About The Artist
Biography - About Karole Marois
Karole Marois is a visual artist based in Prince Edward County Ontario. Born in the francophone east side of Ottawa and raised by a working single mother, Karole discovered early in life her passion for the arts as a means of connecting with others. A graduate from the Fine Arts program at the Ontario College of Art and Design, she also holds a diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence Italy, as well as a Computer Animation diploma from Sheridan College.
Karole is a figurative artist. Her large format water based paintings focus primarily on the human figure and nature to address universal themes.
Her interest in painting people in different environments led her to voluntarily participate in the Canadian Forces Artist Program Residency (CFAP) in 2005. She was sent to the Netherlands and given the opportunity to observe up close, the training of the Canadian soldiers during the commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland. Her large multi panel painting based on this experience, “The Parade”, has been purchased by the Canadian War Museum for its national collection. An even larger installation of 65 panels, “Together Side by Side” has been acquired by the city of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, where it remains permanently displayed in the City Hall.
Karole’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums across Canada, the US and Europe and can be found in private and public collections. Alongside the creation of her personal work, she paints commissions of portraits and murals for the private and public sectors.
Her work has been generously supported by private donors, the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Artist Statement - About the Artwork
I always felt a need to record my thoughts and feelings in an artistic language, in order to better understand my surroundings and communicate to others what was important to me.
Painting fulfills this need, and adds a sensuous element that is fundamental in my work. I use local subject matter to explore universal themes such as solitude and togetherness, loss and preservation, conflict and peace.
Primarily a painter of people, I am fascinated by the human figure’s ability to connect with the viewer. Having studied art in Florence Italy at an young age, I am still influenced by the painters of the Renaissance when it comes to using subtle gesture to convey emotion.
By combining the real and the imagined, I carefully compose series of painting with emphasis on balance, flow and mood. Once I start to paint, I work quickly and intuitively. Recently, I have been experimenting with more transparent and fluid acrylics to expose the drawing underneath. At the same time, I am playing with the idea of blending intense detail with unfinished areas in the painting.
Since moving my home and studio to the shores of Lake Ontario on the island of Prince Edward County, I have been captivated by the people, the land and the water. My current body of work expresses my love for this new environment, and addresses the question of protecting a way of life that is quickly disappearing.
CV (Résumé)
Karole Marois (AOCA)
241 Prinyers Cove Crescent, Picton, Ontario, Canada K0K 2T0
karolem.artist@gmail.com www.karolem.com 613-223-3549
Solo Exhibitions
| 2011 | Together Side by Side, City Hall (Apeldoorn, The Netherlands) | public space, invitation |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Odawa Native Friendship Centre (Ottawa Canada) | public space, invitation |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Cartier Square Drill Hall (Ottawa Canada) | public space, invitation |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Perley-Rideau Veteran Home (Ottawa Canada) | public space, invitation |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Denison Armoury (Toronto,ON) | public space, invitation |
| 2003 | L’Appel du large, Galerie de la Maison de l’Île (Hawkesbury ON) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 2002 | Colourful People, Karsh-Masson Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 2001 | Quatre saisons, Galerie Eugène-Racette, MIFO (Ottawa Canada) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1999 | A votre Santé, Théâtre de l’Île (Hull QC) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1996 | Musicality, A Source of Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1994 | Musicality, La Galeruche (Timmins ON) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1994 | Looking for Blue Skies, A Source of Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | artist co-op gallery, jury selection |
| 1994 | Diversity, Regional Art Gallery-CRAG (Cornwall ON) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1993 | Diversity, Regional Art Gallery-CRAG (Cornwall ON) | artist co-op gallery, jury selection |
| 1983 | New Work, Nicholas Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 1981 | The Umbrella Women, Nicholas Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
Joint Exhibitions
| 2006 | Double Vision, with René Price, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery Cornwall, ON) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 2001 | Quatre saisons, with Serge Duguay, Écomusée (Hull QC) | public gallery, jury selection |
Travelling Exhibitions
| 2009-12 | A Brush with War: Military Art from Korea to Afghanistan - Canadian War Museum (travelling exhibition across Canada) | public galleries & museums, jury selection |
| 1991-93 | Images of American Immigration, US Dept of Justice & Immigration (travelling exhibition from Washington DC to Los Angeles CA) | public galleries, competition |
Group Exhibitions
| 2015 | Prince Edward County Arts Trail (Picton Ontario) | jury selection |
| 2015 | Prince Edward County Studio Tour (Picton Ontario) | jury selection |
| 2015 | Art in the County (Picton Ontario) | jury selection |
| 2014 | Art in the County (Picton Ontario) | jury selection |
| 2014 | Back Alleys of Ottawa II, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 2012 | RUN, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 2011 | Great Big Smalls, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 2011 | Back Alleys and Lanes of Ottawa, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 2010 | Points of View, Champlain Lookout, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 2009 | The Canadian Portrait, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | commercial gallery |
| 2006 | Canadian Forces Artist Program (CFAP), Aviation Museum (Shearwater, NS) | museum, jury selection |
| 2005 | Boots on the Ground, Canadian Embassy (Washington, DC) | Embassy gallery, jury selection |
| 2004 | Arte para todos, Hotel Plaza del General (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) | jury selection |
| 2001 | Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (Toronto ON) | jury selection |
| 2000 | Of Nature, Agora Gallery (New York, NY) | commercial gallery |
| 2000 | Engouements, Théâtre de la Nouvelle-Scène (Ottawa Canada) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1998 | Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa Canada) | national museum, jury selection |
| 1996 | Int’l Day/Elimination of Racial Discrimination, SAW Gallery (Ottawa Canada) | public gallery, jury selection |
| 1992 | Blizzart, Regional Gallery of Ottawa Carleton (Ottawa Canada) | public gallery, jury selection |
Artist Residencies
| 2005 | Canadian Forces Artist Program, (Netherlands) |
Grants
| 2012 | Visual Arts/Mid-Career, Ontario Arts Council |
| 2011 | IPEP, Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture |
| 2011 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 2010 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 2009 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 2003 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 2002 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 2001 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 1996 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 1994 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
| 1993 | Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council |
Professional Art Activities
| 2010 | Independent project, research & creation (Florence, Italy) |
| 2005 | Independent project, research & creation (Gandia, Spain) |
| 2004 | Murals, “Arte Para Todos” event, United Nations Development Program, (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) |
| 2003 | Independent project, research & creation (St.Vincent & the Grenadines) |
| 2002 | Independent project, research & creation (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico) |
| 1996 | Independent project, research & creation (Antibes, France) |
| 1994-95 | Independent project, research & creation (Fréjus, France) |
| 1992 | Courtroom Artist, Supreme Court of Canada (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1991-present | Commissions of public art, private & public |
| 1987-89 | Computer Graphic artist for Canvas Digital Art Inc. (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1985-86 | Portrait Painting teacher, Continuing Education, Algonquin College (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1984 | Portraitist, Tin House Courtyard (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1977-78 | Portraitist, Uffizi Galleries (Florence, Italy) |
Professional Associations
| Prince Edward County Art Council (PECAC) |
| Prince Edward County Studio Tour |
| Canadian Artists Representation/Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) |
| Canadian Copyright Collective (CARCC) |
| Mural Routes |
Education
| 1987-88 | Computer Animation Diploma, Sheridan College (Oakville, ON) |
| 1979-80 | Concentration Painting, Accademia di Belle Arti (Florence, Italy) |
| 1977-78 | Off-campus Program, Ontario College of Art & Design (Florence, Italy) |
| 1975-79 | AOCAD (Associate of the Ontario College of Art) Diploma, Fine Arts, Ontario College of Art & Design (Toronto ON) |
Collections
| City of Apeldoorn (Apeldoorn, the Netherlands) |
| Canadian War Museum (Ottawa Canada) |
| Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa Canada) |
| High Commission of South Africa (Ottawa Canada) |
| Musée du Royal 22e Régiment/La Citadelle (Québec QC) |
| The Military Museums (Calgary AB) |
| City of Pembroke (Pembroke, ON) |
| Publi-Art Vanier, (Ottawa Canada) |
Public Art/Murals
| Date | Client | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Chinatown BIA (City of Ottawa) | The Ottawa Marathon | Mural, 40 x 12 ft |
| 2009 | Parks Canada | Fort Wellington | Figure displays on wood & illustration |
| 2009 | Joe Cotroneo | Tuscany Mural | “Trompe l’oeil” on garage, ‘8 x 20 ft |
| 1994 to 2013 | Pub Italia (Ottawa CA) | Acrylic murals, interior & exterior | |
| 2002 to 2009 | Little Italy BIA (Ottawa CA) | Corso Italia | Heritage mural – 300 x 20 ft – 2 walls |
| 2008 | City of Pembroke (ON) | The Pioneers of Pembroke | Heritage mural, 88 x 12 ft |
| 2007 | City of Pembroke (ON) | A Century of Service | Heritage mural, 16 x 20 ft |
| 2007 | Parks Canada | Capture of Fort Michilimakinac | Historical mural, 10 x 10 ft |
| 2007 | Cndn Museum of Civilization | Cod Fisheries – Canada Hall | Murals painted on location |
| 2006 | City of Vanier (ON) | CSCVanier | Mural, 18 x 37 ft |
| 2006 | Parks Canada | The Battle of Ogdensburg | Historical mural, 7 x 10 ft |
| 2005 | Library & Archives Canada | WW2 Canadian Stories | Figure displays on wood |
| 2004 | Résidence Lafontaine (Ottawa CA) | Caribbean | “Trompe l’oeil” mural- 7 x 16 ft |
| 2004 | UNDP (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) | Esperanza & El piloto | Exterior murals -12 x 24 ft, 12 x 12 ft |
| 2001 | Natl Pk of Magdalen Islands (QC) | Erosion | Mural, 8 x 20 ft - Illustrations |
| 2000 | Marriott Hotel (Ottawa CA) | Orca | Mural – 10 x 19 ft |
| 2000 | Canada Aviation & Space Museum | Aviation Re-invented | Mural Panel – 12 x 5 ft |
| 2000 | City of Vanier (ON) | History of Wine, LCBO | Mural on banners - 12 x 14 ft |
| 2000 | City of Vanier (ON) | The Tramway | Mural - 7 x 26 ft |
| 2000 | City of Vanier (ON) | Durocher General Store | 2 murals |
| 1999 | Parks Canada | Fort Wellington | Historical Mural -8 x 14 ft |
| 1999 | City of Kenora (ON) | Girl Guides of Canada | Mural - 14 x 37 ft |
| 1999 | City of Pembroke (ON) | The Grocer | Mural - 10 x 14 ft |
| 1999 | City of Vanier (ON) | El Meson | “Trompe l’oeil” mural - 18 x 26 ft |
| 1998 | Cndn Museum of Civilization | Folk Art Exhibit | Illustrations |
| 1998 | Parks Canada | Fort Malden | Historical Murals -7 x 14 ft, 7 x 12 ft |
| 1998 | Canadian Museum of Nature | Pink Lake | Mural - 8 x 8 ft |
| 1998 | Cndn Museum of Civilization | Boat-People No Longer | Mural exhibits |
| 1997 | Canada Aviation & Space Museum | The Avro Arrow & High Flyers | Mural - 24 x 83 ft & “Trompe-l’oeil” murals |
| 1997 | Cndn Museum of Civilization | Dressing-Up Canada | Mural exhibits |
| 1996 | Parks Canada | Fort St.-Joseph | 8 life-size figures on wood |
| 1995 | Parks Canada | Smiths Falls Museum (ON) | Figures on Wood – 8 x 20 ft |
| 1995 | City of Pembroke (ON) | The Steamboat | 3-wall Heritage mural - 15 x 72 ft |
| 1994 | Parks Canada | Bellevue House (Kingston ON) | Murals - 10 x 30 ft |
| 1994 | City of Cornwall (ON) | Old Town Hall 1910 | Heritage mural - 20 x 40 ft |
| 1992 | Parks Canada | Fort Malden | Life-size figures on wood display |
| 1991 | Canada Science & Tech. Museum | Potato Exhibit | Jukebox on wood |
| 1991 | St-Lawrence Islands Natl Pk, (ON) | Gunboat, War of 1812 | “Trompe-l’oeil” mural - 9 x 18 ft |
| 1990 | Point Pelee National Park (ON) | Migration of Birds | 4 panel mural - 5 x 10 ft ea |
| 1987 | City of Gloucester (ON) | Fantasea Wave Pool | 19 life-size figures in mura |
| 1984 | Memories Café (Ottawa CA) | The Roaring 20s | Mural – 8 x 20 ft |
Articles
Click on photos to read articles
County & Quinte Living Magazine
Cover photo – Autumn 2015
Article on pages 21-29
Picton
Gazette
Sept 11 2014 Edition
Article on page 13
