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to the Membership Page> CARLA MIEDEMA
1074 Little Pond Road,
P.O. Box 12,
Cloyne, Ont.,
K0H 1K0
tel. (613)336-8860
email: [email protected]
TYPE of ART WORK: Acrylic painting and mixed media on canvas, and
pen & ink drawings on bristol paper and handmade paper.
The mixed media in Carla's paintings on canvas include natural elements
found in nature: grasses, red pine bark, pine needles, cedar, seeds,
lichen, etc. These elements create a sculptural relief effect.
The pen & ink drawings are created with either black or sepia
ink on Bristol, Malasian rice, or Italian Lokta paper. Each of these
papers has a different texture from smooth to very rough. The texture
plays an important part in the presentation of the art work.
CAREER RESUME:
Artist, Carla Miedema, was born in Holland, and after growing up
in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, has spent the last 30 years living
in the Cloyne area, on the edge of the Canadian Shield. Since graduating
from Queen's University with a degree in Fine Art, she has exhibited
both solo and group shows of her work extensively since 1972 in
Kingston, Napanee, Belleville, Cobourg, Kleinburg Art Gallery, Toronto,
Perth, Keswick, Pelham, Fenelon Falls, and Cloyne.
Carla's work is about nature and the land. Bark, pine needles,
lichen, grasses, and other bits of material found in nature become
part of her paintings in acrylic and mixed media on canvas. The
layering and glazing of the paints and other materials reflect the
constant changes and the cycle of life in nature. By allowing different
layers of paint to show through, an extra dimension is achieved.
Her monochromatic pen & ink drawings on handmade paper depict
the delicate beauty of wild foliage. The handmade paper enhances
the drawings and creates an illusion of depth.
Some themes Carla has explored through her paintings and pen &
ink drawings are roadside foliage and mushrooms, reflections, and
the ruggedness of the land. The resilience and sheer exuberance
demonstrated by roadside weeds and wild flowers, living in their
harsh, gravely environment, compelled her to paint brightly coloured
depictions, thus elevating them to a level worthy of praise. Maybe
because of her Dutch background, she has always been drawn to water.
The theme "reflections" in water re-enters her paintings
time and again. These paintings depict the intricate patterns of
foliage and brush, as reflected in bodies of water, in flamboyant
vibrant colours. The rocky, rugged landscape in Mazinaw Country
is prominent in her work.
In her pursuit to create a local awareness of art, Carla initiated
and chaired the Mazinaw Country Studio Tour and the Bon Echo Art
Exhibition & Sale, both in the Cloyne area. Carla is a member
of numerous art organizations, and her work was published in the
Organization of Kingston Women Artists Datebook. Reviews of her
work have appeared in many local newspapers. Her art has received
awards and prizes, which include Don Maddock award and the Presqu'ile
Art Gallery 2nd place prize. Her art work can be found in collections
in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Explore Carla's website: www.carlamiedema.com
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