Poppy Balser OPA
Poppy Balser is a Canadian painter who works in oils and watercolours.
Her portrayal of the coastline has a deep foundation in much time spent outside, observing the interation of tide, weather and light. Balser says:
“I feel tremendously fortunate to live where I do. I am surrounded by wild landscapes and I live within walking distance of the ocean. I go outside to paint as often as possible to observe the natural landscape closely. With my plein air sketches for reference I make larger, more deliberate works in the studio.
When I go out to paint I look for some part of the landscape that catches my attention. I am looking for that something special that awakens my curiousity: “How will it look when I paint that?” It does not have to be a spectacular landscape feature, just something unique that catches my eye and makes me wonder about it, and want to examine it more closely. When I find that, then my goal is to capture in paint to share with others that sense of delight and beauty, to bring indoors the atmosphere and light of my outdoor coastal landscape.”
Balser has always lived withing walking distance of the ocean, mostly on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. She developed an early connection with the seashore which has deepened as she studies the sea and its environs through her paintings. She understands that the wild portions of our environment, including the ocean, are a precious resource and seeks to highlight their beauty in her paintings. She paints outside often to keep her observations fresh and accurate. Her goal is to transfer the open air feeling of being outside in nature into her studio work.
Balser began the serious pursuit of painting in watercolours in 2003. She has since followed a path of self directed study, choosing workshops by master painters from across the country. Over the last few years she has expanded her artistic practice to include both oil and gouache painting. She has become an accomplished painter, recognized for her work in all three media. She holds signature or elected membership in several art societies, including the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC), the Oil Painters of America and the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).
For more about Poppy Balser’s work, , please visit www.poppybalser.com.