“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way - things I had no words for.
”
Royal Canadian Mint Commission
In 2016, Gauvin`s talent has landed on the Canadian coins. She has had the privilege of being commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to illustrate a series of four images representing The Canadian Landscape Series. Gauvin was approached by the Mint because her work stood out as a good fit for the project.
"We knew that Gauvin specializes in the type of landscape artwork that we were looking for to feature on our numismatic coloured collection." said Christine Aquino, director of communications at the Mint "And we are always looking to work with new artists, so it was a good fit".
Biography
Stéphanie was born in Québec, Canada and from an early age, demonstrated a keen interest in illustration, encouraged by her family and teachers. She earned a Fine Arts degree in 1989, after which, the mountains of Canada`s west coast called her adventurous spirit. Being an avid skier, she settled into the quaint mountain town of Rossland B.C. and started a family.
Focusing on acrylic painting, this energetic woman`s work is indicative of her love for the outdoors. Gauvin`s bold use of composition, exciting choice of color, and warm tones mark her self taught style.
A Signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA), she has been painting professionally for 14 years.
Stephanie operates her own commercial Gallery space in Rossland BC and is now represented in galleries across Canada.
Artist Statement
My work is my play; my ego made visible.
As I view the world with a child`s eye, paint is the chosen medium of my expression and feeds my spirit with a sense of accomplishment and integrity. My goal is to translate the excitement I feel about life, into a tangible visual art piece.
Either working from photographs in my studio or painting out in nature, I illuminate the scenes with a bold exciting palette. I Strive for spontaneity in my brush strokes, skilled gradations and color vibration, looking to spark a feeling rather than perfection in the details. When a piece is evolving well, I feel a sense of giddiness, as if my brush is a magic wand...it`s pure delight!
Learning, evolving and channeling my love for painting for the last 13 years, I regularly attend workshops lead by prominent, inspiring artists and feel greatly energized by the process. I am intuitively following my creative path and have come to realize that it is a lifelong commitment.
Artistic Accreditation
2016 Finalist at the Reves D`Automne Art Festival juried show.
2015 Royal Canadian Mint artist for “The Canadian Landscape” series of four illustrated Silver Coins. 2014 Ducks Unlimited National Portfolio Artist with “ Alpine Meadows”.
2014 Signature Status, accredited AFCA form the Federation of Canadian Artists.
2013 W.K.C.F.C.A.The Sky`s The Limit,“Aha”
2013 F.C.A.Transitions juried show,“Summer Simplicity”.
2013 F.C.A.Landscapes,juriedshow-“LightUpTheRidge”
2012 F.C.A.The Hundred Mile Painting, juried show,“Time Is On My Side”.
2012 F.C.A.Small,Smaller,Smallest,juriedshow,“LittlebyLittle”and”TheChaseIsOn”. 2011 T.N.S.C F.C.A.,Open Show,“HearThe Bells?”
2010 F.C.A. Artvisions, juried show, Gold award finalist,“Gog Lake”.
2010 F.C.A.CapturingtheCanadianSpirit,juriedshow,Finalist,”PondHockey”.
2009 F.C.A. Perspectives, juried show,“Light Shines Through”, Gold award.
Learning Workshops and Events
2017 Maligne Lake, Spirit Island, Alberta artist residency.
2016 Reves d`Automne Art Festival, Baie-St-Paul, Quebec.Juried show finalist.
2015 Paint The Peninsula, juried plein air painting competition and residency. Port Angeles, Washington.
2013 Heli-Painting in the Bugaboos BC, Robert Genn, Sara Genn, Liz Wiltzen.
2012 Landscapes from Plein-air to abstraction, Robert and Sara Genn, Cortes Island,BC 2011 Strenght of Color and Value, Mike Svob, Robson BC
2010 Workshop with Gaye Adams,Warfield BC
2010 Workshop with Liz Wiltzen, Chilliwack, BC
2008 Workshop with Mike Svob,White Rock, BC
2009 The Haven`s Art Retreat on Gabriola Island BC.Instructors; Stephen Quiller, David Langevin, Robert Genn.