Brief Biography
Artist Zillah Loney has lived since 2000, just outside the tiny village of Perth Road, north of Kingston Ontario. Much of her art has been inspired by the vibrant life of the Eastern Townships of Quebec where she lived for 25 years. Raised in London, Ontario, she received her B.A. in Art History and B. Ed. from Queen’s University. After classroom teaching in Toronto and North Hatley Quebec, she was a Supervisor of Practice Teaching and Lecturer on Art Education for the Graduate School of Education at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville Quebec.
Zillah Loney had her first solo exhibition in 1996 at Uplands Cultural & Historical Centre in Lennoxville Quebec following a decision to seriously pursue her art with studies in Fine Art and a year of independent studio production. Since then she has exhibited at Galerie Jeannine Blais: Art Naif, North Hatley Quebec; Winchester Galleries, Victoria B.C.; Michael Gibson Gallery, London Ontario; Nancy Poole’s Studio, Hazleton Lane, Toronto; Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Sales and Rentals; Hollander York Gallery, Yorkville Ave. Toronto; Robert Macklin Gallery and Agnes Etherington Art Center in Kingston, Ontario.
Zillah Loney creates mixed media artwork with a focus on oils, collage, and watercolours. Her work reflects a background strong in printmaking, drawing, design and colour. It has been variously described as contemporary, sophisticated, naïf, humorous…and unique. Artist's Statement
“I like to be playful. I like to create visual surprises by juxtaposing varied colours, fanciful patterns, textures, movement…and the unusual. Though the foundation of my art lies in printmaking, I consider myself a mixed media artist.
My technique for creating oils on panels is challenging: overlays of oil-based block print inks, are hand pressed onto gesso board, using inked textures from found materials, and cut-outs of paper. There is no brushwork. A narrative is represented by means of a contemporary naïf art form. In particular, Lennoxville folk- figure Iris Brown appears as an icon in my art, as she toils in her trademark pearls, black and white skirt, and sturdy black shoes. The fabric of her life reflects the cultural traditions and tenacity of rural folk.
In contrast, my watercolours and pen and ink sketches are quick, light, fanciful and expressive.
In my mixed media collages, I incorporate vintage ephemera into the overall design, evoking memories." |
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