Mandy Bing, Artist

Bio

On the Fence

As a child, my greatest joy came from putting pen to paper and drawing anything and everything. Summers in the Muskokas provided a deep love of the natural world and nurtured my enduring love of both animals and the breathtaking beauty and power of landscape. Travels to the Middle East, the United States and Canada, and Italy, France and Spain, each gave me a taste of the vast differences in landscape textures and light. Although art was my first love, my education took me in quite another direction, leading to a degree in Religion where I was introduced to Asian and Indian religious art and iconography, the concept of architecture as sacred space, myth, symbol and archetypes, as well as the spiritual traditions of the first nations.

East Lake Susans

My career has been spent in a post-secondary educational institution, as an editor, writer and manager. As my children grew I explored creative endeavours, taking courses wherever possible in gesture and figure drawing, pen and ink, photorealism, watercolour, oil and acrylics. As time permitted, I took advantage of the wisdom and skill of other artists wherever possible, and classes both private and group, including instruction at the Haliburton School of the Arts.

I am currently a member of the Quinte Council of the Arts, the Belleville Arts Association and the Spirit of the Hills. My studio is located in Quinte West, where I have recently settled. In the upcoming year I plan to exhibit my work in several venues. Interested viewers are welcome to contact me at 613-394-6955 to inquire about animal portrait commissions or other works for sale.

Artist Statement

The Grass is Greener

Mid-life was a time of life altering change and transformation, which compelled me to explore alternative healing modalities and a number of eclectic spiritual pursuits. I've learned not to "sweat the small stuff" and to look more and more for inspiration and personal truth in each and every precious moment, in even the smallest of things. Inspiration often comes on a whisper -- not charging through the front door. In recent years this new appreciation of the simple things has informed my creative work; everything I see is a reminder of the joy within and without each of us and of the constancy of change.

The Great Escape

Through the colour, movement and light in each landscape, and the presence and humour I try to capture in each creature large and small, I strive to let those who view my work also feel the light within each subject. I hope that each image touches you in a positive way. The magic and majesty of the ocean; a thundering stream or towering forest; the poignant image of a forgotten barn as testimony to a past well-lived; the sparkle and honesty in an animal's eyes. These are both my subjects and teachers.