#yegpainting

[yegarts]

"I am YEG Arts" Series: Jeff Collins

Jeff Collins at Collins Studio Gallery. Photo provided by the artist.

For Jeff Collins, the key to having a successful career as an artist is showing up every day. His consistency and commitment have defined his long career. “The inspiration shows up when you’re at work,” are words he lives by.  At the end of his studies, advice he received from his Red Deer College painting instructor, Joseph Reeder, to “forget everything he’d been taught,” inspired him to lock himself away in his studio for six months and shut out all distractions. During that pivotal time nearly 30 years ago, his practice in landscape painting took form, and he’s maintained a studio in Edmonton ever since. In 2019, he took a big leap with the opening of Collins Studio Gallery, which serves as his working studio, a classroom where he teaches oil painting, and a gallery that welcomes community and is an exhibition space for emerging artists and curators to show their work.

This week on the YEG Arts blog, we catch up with Jeff Collins.  

Tell us about your connection to Edmonton and what keeps you living and working here.  

I was born in Edmonton and studied through high school here. I moved away for about ten years and during that time, I lived in Jasper. In Jasper, I had my first apartment and when I wanted to put art up on the walls, everything I saw was just cliché posters, and so I thought “I can do better than this, look at all the scenery around Jasper.” My mother was a painter, so it was always part of my life although I didn’t pursue it much until then. With some encouragement from those who saw my early work, I decided to study art and design at Red Deer College [now known as Red Deer Polytechnic] and the University of Alberta. I then went on to Grant MacEwan Community College [now MacEwan University] to study arts administration. 

After returning to Edmonton, it was really the first time I was part of the arts community here and it was just so supportive and amazing. Some of the highlights for me at that time (the early nineties) was the Works Art & Design Festival. They were so, so instrumental in creating community and making Edmonton a supportive place for artists. Latitude 53 was an influential gallery for me, also Arts Habitat Edmonton, and of course the amazing river valley and the fabulous people here. I’ve been here ever since working away as an artist and really being part of the community.    

By Jeff Collins (left to right clockwise): Turtle in the Woods 001, acrylic on paper; Heartland, acrylic on canvas; and King of the North, acrylic on canvas. Photo provided by the artist.

What’s one of the biggest professional risks you’ve taken, and how did it influence where you are today?

As an artist, you take risks every single day and you’re putting yourself out there, and if you’re true to your craft, you’re really pulling deep inside of you to pull that out and to put it out there, where other people can see it. That’s always so risky. It’s kind of like every day as an artist is a risk. I worked at the Alberta Craft Council for many years and when I decided to quit and work full-time in my studio, that was a pretty huge risk financially. I am very happy that I did that, though it’s always been a gig-to-gig kind of thing since, and I worked out of my studio between contract positions. It’s been four years — I can’t believe it — since I opened Collins Studio Gallery! I signed a lease, and I trusted that if this is meant to be, it was going to happen. So, leaving my full-time job and signing the lease on where I am now and opening a gallery — where I also teach classes and have my studio — were all big risks! Sometimes I think “well I don’t take any risks,” but other times I think, “well, I guess everything I do is kind of risky,” depending on how you look at it. 

What does community mean to you, and where do you find it?

One thing I enjoy about Edmonton is that the art community is so supportive, diverse, and I find it’s non-competitive. When I think of community, what I really think of is everyone really supporting each other and looking after each other and knowing that you can rely on that community when you’re having hard times. I find that so rich in Edmonton. There are great things about other cities for sure, but I feel there’s a little more competition elsewhere. I find Edmonton is a lot more collaborative, even in between disciplines, for instance musicians and dancers will team up with painters to put on a show, and that’s really cool! 

I’ve met some great people. Will Truchon and Vince Gasparri, whom I’ve known since Red Deer College days, and I have decided to pool our resources and talents to bring some exciting visual art and collaborative events, including experimental electronic music to the gallery [Collins Studio Gallery]. The idea is to stimulate an even more collaborative and dynamic art community in Edmonton where people are allowed to take risks creatively and have it shown before the public.

This is what I want my gallery to be, a community gallery where I can facilitate things that aren’t necessarily shown in other places and if I can allow that to happen, I mean I’ve got the space and if you’ve got an idea, come to me and let’s see how we can make it happen. 

sKiN performs live in front of collaborative paintings from Stop, Drop, and Paint at Collins Studio Gallery. sKiN features Jason Dublanko on lead guitar and vocals, Tim Rechner on drums, and Mike Garth on saxophone. Photo provided by the artist.

Tell us about how collaborating has changed the direction of your work. 

One of the music events at my gallery, we call “Shapes and ‘Scapes,” is where we team up musicians with painters to do an experimental electronic improv music and painting set. Usually, it’s a 20-minute set and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve become a lot more experimental in my work and one reason is that I was involved in a “Shapes and ‘Scapes.”  I completed a painting in the time frame whereas it usually takes me a month or so to make a landscape painting. I really wanted to see what I could do and really push myself to experiment, and I came up with something that I thought was interesting, and from there I’ve really pushed my painting. Another reason that my work is in the experimental stage is that during Covid, like many of us, there was some personal tragedy in my family, and because of that I decided to take a year off, a kind of sabbatical away from painting. It’s been almost a year now since I’ve come back to it.  

What qualities overlap in being an artist, teacher, and gallery owner? How have you grown most in each role?

They overlap in that they all involve getting over fears, that’s for sure. With painting, looking deep inside of yourself and bringing that forward, that’s kind of a fearful act to do, to be really honest with yourself and bring something out that other people can see. When I first started out teaching, I was really fearful, I wanted my students to like me and didn’t want to waste their time. But then, I realized that with that fear, I was thinking of myself! I was able to turn it around and focus on each student. And as a gallery owner, again I keep on thinking, what can I give to people? Not, “oh I hope they like my gallery when they come in,” it’s like what can I give to them because they’ve come in here and maybe they want to learn something about art or maybe they’ve never been in an art gallery, and I try to make my space really kind of a community gallery.  How I’ve grown in each role is just an evolution. 

Earlier landscape paintings in oil by Jeff Collins (left to right): Islet Lake; Tamarack in Jasper; Lake Isle. Photo provided by the artist.

Tell us about what you’re currently working on or hoping to explore next.

For the nearly 30 years that I’ve been painting, I’ve been painting pretty traditional, great Canadian landscapes. For a while now I’ve wanted to push that in a new direction and with the “Shapes and ‘Scapes,” where I had 20 minutes in front of people to actually do it, I just got out of my way and made it happen. It took a long time for that 20 minutes to actually happen. I’m now exploring symbols that have meaning to me, and they may be symbols that other people use or have picked up on but they’re all symbols from my life that I’ve experienced. There’s also a spiritual aspect to my work. At one time it was all about me being present in this time, in this world, in this physical realm, so it was very important to me to paint actual places and get inspiration on location and take that back into the studio. Now it’s more like ok, that’s my physical body or physical being speaking to my spiritual being and now I feel like exploring symbols and what they mean to me and now it’s the other way around and my spiritual being is reacting to the physical world around me.

Recent abstracts (acrylic, oil, collage and gel transfer) and a winter landscape in oil by Jeff Collins. Photo provided by the artist.

What excites you most about the YEG arts scene right now?  

After two years of not going out and seeing hardly anything, it all really excites me. I did a music show in my gallery last month where it was sold out, there were about 35 people in here — it’s a small gallery! The collaborative work that’s going on between different disciplines excites me, the festivals coming back and gaining traction, I love that. I’m really excited about what’s going on in the Alberta Avenue district, and Arts on the Ave is spearheading all of those things. The Kaleido Family Arts Festival and Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival, for me, they are my favourite festivals in Edmonton because they’re so eclectic and you get to see it all in such a short period of time, it is a lot of fun. I’m really excited to see where things are going to go next, as well. I’ll quote the Tragically Hip, “bring on a brand-new renaissance.” It’s what I feel we’re going into here, a rebirth. 

Want more YEG Arts Stories? We’ll be sharing them here and on social media using the hashtag #IamYegArts. Follow along! Click here to learn more about Jeff Collins and Collins Studio Gallery.   

About Jeff Collins

Jeff Collins is an artist living in Edmonton, with nearly 30 years of studio practice. His formal studies were at Red Deer College (now known as Red Deer Polytechnic) and the University of Alberta. Jeff has received many awards and recognition for his artwork, notably the Telus Courage to Innovate in the Arts Award. In 2013/14 he served as the City of Edmonton’s inaugural Artist in Residence. His paintings have sold nationally and internationally. As an art educator and facilitator, he strives to connect people to art and creativity, encouraging skill-building, laughter and personal growth.    

While he’s made a name for himself painting landscapes in oil for most of his career as an artist, he also loves to paint still-lifes, figures and almost anything else he sees and encounters in the natural world. Jeff is also fascinated with abstraction and using the properties of paint with the formal elements of painting and drawing to express emotions and captivate viewers. 

In 2019, Jeff opened Collins Studio Gallery in the area of Alberta Avenue in Edmonton. It serves as his working studio, classroom where he teaches beginner and advanced oil painting, and exhibition space where emerging artists and curators are given an opportunity to show their work in front of a public audience.  

[grasdal]

Serious mural stuff happening today @omenbrewingyeg with @lilywoodcreative gotta make up some ground today! Come by, say, “Hi” and drink some local beer! #yeg #yeglocal #yegmural #yegartist #yegarts #yegcartoonist #yegcomics #yegbrewery #yegbeer #yegfun #yegpainting #noir (at Omen Brewing) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnnQcKJP2Mh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[arumlilyedmonton]

Aum Lily Flower Shop is located in The Westgate Centre - West Edmonton. We deliver within Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon, Morinville, Nisku, Leduc, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County and any place in between! . You can order flower arrangements online 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Order Online by 2:00 pm and have the same-day delivery. For same-day and last-minute deliveries, please give us a call at 780-475-3545, toll-free at 1-855-475-3545 or email at info@arumlily.ca. We are happy to serve flower arrangements and gifts to all in the Greater Edmonton Metropolitan Area.

[designdictum]

Paint Night with Bing Phung! #meetup #meetups #yeg #yeggers #yegpainting #watercolour #watercolourpaintings #fox https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wca8qFacm/?igshid=13765by6o936r

[thebyronmcbride]

The winner is @oilandbirch , please DM @snow_alligator to collect your new #yegartwall! Many thanks to all of those who entered, it was humbling to see how many of you feverishly entered 🙌🏻 . . . #yeg #yegart #yegarts #yegartist #albertaart #albertaartist #yegpainter #painter #edmonton #madeinedmonton #yeggers #albertantonmade #makersgonnamake #supportlocalyeg #shoplocalyeg #shopyeg #yeggifts #handmadeyeg #madeinyeg #wintercity #albertamakers #madeinalberta #alberta #albertamade #canadiancreatives #yegproud #yegforlife (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxlv67ShP2e/?igshid=xsaode1xhxof

[reeceschulte-blog]

Still painting and with 15 painting in inventory for sale. A break over the holidays was a great reset. #painting #abstractart #paint #localartist #yegartist #yeg #yegpainting #reeceschulte #loveofart #artlovers #contemporaryart #fineart #fineartpainting https://www.instagram.com/p/Br5dq5QArso/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1io01drm2g6ki

[wanttocraft-blog]

These absolutely amazing paintings are not mine! The artist is @svetlanakanyo . She is Stefaniya's and more then 70 other kids art teacher at Alberta(Master) arts academy, Edmonton. For 7 years the kids in this non profit art school are making their projects in a basement of community building. Svetlana is now passionate about moving this school from basement to the rooms with lots of daylight. She was asking for help at different organizations to find such locations for kids, but everyone refused to help. So Svetlana started the Fundraising Project 1597 paintings. The money from the sold art works will go to Masters Art Academy charity to build a "Revival" school. She started to sell her paintings at ebay with worldwide free shipping. Mostly her paintings are Oil on canvas paper 14"x11", sprayed 2 times with gloss archived finish and they will be framed. The Certificate of Authenticity will be provided as well. Svetlana have been studying Education and Visual Arts, has a Master Degree in Education at the University of Alberta and more than 15 years experience as a teacher and an artist. She has participated and showcased her work in art exhibitions throughout Europe and USA. Currently her artworks are in private collections in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Canada and USA. Svetlana was selected by the Art Tour International as one of the Top 60 MASTERS OF CONTEMPORARY ART 2016, 2017 and accepted to Art Renewal Centre one of the most prestigious art organization in the wold. ❤️❤️❤️So don't hesitate and spread the word about this amazing cause!!!❤️❤️❤️Lets the kids have better place to create!!! ❤️❤️❤️#Edmonton #yeg #stalbert #alberta #canada #foundraising #artschool #yegart #yegartist #yegpainting #youngartist #kidsart #betterplace #creative (at Edmonton, Alberta)

[brookeandcanvas]

Paint night next Wednesday at 7pm! Learn to paint this at 11739 94 street with brooke 😝 #yegevents #yegevent #yegpaint #yegpaints #yegpaintnight #acrylicadventures #art #yeg #yeglife #yeggers #yegart (at The Studio 118)

[heavyedhunt]

Mash4077 #EdHunt #EdHuntArt #studiotenseven #yegpainter #Edmonton #selfie #selfportrait #drawing #picture #painting #blind #blindrawingportraiture #portraits #liar4hire #artist4hire #independent #thinker #pensive

[idbohemia]

A detail from the last painting I posted. Oil is my favourite medium for abstract. The sensory experience of painting in oil is very different than acrylic, as oil is more viscous, with a noticeable "drag" as your drawing your brush or tool across your surface. I've always been a highly tactile person, constantly playing with or manipulating things with my hands, so the physical reactiveness of oil, especially when working impasto (thick and textured), is a very sensuous, attractive process for me. Come visit my booth at Whyte Ave Art Walk @yegartwalk! I'll be in McIntyre Park, the park with the gazebo. Art Walk happens July 7-9 all along Whyte Ave. I'll have works for sale ranging from 8x10 panels to paintings on paper to a large painting or 2 on canvas, all professionally mounted and framed. Sharing my art is such a personal experience, and I would love to see you and share it with you. Come say hi, chat art, and if you find a piece you like, let's connect you with a painting. #yegartwalk #yeg #yegevents #yegarts #yegart #yegartist #yegpainter #oilpainting #abstractart #abstractpainting #paintingonpaper

[dragonfxyeg-blog]

Painting done by Tod Dixon

[cleaningcommand]

A little extra elbow grease and that paint stain on the tile becomes a faded memory #yegcleaners #yegjanitorial #yegclean #yegbiz #yegpaint https://t.co/w8JLTWw0ur

A little extra elbow grease and that paint stain on the tile becomes a faded memory#yegcleaners #yegjanitorial #yegclean #yegbiz #yegpaint pic.twitter.com/w8JLTWw0ur

— Cleaning Command (@CleaningCommand) February 19, 2019

from Twitter https://twitter.com/CleaningCommand

[ebenalconstruct]

Gorgeous new home build that we worked on for @iconicrenovations #yeg #yeghomes #newhome #builder...

Gorgeous new home build that we worked on for @iconicrenovations #yeg #yeghomes #newhome #builder #painting #yegpainting #painter #yegpainter #decor #design #interior (RSS generated with FetchRss) from https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgTk-2FyM4

[arumlilyedmonton]

Roses Bouquets At Arum Lily Flower Shop. #online #orderonline

Arum Lilly Flower Shop Edmonton, 17006-100 Avenue, North-West, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 2E7 CANADA. Arum Lilly Flower Shop has been open for over 18 years in the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We're a Back-to-Back Gold Winner for Readers Choice Awards in the Best Florist and Flower Shop in Edmonton. 2024 Top Choice Flower Shop in the City of Edmonton, Alberta. Order Now at www.arumlily.ca

We deliver within all of Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon, Morinville, Nisku, Leduc, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, Sturgeon County, Parkland County, Strathcona County, Stony Plain, Parkland County and any place in between!

We are a proud & independent woman-owned business! We care about each & every flower that leaves our shop to ensure the best quality and your happiness! We will do everything in our power to make you happy because we care!

You can order flower arrangements online 24 hours a day and seven days a week for your shopping convenience. Order Online by 2:00 pm and have the same-day delivery. After 2:00 pm, please call us at 780-475-3545, toll-free at 1-855-475-3545 or email at info@arumlily.ca We are proud of providing the best service, designs and quality of flower arrangements to our customers in Edmonton and the surrounding area.

Our passion for flowers, in-depth product knowledge and incredible attention to detail guarantee that you'll be sure to find the arrangements that work for you, no matter what the occasion ~ Beauty In Bloom! If you don't see anything you love on our website, give us a call.

betterworkplaces #painter #partofthechange #painttochange #yegbusiness #yycbusiness #powerofcolor #yegentrepreneur #yycentrepreneur #yycpainter #yegpainter #yegcontractor #yyccontractor #yycconstruction #yegconstruction #lovewhatyoudo #dutchflowers #dutchmarket #floristsofinstagram #flowerart #yegflowers #yegbossbabes #buyflowersfromaflorist #gorgeous #amazingfinds #amazingflowers #flowermarket #yeglocal #yegflowers #yegflowershop #flowers #yeg #edmonton #alberta #exploreedmonton #yegbased #showlove #yeglove #stayhome #staysafe #sendflowers #yegmoms #madeinedmonton #madeinyeg #yegbusiness #edmontonhospital #albertababy #yegmom #yegblogger #shoplocalyeg #canadianbabies #yegbossbabes #shopedmonton #edmontonbaby #yeghealth

[thebyronmcbride]

There is so much amazing talent here in Edmonton and so many of you have supported us in following our creative dreams. To celebrate we’re giving away 12 - 8”Sq Original Paintings done by amazing Edmonton based Artists. All you have to do is: 1) LIKE this post 2) TAG your friends. Each comment is an additional entry, One tag per comment please. 3) be FOLLOWING all the artists accounts @breakfastjones @ilovethemoon @coreylansdell @crystaldriedger @snow_alligator @amydixonart @yuchentsen @gloho_draws @cmbprintworks @karenbartist @thebyronmcbride @markelliottmuz __________________________________________________________ This contest is no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram Inc. By entering, entrants must confirm that they are 18 years of age, release #Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram's terms of use.Giveaway ends May 18 2019 at 10:59 PM EST. Winner will be announced shortly after. Open Alberta Wide. #yeg #yegart #yegarts #yegartist #albertaart #albertaartist #yegpainter #painter #edmonton #madeinedmonton #yeggers #edmontonmade #makersgonnamake #supportlocalyeg #shoplocalyeg #shopyeg #yeggifts #handmadeyeg #madeinyeg #wintercity #albertamakers #madeinalberta #alberta #albertamade #canadiancreatives#yegartwall #yegproud #yegforlife (at Edmonton, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxaEl0TAQVs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pzzh2drontrx

[heavyedhunt]

BedHead #EdHunt #EdHuntArt #studiotenseven #edmontonartist #yegpainter #portraits #portraiture #selfie #selfportrait #drawing #painting #printing #marinating #thoughtbubble #wandering #mind #insight #stunned #tired