Eastern Shores

For Canadian artist Brian Atyeo, there are two things he doesn’t like: the 66-feet commute from his house to his studio, and a blank canvas — both of which he is growing to accept are a part of creating masterpieces.

Atyeo is a visionary artist who takes the unique Canadian landscape and brings it to life. Known for painting most of Canada including the Arctic, the West, Ontario and even Quebec, Atyeo is turning his focus on Atlantic Canada for an exhibition next year, an adventure he is truly in love with.

“Moving to the Maritimes three years ago from Ontario certainly availed me the opportunity to get out and explore,” he says. “Newfoundland is a landscape all its own. It’s truly unique in Canadian landscape, it really needs specific attention.”

Atyeo uses acrylic paint, paper collage, canvas and high-density pigmented crayons to create vibrant pieces.

After completing a show in 2009 at Harbour Gallery in Mississauga, Ont., which showcased some of his popular pieces of Canadian landscape including “Indian Harbour” and “Night Wharf,” Atyeo was convinced by the grand reception from the public to make this show even more extravagant.

“The pieces were very well-received and created quite a buzz; I wasn’t actually expecting that,” he recalls.

Following the exhibit, which took place a few months after the November market crash the previous year, Atyeo managed to sell 24 of his paintings in two weeks, a tribute to his great artistic skill and following.

“It was interesting. I really enjoyed doing them so I thought let’s have a show in a couple years and so we will be doing that in May,” he says.

The exhibition next year will include 20 to 25 new pieces featuring the wondrous Newfoundland landscape. Atyeo spends up to six hours a day working in a grand studio just behind his house.

“I have finally got the studio that I’ve always wanted,” he says. “It’s a two-story building… It has beautiful big windows overlooking Indian Harbour on one side and St. Margaret’s Bay on the other.”

The studio is surrounded by a garden built by his wife, causing a commute of 66 feet that Atyeo jokingly bemoans. “Traffic for me is a bit different than it is for you,” he laughs, “but it’s a tremendous place to paint. I am very lucky to be here.”

Although he admits his current project will be tough because of Newfoundland’s rugged landscape, Atyeo notes that his creation of art has changed from what it used to be.

“The biggest change is my faith in the process of making art, a greater faith in my self, in my own ability, and not needing to know or understand everything about making a painting at the actual time that it’s happening,” he says.

Atyeo, who also teaches art, adds that this concept is what he stresses the most to his students, along with the idea that having a good support system is the next best thing.

Atyeo will be showcasing his art exhibit at the acclaimed Harbour Gallery once again.
“I would highly recommend anyone thinking of looking for a gallery to go to Harbour Gallery,” he says. “The artists would be very well-looked after and they would find that support that is so critical to artists... They are the best I’ve ever dealt with anywhere.”

Harbour Gallery proudly promotes the work of 35 talented Canadian artists, and is one of Canada’s largest galleries.

Visit on May 14, 2011 for the premiere of Atyeo’s newest show.•