Andrea Cole

Andrea lives in the beautiful town of Port Alberni nestled in the centre of  Vancouver Island Canada.

Andrea finds her inspiration in the wilderness and the wild west coast. Her art work is filled with wildlife, the sea and forests. She is currently painting with acrylics on canvas and panels. Plus hand building with clay and painting wooden creatures.

Andrea spent some time at David Thompson University in Nelson 1981-83, studying graphic design and fine art. She worked for a couple years with a construction set design company in Ottawa. There, Andrea painted props for theatre productions and events. In 2007 Andrea spent a year at North Island college learning the basics of computer graphics. 

Andrea also works for local businesses painting seasonal displays and backdrops for community productions. 

Artist Statement:

 As an artist , I look at my paintings as though they are windows, windows into nature and moments in my life. My work is meant to uplift and bring joy. I like to think it might pull someone into a different world and I believe we are never alone. Maybe someone we love who has passed is sending us a bird or beautiful sky to try communicate with us. Maybe the little things in nature that don't seem important are very significant and are trying to tell us something.This is what I'm trying to put across.

I like to put imagery into the skies, mostly sea life which represents the abundant world under the sea. Animals or insects that I've come across and have meaning to me, I like to paint or make in my masks. My goal is to put more of that into my work. If anything, one of my paintings might resonate and have meaning to someone. Bring someone peace.

I'm a mixed media artist but primarily work with acrylics on canvas and panels. I love the brilliance of the colours in nature in the different seasons.The sun shining through leaves and clouds, how it shines around everything. The deep dark colours in the sea and trees. We are immersed in nature no matter how disconnected we get from it, we are apart of it. I strive to bring this to light in my work.

I have a renewed love of clay and I have begun to make masks again along with my wood creatures, mostly chickens. They are like characters in little stories in my head. I like to feel I'm always learning and evolving.