Artists and Other Rare Birds May 5, 2011

Highly regarded Toronto painter and printmaker Jane Burns depicts the rare birds she observes, including those of the human kind.

Toronto impressionistic painter and printmaker Jane Burns showcases her latest series “Artists and Other Rare Birds”, which she dedicates to her recently departed dear husband Peter Burns. The solo exhibition opens with a public reception on Thursday, May 5 (6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and runs to May 28, 2011 at Leonardo Galleries in Yorkville.

Jane Burns, who was mentored by respected Canadian artists and teachers Hugh Mackenzie and Roly Fenwick, states, “Artists, like birds, go through some interesting antics when trying to capture what they are after. Bird life always interested me...I discovered that some species of song bird, like the Blue Bird, are becoming extinct. But, my challenge was just to get them to cheat extinction on my canvases.”

Burns’ latest series (using oil on linen or watercolour on Washi paper) reflects on a life long interest in birdlife. A tension is built in these powerful multi-layered paintings between earth-bound and sky free. Some areas are so densely painted that they almost suck the viewer into the depth and these areas are juxtaposed with passages that are whisper thin and lyrical in impact.

Toronto artist and art critic Gary M. Dault observes, “An impressionistic authority and painterly joie de vivre.”

Burns easily moves from the figurative to the abstract. Her response to her subject is a visceral one. It is the survival instinct of birds and man and their relationship to the land that intrigues her. Birds fly across the land, while artists are out on locale.

Artist Jane Burns was born in Owen Sound, Ontario. She now lives and works in Toronto and Owen Sound. She completed a fine arts studio degree at University of Toronto, and for over twenty years her works have appeared in exhibitions across Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal) and the United States (New York, Los Angeles) and are a part of many permanent collections (such as University of Toronto Art Collection and Carleton University Art Gallery Collection).

For more exhibit information visit; http://www.leonardogalleries.com.

As a member of the Yorkville Art Galleries Collective, Leonardo Galleries participates in the free monthly Yorkville Art Gallery Walk, which is held the first Thursday of each month and coincides with exhibition openings.

Leonardo Galleries, Toronto is devoted to the promotion of contemporary art. The gallery represents local and international artists and has a significant collection of works of art in painting, print-media, sculpture and photography. Leonardo Galleries also specializes in conservation framing and expert art restoration.

Official Website: http://www.leonardogalleries.com