James Picard
James Picard is a Canadian artist, teacher and humanitarian, born January 25, 1964 in Burlington, Ontario. He is known for his diversity in styles and mediums in painting and sculpture; and for being extremely prolific.
In 1988 Picard moved his young family from Toronto to Vancouver, British Columbia where he raised his two children, Rachael and Simon Picard, while continuing to paint and sculpt. Since 1995, he has taught at numerous post-secondary institutions in the greater Vancouver region. He is recognized for his inspirational teaching. Throughout his adult life, Picard has been ACTIVE in humanitarian work in his local community and in New York City.
Art
Picard knew from a young age that he would be an artist. As a youth, he taught himself to paint and he read extensively AbOUT art and artists. He names Francis BaCon, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt and Monet as influences. Picard studied at Sheridan College and the Ontario College of Art. He worked with several artists: Cuban watercolourist Ramon Amor, Canadian sculptor Thaddaeus Szpelowitz, Canadian painters William Ronald and Harold Town. Harold Town stated in a written note that Picard's talent "is rare in the art world". Town had a strong influence on Picard's focus. He advised Picard to remain true to his talent and to work on his art every day.
Picard's philosophy is based on following one's own creative urge. He firmly rejects producing art solely for the demands of the market and has spoken out to artists to avoid doing so. His own work defies identification as one style and ranges expressionism through traditional realism.
Picard works and teaches in his studio in the Commercial Drive area of Vancouver. He is a master in oils, acrylics, watercolour, and inks. His images are primarily representational and include portraits, figures, landscapes, and classical scenes. His sculptural mediums include clay, metal and wood.
He has completed numerous commissioned portraits. As a young man, Picard worked as a roadie for rock bands including the Ramones and The Rolling Stones. This work was the start of Picard's ongoing affiliation with entertainment celebrities, many of whom have commissioned portraits.
Picard's paintings and sculptures are in numerous international private and public collections including the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Art Gallery, Toronto Public Library and New York Public Library. He has exhibited in regional, national and international exhibits in Vancouver, New York, London and Paris.
Teaching
Picard teaches drawing, painting and sculpture in Vancouver at various post-secondary and community locations including Emily Carr University of Art and Design, North Vancouver Neighbourhood House and Picard Studios. He has arranged student shows to give students an opportunity to show their work. He is known for his inspirational teaching that focuses on The creative process. In 1998, Picard setup the first sculpture class for visually impaired students in the Vancouver area. He taught students in Harlem, New York City for three summers from 1996 to 1999.
Humanitarian Activities
Picard is known in his community for generosity with his time and his talent including the following significant contributions:
- He organized regular fundraising events, since 1995, to provide art supplies to British Columbia's Children's Hospital.
- Since 2006, he taught painting to kids with cancer at the annual Camp GoodTimes summer camp organized by the Canadian Cancer Society
- He worked with children, in 2006, to create art work for the Vancouver Compassion with Youth event, for His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. Picard received a letter of commendation and was invited to have tea with the Dalai Lama, along with other volunteers, in recognition for the work he did.
- He travelled to New York, in 2001, to assist in helping children of the victims in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Along with fellow volunteers, Picard was commended by former Mayor Rudolph Guliani in a ceremony.
Selected Achievements & Events
- 2008 Lonsdale Quay Gallery - James Picard and Students
- 2007 (Annually since 2002) International Summer Centre of the Arts, Vancouver, British Columbia
- 2007 Canadian Artist Series Stamp, Canada Post
- 2007 Outstanding Instructor Award, 10 Years of Teaching, Vancouver School Board
- 2006 July / August Blank Canvas Collaboration, Seymor Art Gallery
- 2005, April CBC TV B|Connected
- 2004 Live painting with the Edmonton Symphony, Symphonia Masonica Composer George Blondheim
- 2004 - Ayden Gallery, Vancouver, solo show with over 100 pieces of work
- 2004, CTV Television interview on the Vicki Gabereau Show, February 11.
- 2004 Art on Paper Fair, Royal College of Art, London
- 2003 Invited to Rideau Hall to meet Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
- 2003 - Pier 92, New York
- 2003 Gallery 1529 James Picard Watercolours Solo Exhibit
- 2002 New York City Art Fair
- 2002 Off the Canvas - documentary film by Chris Hooper, Trifecta Media shown on Bravo
- (since 1996) New York School of Art, Drawing/Sculpting, Brooklyn, Sag Harbour, Long Island, NY
- 1998 Clay Sculpture for the Visually Impaired
- 1998 Artist in Residence New York School of Art
- 1998, CTV Television interview, Vicki Gabereau Show, MAY.
- 1997 Octavia Gallery Vancouver, Solo Exhibit
- 1996 Top ten finish, New York Artists' Guild Sculpture Competition
- 1996 Volunteer Vancouver Recognition Award
- 1994 Top ten finish, Philadelphia Sculpture Competition
- Artist to Stop AIDS
- AIDS: A Struggle for Awareness show, proceeds donated to AIDS Vancouver
- 1987 New York International Art Competition, Outstanding Achievement Award