Canadian Art Spotlight:
A new feature you're not going to want to miss!
Greetings, my fellow art aficionados, and welcome back!
I'm thrilled to share an exciting update with you all! Starting soon, I'll be curating and showcasing incredible artwork by talented Canadian artists exclusively for you as part of your subscription to this Substack page. Our country boasts a vibrant and diverse artistic community, and with this regular feature, I aim to celebrate the cultural richness that defines our nation's art scene each week.
I will carefully handpick a selection of artworks that represent a wide range of styles, mediums, and subject matters for you each week. From stunning landscapes that capture the majestic beauty of our natural surroundings to thought-provoking abstract pieces that challenge traditional artistic boundaries, there will be something for everyone to appreciate and admire.
Allow me to share my journey of becoming a Canadian art advocate with you. In late 2019, while driving home from a vacation in Muskoka, my wife and I were discussing the challenges she faces as a mid-career Canadian artist trying to make her mark in the Canadian art scene. On the long journey back home, we had great conversations about the hurdles of marketing her art and finding a place for it in the limited number of galleries taking on new artists. We also discussed how, despite the many Canadian artists on Instagram, it felt like there was a lack of coordinated promotion for Canadian art on the platform.
Feeling inspired by this chat and fueled by a deep passion for Canadian art, I committed myself to helping my wife showcase her artwork to a wider audience. My mission would be to shake things up and help give our country’s talented artists the recognition they truly deserve. That discussion led to the creation of social media pages called "Canadian Art Daily" (@canadian_art_daily) on various platforms. My thought was that I would use these pages to post Canadian artwork for Canadians and the rest of the world to admire. To do this, I would commit myself to posting one piece of Canadian art every single day. As they say, the rest is history.
Fast forward four and a half years, and with an amazing growth to over 30,000 followers, the Instagram page has blossomed into a vibrant community of art enthusiasts, both established and emerging artists, renowned galleries, art curators, and passionate admirers of Canadian creativity.
From the beginning, I envisioned the page as more than just a spot to share pretty paintings with minimal information. My goal instead was to create a vibrant platform that not only showcased art but also enlightened and championed our incredibly talented Canadian artists. As a result, in the years that have followed, I have poured countless hours each week into curating captivating art pieces and crafting intriguing artist bios. Every day, my aim is to share with my audience an enchanting Canadian masterpiece, along with a captivating biography about the artist who created it. I want the artwork to captivate viewers and reflect the essence of Canada. Each piece tells a story, rooted in a deep history and personal experiences, earning well-deserved recognition.
From the beginning, the daily art posts have showcased a diverse range of historical art by renowned Canadian artists, including the iconic Group of Seven, Tom Thomson, and Emily Carr.
The posts also shine a light on influential figures from the past who have made a lasting impact on the Canadian art scene, such as Norval Morrisseau, Maud Lewis, and Jean-Paul Riopelle.
And I would be remiss if they didn't also include contemporary art by exceptionally talented Canadian artists who are making their mark, like Kent Monkman, Matthew Wong, Takao Tanabe, Manuel Mathieu, Antony John, and, of course, my lovely wife, Crystal Beshara.
As we find ourselves at the beginning of a new year, I am truly amazed by the remarkable talent and incredible diversity I have witnessed since starting this journey. It leaves me beyond grateful for the opportunity to showcase it to the world every single day via my Instagram page! And do you know what's most surprising? When I first started all of this, I never imagined how much I'd love being the curator of a virtual gallery. Spreading beauty and creativity, one post at a time, brings me so much joy each and every day!
Thanks for checking out this post! I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Let me know who your favourite Canadian artists are and why they inspire you. And, of course, stay tuned for more awesome content.
Don't miss out on the exquisite pieces I have in store for you! Hit the subscribe button below and let the beauty unfold! Until next time, take care and keep exploring the amazing world of Canadian art!