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Resume of A J Brown

September 30th, 2022

Resume of A J Brown


A.J. (Amy Jane) Brown, U.E.L., B.A.

EXHIBITIONS :
2022
Audacity of Taking Up Space, Penticton Art Gallery, Penticton.

2021
Access Week Festival 2021, Kickstart and the Gathering Place, Vancouver.

2020
Co-Taught through a virtual conversation in a rural setting, responding to students' questions, about alternative methods of communication : students in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Program, at Selkirk College.
Inclusion Art Show, virtual. Hosted by PosAbiliities, Vancouver.
Live Art Demonstration, virtual, hosted by PosAbilities, Vancouver.
Artist, BC Non Profit Housing Conference, Online, Vancouver.
Model, Insufficient Art Project, Vancouver.
Model, Laurie M. Landry, Vancouver.

2019
Roving Photographer, DeafBlnd Christmas Craft Fair, River Market, New Westminster.
Vendor, BC Non Profit Housing Conference, Wall Centre, Vancouver.
Inclusion Art Show and Sale, Heritage Hall, Vancouver.
Co-Taught through a virtual conversation in a rural setting, responding to students' questions, about alternative methods of communication : students in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Program, at Selkirk College.
Signed the National Anthem at the BC Lions game against the Montreal Alouettes, September 28, BC Place, Vancouver.
Pin Ups Pinned Up group art show, 125 Garden Avenue, North Vancouver.
Values Gathering for Poverty Reduction, MOSAIC, Vancouver.
Witness, to present to the Provincial Government to reduce poverty, Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver.
UBC Physical Therapy and Research Clinic, Photography Model, Vancouver.
Feminists Deliver Conference, Vendor, 312 Main Street, Vancouver.
Access Short Films, Vancity Theatre, Vancouver.
Access Awareness Group Art Show, Kickstart Disability Art and Culture, Vancouver.
Acted in a Disability Sensitivity Training Video by the Justice Institute of British Columbia, North Vancouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Square, Vancouver
West End Spring Art Sale, Denman Plaza, Vancouver.
Deeley Day for the Animals, Vendor, Deeley Motorcycles, Vancouver.
Presented to Vancouver City Hall, along with others in the Poverty Reduction Coalition, to ask for free transit for youth, people with disabilities and low income people. Vancouver.
ConnecTra Abilities Expo and Job Fair, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Access Audit Crew to the Arts, Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture, Vancouver.

2018
ConnecTra Abilities Expo & Job Fair, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Hand Made Heritage Project, hosted by the Western Institute of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Burnaby.
British Columbia Poverty Reduction Coalition, Community Action Network, Leadership Development Program. Vancouver.
Empowerment and Partnerships Conference, Education Resource Centre, Surrey.
Deaf Deaf World, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver.
Wrote an Op Ed article in the Vancouver Sun newspaper.
Pre Loved is Re Loved, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Flea Market, Royal Canadian Legion 118, North Vancouver.
Co-Taught through a virtual conversation in a rural setting, responding to students' questions, about alternative methods of communication : students in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Program, at Selkirk College.
Witness, to present to the Provincial Government to reduce poverty, UBC Robson Square, Vancouver.
BC Non Profit Housing Conference, Vancouver.
Deaf Blind Christmas Craft Fair Planning Committee, Volunteer, Vancouver.

2017
UBC University of British Columbia, Health Mentor Program. Vancouver.
Hearing Health Fair, Holiday Inn, Vancouver.
Abilities Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Square, Vancouver.
Acted in a Disability Sensitivity Training Video for the Vancouver Airport Authority, Vancouver.
Deaf Deaf World, Visual Art Show, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver.
Co-Teach Augmented Communication, Selkirk College, online.
Fashion Without Limits, Model, Port Moody.
Co-Taught through a virtual conversation in a rural setting, responding to students' questions, about alternative methods of communication : students in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Program, at Selkirk College.
Deaf Blind Christmas Craft Fair, Collingwood Community Centre, Vancouver.
Let's Talk about Sex Art Exhibit, Element Athletic, Vancouver.
UN International Day or People with Disabilities, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.

2016
Deaf Blind Awareness Day, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Square, Vancouver.
Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge, North Vancouver.
Just Believe Foundation, donated a painting, White Rock.
Deaf Deaf West, Visual Art Show, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver.
Abilities Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Co-Taught through a virtual conversation in a rural setting, responding to students' questions, about alternative methods of communication : students in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Program, at Selkirk College.

2015
Project Everybody UN International Day of People with Disabilities, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Project Everybody Film and Art Festial, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancoouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Suqare, Vancouver.
Spring Art Sale, West Vancouver Community Centre, North Shore Artists' Guild.
Abilities Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre.
North Shore Art Crawl, North Vancouver Community Art Council.

2014
Project Everybody, Film and Art Festival, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Square, Vancouver.
North Shore Art Crawl, North Vancouver Community Art Council.
Abilities Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Animals in our Human Scape, McMillan Arts Centre, Parksville, BC.

2013
Annual Fine Art Sale, North Shore Artists Guild, Parkgate Community Centre, North Vancouver.
Last Minute Exhibit, Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver.
Touch of Paris, North Vancouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Square, Vancouver.
North Shore Art Crawl, North Vancouver.
Abilties Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouer
Pet Expo, Pacific National Exposition, Vancouver.

2012
Works on Paper, continued, Graffiti Co. Art, North Vancouver.
A Reason to Care Auction, BC Asssociation of Community Living, Heritage Hall, Vancouver.
Abilities Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
North Shore Art Crawl, 195 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver
Hearing Health Fair, Vancouver..
First Saturdays, 195 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver.
Fair in the Square, Victory Square, Vancouver.

2011
Works on Paper, Graffiti Co. Art, North Vancouver.
Lecturer at Deaf Women's Conference, Niagara Falls.
Dangling Words, continued, Graffiti Co. Art, North Vancouver.
A Reason to Care Auction, BC Association of Community Living, Heritage Hall, Vancouver.
Vancouver Lightworkers Spiritual Exhibition, Unity, Vancouver.
North Shore Art Craw;. Graffiti Co Art, North Vancouver.
Abilities Expo, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
American Sign Language Teacher Association Auction, Seattle.
Transit Awareness Day Art Exhibit, Burnaby.

2010
Heart to Hand, Graffiti Co Art, North Vancouver.
Legacies 2010, Penticton Art Gallery, Penticton.
Blim Craft Market, Heritage Hall, Vancouver.
Canamade Crafts, Vancouver.
Disability Expo, Roundhouse, Vancouver.
Animals as Subject, Gallery Gachet, Vancouver.
Petnership Project, Hellenic Centre, Vancouver.
Deaf Canada Conference, Wall Centre, Vancouber.
Harmony Arts Festival, Silk Purse Gallery, West Vancouver.
A Solo Exhibit, Unitarian Church, Vancouver.
Arttful Sunday, Napier Square, Vancouver.
2010 Garbage Can Art Contest, Granville Island, Vancouver.
Deaf Arts Show, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver.
Dangling Words, Graffiti Co. Art, North Vancouver.
2009
International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Garbage Can Art Contest, Granville Island, Vancouver.
Painters Landing, Ferry Building, West Vancouver.
Kensington Foundation, Artists for Animals Auction, Cambrian Hall, Vancouver.
A Night to Remember Auction, Alzheimer�s Society, Joey�s, Vancouver.

2008
International Day for People with Disabilities, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver.
Sensability, 411 Seniors Centre, Vancouver.
The Ultimate Gift, A Solo Exhibit, Seymour Art Gallery, North Vancouver.
Group Exhibit, Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver.

2007
Abstractions, Graffiti Co. Art Gallery, North Vancouver.
Between Friends Duo Show, Silk Purse Arts Centre, West Vancouver.

2006
Christmas Group Art Show and Sale, Graffiti Co. Art Gallery and Studio, North Vancouver.
Deaf Canada Conference Art Show, Salle Albert Rousseau, Quebec City.

2005 - 2006
Harmony Arts Festival Group Art Show, Delany's Coffee, West Vancouver.
May is Art Month, Capilano Mall, North Vancouver.

2003 - 2006
Art Beat, Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver.

2005
Joyful Abundance, Silk Purse Gallery, West Vancouver.
Anonymous Art Show, CityScape Art Space, North Vancouver.
FANS, North Vancouver District Hall, North Vancouver.

2004 - 2005
Art Show, Leo Le Parisien Cafe, Famous Open Door Studio Society, North Van.

2004
Body and Soul, Ferry Building, West Vancouver.
Abstractions, Leo Le Parisien Cafe, Famous Open Door Studio Society,North Van.
Extraordinary Lives, Roundhouse Community Centre, KickstART 2 Festival, Vancouver.
Human Figure Show, Leo Le Parisien Cafe, Famous Open Door Studio Society, North Vancouver.
Art Exhibit, Leo Le Parisien Cafe, Famous Open Door Studio Society, North Van.

2003
Just Push Play, Hotel Renaissance, Vancouver.
Beginnings, Art Pars Gallery, Capilano Mall, North Vancouver.
Famous Walk of Art, Famous Open Door Studio Society, North Vancouver.
Deaf Group Art Show, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver.

2002 - 2005
Art Rental Program, CityScape Art Space, North Vancouver.

2002
Artists Amongst Us, Artists Helping Artists, Burnaby.

COMMISSIONS
2015 Cat named Shrimp, at the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital in Vancouver.
2014 Cats named Hank the Tank and Harley Quinn, Vancouver.
2009 Two Cats in a Bathroom Sink, Private Collection, North Vancouver.
2009 Two Cats and Two Girls, Private Collection, North Vancouver.

AWARDS :
2016 Lifetime Membership, North Shore Artists Guild
2005 Judy Dennis Emerging Artist Training Award.
Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Award for Distinguished Service for Deaf people.
2004 Bus Passenger of the Year.
1990 Liberace Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement In Music.
1986 Dean�s List of Honours for Academic Achievement.

TV INTERVIEWS :
2010
Tiny interview: Shaw Cable, Penticton.
2008
Tiny Interview: Telus TV, Vancouver.
Tiny Interview: Living Together, City TV, Vancouver.

WORK EXPERIENCE :
2004 Reader, read from my book for KickstART 2 Festival.
Author, My Voice: A Journey of Creativity, Courage and Hope.
Peer Jury Assessor, MediaEyes Production Society.
Community Liaison, Mentor MediaEyes Production Society.
2002 Mentor, Assisted an emerging videographer to create a video called `Deaf Rowing Challenge`.
Contributing Poet, A Roomful of Starlight.
2001 Videographer, Created a video called `Cats VS Alarm Clocks`
2000 Assessing Clerk, Sorted and numbered income tax returns. Canada Customs Revenue Agency.
Contributing Author, Speaking Up and Spelling It Out.
1996 - 2000 Mail Clerk Sorted mail, Canada Post Corp.
1996 - 1999 Data Entry Clerk, Entered data from income tax returns into the computer. Revenue Canada.
1993 - 1995 Actress, Acted in a stage play about people with disabilities for secondary school students. Theatre Terrific, in Vancouver and throughout BC.
1991 Performer of Music, Mozart�s Molto Allegro.
1986 Composer of Music, Gallaudet University.

EDUCATION :
2018 Emily Carr Drawing Certificate, Vancouver.
2014 Emily Carr Fine Arts Techniques Certificate, 2014.
2011 Reiki Master level, PEARL Healing Insights, Vancouver.
2010 Theta Healing, DNA 1 and 2, Vancouver.
2005 - 2007 Bad Dog Arts Studio, Painting, North Vancouver.
2005 One Source Learning Centre, Reiki level two, Vancouver.
Vancouver School Board, Acrylic for Beginners.
2004 PEARL Healing Insights, Reiki level one, Richmond.
Vancouver School Board, Mixed Media.
2003 Vancouver School Board, Introduction to Drawing, Drawing the Human Figure.
2001 North Vancouver Continuing Education, Jump Start Your Art Career.
Canadian Institute of Palliative Massage, Palliative Massage Course, Nelson.
West Vancouver Community Centre, Pencil Drawing With A Point.
Video In Studios with MediaEyes, Pre and Post Production: camera, lighting, editing, scriptwriting.
1999 Self-taught Painter.
1990-1992 Capilano College, Business and Music.
1985-1990 Gallaudet University, Bachelor of Arts Major: English Literature Minor:Music.

BOARDS/AFFILIATIONS :
2004-2010 Society for Disability Arts and Culture, Member.
2003-2007 Famous Open Door Studio Society, Member.
2002-2005 MediaEyes Production Society, Board Member.
2002-2006 North Vancouver Arts Council and North Vancouver Arts Commission, Member.
2002-2005 CARFAC, Member.
2002-2006 Artists in Canada, website member
2000-2006 Satelite Video Exchange Society / Video In, Member.
1992-pres The Voice of Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver Society,Board Member.
1992-1995 Theatre Terrific, Board Member.
1991-pres Western Institute for the Deaf an Hard of Hearing, Member.

Please be invited

June 10th, 2019

Please be invited

hello everyone,

this video is an invitation to you to come to a one night only art show.

It is on friday, june 21, from 6 - 9 pm

it is at 125 garden avenue, in north vancouver.

click here for video

Abilities Expo

January 31st, 2019

Abilities Expo

Be our date at the free Abilities Expo and Job Fair this Valentine's Day. Come enjoy entertainment, food, and learn about all the ways the community is becoming more inclusive for people with physical disabilities. Guest speakers, fun activities and a social atmosphere all under one roof. This is the only event of its kind in Vancouver for the variety of information and activities. Everyone is welcome!

It is at the Roundhouse Community Centre,
181 Roundhouse Mews, in Vancouver.

This event is on Thursday, February, 14,
from 11 to 4 pm.

I will have a table there, selling my greeting
cards and my small original artworks. I am also
offering my new knitted hearts.

For more information:
http://www.connectra.org/abilities-expo-and-job-fair.html

Deaf-Blind Christmas Craft Fair

October 25th, 2018

The Deaf-Blind Community welcomes you to attend our
22nd annual Christmas Craft Fair.

There will be 20 tables full of unique and one of a kind gifts, decorations and stocking stuffers! These are handmade and some pre-made with love and care by artists who are deaf, deaf blind, blind, deaf with cerebral palsy and hearing.

Student sign language interpreters to help with communication.

All money raised will support the Deaf-Blind community in its goal to provide intervenors. Come and help support our organization.

It is at River Market, 810 Quayside Drive, in New Westminster. It is on Saturday, November 24 from 10 am to 4 pm.

For more information, or to donate, please contact Craig MacLean at email cma73@alumni.sfu.ca

Hope to see you there...

Abilities Expo and Job Fair

February 12th, 2018

Abilities Expo and Job Fair

The Disability Foundation is proud to present:

The 2018 ConnecTra Abilities Expo & Job Fair on March 2 is bigger than ever.

Keynote speaker
MARCO PASQUA
Accessibility and Inclusion Consultant for the Presidents Group
who will be presenting: The Impact of Accessible and Inclusive Workplaces.

Presentations by the Disabled Sailing Association, BC Mobility Opportunities Society, Tetra Society of North America and the Vancouver Adapted Music Society.

We’re going to be joined by the experts:

SERVICE PROVIDERS A Dressing Needs | B C Technology for Independent Living | Boomer Tours and Travel | Canadian Travel Assist Society | CAYA (Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults) | Cerebral Palsy Association of BC | Douglas College | Global Network Personnel | HandyDart | Honu Para Swim Team | Individualized Funding Resource Centre | Keller William Realty Van Central | Kiwassa Neighbourhood House | Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs | Linda Edens | Neil Squire Society | Plan Institute | Richmond Centre for Disability | Sexual Health: G F Strong Rehabilitation Centre | Spinal Cord Injury BC | Treasure Yourself | Vancouver Community Network | Vancouver Public Library | Wheelchair Dance Sports Association Canada | Wheelin’ Mobility | Wolfe Mobility

EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYMENT SERVCIE PROVIDERS BC Centre for Ability | Canadian Council on Rehabilitation at Work | HSBC Bank Canada | Open Door Group | Parq Vancouver | Public Service Commission of Canada | Vancity | Vancouver WorkBC Employment Services Centres | Visual Art

ART & MUSIC A.J. Brown | Art Jonker | Jim Meyer | Dave Symington | Cody Tresierra

This event is FREE!

Join us:

Friday, March 2
11:30am to 4:30pm

Roundhouse Community Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie & Pacific)
Vancouver

Supported by Disability Foundation media sponsor Global BC

November Christmas Craft Fair

October 24th, 2017

November Christmas Craft Fair

Hello Everyone,

I'd like to invite you to come to the Deaf - Blind christmas craft fair.

It happens on Saturday, November 4, from 11 to 4 pm.

It is at the Collingwood Community Centre, 5288 Joyce, in Vancouver.

I will be selling my greeting cards and prints there.

I hope to see you there!

Two June Events

June 1st, 2017

Two June Events

Hello,

I am in two events in June:

First is  Deaftopia
Saturday, June 3 from 11 to 3 pm
Vancouver Community College
1155 East Broadway, Building B
in Vancouver.
Join us for a fun-filled event to learn about deaf
culture, American Sign Language, and much more!
There will even be mini, basic sign language 
lessons.
I am participating, as an artist; I have one new
painting on display in this event.
Here is a video about this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RJvvYCr3VU

My second event is:
Deaf Blind Awareness Fair
Sunday, June 11, from 1 to 4 30 pm
Roundhouse Community Centre,
181 Roundhouse Mews, in Vancouver.
Displays and Information booths for the public.
Have your name printed in braille! 
I am participating as an artist.  I have a table,
from which I will be selling my greeting cards,
prints and small original artworks.
Here is a link to a bit more information:
http://deafbc.ca/archives/category/events/page/2

I hope to see you there!

International Day of People with Disabilities

November 24th, 2016

International Day of People with Disabilities

hello everyone,

yikes time sure goes fast!

i'm in the international day of people with disabilities again this year. it is at the roundhouse community centre, 181 roundhouse mews, in vancouver. it runs on saturday, dec 3, from 11 to 4 pm. i have my greeting cards for sale there.

this is a free event to attend, there will be other art displays, short films, short talks, and music.

ASL interpreters are provided, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

for more information:
http://projecteverybody.ca
info@ProjectEveryBODY.ca
604.872.0770

hope to see you!

Deaf-blind Christmas Craft Fair

November 14th, 2016

Deaf-blind Christmas Craft Fair

hello everyone,

i will be participating in the deaf blind christmas craft fair.
it is on saturday, november 19, from 10 30 until 4 30.
it's at collingwood neighbourhood house, 5288 joyce street.
free admission, but donations are appreciated, which go to support the deaf blind intervenor program.
snacks and drinks are available from 10 30 to 3 30.
for more information, please contact leonor johnson at leonorjohnson@hotmail.com
or text at 604 837 1312

hope to see you there!

Everyday in Every Way

August 21st, 2016

Hello everyone,

In September, I'm participating in a group exhibit...

Every Day in Every Way: exhibit two
Featuring works by Karen Colville, Olga Kalamkarova, Peggy Logan,
Katherine Alma-Nihte, Natalia Bogolepova, Pamela Williamson,
Kevin Lee, Tessa Carter, David Lee, Stephanie Moore, A.J. Brown,
Ruth Major, Joni Larsen, and Doug Heal.

September 1 – October 16, 2016
Artist reception: September 16, 6-8pm
This event is free and open to the public!
There will be ASL interpretation at the opening reception.

Unitarian Church of Vancouver
949 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver
Viewing hours: Mon – Thurs 9:30am – 2:30pm, Sun 12:30 – 2:00pm

The Unitarian Church of Vancouver is wheelchair accessible.

​I hope to see you at this event!​

Vancouver Sun newspaper article

June 1st, 2016

This article was written today, after a few weeks of being interviewed.

http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-hume-provincial-clawbacks-relegate-the-disabled-to-life-of-poverty

Please share this far and wide, so we can pressure the provincial government to stop its thievery.

Thank you!

Three Events in May

April 17th, 2016

Three Events in May

Hello!

In May, I have three events planned!

First is Deaf Deaf World
This is on Saturday, May 7, from 11 to 3 pm,
at 1155 East Broadway, Vancouver Community College,
Builsling B
Here is a video about it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndzdPer5dKs

​Second is the Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge:
Sunday, May 15, from 10 to 3, Judging is 3 to 6 pm
​I will be in the area of Opus North Vancouver,
119 - 949 3rd Street West, behind Capilano Mall.
Here is more information:
http://www.opusartsupplies.com/opc?utm_source=OPC%Watercolours2016&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main%OpusOPC16%VIDEO&utm_campaign=APR2016

Third is the Fair in the Squaee,
on Sunday, May 29, from 11 to 2 pm.
at Victory Square, bordered by Hamilton,Pender, Cambie
and Hastings Streets.
604.683.2263
http://www.neighbourocity.ca/fair-in-the-square-2015/

​Also, in May I donated a painting to the Just Believe
Foundation fundraiser. This is on Saturday, May 7,
at White Rock Elk's Hall, 1469 George Street. White
Rock.. Showtime is 7 to 11 pm. Tickets are from Delaney
Rose at delaneyrose@hotmail.com or 604 722 1860.
Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door.

​Hope to see you at one or all of these events!​

Abilities Espo

March 15th, 2016

Abilities Espo

Hello,

I will be taking part in the Abilities Expo. This
is on Tuesday, March 29 from 12 to 5 pm. It is at the Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver.

This is Vancouver’s friendliest and most social resource fair, organized by the Disability
Foundation's ConnecTra Society every year.

Other presenters and resource providers are:
Adventures Adaptive Designs
BC Mobility Opportunity Society
BC Cerebral Palsy Association
GF Strong Research Lab
Neil Squire Foundation
RealWheels Theatre
Richmond Centre for Disability
and many others.

This year, I am giving a demonstration of
drawing with ink!

For more information, please contact,
Stephen Street
ConnecTra Coordinator
Disability Foundation
604.688.6464 ext. 115
sstreet@disabilityfoundation.org

Happy New Year

January 16th, 2016

hello everyone,

happy new year.

i thought i'd share some videos i created recently, with my artwork from the drawing boot camp course i took last fall. this course was an elective for my drawing certificate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX-mzKMV3-Y
part two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDO4EbwNg_o
part three
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYXcajCFthM
part four
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOx17PhgFs
part five
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkyzhyKkXZY
part six
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaxrL0qLYyw
part seven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPwaukbUZN8
part eight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgXgkVZEkKk
part nine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Huxv4NXxe0k

each video is two minutes or less to watch. i also made the links clickable.i hope you will enjoy!

i'd like to remind you i can be found on Facebook and Instagram

Wandering

May 30th, 2015

Wandering

hello everyone,

many of my friends and acquaintances all sent me the same call for artists to display during an exhibit at the pendulum gallery in vancouver. i am grateful for this attention. it is so nice to be thought of, in this way. i've resisted this exhibit because i don't feel I'm quite yet "professional". also, i'm not yet "finished" my grief for rumbles my precious cat friend. even though it is two years since she departed, i still sometimes cry for her. it's one reason why i didn't do anything in 2013. last year, i started again to exhibit, at least at home. when rumbles departed, i was shattered, i also had a sort of loss of confidence at the same time. i thought, what can i paint now, where do i paint from, who is my source, lots and iots of self doubt. am i still an artist? am i still an artist, without my darling muse? where do i go for my inspiration? who is my inspiration? all these and other self doubt; and what ifs kept coming, unwelcomed, in my mind during the last two years. also, during the last two years, i've started going within more. i feel i've scratched the surface of the awareness of going within. i lost my fear of dying because i already did, just after my first surgery. i almost made it, Home to Heaven. but i came to a fork in the path and that confused me and i came back here. this is all very personal. i still have a hard time putting words to my experience. i still get dis respected; i'm not sure why. sorry that i'm off my track of the call for artists…! the call for artists deals with happiness and the pressure to be happy. i think the exhibit would be great to be a part of, because i can say i''ve "been there". how to relate to other people can be a challenge, especially finding the right words to match the experience. i'm not sure why i'm resisting this exhibit. i guess i will visit it this fall, to view what the jury decided. i am still improving my skill as a visual artist. i will continue to post my works to show my progress as an artist. if you're on Facebook, you're welcome to visit and view my fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AJ-Brown-Hands-and-Purrs/84194221410 oh, it's called a like page now… i am also on twitter and instagram. for both of these, i am: artbyajb. i feel that even if i'm not yet "professional", it's all a process and what i produce is still art for purchase. i would like to thank all my friends for letting me know of this show. please keep me informed of other shows i might miss… hugs to all :)

You are invited to the North Shore Art Crawl

February 9th, 2015

You are invited to the North Shore Art Crawl

Hello,

I created a video version of this announcement, with just the basic
information and posted to youtube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2dLRsOP-PE

I'm AJ Brown and I’m participating in the North Shore Art Crawl.  http://nsartcrawl.ca/participant_profiles/aj_brown  

The North Shore Art Crawl is a free community arts festival that celebrates local artists. Our mission is to bring about approachable and accessible art venues that encourage the community to connect with, and celebrate the creativity of, our North Shore artists. Our goal is to engage, inspire, and transform the North Shore through inclusive alliances amongst artists and the community.This is self guided tour for the public of artists' studios.

The Crawl started as a grass roots movement by two North Shore artists, but after three years of organizing and running the event it became too time consuming for a small team of volunteers to handle, so the North Vancouver Community Arts Council offered to takeover the event.

The philosophy behind the Crawl is that we really want to be inclusive of all art forms without any artificial boundaries between art and crafts. In the last years we welcomed registrations from textile artists, jewelers, potters, designers, sculptors, comic book artists and many others.

I participated in the Crawl since 2012. When you visit my home studio you will see a variety of artwork I’ve produced since 1999 using acrylics, charcoal, pencil, mixed media, watercolour, ink and knitting.

You may view my work on March 7 and 8, from 10 am – 6 pm, at:

300-380 Klahanie Court
West Vancouver
My place marker on the Crawl map is number 18.
http://nsartcrawl.ca/map_brochure

For more information, Megan Koch
Events Coordinator
North Vancouver Community Arts Council 
604-988-6844, events@nvartscouncil.ca, nsartcrawl.ca

Ruminating

January 14th, 2015

Ruminating

Last night I was ruminating while I was brushing my teeth. I was thinking about rumbles, my own near death experience and all I felt during that. I haven’t told anyone my near death experience because, at the time, I thought it was just a very vivid dream. Also, this was a very deep personal thing. Who could I talk with about this, at that time? who would understand? Who would, without patting me on the head, saying there there and basically run me down? Who could I trust with my deep feelings? Who would KNOW? At the time, I felt more alone after the near death experience. So, I fell into a depression for many months afterward. The near death experience I had… is similar to others, that tunnel of light. I’ll back up… I just had my first back surgery, I remember being turned a couple of times in the sandwich bed, feeling fairly comfortable. I thought I was healing just fine after the surgery for scoliosis. Though, I could feel the new herrington rods in my back. I remember my next bed mate, an older woman, who also had the same surgery. She was very angry, and going through the grief stages. Losing mobility is traumatic for some. Then after that, things went wrong for me. I guess the student doctor thought I was not healing normally, or fast enough. So I was given a drug that was supposed to speed up my healing. It was in the I V drip I was receiving. I remember feeling like I was dying. You just know. I even told my Mom that I’m dying. I was drowning from the fully open I V drip. The bag was supposed to last like eight hours, but this emptied in 20 minutes. I was wheeled into ICU and someone smart put a catheter in me so I could urinate, which I desperately needed but was unaware of. When the catheter went in, I thought to myself, now I can start to heal. I then went into a coma. I had what I thought was a vivid dream of going down a tunnel of light. At the end of this tunnel is Home, or heaven to some. I could feel I was returning. I felt safe, whole, blissful, at peace. Though, I didn’t make it all the way. I came to a fork in the tunnel. One was to return to life as I knew it or to return Home. At the time, this choice confused me. I guess before, my soul would have a direct route Home. So, I returned. I don’t know how long I was in the coma, a week, 11 weeks. But to me, because I nearly made it Home, the time was always now. So, I thought it was only yesterday that I shared that room with the older lady. Boy, was I surprised how much time went by. It was difficult to have to return, after experiencing pure love. That was in 1986. I wouldn’t call that a life altering event, because at the time, I just didn’t know. And who could I tell? I guess I’m sharing this now, because of Rumbles. While I was brushing my teeth tonight, ah last night, I received this idea as a new painting to do. It is of Rumbles waiting for me at Home. I’ve “attached” this rough drawing as a start to this new painting. I always knew, that she and all my other animal friends I knew from this lifetime and all past lives, will be waiting for me when I return Home. Of course, so will all family and friends I knew. It will be quite a party. Words fall short of feelings. All we can do is try our best to express what we feel at anytime. Yes, I miss Rumbles very much, but grief is a gift to be opened gradually. We go at our own pace, hand in hand and foot in foot with the dear Creator. I guess this image is a merging of my pace with the Creator’s pace. I don’t think I’ve accepted Rumbles’ departure yet, but I’m learning to trust that inner Self. I’ve read and figured out that the Creator isn’t outside of us, “out there somewhere, sitting on a cloud”, but inside us. I guess Rumbles’ departure, prompted me to do a search, really for my higher Self, the Creator inside. This is what I’m coming to accept. I guess when I learn to trust this higher Self, I will then accept Rumbles’ departure. When Rumbles departed, I was completely shattered. How do you pick up the pieces? Nothing to hold onto. Just precious memories, artwork, and photographs remain. Nowhere to go but up. Leave the pieces where they are, but keep the memories. Of course, it doesn’t do to stay in the past. Staying connected to the Now moment is a daily challenge, even a challenge moment by moment. I’m getting there! Take one breath. Draw one line. Move one step. Do one thing if that’s all I can do. Hugs to everyone.

I adopted Rumbles

January 14th, 2015

I adopted Rumbles

I adopted Rumbles, my second cat, during the third week of November, 2000. I got her to keep my first cat, Panther, company while I was away for learning how to make a video. It became apparent that Rumbles was afraid of everything and everyone. So, I made sure Rumbles saw everything I brought home. Over the years, I told Rumbles to be assertive. Assertive is what I got! She helped herself to my freshly baked muffins, and took bacon off my plate when I had pancakes. She’d also lick the salt off my potato chips. She eventually had me trained to hold a muffin or a potato chip for her.  She didn’t like high places. When we adopted each other, she would bolt to under the bed if the doorbell/phone rang. She would stay there until her perceived monster left. But, when I had some deaf friends over, she would come out to see what the silence was. Communicating in sign language was new experience for her. Rumbles was so very badly abused. Rumbles told me, telepathically, of some of the abuse she experienced. She was starved, kicked, and her past owner grabbed her tail and swung her. I was devastated when I learned all that. Why would anyone abuse a gorgeous cat like this? Knowing that, I told her, she’s safe with me. She was not a hold me cat, and not a lap cat. But she was definitely a close cuddler. When I read books or watched tv, she would have her back to my leg or her feet against my leg. Thus warming each other up. I had to earn her trust. I did that over time by allowing her to get to know me as I am, on her terms. When I came home from being out, no matter how long or short the time, she would greet me with her dainty walk, and tail way up high, with a little crook at the end of her tail. She would take my pancakes, probably because I used bacon fat to cook them in. I used to set the smoke alarm off, often. It got so often, that she eventually got used to that and looked bored when I set it off. She would look as if she was saying, “Oh, you set the smake alarm off, again!” Big yawn. She tried avocado for a while also, because I sprinkled nutritional yeast on. She was crazy for nutritional yeast! No cat story is complete without a story about their hunting! Rumbles brought in moths from the balcony. I didn’t know of that! She would capture them and bring them in and release them and play / hunt them then eat. She went between the walls of the apartment. Her first time, for me anyway, she spent quite some time in there. I was getting nervous and had visions of the fire department breaking open the wall to fish her out. Then I heard a thump. So, I was going to call the fire department, but she emerged from the kitchen hole with a mouse from her mouth! When we visited my Mom’s for Christmas, Mom left the balcony door open a hair line width. Rumbles must have worked all night to get that heavy balcony door open! She presented Mom with a hummingbird. Mom was Not pleased. Oh, I am a visual artist. Rumbles participated in my artwork as well. Once I was totally engrossed in a painting; I forgot everything. Then when I stood up to admire my artwork thus far, Rumbles jumped onto the artwork! She brought me back to the present moment, meowing in my face. I am currently editing a video in which I talk about the creation of one of my paintings, from creation to finish. She’s in that, also. I am so grateful I told her over the years to be assertive.  When it was movie night, she would join me and lay on one side of my lap, then after a few minutes, jump off the sofa, walk around the trunk – table, have a good scratch on her scratching post. Then she would jump back on the sofa, on my other side, and dive into my popcorn, to lick all the butter on the bottom! What a bum! Then she would jump over the popcorn bowl and resume her nap. Rumbles was always so trusting of me. Sometimes she slept with her eyes open, mouth open, on her back with all four feet wherever. I tried to take pictures of her like that, but to no avail. I think we were so close because we knew each other in past lives. For sleeping at nights, she would start her nights, sleeping ON my feet. Then she would move to behind my knees. Next, either back to back or front to front. Sometimes she would even come under the sheet and blankets. Sometimes in the morning she would wake me with a variety of ways: pawing my head, sometimes with her claws sometimes not, just breathing into my face, and touching nose to nose. One morning, I awoke to green eyes. I was on my back, and she was on my tummy.  Little did I know how deeply Rumbles’ pawprints would touch my heart. She was just 13 and under three months when she departed. Thank you, dear sweet Rumbles, for being the star of my life! I know we will see each other again. My visual art website is www.handsandpurrs.ca

Merry Christmas

December 22nd, 2014

Merry Christmas

hello everyone,

i would like to give thanks to everyone in my life who have touched me and i hope i have returned the favour.

it looks like this year will be a green christmas here in vancouver, bc. though, in the past, mother nature surprised us with snow, right on christmas day.

my teacher at my recent course at emily carr, gently encouraged me to draw and paint cats. i was unsure i could, because i am still missing my cat named Rumbles. wow. she was an amazing gentle spirit. i still cry for rumbles sometimes; i still feel shattered. i include the artwork i did last year for my mixed media course: those are broken incandescent light bulbs, to represent my feeling of shatteredness. i live on the hope that one day i will have another cat. i have to figure out a way to do this. i wrote an article for the black cat white dog newspaper, about rumbles. i includ a link to the magazine. my article is on page 11. Black Cat White Dog Newspaper, February / March Issue i think i will post the full article i wrote in an upcoming blog post, because the article i wrote was edited. i'll post it, unedited.

one pleasant memory i'd like to share about rumbles: sometimes i made pancakes for breakfast, with bacon. i put the plate on the table and i'd turn my back to cook more. i turn again and i see her helping herself to a pancake! probably because it was cooked in bacon fat.

so, may your christmas be filled with your cat helping her/him self to your food, laughter, and peace.

hugs to all.

February Art News

February 14th, 2014

February Art News

Hello, here is my e newsletter that i just sent out to my e newsletter people: (copied and pasted)

January was quite busy for me.

I had to close my studio at 195 Pemberton Avenue, for various reasons. Maybe one day,
I will find a new studio from which to create. In the meantime, I will do my artwork from home.

I sold a painting: the Three Kittens. :)

I finally uploaded my documentary video, showing my painting process for the painting I
worked on last year. Doing both the painting and this video was part of my grief process,
for Rumbles. This was difficult for me to get through. I really wanted to finish it before my
course at Emily Carr started. I hope you take the time to view it on my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUL4SL0SKO4&list=UUB369mCiqohmTD4oK2FYLTw&feature=c4-overview

I contributed an article to the Black Cat, White Dog magazine:
http://www.blackcatwhitedognews.com/editions/BCWD15.pdf

I am also taking a course at Emily Carr University, through their continuing ed program. This
course is called the Business of Art Practise, and is required for the certificate I'm going for.

I am planning to take part in this year's North Shore Art Crawl, on the third weekend of April.
Details to come.

Happy belated new year and happy early Valentine's Day!

Hugs to all. A.J.

Giving thanks

February 14th, 2014

Giving thanks

I just found out that someone blogged about my website! I found out from a new acquaintance who told me she was searching for abstract art with a Japanese theme. The search results brought her to a blog that had my Mask drawing which directed her tp another blog about me and my art. Yippee! So, to whomever wrote / blogged about my website here, THANK you SO much! I had no idea. :)

To the universe at large, please keep up with these Very Nice Surprises! :)

Book of A J Brown

February 14th, 2014

Book of A J Brown

The book I wrote, My Voice: A Journey of Courage, Creativity and Hope can be found here:
Click here

Contact Magazine for Christ Church Cathedral Spring 2007, Volume 38, Issue 1

February 14th, 2014

Contact Magazine for Christ Church Cathedral Spring 2007, Volume 38, Issue 1

The Art of A.J. Brown
Barbara Brown

The art of A.J. Brown is notable for its childlike naiveté and is seen as not contrived but bold, courageous and honest, arising as it does from her disabilities and her great need as a creative person to communicate, to dream and to imagine a new and better world.

A recent showing of A.J.’s art illustrates her range as a conceptual artist and her belief that a viewer’s impressions and insights of any particular painting are more important than the traditional view of art as a precious commodity.

Visitors to ‘Between Friends’, a co-show at West Vancouver’s Silk Purse Gallery with established artist Marie Becker-Pos, wrote at length about their impressions of A.J.’s art: “Super great work, both simple and complex at same time.” “I really enjoyed the story telling qualities in both worlds.” “I love how you use so many diverse mediums. Congratulations on a successful show.” “This is a remarkable show, so well matched! Cats & birds, Argyle garden & fanciful designs. I loved it all.”

A.J.’s interest in art began in 1999 when she participated in art therapy classes about the time that her disabilities forced her to retire from paid work. Since then she has studied with the Vancouver School Board (a great experience because they supplied ASL interpreters for every class) and the North Shore night school (a bad experience because no interpreters were provided). Since 2005, A.J. has been mentored by a collective of artists under the guidance of Elizabeth Harris-Nichols at the Bad Dog Studio in North Vancouver.

A.J. first exhibited her work in 2002 and now has had exhibitions in several galleries, including the CityScape Art Space, the Artists Helping Artists in Burnaby, a deaf artists show at Vancouver Community College, the West Vancouver Harmony Arts Festival, with their ‘Art Beat,’BC Festival of the Arts, the Deaf Canada
Conference Art Show in Quebec City and the Silk Purse Gallery
She is a member of the Society for Disability Arts and Culture, MediaEyes Production Society, The Famous Open Door Studio Society and the North Vancouver Arts Commission.

A.J. is excited about the growing interest in her art, and we recently met over lunch to discuss her work.

“I began to paint because it was so hard to be employed by other people. I worked for the government and found full-time work and the three-hour commute to be exhausting due to the stress and being CPish [AJ’s unique descriptor for her cerebral palsy symptoms, which have worsened over time].
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“I’m inspired by what surrounds me – my cats; Rumbles and Panther, the view of the trees and birds from my window, the work of other artists like Picasso who is so free, the photography of Ansel Adams, a movie perhaps. Sometimes my friends say things. The painting ‘The Lazy Melting Cat’ was inspired by comments my friend Leanor made about her cat in front on the fireplace.
“I like to work with an image and along the way, some humour comes out. A magazine photo inspired ‘The Dog and the Wedding Cake’. I let it sit in my collage book for a long time before I actually made the painting. From the beginning I thought it was funny and poor dog would later be sick. Cats just get into my paintings! I can paint Rumbles shape now without any references!

“The Purple Cat’ started with the sky. I used my hands to get all that texture. That’s how I get the great feel for detail. Panther was once a participant in my art, with his tail. I just let him swish away on the one I call ‘Panther Comedy’. His work is on the eye colour.

“In the past few years I did a lot of volunteer work with a deaf video group called MediaEyes. I acted with Theatre Terrific in a couple of roles. At Gallaudet University [the Washington DC liberal arts university for the deaf and hard of hearing] I wrote modern, classical music and even received a couple of awards for my work.

“The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing recognized my contribution to local deaf culture in 2005, as an example for people in adversity. Their WIDHH Award is given annually and was given that year to three of us. I was cited because they felt I was an inspiration for living.

“Generally, I’m upbeat and positive. I try to find the humour in situations. But painting is my focus now. For recreation, I love to walk. Sharing time with good friends is great. I love to spend time with other artists and more and more I have the opportunity to paint with them.

“In ten years I would like to be living and working in some place hot, like Toller Cranston in Mexico. Painting full-time. It’s my plan. Of course, I know changes will happen along the way. I’m hoping for a better future.

“Everyone asks me about my AJB butterfly signature. It’s a symbol. You know a butterfly starts as a caterpillar and then turns into a butterfly later. Likewise, for me!

“Advise for budding artists? Keep at it. That’s the only way.”

To view A.J.’s art go to www.handsandpurrs.ca.

Alumni Profile A J Brown 1990

February 14th, 2014

Alumni Profile A J Brown 1990

AJ Brown, ’90

It takes some artists a lifetime to develop a distinct style and gain renown. For others, fame doesn’t come while they are alive to enjoy it. But for AJ Brown, ‘90, it’s taken just 10 years of painting to hone a distinct concept for her work and to draw an adoring fan base.

Brown grew up in Vancouver, B.C., and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She ventured down to the States in 1985 to attend Gallaudet, studying English literature. No art courses made it onto Brown’s class roster during her time at the University, nor for several years after. But she did find friends and mentors in several professors, including Joe Grigely, a retired English faculty member, and Diane Merchant of the former Music Department. “They were genuinely interested in me,” Brown recalled. “They were role models for me, as well.”

When she returned to Vancouver with her college degree, Brown discovered that as a deaf woman with cerebral palsy, there were barriers in the job market that she had not anticipated. She went back to school, taking music and business courses. She considered becoming a musician, a dancer, and a model. She worked at an income tax agency and at the post office. Ultimately, a muse came into her life that changed everything.

Brown began taking art courses in 1999 and found that painting was the right medium for her. The subjects of her artwork also became clear. Brown enjoyed using her first cat, Panther, and photos of other pets to create her pieces. Her paintings continue to incorporate furry characters. Although she often works from photos, Brown’s works employ abstract techniques like bright blocks of color and skewed angles. She calls her style “conceptual,” and said that each of the pieces tells a story.

The specific animals vary from painting to painting, sometimes fluffy and black like her current companion, Rumbles, and sometimes a fanciful blue; sometimes seated and obedient, other times prowling and mischievous. Secretly, though, like Marc Chagall, who always added a rooster to his dream-like watercolors of people and animals, Brown sneaks the spirit of a certain character into each painting. “I put my cat in each one,” Brown revealed, “and a bit of myself in as well.”

Some of her paintings feature a scene familiar to pet owners, like a cat pawing at a running shower, while others imagine a world in which daffodils communicate from their vases. She sometimes incorporates words, like Panther’s name in the Pablo Picasso-inspired piece “Panther Comedy’s Eye Colour.”

“Her themes have expanded and are bold and fun, as it is with her use of color,” said friend Lisz Keallen, who met Brown as her interpreter and has been following her work from the start.

In 2004, Brown released her first book. Through poetry, art, and stories, My Voice: A Journey of Creativity, Courage and Hope describes the brushstrokes she has used to become an artist and the challenges she faced as she filled her life’s canvas.

As Brown continued to paint and gained self-assurance, she formed the idea for a business. “It started as a natural evolution from my creations,” Brown said. “I wanted to develop a business of artwork, paintings, greeting cards, art prints, and my book.” In 2005, on the advice of a job counselor from the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Vancouver, Brown went to a self-employment program. Within two years, she had learned enough to start her company.

Since starting her business, Hands, Paws, and Purrs, Brown has created a website—handsandpurrs.ca—and wrote a second book, Room in my Heart: A Book of Cats Galore. She has also participated in several art shows. News stories about her have appeared in artistsincanada.com and Contact Magazine, and she has been interviewed on two Vancouver television shows.

In November of 2008, Brown hung her first solo exhibit, “The Ultimate Gift,” in Vancouver. “I felt proud, joyous, and like I was 10 feet tall,” Brown said. The exhibit drew enthusiastic comments, and several people paid her the compliment of buying her work. “That was the icing on my cake,” she said.

In addition to painting, Brown is active in the community. She sits on the board of directors for the Society for Disability Arts and Culture and The Voice of the Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver, and she is involved with two other arts organizations. Brown is proud of what she has accomplished as an artist who happens to be deaf and have cerebral palsy. “A double disability, so to speak,” she said, but not a major barrier—not a barrier to creating art, nor to sharing her oeuvre with friends, colleagues, and the community. Indeed, she has participated in more than 20 shows since 2002.

As she looks ahead, Brown wants to continue learning and developing herself and her business. “My plans for the future are to keep loving my cat, keep reaching out, keep learning, and keep painting,” she said.

This profile originally appeared in the spring 2009 issue of Gallaudet Today Magazine.

The Primitive Style of A.J. Brown, by A.J. Brown

February 14th, 2014

The Primitive Style of A.J. Brown, by A.J. Brown

The Art Style of A.J. Brown

It is unique. A.J. Brown’s style has always been uncommon, unusual and remarkable. Her style draws in the perceptive viewer and rewards him or her with insights hidden in her image: joy, wonder, forgiveness, curiosity, fear, even understanding of some of life’s eternal dilemmas such as the soldier’s need for peace and comfort on a battleground

An example: For her piece, Soldier and 2 cats … The original of this was sent to A.J. as part of an email. A.J. then drew the original and then from that, painted. She added a second cat on the right side of the diptych. She also added a plane and a big bomb being dropped on a house. She thought this might hopefully say this is overkill. To keep improving technology to the point that maybe in the future a bomb the size of our fingernails will destroy a city. “Eek! Well, I hope not!” says A.J.

A.J. describes her painting style as primitive. This is an old word deriving from the Latin, primitivus: first of its kind. In painting, it is used to describe a style that is direct, that rejects convention, a style that is unaffected and is unique, not derived from anything else. Primitive is not used to describe her style as uneducated or rough. Instead, her paintings are the opposite; sophisticated and urbane without being embellished and complicated. A.J.’s work is full of oxymorons: It is simple and complex at the same time. It is sarcastic and humourous. It’s fun and realistic and always has a message of the spirit of the animal. It’s sweet and profound and shows the spirit of the artist. It also has a whimsical flair. Her style is sort of eclectic, with some elements of impressionist, or abstracts. It has an unhindered raw energy and vibrancy. A.J. likes to surprise her viewers. She likes to try to keep her cat in its natural environment, but maybe one day one of her cats will be in outer space or living in the water as a mer – cat, or fairy.

Another beloved painting is the Wedding Cake piece. A.J. cut out a photograph from a magazine many years ago, before she acknowledged herself as an artist. She did collage back then, a little bit. She hung onto this without knowing why. Then in 2006, she thought to try and tackle this as a subject for a painting. A.J. took a painting course at the time and I was encouraged to try new approaches. She drew out a very rough drawing of it to work out how to do it. She didn’t like the Dalmatian in the original photograph. She added 2 cats from her imagination to the drawing, but it still seemed to be missing something. She had the calendar from the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society that year, and in that, was a puppy in boots. She had what she needed!! She thinks she pitched that calendar since.

In a way this is somewhat like describing personality traits, being direct and unaffected, and very much her own person, that is, unique, ready and willing to meet the world head on. A.J. treats everyone and everything she meets, with respect, even if that respect is not reciprocated. She knows respect comes from exposure to a wide variety of experiences. The more we are exposed to different things, the more we learn of different things and can understand things better, and therefore, earn and give respect.

For some of her artwork, A.J. just created straight from her imagination, like the Purple Cat and Between Friends. She didn’t plan these out. Though, for these two, she used her hands to get the sky just right. For an element of fun, she added the squirrel and the owl for a bit of wisdom.

Art is a new way of looking at things. When we look at someone’s work, we see through their eyes for a short time, sort of like borrowing “A.J. Brown’s spectacles” for the current moment.

A.J. practiced drawing out the Cat Sled Team. She “borrowed” a picture from the movie Pinocchio, because its cat, Figaro, is perfect! That was a challenge to get it just right, when its tongue was coming out. She froze her VCR at that second and took a picture of her TV. She hopes whoever did that original doesn’t mind! But she doesn’t see the art police coming …. to arrest her for borrowing the image. She practiced the cat standing. She used her favourite fairy tale book for a reference for this. This was her favourite fairy tale book because its pictures are alive, vibrant and they support the stories. She thinks this fairy tale book is a big influence on her art. It’s too bad the artist isn’t given credit for his or her work! The work is conceptual and inspiring. She has re read this many times since her childhood. She will read it again and again in the future.

A.J. thinks her disabilities influence her style. Because A.J. is deaf, she takes care to watch her environment carefully. She looks for subtle clues as to what is going on, and what people are talking about. So the lift of an eyebrow, a single frown line, a glance, all tell her a bit of what is being possibly said.

For one painting, she took a photograph of two cats. She enlarged this photo to the painting size, 15 x 20. She really wanted to be accurate. So, she traced around the cats, and then put this tracing onto canvas. Then she painted it. This one is called, My Foot’s Clean!

A.J.’s art is alive with insight that she uses to interpret with sensitivity of her subjects.. A single brush stroke for a whisker can show impudence or sorrow. The angle of an ear shows interest or boredom. The line of a mouth shows mirth or fear. The simple lines of an eye can show laughter or naughtiness.

A.J. caught her cat in the act of drinking from the toilet. She took a photograph of that. She then tried to draw that out to practice for getting her hands used to the hand positions for painting this. Then she painted it from the photograph and from her drawings.

Her cerebral palsy in some ways limits her abilities. But she uses her CP limitations by being prudent with her brush strokes. The direct, simple forms of her animals highlight their physicality. The curve of a tail says so much and she gets across each animal’s point of view with a few subtle strokes. In a way her disabilities limit her and empower her at the same time to tell an entire story sometimes with a minimum of brush strokes.

A.J. creates paintings, using acrylics. Her art is conceptual, meaning it has the potential to tell a story. Her art shows movement and has an element of fun. Some of her influences are from Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and even the ancient Mayan, Egyptian and Greek cultures. She also likes Monet. She has seen the work of Mary Michael Shelley, who does whimsical folk art. A.J.’s art might go in the direction of Louis Wain in the future. He painted cats, wearing clothes and attending tea parties. She uses a wide range of colours, from muted to vibrant. She likes to include a bit of humour in her artwork. But, like Picasso, her style is constantly evolving.

There is a corner in A.J.’s kitchen that is open to the wall. She cannot get at that space, but her cat can. From this space, Rumbles brought A.J. two mice. A.J. caught her cat coming from that space. She thinks she just worked straight from the photo for this one, titled, Thirsty Feline.

Most of A.J.’s art is of cats. However, she has done other subjects as well. She also studied the human figure, from a terrific book, Anatomy for Artists. This is to help improve her skill. Another teacher she had, from the Vancouver School Board, James Picard, said that if we can draw people, we can draw ANYthing.

A few examples of how A.J. approaches her work: She approaches her subjects with sensitivity and respect. This is because we don’t speak each other’s languages. A.J. doesn’t speak cat, and her cat doesn’t speak English or sign language.

For others, she uses photographs that were sent to her by email, or from her own photography. For some of these emailed pictures, she drew on canvas, using charcoal, sometimes chalk, then as she painted, she covered over the charcoal or just rubbed off the charcoal. The Cat with the Magician‘s Hat is an example of that. A.J. really thanks Rachael Hale for that photograph! Such an endearing kitten! She also drew this out, because when she first saw this, it was from a friend’s book, titled, It’s a Zoo Out There. A.J. just HAD to do this!

So, she approaches her work in several ways. She uses many resources. Hopefully, her art will always be a treasure. She hopes to continue to evolve as she matures as an artist. She has only been doing art since 1999. The well was her first image. She used this as a start to get some of her demons out. In the future, she hopes to make the transition to watercolour and egg tempura because she learned that acrylic does not last very long. On all of her more recent work, she includes her signature, which is a butterfly. So, now you know all about A.J., or at least her artwork. Thank you for sharing in this journey!

A Bit about Circles Cat

September 12th, 2013

A Bit about Circles Cat

Hello,

I guess I am not sure what I can write in this blog. This is because this website's host only wants posts about art. I'd love to write about my disabilities and how, sometimes it is SO frustrating. Frustrating to relate to very different people from myself. But I think if I put the word, "art" in my posts somewhere, then posts will be accepted.

I just finished my large painting, 24 x 36, Circles Cat, last week. I will post another photograph of it to my cat paintings gallery. Right now, though, I've posted it to my "Ajs Atelier studio gallery". This website is eccentric. It doesn't like punctuation in the titles of my artwork, or the names of galleries or the titles of blog posts. (eyes rolling)

In a few days, I plan to start to edit my video that I took during the process of creating Circles Cat. Circles Cat took me six months to complete. I usually can finish a painting in a month. This is a large painting for me. I am not sure I will do another large painting, unless I'm asked. I enjoyed the process of making this painting. However, Rumbles, my cat / muse / best friend died during the process. So, finishing the painting was very difficult. My approach changed during the process. I could only work on this for maybe a half hour or maybe 15 minutes at a time. This is my most detailed painting thus far. So, to show my process, I thought it would be interesting for some of you to see the work and love I put into my paintings.

I will hold onto this painting for a while. I mean, I'll mark it as not for sale.

Til my next blog post! If you want more current information, I'm more comfortable with posting on my Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AJ-Brown-Hands-and-Purrs/84194221410

Hugs to all of you.

Life with Rumbles

February 22nd, 2011

Life with Rumbles

Rumbles is my darling princess. Though sometimes she can be the queen! Cat lovers will understand this attitude. She never fails to remind me when she wants to eat. That is about every two or three hours. She will lead me to the bathroom for brushings. She initiates play. When she wants More attention, she will open the closet door in the bedroom. She's getting older now too. So, she now goes timber at about the same time. She prefers that I'm in bed before her. Probably she likes the bed warmed up from my body heat?

Why is the Cat a Central Theme in my Artwork?

January 5th, 2011

Why is the Cat a Central Theme in my Artwork?

Growing up, I had all sorts of other animals as friends: gerbils, hamsters, bunny rabbits, a guinea pig, a budgie, and a dog. It wasn't until I was adopted by a very active black kitten that my life started to change. There was a twelve year gap where I had no animal friends. I happened to visit the farm of a cousin. My cousin plopped this black kitten into my left hand. I had NO experience with cats before that time. This kitten crawled up my arm to my shoulder and stayed put. I walked around with this kitten on my shoulder for about a half hour. Then it was time to return to my aunt's house. My aunt tried to pick this Panther off, but he dug into my coat. So, I had been adopted! So, I took him home. Over the years, Panther taught me to live in the Present Moment, or at least he started that process! The process of letting go, that is. They say a friend reaches for your paw, but touches your Heart. May Panther Rest In Peace. I have another almost all black cat now, named Rumbles to continue to teach me to live in the Present Moment. Cats are beautiful, graceful, independent, loyal and so very Loving. (Though you have to earn that!) Rumbles lets me know when the phone rings or if there is someone at the door. She is muscular and dainty. She brings gifts of mice, moths and birds. She is my inspiration. So, how can I not have cats as a theme for my artwork?