T
his section featuring other artists I have come to know personally, is
a testimony to my reverence for their dedication and commitment as fine
artists of the 21st century. I feel that it is important
to acknowledge the people that
have influenced, shaped and inspired my own journey as an artist which will always be a perpetual
search for truth. It is to them I give thanks for lending me their spirit, vision and encouragement.
Christopher Walker
Gerrit V.L.Verstraete
AOCA, BFA
"The View" cat.no.790 22" x 30" graphite on paper 2006
G
errit was born in 1945. He has been a professional artist for over 40 years. He began his fine art studies as a child in
the Netherlands, his country of birth. At age five, he was introduced to formal art lessons by renowned Dutch artist,
Stien Eelsingh (1903-1964), co-founder of the arts group Het Palet at the Hopmanshuis in the medieval city of Zwolle.
In 1958, the Verstraete family moved to Canada. After completing highschool in 1964, he enrolled at the Ontario College of
Art & Design in Toronto. He graduated with honours in 1968, and is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (AOCA).
In 2001, he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) from the British Columbia Open University. In 1968, he founded
and owned a design studio that soon grew into a nationally accredited advertising agency. His creativity appeared in print,
on billboards, radio, television, in corporate design and ‘business theatre’. His work included many creative projects in the
world of performing arts with some of Canada's leading dance and theatre companies. Fine art, however, especially fine art
drawing, have remained a preferred passion for as long as he can remember, and many are the sketchbooks to chronicle the
journey. In 1982, he founded the Christian Communications Centre whose work included teaching, conference management and
publishing. In 1993, he moved his family to Gabriola Island, British Columbia, where he spends full time drawing in his
studio. He is a recognized master in the fine art of silverpoint drawing and an acclaimed figurative artist.
Gerrit Verstraete is the founder of the Drawing Society of Canada and its online “Gallery of Canadian Drawing Masters,”
as well as the Canadian Academy of Drawing. He is a consulting member and distance studies faculty member of the
European Academy for Culture and Arts in the Netherlands.
D
orian was born and raised in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and has been involved in art since early childhood.
The subject matter of small boats and water found its way into his work in 1989 and has figured in much of his output since then.
Since his first part-time job in High School, Dorian has been involved in many aspects of the graphic arts; from making
"No smoking" signs on a movable-type flatbed press, silkscreening everything from candles to t-shirts to election signs,
etching art brass wall hangings and furniture parts, producing graphics for Vancouver CBC Television News, to producing various media for the Web.
As a Fine Artist, Dorian enjoys working in both traditional
and digital media, and continues to pursue his continually evolving personal muse while
juggling work as a freelance graphic artist and illustrator.
T
his section featuring other artists I have come to know personally, is
a testimony to my reverence for their dedication and commitment as fine
artists of the 21st century. I feel that it is important
to acknowledge the people that
have influenced, shaped and inspired my own journey as an artist which will always be a perpetual
search for truth. It is to them I give thanks for lending me their spirit, vision and encouragement.
G
errit was born in 1945. He has been a professional artist for over 40 years. He began his fine art studies as a child in
the Netherlands, his country of birth. At age five, he was introduced to formal art lessons by renowned Dutch artist,
Stien Eelsingh (1903-1964), co-founder of the arts group Het Palet at the Hopmanshuis in the medieval city of Zwolle.
In 1958, the Verstraete family moved to Canada. After completing highschool in 1964, he enrolled at the Ontario College of
Art & Design in Toronto. He graduated with honours in 1968, and is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (AOCA).
In 2001, he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) from the British Columbia Open University. In 1968, he founded
and owned a design studio that soon grew into a nationally accredited advertising agency. His creativity appeared in print,
on billboards, radio, television, in corporate design and ‘business theatre’. His work included many creative projects in the
world of performing arts with some of Canada's leading dance and theatre companies. Fine art, however, especially fine art
drawing, have remained a preferred passion for as long as he can remember, and many are the sketchbooks to chronicle the
journey. In 1982, he founded the Christian Communications Centre whose work included teaching, conference management and
publishing. In 1993, he moved his family to Gabriola Island, British Columbia, where he spends full time drawing in his
studio. He is a recognized master in the fine art of silverpoint drawing and an acclaimed figurative artist.
Gerrit Verstraete is the founder of the Drawing Society of Canada and its online “Gallery of Canadian Drawing Masters,”
as well as the Canadian Academy of Drawing. He is a consulting member and distance studies faculty member of the
European Academy for Culture and Arts in the Netherlands.
D
orian was born and raised in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and has been involved in art since early childhood.
The subject matter of small boats and water found its way into his work in 1989 and has figured in much of his output since then.
