Artist's
Profile

Art has been a lifelong passion, ignited in childhood but truly sparked by a pivotal encouragement from a high school art teacher -- to undertake what became a transformative year in a Fine Art and Graphic Design program, marking the beginning of my artistic journey. During that year, I explored a diverse range of artistic mediums, discovering a particular affinity for the problem-solving nature of graphic design.

For many years, I thrived as a graphic designer, working for both small businesses and large corporations like Corel and AMEX Technologies, as well as running my own design company WebView Designs Inc. My work encompassed a broad spectrum of projects, from advertising and corporate branding to marketing materials and print media as well as creating my own line of children’s clothing. Embracing the digital revolution, I quickly mastered computer-aided design and then expanded my expertise into website design and Adobe Flash web design, development and animation for Government of Canada e-learning courses.

Sylvia McConnell painting in her office
Sylvia McConnell painting in her office

Following my retirement from the dynamic realm of digital design, I rediscovered my passion for fine art in 2014. This reconnection with my original passion has proven profoundly fulfilling. I now find immense joy in the creative process, focusing on capturing the essence of my subjects and conveying my emotional connection to them on canvas. The freedom of creating for myself is particularly rewarding, especially when depicting the natural beauty of our world. I am continually captivated by the intelligence that shines through an animal's eyes.

My primary medium is watercolour, where I revel in building depth and intrigue through delicate, transparent layers. However, I also explore the rich, ethereal qualities of pastels, and more recently, the expressive power of oils.

Each medium presents unique challenges and opportunities, ultimately allowing me to choose the perfect voice for my subject.