James Picard
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
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.
In 1988 Picard moved his young family from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, 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
Sheridan College
Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is a diploma and degree granting Canadian polytechnic institute with approximately 15,000 full time students and 35,000 continuing education students...
and the Ontario College of Art. He worked with several artists: Cuban watercolourist Ramon Amor, Canadian sculptor Thaddaeus Szpelowitz, Canadian painters William Ronald
William Ronald
William Ronald, R.C.A. William Ronald, R.C.A. (August 13, 1926 – February 9, 1998) William Ronald, R.C.A. (August 13, 1926 – February 9, 1998) (born William Ronald Smith, was an important Canadian painter, best known as the founder of the influential Canadian abstract art group...
and Harold Town
Harold Town
Harold Town was a Canadian abstract painter. He is best known as a member of Painters Eleven a group of abstract artists active in Toronto from 1954-1960. Town coined the name of the group, which was based simply on the number of artists that were present the first meeting...
. 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
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. 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
Road crew
The road crew are the technicians or support personnel who travel with a band on tour, usually in sleeper buses, and handle every part of the concert productions except actually performing the music with the musicians...
for rock bands including the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
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
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, 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 2006, 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 SocietyCanadian Cancer SocietyThe Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based charitable organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of those living with the disease....
- 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 CenterWorld Trade CenterThe original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
. 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 ArtRoyal College of ArtThe Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, 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 VancouverAIDS VancouverFounded in 1983, AIDS Vancouver is a non-profit and community-based health organization whose mission is to alleviate collective vulnerability to HIV and AIDS through support, public education and community-based research. The organization exists to both ameliorate the life of persons living with...
- 1987 New York International Art Competition, Outstanding Achievement Award