Aug
31
by Anne Hansen
It's no surprise that Avril Nolan is an artist. Her grandmother was an actress, her mother an artist and musician, and her son and grandson play musical instruments. This will be Avril's third time participating in the James Bay Art Walk.
Avril creates images from her Metis ancestry. She derives her greatest inspiration from powwows, nature, poetry, and music. As a child, she loved drawing and colouring flowers and trees.
One thing that Avril most enjoys about art is, "the feeling of complete freedom to express my heart and soul and be intensely alive. It is a spiritual process for me." Besides using paint and canvas, she employs natural material such as branches, leaves, and feathers in her work.
At times, artist's find that the passion for their calling can come into conflict with their obligations to friends and family. For Avril, this is a difficult dilemma, as her children and grandson are equally important parts of her life. They live in Vancouver, where she frequently visits.
Painters often thrive on other art forms, and Avril is no exception. Does she listen to music while making art? "Yes always!" she says. Her music choices embrace Robbie Robertson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Buena Vista Social Club, Gypsy Kings, Santana, and flamenco music. When not painting or making collages, Avril loves to dance, and to read and write poetry. Her visual influences are Frida Kahlo, Jane Ashe Poitras, Gerry Whitehead, and George Littlechild.
Avril believes that artists should paint only for themselves. "Do what you are truly passionate about and you will find an audience," she advises. "To promote your work, get your work out there. Restaurants are a good way to start, and of course do the James Bay Art Walk."
See Avril Nolan's work at Serious Coffee, at 103-225 Menzies Street, on the James Bay Art Walk (Sept 11 & 12th) and throughout September.