus is to incorporate and capture the energy of this dynamic into the paintings themselves, and perhaps reveal a glimpse of the power of creation.
Though I also work in other mediums, personally, I love watercolour – as it mirrors our own existence in the world. There are times when you think you can control it, and there are times when you simply must surrender and go with what it decides to offer you.”
Biography
Canadian artist Joel Sinclair was born in 1970 in Edmonton, Alberta. Growing up on an acreage in the country gave him a deep love of nature and from an early age Joel interacted deeply with the natural environment around him. Through the influence of his father, Robert Sinclair, he was also immersed in the art world and exposed to many aspects of creative expression.
In 1992, Joel attended The Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Alberta. With a major in Visual Communications, he left college and started a very successful web design firm. But after 12 years of melding left and right-brain, Joel made the decision to step away from the world of computers and immersed himself 100% into his creativity and spirituality.
Today, Joel is an award winning professional Canadian watercolour artist whose paintings are recognized for their spirit, intensity of colour and dramatic sense of energy. He is represented commercially in Edmonton, Banff and Calgary, Alberta and shows his work across Canada and internationally. He’s also an elected member of both the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour and the Society of Canadian Artists, and a juried member of the Alberta Society of Artists.
Well versed in many modes of creative expression, his primary medium of choice is watercolour as he feels it mirrors our own existence in the world, requiring one to surrender to the moment.
Currently, Joel works plein air well as out of his studio, which is located in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
C/V
Joel Sinclair
Born: 1970, Edmonton Alberta
Selected Exhibitions:
2017-current – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
2016 – “Gallery Artists”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
2016 – “Gallery Artists”, Gainsborough Galleries, Calgary, AB
2016 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
2015 – “Gallery Artists”, Gainsborough Galleries, Calgary, AB
2015 – “Gallery Artists”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
2015 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
07/25/2015-08/08/2015 – Juried National Exhibition: Society of Canadian Artists 47th Open national Juried Exhibition – Gainsborough Galleries, Calgary, AB
05/09/2015-05/29/2015 – Solo Exhibition: “The Silent Landscape” – Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
09/14/2014-10/05/2014 – Group Exhibition: “Rocky Roamings”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
05/30/2014 – “M5 Studios Open House Soiree”, Art4Five, Calgary, AB
2014 – “Gallery Artists”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
2014 – “Gallery Artists”, Gust Gallery, Waterton, AB
2014 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
2013 – “Gallery Artists”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
2013 – “Gallery Artists”, Gust Gallery, Waterton, AB
2013 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
2012 – “Gallery Artists”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
2012 – “Gallery Artists”, Gust Gallery, Waterton, AB
2012 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
10/21/2012 – Juried Exhibition: Calyx Distinctive Arts – Calgary, AB
09/16-17/2012 – Studio Exhibition – ArtWalk 2012 @ Art4Five, Calgary, AB
08/29/2012-10/30/2012 – Juried Exhibition: Alberta Society of Artists “Artist’s Choice” – Lougheed House, Calgary, AB
04/21/2012-05/08/2012 – Solo Exhibition: “CounterPoint” – Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
03/07/2012-04/22/2012 – Juried Exhibition: Alberta Society of Artists “New Members, New Works” – Lougheed House, Calgary, AB
2011 – “Gallery Artists”, Willock & Sax Gallery, Banff, AB
2011 – “Gallery Artists”, Gust Gallery, Waterton, AB
2011 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
11/24/2011-12/15/2011 – Group Exhibition: “25th Anniversary Exhibition” – Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
09/17-18/2011 – Studio Exhibition – ArtWalk 2011 @ Art4Five, Calgary, AB
09/01/2011-10/30/2011 – Juried Exhibition: Alberta Society of Artists “Artist’s Choice – Celebrating 80 Years” – Lougheed House, Calgary, AB
07/29/2011-08/10/2011 – Group Exhibition: “Celebrating Alberta’s Landscape” – Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
06/15-26/2011 – Juried National Exhibition: Society of Canadian Artists 43rd Open national Juried Exhibition – Todmorden Mills, Papermill Gallery, Toronto, ON
06/09-07/22, 2011 – Juried National Exhibition: “WaterWorks 2011”, The CSPWC Members’ Show – Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, Brockville, ON
06/8-19/2011 – Juried Exhibition: “Arts Without Borders”, Lloydminster, AB/SK
04/30/2011 – Juried Exhibition: Calyx Distinctive Arts – Calgary, AB
02/2011 – Group Exhibition: “Amore” – Avens Gallery, Canmore, AB
01/04/2011-02/08/2011 – Group Exhibition: “Winter Selections” – Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
2010 – “Gallery Artists”, Gust Gallery, Waterton, AB
2010 – “Gallery Artists”, Scott Gallery, Edmonton, AB
11/20/2010-01/10/2011 – Juried Exhibition: “Small Treasures” – Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB
11/06/2010 – Juried Exhibition: Calyx Distinctive Arts – Edmonton, AB
10/26-11/26, 2010 – Juried International Exhibition: “Open Water 2010”, the 85th Annual International Open Juried Exhibition of the CSPWC – John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, ON
10/24/2010 – Juried Exhibition: Calyx Distinctive Arts – Calgary, AB
09/18-11/16, 2010 – Juried Exhibition: “Abundant Alberta” – Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB
07/27-09/11, 2010 – Juried National Exhibition: “Canadian Landscape Juried Exhibition” – Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden, ON
07/9-18/2010 – Juried Exhibition: “Western Art Gallery”, Calgary Exhibition & Stampede, Calgary, AB
06/10-13/2010 – Juried Exhibition: “Arts Without Borders”, Lloydminster, AB/SK
04/2010 – Juried Exhibition: Calyx Distinctive Arts – Calgary, AB
04/2010 – Solo Exhibition: “Redux” – Art Loop Gallery, Calgary, AB
01/2010 – 11/2010 – Ongoing Solo Public Studio Exhibitions: Art Central, Calgary, AB
12/2009 – Solo Exhibition: “Diminutive Majesty” – Art Loop Gallery, Calgary, AB
10/2009 – Juried Exhibition: Calyx Distinctive Arts – Calgary, AB
09/2009-11/2009 – Solo Exhibition: “2009 Works” – Art Loop Gallery, Calgary, AB
06/2009-08/2009 – Solo Exhibition: “Alberta Prairie” – Art Loop Gallery, Calgary, AB
03/2009-05/2009 – Solo Exhibition: “Bow Valley” – Art Loop Gallery, Calgary, AB
01/2009-02/2009 – Solo Exhibition: “Homage” – Art Loop Gallery, Calgary, AB
Awards:
2015 – Award Of Merit: “Gentle Motion” – 47th Open national Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, Calgary, AB
2011 – 3rd Place Landscape: “Mountain Meadow Thaw” – Arts Without Borders, Lloydminster, AB/SK
2010 – Dorothy J Corson Award: “Rocky Flow” – Open Water 2010, Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolor, Toronto, ON
2010 – Best Landscape: “Weird Rock Beach” – Arts Without Borders, Lloydminster, AB/SK
Public Collections:
Diploma Collection – Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolor, Toronto, ON
Articles/Publications:
April 2012 – The Edmonton Journal, “Father, son share love of watercolour”
June 2011 – The Strathmore Standard, “Local Artist Receives National Recognition”
January 2011 – The Edmonton Journal, “Edmonton’s Scott Gallery Adds Joel Sinclair To their Roster”
Memberships/Affiliations:
Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour: Elected Member
Society of Canadian Artists: Elected Member
Alberta Society of Artists: Juried Member
CARFAC Alberta
Leighton Arts Centre
Education:
2009 – David McEown – Arbutus Ridge – Watercolour Workshop
2009 – Robert Sinclair – A Visual Haiku – Watercolour/Drawing Workshop
1992-96 – Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) – Visual Communications Major
Professional Positions:
2015-2017 – Membership Chair, Board – Alberta Society of Artists
2013-2015 – Technology Chair, Board – Alberta Society of Artists
2007-present – Owner, Tangerine Leaf Inc.
1996-2008 – Senior/Lead Designer and Owner, Media Dog Productions Inc.
1996 – In-house Illustrator, Gravitec Systems Inc.
Teaching Positions:
2011 – Plein Air Watercolour Workshop – Leighton Arts Centre
1998 – Multimedia and Web Site Design – Alberta College of Art and Design