Aug 10

Aug 10 Meet the face of our Fall collection

Meet Ekaterina, Ekaterina is a Montreal based fine artist and is also one of the faces of our August campaign shoot! We loved Kate’s animal paintings so much that we caught up with her after the shoot to hear more about them.

Photo Credit:  Julia Fata — Photo Credit: Julia Fata

We absolutely love your artwork, what inspired you to first start painting?

Thank you so much, I am very happy you enjoy my paintings. I don't remember a specific moment that inspired me to paint but the process of immigration as a child played a big role. As my mother and I moved from country to country it was challenging to adapt to new places and it took time to learn the language. Painting was a way to express myself, to communicate without words, my paintbrush was my universal language.

Animals seem to be your favourite, why did you choose to paint them?

The intention behind painting animals is to reconnect people with nature. We have become so focused on our daily experiences that we’ve forgotten about what lies beyond our urban lifestyles. This has led to a lack of awareness on how our actions affect the environment and wildlife. For this reason, I want to create a collection of Canadian animals. I strive to remind the viewer of their brimming beauty, presence and need for care. Too many animal species in Canada face the risk of extinction. The major alarming factors include the conversion of forests and grasslands to urban and agricultural uses, commercial timber harvesting, hunting, fishing and the pollution of lakes and rivers.

Of all your paintings do you have a favourite, or one that’s particularly special to you?

That is a tough question, it is like asking a mother who is her favourite child! I put my heart and soul into each one of them, therefore it is hard to pick favourites. Of course, I see my technique evolve but it only makes the older paintings more precious.

Photo Credit: Lilya Mincheva — Photo Credit: Lilya Mincheva

Obviously animals are very important to you! You are having another exhibition next spring, tell us more about that!

My next exhibition will be in spring 2018 at an amazing gallery called Never Apart. Never Apart focuses on featuring art that informs and educates people about equality and the environment.

This exhibition will bring Canada’s love of the wildlife back into the hearts of its people. I intend to awaken the audience to the impact they have on animals. Through the connection they feel when they gaze into their eyes, I hope to inspire each person to look deeply into their current practices and question how they affect the environment. With my paintbrushes in hand, I intend to paint colours of awareness and consideration for Canadian wildlife.

We think that’s a really amazing concept, especially coming off of Canada’s 150th birthday. For our last question we were wondering what is some advice you would share with someone, like you, who is chasing their creative dream?

Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, just work hard. First make sure that it is something that you really want as you must fully commit. It has to become your obsession. You will dream about it, think about it, and always talk about it. When I lay down to sleep I see brushstrokes.