About The Artist
Biography
Karole Marois, originally from Ottawa Canada, is a figurative painter living on the shore of Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County. A Fine Arts graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, she also holds a diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence Italy. Her early exposure to the original artworks of the Renaissance masters significantly influenced the direction of her art.
Karole’s specialty in painting the human figure and her sensitive ability to capture a person’s character allowed her to work as a portraitist, a portrait teacher and a courtroom artist while pursuing a career as a professional artist. For many years, she divided her time between painting large heritage murals for the National Museums and Parks Canada, and exhibiting her own personal artwork in galleries and museums nationally. Her paintings can be found in private and public collections in Canada, the US and Europe. Two of her large multipanel figurative artworks, inspired by an art residency experience with the Canadian Forces Artist Program in 2005, are now in the collections of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and the City Hall of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.
The universal human condition is the fundamental theme in Karole’s work. Combining her passion for depicting the human form and a lifelong love of nature, her contemporary paintings focus on our deep connection with water to express ideas of harmony, togetherness, love and emotional survival.
Karole has received a number of grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts, and continues to display her work in public exhibitions that sometimes combine poetry and painting. She is a long-time member of the Canadian Artists Representation/Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) and a proud member of the the Prince Edward County Arts Council.
Artist Statement
I am a Canadian figurative painter living on the shore of Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County. My work focuses on our profound connection with water to explore ideas of oneness, harmony, togetherness and interconnectedness. Combining my lifelong love of water with my passion for depicting the human form, I paint with acrylics on mostly large wood panels, using a quasi watercolour technique to highlight the water-based characteristic of the medium.
From my early personal journals filled with drawings and poems to my contemporary work, I have always had a deep desire to communicate in a visual language. Connecting with others through art was for me, and still is, about healing. My artistic influences are diverse. They start with my early exposure to the original artworks of the Renaissance masters while studying in Florence Italy. Later on, some of the various creatives who have influenced and inspired me include Käthe Kollwitz, Jean Paul Lemieux, Edward Hopper, Alex Colville, Andrew Wyeth and poet Leonard Cohen. The quiet intensity of their work resonates with me. There are also many contemporary figurative artists I admire very much.
My ongoing journey as an artist has led me to where I am now, surrounded by the beauty and power of water. The ever-changing moods of Lake Ontario are a constant source of inspiration for my work. While I am mesmerized by the sensuous rhythm and flow of the water, I am also attracted to the winter white silence of ice and snow. In my paintings, the notion of interconnectedness is often expressed by using transparency to merge all the different elements. I like that transparency can create a sense of transience and timelessness that engages the viewer’s imagination.
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
| 2022 | Freshwater Reflections/Réflexions sur l'eau douce (with Lindsay Brant poetry) John M. Parrott Art Gallery (Belleville ON) |
| 2021 | When the Ice Breaks/Quand la glace brise, KAROLEM Art Studio (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2020 | For the Love of Water/Pour l'amour de l'eau (with Lindsay Brant poetry), 223 Main St (Picton PEC ON) |
| 2019 | In Osmosis/En osmose (with contemporary poetry), Art Gallery Inside, The Armoury (Picton PEC ON) |
| 2011 | Together Side by Side, City Hall (Apeldoorn, The Netherlands) |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Odawa Native Friendship Centre (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Cartier Square Drill Hall (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2010 | Together Side by Side, Denison Armoury (Toronto ON) |
| 2003 | L’Appel du large, Galerie de la Maison de l’Île (Hawkesbury ON) |
| 2002 | Colourful People, Karsh-Masson Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2001 | Quatre saisons, Galerie Eugène-Racette, MIFO (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1999 | A votre Santé, Théâtre de l’Île (Hull QC) |
| 1996 | Looking for Blue Skies (with classic poetry), A Source of Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1994 | Musicality, A Source of Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1994 | Musicality, La Galeruche (Timmins ON) |
| 1994 | Diversity, Regional Art Gallery-CRAG (Cornwall ON) |
| 1993 | Diversity, Intersection Gallery (Ottawa ON) |
| 1983 | New Work, Nicholas Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1981 | The Umbrella Women, Nicholas Art Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
Joint Exhibitions
| 2006 | Double Vision, with René Price, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery Cornwall ON) |
| 2001 | Quatre saisons, with Serge Duguay, Écomusée (Hull QC) |
Travelling Exhibitions
| 2009-2012 | A Brush with War: Military Art from Korea to Afghanistan - Canadian War Museum (travelling exhibition across Canada) |
| 1991-1993 | Images of American Immigration, US Dept of Justice & Immigration (travelling exhibition from Washington DC to Los Angeles CA) |
Group Exhibitions
| 2021 | Expressions, John M. Parrott Art Gallery (Belleville ON) |
| 2021 | The Healing Power of ART in Honour of Nature, Manhattan Arts International (New York NY) |
| 2020 | Eight Annual Juried Show, The Colborne Art Gallery (Colborne ON) |
| 2020 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2019 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2019 | Artworks 2019 OCAD Alumni Show, Great Hall OCAD University (Toronto ON) |
| 2018 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2017 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2017 | Camp Picton Past & Present, Maison DePoivre (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2016 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2016 | Rue Pigalle, Sybil Frank Gallery (Wellington ON) |
| 2015 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2014 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2014 | Back Alleys of Ottawa II, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2012 | RUN, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2011 | Great Big Smalls, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2011 | Back Alleys and Lanes of Ottawa, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2010 | Points of View, Champlain Lookout, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2009 | The Canadian Portrait, CUBE Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2006 | Canadian Forces Artist Program (CFAP), Aviation Museum (Shearwater NS) |
| 2005 | Boots on the Ground, Canadian Embassy (Washington DC) |
| 2004 | Arte para todos, Hotel Plaza del General (Tegucigalpa Honduras) |
| 2001 | Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (Toronto ON) |
| 2000 | Of Nature, Agora Gallery (New York NY) |
| 2000 | Engouements, Théâtre de la Nouvelle-Scène (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1998 | Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1996 | Int’l Day/Elimination of Racial Discrimination, SAW Gallery (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1992 | Blizzart, Regional Gallery of Ottawa Carleton (Ottawa Canada) |
Artist Residencies
| 2005 | Canadian Forces Artist Program, (Netherlands) |
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, OCAD (Toronto ON) |
Grants & Awards
| 2022 | Prince Edward Arts Council Professional Development |
| 2022 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2021 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2020 | Canada Council for the Arts, Digital Originals |
| 2019 | Ontario Arts Council, Visual Arts (projets francophones) |
| 2019 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2016 | Art in the County (Prince Edward County ON), Jury Prize for Devils Picker, |
| 2012 | Ontario Arts Council, Visual Arts (projets francophones) |
| 2011 | Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, IPEP |
| 2011 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2010 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2009 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2003 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2002 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 2001 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 1996 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 1994 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
| 1993 | Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance |
Collections
| Airborne Museum Hartenstein (Oosterbeek Netherlands) |
| City Hall of Apeldoorn (The Netherlands) |
| Canadian War Museum (Ottawa Canada) |
| Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa Canada) |
| High Commission of South Africa (Ottawa Canada) |
| Musée Royal 22e Régiment/La Citadelle (Québec QC) |
| The Military Museums (Calgary AB) |
| City of Pembroke (Pembroke ON) |
| La Maison de la francophonie d'Ottawa (Ottawa Canada) |
| Publi-Art Vanier, (Ottawa Canada) |
| Royal Lepage (Picton ON) |
Professional Associations
| Canadian Artists Representation/Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) |
| Copyright Visual Arts/ Droits d'auteur Arts visuels (CODA-DAAV) |
| Bureau des regroupements des artistes visuels de l'Ontario (BRAVO) |
| Quinte Arts Council (QAC) |
| Prince Edward County Arts Council (PECAC) |
Professional Art Activities
| 2022-2015 | Participant artist in PEC Studio Tour (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2018-1984 | Commissions of murals, private & public |
| 2015 | Participant artist in PEC Arts Trail (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 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) |
| 1987-88-89 | 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) |
Media
| 2020 Jul 29 | Making Waves, Sharon Harrison, article, The Wellington Times (Wellington ON) |
| 2020 Jul 15 | Well Versed...Art Scene Revival, Sharon Harrison, article, The Wellington Times (Wellington ON) |
| 2019 Jul 11 | In Osmosis, Ramesh Pooran, article, The Wellington Times, (Wellington ON) |
| 2019 Aug 9 | County Radio 993 interview, Artscene, Artist Profile, (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2018 May 19 | La route des arts, interview Radio-Canada.ca |
| 2015 Fall | The Canvas Terroir, Karole Marois' County Portraits, Quinte County Living Magazine, Cover + pp 20 to 29 (Bay of Quinte ON) |
| 2014 Sept 11 | Muralist paints her panels inside a former Camp Picton barracks, Picton Gazette (Prince Edward County ON) |
| 2010 May 7 | Legion Magazine, article, p 22, (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2009 | Livre Couleur et narration, Bureau des regroupements des artistes visuels de l'Ontario, p 72 |
| 2009 | Catalogue Sur le vif; l'art militaire de la Corée à l'Afghanistan, Canadian War Museum, pp 64-65 (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2008 Nov | CBC Arts Online, Susan Noakes, article CBCNews.ca, Canada |
| 2008 Nov | Ottawa Living,Todd Cameron, réalisateur, interview Rogers TV (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2007 Nov | Le Programme d'art des Forces canadiennes, David Akin, interview CTV National News Report (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2002 Nov | Gallery, Angela Cotroneo, article, Ottawa Life Magazine (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2002 Oct | Regional Arts, Jean-François Dufault, réalisateur, interview Rogers TV (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2002 Oct | Paul Gessel, critique, Ottawa Citizen (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2002 Sept | Hommage aux amis peintres, France Pilon, critique, Journal Le Droit (Ottawa Canada) |
| 2000 Oct | Ce soir en couleurs,interview TV Radio-Canada (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1993 April | Le tour des galeries de la Basse-ville,critique, Journal En Direct (Ottawa Canada) |
| 1993 Mar | Local Artist addresses multi-culturalism in exhibit, Rick Sgabellone, critique, The Clarion (Ottawa Canada) |
Articles
Click on photos to read articles
Interviews
Click on links to listen to interviews
County & Quinte Living Magazine
Autumn 2015, pages 21-29
Photo by Daniel Vaughan
Article by Catherine Stutt
Picton Gazette
Sept 11 2014 Edition, page 13
Photo and article by Jason Parks
Radio-Canada.ca
Radio Interview (French), Grands Lacs Café, Route des arts, mai 2018
Sylvie-Anne Jeanson nous présente le parcours de Karole Marois dans le premier d’une série de portraits sur les artistes établis dans ce qu’on appelle « La route des Arts » situé dans le comté de Prince Edward.