Gcamwil Studio

Renaissance Man

2009-01-05T01:14:00.000-08:00

South Delta Leader

Renaissance Man

By Kristine Thiessen - South Delta Leader

Published: January 01, 2009 4:00 PM

From the human form to machines, Tsawwassen artist applies his vision to it all

When Garett Campbell-Wilson paints, he has all the colours he could possibly want in front of him. He has a theme in mind—it might be a landscape, an emotion, a movement like dance—but he does not decide in advance exactly what he’ll create, or what colours he’ll use.

It’s a liquid process, he says. What results are pieces like Embrace the Dance, two figures in feverish movement, complemented by bold strokes in warm browns, yellows, oranges and hints of green.

The four by three foot canvas hangs above the living room couch in his Tsawwassen apartment.

Throughout the suite are the 23-year-old’s paintings, and they complement the warmth of the home where Vena makes mango tea with a hint of ginger and is proud to talk of her son’s accomplishments. And those are many, particularly for someone so young.

Garett has been drawing since he could grasp a crayon.

“Crayola and Play-Doh, that was the beginning. And for a long time it was mainly drawing and drafting that I was into,” he says. “Drawing with pencil, charcoal, anything that was messy. And usually it was on a big scale because I like to get very physical with my artwork.”

Vena laughs when she recalls a knee-high tall Garett painting the carpet. And he was a voracious reader and collector of comic books. Batman, Spiderman, X-Men—at eight years old, he wanted to be a comic book artist, and this goal fostered a fascination with the human figure.

“The top of the line guys know anatomy like the back of their hand, so since I was eight I was practicing in that way,” he explains.

Garett started with the outside of the body, moved to the inside, broke down the skeleton and dove into the muscles.

“I have that down pat now, and now I’m moving into the internal organs and the nervous system and the brain. My mission is to know the human body inside out.”

Human anatomy applies to other aspects of the artist’s life. He’s achieved a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and currently practices various types of Kung Fu.

Films also influenced his drawing styles. He watched Japanese animation (manga) like Ninja Scroll, Akira and Ghost in the Shell. Films and comics have helped him develop the ability to see where the figures in his paintings are coming from, and where they are going.

His early fixation with comics and animation has revealed a wider world to the artist. When Garett was a teen he was one of a handful of high school students within the Lower Mainland accepted into the Buschlen Mowatt Gallery & Arts Umbrella Gifted Teen Scholarship Program.

“It was a huge motivator, is what it was,” he recalls.

Through the program his work was displayed with his peers at the prestigious Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, and it was at an Emily Carr portfolio day he first met someone from the Boston Art Institute who encouraged him to apply to their post-secondary school.

It was at Boston where a professor encouraged him to make the transition from drawing to painting.

“You know what it was, I had trouble translating my drawing style into my painting style. It wasn’t until I became comfortable painting the way that I draw, then painting made sense to me.”

He gestures at a painting on an easel in his living room of a cat titled Curious.

“I had a professor in university and he was always encouraging me to paint. We had this one session where we all had blank boards and I took out my paints. I don’t know what he did, he said something in just the right way—treat it like a drawing.

“So that’s what I did, and when I stood back from this after I finished it I said wow, this is probably the beginning of my painting career.”

And that painting career has blossomed well since graduating a year and a half ago. After graduation he was asked to teach figure drawing and anatomy at the university during the summer. Vena left her job to manage Garett’s career full time—he also says his dad, Keith, is a big support—and they’ve come up with ideas to make his art more accessible, from producing art cards to one-of-a-kind t-shirts with original artwork. They’re also making use of the Internet to gain additional exposure and launched a web site a few weeks ago (www.gcamwilstudio.com).

Right now an original painting can fetch about $2,500 to $9,000, and once they are purchased he says it’s hard to let go.

While he pinpointed Curious as one of his milestone pieces, each painting holds special experiences for him.

“They actually all have their own importance, because I approach every piece differently. They’re all milestone pieces, each one of my paintings are like my children. I don’t really have a favorite because I’ve had a different experience with all of them.

“Many of them were born at the same time because I work on multiple pieces at the same time, so some will have the same style because they were in creation at the same time.”

Two pieces he’s currently working on are for Black History Month in February.

Up next, he will install a few pieces at the Canvas Lounge in Vancouver.

Garett has also dabbled in product design, creating jewelry for A Passion for Diamonds called the Iced Out Collection in 2003, including a lion whose mane is encrusted with diamonds.

“It was a cool experience, dealing with product design. I have a lot of designs for ideas for products. I’ve designed mechanical hands. In learning about the human body I’ve been thinking about ways to make the human body stronger through machines. It’s kind of sci fi-ish.”

He refuses to pigeonhole himself into one subject matter and style.

“A lot of people have said, you have to have one subject matter if you want people to recognize your work, or one style, and I said no, I was against that . . . I love the human figure, I love the animal kingdom, I love the abstract, I love machines.”

And he enjoys contributing his skills to fundraisers. Last month he worked in collaboration with CUSO, an organization with a focus on reducing poverty abroad, at an event in Vancouver, and he has been involved with fundraisers such as Wine on the Mountain, which raised money for adoptive families in B.C.

“It’s all really in the name of creating a positive change in the world and attracting people to a cause,” he says.

kthiessen@southdeltaleader.com

ART CARDS by GCAMWIL STUDIO- Now Available !!!

2008-12-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Art Cards from the original oil paintings by Garett Campbell-Wilson are now available through Gcamwil Studio.

$30/box | 6 Mixed Art Cards | 5" x 3.5" | 2008

Contact us at frontdesk@gcamwilstudio.com or call 604 375.5802 to own your own mini collection today!

Have a Blessed and Happy Holidays!

GCAMWIL STUDIO now featuring ARTIST JASMINE FARMER

2008-12-13T03:47:00.001-08:00

Gcamwil Studio is proud to feature the Abstract Art of Jasmine Farmer in our PANDORA GALLERY.

JASMINE FARMER : ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
“There's no set time line of when you must become can artist." We asked Jasmine what she would do if she could not do art. Jasmine's response was "I was born to be an artist. Art is my passion." Growing up, Jasmine was fascinated with and used every spare second drawing geometric shapes and design lettering. It was obvious I had glowing excitement to be come a professional artist and designer.

"To be an artist means so much more to me than painting and drawing. I engage myself into the process of creative thinking, which led me to become interested in graphic design. I respect myself as a multimedia artist taking a universal approach with any medium to any surface. My work ranges from digital and hands on graphic design, abstract & representational painting, photography, printmaking & bookmaking.”

And the list goes on....

" The beauty of abstracts is when happy accidents occur."
-Jasmine Farmer

PODCASTING with SCOTT PATON

2008-11-14T15:45:00.001-08:00

Gcamwil Studio will be chatting on the airwaves this week with Scott Paton; Mastermind of Podcasting Unleashed and the Dean of Blogonomics and Podology!

Tune in to hear Garett Campbell-Wilson speak about methods to unlease YOUR innate right brain creativity.

The interview will be available on line! Check back later this week for more information.

DANCE FOR THE WORLD - GCAMWIL STUDIO EXHIBITION

2008-11-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

Do you really love to dance? Want to make a difference in the world? Are you ready to bring your friends, family and co-workers out for a night of incredible entertainment?

Join thousands of people across Canada this November who will be moving to the new global beat – while raising money for a great cause. Dance for the World will be held in: Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown.

GCAMWIL STUDIO will be featuring a series of new works inspired by dance and performance art. Join us on December 4th at the Scotia Bank Dance Centre for Dance For the World in Vancouver. Honoring British Columbians who have served as CUSO and VSO volunteers working around the world in developing countries.

CUSO and VSO Canada overseas volunteers work in partnership with local communities in 44 countries around the world. Support their work to end poverty around the world by raising money for the Volunteer Partnership Fund.

CUSO was launched in 1961, built on the foundation of Canadian Overseas Volunteers (COV), which started the year before. Over 47 years, CUSO sent 11,000 volunteers abroad to work on poverty reduction, human rights, access to justice, health, education and environmental sustainability.
The newly merged CUSO-VSO continues the CUSO practice of giving Canadians the information, experiences and tools they need to become active global citizens. Canadian partners, returned overseas volunteers, and active in-country volunteers work to increase public awareness of international development.

WINE ON THE MOUNTAIN 2008 - The Adoptive Families Association of BC

2008-11-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

In this Photo: Ron Sombilon
Photo by: Clayton Perry Photography
_____________________________________

Situated at the top of spectacular Grouse Mountain, 350 guests ride up to the Peak of Vancouver and enter the enchanting Lupins restaurant at the heart of the Alpine Lodge. Here, surrounded by breath taking views, the acclaimed "Wine on the Mountain" wine and food pairing fundraising party, benefiting the Adoptive Families Association of BC, begins.

The fabulous wine affair is not just for the most experienced of palettes; whether you’re a connoisseur or not, you can indulge your senses tasting wine from around the world and have fun taking part in a “People’s Choice” for the best wine.

Highlights include live music with The Glenn Riley Quartet and special guest Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, tantalizing hors d'oeuvres presented by Grouse Mountain’s award winning Chef Dino, FigMint Restaurant & Lounge and Deuce Restaurant.

A premium Silent Auction presented by Scotiabank, a Distinct Wine Auction with exclusive wines presented by Fire Fly Fine Wines and Ales and the back by popular demand Live Auction “Wall of Wine” presented by Artisan Wine Company and Custom Cellars, a wine lover’s dream package with over 100 bottles of award winning wines with your very own wine cellar. Our popular Trip Raffle is back with an Okanagan Wine Adventure for 4 and a Wine Whistler Excursion for 2.

New this year, is a dynamic sabering show with house wine and the not to be missed “Chocolate Cellar.”

Grouse Mountain's wine experts will be on hand all evening as you seek out your perfect wine and food pairing. As a special bonus, all tickets include a chance to win a private and exclusive tasting with Grouse Mountain’s Head Sommelier where 24 lucky winners will learn to taste like a professional while exploring a range of wine styles.

Don’t miss out on this year’s exciting theme “Red and White and All That Sparkles” featuring: Fine red and white wines from around the world paired with food by Grouse Mountain’s award winning chef. Food and wine tasting adventures with Sparkling Beverages, Chocolates, Sake Tastings, Ciders, Ports, Champagnes, Fine Ales, Puddifoots Specialty Glassware, Decadent Crackers, Unique Cheeses and more.

Special guests include Senator Larry Campbell and John Schreiner BC’s very own wine expert.

Charity Art Exhibition graciously donated by RONSOMBILONGALLERY and GCAMWILSTUDIO

ARTIST BUSY ON RETURN FROM BOSTON

2008-10-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

Gcamwil Studio is featured in todays media release

Garett Campbell-Wilson is back from Beantown.

The Tsawwassen artist, who graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University last year, will have a showcase of his paintings on display at Simon Fraser University's downtown campus as part of the Vancouver Pan African Film Festival later this month.

The seven pieces are all along the theme of kinship, he said.

The South Delta Secondary grad said the paintings were just about completed when he talked to the Optimist recently.

He's able to work very quickly, Campbell-Wilson said, but depending on the amount of detail some things can take longer than others.

During his time at the Art Institute of Boston, he got involved with numerous side projects on top of his schoolwork. He was in class during the day and spent time on his other projects at night.

"That's what I had to do. A lot of times, when opportunities get thrown at you, you've got to take them, especially as an artist," he said. "Every opportunity that came towards me, I jumped on it."

In collaboration with a professor, he created the school's first illustration magazine, produced a series of jewelry designs, designed and painted a large scale mural for a martial arts facility and shot a series of documentaries at the Society of Illustrators in New York.

Campbell-Wilson said he had free rein to study pretty much what he wanted.

"Where I got the most benefit from the school was that it was interdisciplinary."

He experimented with drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, design and even language arts, he said.

"All those things are tied into what I'm doing today."

Campbell-Wilson also teaches in Tsawwassen with the Delta Arts Council.

Check out www.gcamwilstudio.com for more information.

Check out Gcamwil Studio on Canada.com to view this article:

Dave Willis, The Delta Optimist
Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008

An ARTFUL LIFE - featuring the ART OF GARETT CAMPBELL-WILSON

2008-05-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

In this photo: Sharon Abbondanza, Carla Reiger, and Garett Campbell Wilson
from the Last Synchronicity Sale Friday Night Delight on May 2nd 2008.

Sharon and Carla are dressed in 'Sympli the Best'
and wearing jewellery by Elana Sigal.

The back drop painting is by artist Garrett Campbell Wilson

Photo by: Ron Sombilon
________________________

An ARTFUL LIFE

LAST Synchronicity Sale in East Vancouver at Hansen House & Home Decor Gallery

COLLABORATIVE SHOW WITH SONJA PICARD

Extraordinary Vedic Inspired Jewelry
www.sonjapicard.com

Garett Campbell Wilson

Garett will be featuring illuminated artwork that radiates with an inner glow reminiscent of Romantic Art. Primordial male and female figures and the natural worlds wildlife take shape in the chromatic mist enveloping forms in light and shadow.

Come see the brushstrokes and calligraphic marks of Vancouver's Best Kept Secret; The Art of Garett Campbell-Wilson.

Sharryn Graham

Sharryn designs a GREAT selection of hand-crafted mini cards, gift sets, and gift tags. Unique, adorable and made with love!

Christine Stovelaar

Christine will have the natural botanically based Swiss Skin Care Line ARBONNE. A full range of product will be offered. Pure. Natural. Beneficial. Get Yours!

DOLL - Handbags by Sandra Fukelman

Innovative fabric art handbags from Brazil. Each piece is from an original collection of bags decorated with Sandras' signature DOLLS featuring the finest luxury fabrics and trims. Silks, satins, velvet and snakeskin accented by Swarovski crystals to create a vivid, colourful collage evocative of the multi ethnicity that is Brazil. From chic and sophisticated to whimsical and fun these designs are for those who dare to be different.

ORIGINS RISES IN NUBIAN NIGHTS

2008-03-21T04:20:00.000-07:00

In this photo: Ron Sombilon, Vena Campbell, and Garett Campbell-Wilson
Photo by: Ron Sombilon

An invitation to an art exhibition from a stranger brought me to the Hansen House Gallery of Art and Home Décor on the night of the New Moon on March 7, 2008. I climbed the narrow stairway to the second floor through the doorway from the parking lot at the side of the converted warehouse near the rail tracks and waterfront of East Vancouver.

The Origins reception for the artist’s exhibition of new work was held between the stacks and shelves of a menagerie of ethnic artefacts in different forms and materials from around the world. It was like a global village bazaar of folk and tribal arts and crafts crowded with people in the aisles.

Garett Campbell-Wilson is an artist in his early twenties with a creative vision. The artist was clean-shaven with long dreadlocks tied back under a black headscarf. He wore a white shirt with black jacket, jeans and boots.

The Origins exhibition pieces were scattered here and there and hung from the racks in the midst of carved and painted masks, figures sculpted in wood, stone, and clay, and furniture with ebony lacquered finishes.

Two pieces titled Origins and Nubian Nights are done in a similar style. There is an inner glow to the pieces as if illuminated by the flames of ancient temple torchlight in an atmospheric haze reminiscent of the landscapes of John Constable such as Seascape Study with Rain Cloud (1824), and Rain, Steam and Speed (1844) by Joseph Mallord William Turner, both English Romantic Painters.

Muscular male and female figures take shape in the chromatic mist enveloping the forms in a chiaroscuro of light and shadow. The phantom forms acquire mass and volume with a lingering gaze of the picture frame. The absorption and reflection of light is modulated with a colour palette of bright tints blended smoothly and selectively with bold yellow red pigments and complementary colour tones and shades.

Visceral, yet humanized forms, made from the push and pull on the picture plane, take on a sculptural quality like impressions made in relief on a soft clay wall lit from above. Primal beings emerge from the deep shadow hues in the figure ground reversal of the light and dark patterns of the compositions where the background seems to squeeze the figure from the outside.

The reversal of the figure and ground shapes in the light and dark areas are easier to see at a distance, or by squinting the eyes when looking at the paintings. The ambiguous shapes are resolved by the artist’s return to the flatness of the picture surface with brush strokes and calligraphic marks like streaks of water splashed on a window and the image is seen through a pane of glass.

The Origins paintings have a shiny and smooth surface for aesthetic and practical reasons. The clear finish is a tough topcoat that adds durability and archival features to the artwork, and has a certain conceptual correlation with the glass window appearance of the image. The smooth finish and surface treatment of the artwork as a whole lends a certain aesthetic distance to the pieces by what is reflected by and mirrored on the shiny surface and what shows through in the image.

The psychological effect of the rain spattered window of the picture frame shifts from a looking through a pane of glass to the looking at a reflection of the figures in candlelight within the interior of a room.

The Origins reception filled the entrance and aisles of the Hansen House showroom. Bright eyes and nice faces in cream, mocha, and chocolate flavours. An elegant and friendly crowd milling about and gathering at the wine and cheese tables, and around the artist for digital photos.

The younger group wandered into the artist’s small studio overlooking Powell Street from the second floor at the front of the building. They chatted about the detailed anatomical drawings of the human form, the figurative sketches, and a schematic design of a futuristic space ship.

The artist’s parents, Vena & Keith, were gracious and warm hosts at the Origins opening reception. They circulated amongst the congregation of family and friends and tended to the guests with a friendly smile. The catering was courteous and efficient, and the snacks were fresh and tasty. The wine and cheese buffet was adjacent to the focus of the evening, the artist and his Origins painting.

The Black Pharaoh and Priestess in the Nubian Nights painting was a timely coincidence to the March 2008 edition of the National Geographic magazine on the newsstand. The Origins exhibition by Garett Campbell-Wilson deserves a room of it’s own for a finer appreciation of the African Royalty theme and the artist’s creative vision.

James T. Cooper
March 17, 2008