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Corynne Taillefer was born in Prince George and grew up in Vancouver. She was introduced to drawing and painting at a very early age by her mother who is an artist. Corynne is predominantly self-taught and works mainly in watercolour. Her latest compositions focus on portraits of animals. Treating the animals almost like people, the work shows the subjects as alive, intelligent and full of emotion.

  1. When did you get started as an artist?

I lifted my first paintbrush at the age of one and a half.  My mother and my grandmother were both artists and I gained my interest in art through them.  I myself, am not formally trained and until now the paintings I have done have been for my own enjoyment.  I have only recently decided to start showing my work in public.

2. What drew you to your art form? 

I enjoy the process of creating images.

3. Do you feel like your work represents something about you?

Yes, I have been told I am very methodical.  Watercolour painting requires a lot of planning, so it fits my personality.

4. How do you make your work? Do you have any special techniques or tricks?

I use multiple translucent washes of watercolour paint to create forms and depth of colour. Finally, I use a dry brush or coloured pencil for added texture. A trick for more realistic shadows is to avoid using black. Shadows created by blending complementary colours, ie. yellow-green and deep blue-violet look more natural.

5. Has your work changed over time?

When I was seven I was obsessed with drawing ballet dancers, now my work focuses on capturing the character of birds and animals.

6. Who inspires you? What are other artists that you think are doing great work today?

Serbian watercolour artist Endre Penovac. His ability to control paint is amazing. Also, Canadian photographer Ed Burtynsky.

7. What advice would you give a young person who wants to make a career as an artist? 

Art is subjective, not everyone is going to like what you produce. Don’t take it personally but at the same time, learn to listen to constructive criticism and have a critical eye; it only makes your work stronger.

8. What is something that makes you laugh? (This is our year of humour!)

CBC’s The Debaters


You can purchase her work at our Positively Petite: Annual Miniature Exhibition and our Christmas Boutique, running from November 15 – December 19, 2019.

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