Bernadette Mertens-McAllister
biographyBernadette Mertens-McAllister, born in Switzerland of Belgian parents, always had two loves: art and nature. In Brussels she obtained a Diploma of Applied Art for Photography. In California, she studied large format black & white photography with well-known artists. She was introduced to Ansel Adams and the Sierra Group f/64.
As a young woman, Bernadette traveled to Afghanistan and Central America. In 1970, her first experience of Canada was a journey in the High Arctic using her camera to capture the beauty of the country and its people. Mertens-McAllister received a classical education that was infused with, and informed by, both modern and contemporary art. Remaining open to new techniques to enhance her art, she broadened her original use of photography to include her new found love of painting. Her multimedia body of work adding acrylic paints to collaged photos, has become one of the key areas of her ever expanding vision as an artist. After many years ranching in the remote interior of BC, she moved to Salt Spring Island with her husband in 2012. She became involved with both the Painters Guild and the Photography Club. For her it was, and remains, a pleasure to volunteer her time and share her experiences in the company of other artists. Mertens-McAllister has had solo shows at the Public Art Gallery in Kamloops and the Museo Costumbrista del Estado de Sonora in Alamos, Mexico. She received honourable mention in the 20/20 exhibit at ArtSpring in 2015. where to see or read moreshows: Bernadette exhibits locally with both the SSI Painters Guild and with the Photography Club.
She will be exhibiting 'The Day of the Dead' at the SSI Library in November 2016, solo show. web: to follow contact the artistaddress: SSI., V8K 2C3
phone: 250.537.9225 email: bearmmc@gmail.com |
artist statementColourful, happy, intriguing, surprising, inviting and definitely NOT a decoration. Making art for me is allowing my “Child Self” to emerge. |
